Lens News

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Ron Leach  |  Jan 12, 2017  | 

Optical technology has advanced dramatically since the early days of zoom lenses when the consensus among serious photographers was that prime lenses offered far greater sharpness, resolution, color rendition and contrast than zoom lenses. In the video below, Matt Granger discusses that “misconception” as it pertains today, as well as the notion that prime lenses encourage more compositional creativity by forcing you to “zoom with your feet.”

Ron Leach  |  Mar 08, 2022  | 

Nothing spoils an otherwise great shot more than failing to achieve precise focus. You can compose a scene properly, nail exposure, and capture beautiful colors, but if the image is soft all is for naught.

Ron Leach  |  Apr 05, 2024  | 

There's nothing more aggravating than capturing what you thought was a great shot, only to discover upon close evaluation that the image isn't critically sharp. There are a variety of reasons that this may occur, and we've discussed many of these in the past, but the video below explores a couple other causes worthy of consideration.

Ron Leach  |  Jun 21, 2024  | 

There's no denying that photography can be an expensive pursuit, whether you're an avoid amateur or a working pro with a boatload of high-end equipment. In either case it's important to protect gear properly so that everything remains it top condition and performs as it should. In this video you'll learn several pro tips for doing just that.

Ron Leach  |  Jun 22, 2017  | 

Dirty camera sensors are a common source of degraded image quality, resulting in tedious post-processing work to clean up the photograph. This problem is the bane of those who shoot outdoors in dusty conditions, and is particularly acute when using small aperture settings that tend to exaggerate imperfections.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  May 04, 2017  | 

If the used camera lens you see online is packaged with a leash and a bone, odds are very good that it’s a dog. But in the absence of obvious evidence, how can you tell a bargain from a bagel? It’s impossible to physically examine the merchandise before purchase. And you can’t always trust what you see in the listing photos. However, you can conduct a thorough inspection upon receipt. Here are 10 things to check the minute the used lens is delivered. 

Ron Leach  |  Sep 19, 2016  | 

Fujifilm just created some major excitement at Photokina with the introduction of the 51.4-megapixel Fujifilm GFX medium format mirrorless camera and three lenses designed to handle future cameras with 100-megapixel resolution.

Ron Leach  |  Feb 06, 2023  | 

Bokeh is a popular topic these days, especially for those contemplating the purchase of a new lens. As you’ll see in the straightforward tutorial below, it’s also an imaging characteristic that can be manipulated with whatever lenses you own.

Ron Leach  |  May 09, 2023  | 

Have you ever wondered how some photographers create photos with a magical, dreamy effect that make a subject seem to pop out of the background and direct a viewer’s eye to exactly where it should go? That’s what you’ll learn how to in the tutorial below, in barely seven minutes.

Ron Leach  |  Aug 01, 2016  | 

The new Samyang 35mm f/1.2 AS UMC CS is a relatively affordable high-speed lens designed for use with Sony E, MFT, Fujifilm X and Canon M mirrorless cameras. It’s scheduled to ship in September for around $500, and offers great versatility for low-light photography.

Ron Leach  |  Sep 30, 2022  | 

There’s a bunch of photographers out there who’d like to shoot macro images once in a while, but not often enough to justify purchasing an expensive, dedicated lens. Today we’re going to show you how to get started shooting close-ups on the cheap.

Ron Leach  |  Jan 27, 2017  | 

Ten years ago we ran an article extolling the virtues of soft focus lenses and explaining how to make a pretty sophisticated one yourself. And now, in the DIY video below, you’ll learn a less expensive method for making a basic version.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Aug 01, 2009  | 

“Some OEM lens makers sell exactly the same item in the same configuration to more than one camera manufacturer.”...

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Aug 01, 2010  | 

Back in the day when prime lenses ruled supreme and snooty purists decried zooms for lack of absolute sharpness, Tele-Converters (TCs) were popular accessories. Photographers wanted to bring distant subjects closer, and TCs provided a means to that end. Also known as tele-extenders, these thick slabs of metal and glass increase the focal length of a given lens while also decreasing the f/stop.

Ron Leach  |  Jun 20, 2024  | 

Here's an interesting discussion  to help you differentiate between what you want and what you really need when it comes to purchasing a new camera—specifically with regard to camera sensor size. Full-frame models are all the rage, but some photographers regret their decision to "step up" from a full-frame camera.

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