Lenses and Filters

Article: FAQ: What does a more expensive lens really buy you?.A case study of a bargain vs. a pro lens with the same focal range

Everyone likes a bargain, so price is always a factor in choosing a lens. However, there can be very significant differences in prices between lenses which on first glance may appear to be very similar.

Article: The best lenses for Photojournalists.Buying tips: When it comes to glass, get the finest you can afford

Just is there’s no best camera for photojournalists, there is also no best lens. But there is a range of lens types that will give you a better chance at getting the shot.

Article: Wildlife Service: Beyond Long Lenses.How to choose all the gear you need to bag great shots of animals in the wild--and why DSLRs make a difference

The stock in trade of the wildlife photographer is the telephoto lens. Most animals are small and get spooked when humans are near.

Article: Manual-Focus 35mm Lens Duel!.Zeiss and Rokinon 35mm primes go head to head

Ahhh, the modern age of digital photography. Blazing fast autofocus lenses and digital processors that make ISO 6400 shots look like they were shot on Kodachrome 25 back in the old days of film. However, there is one frustrating aspect with modern cameras—a thing that should make our lives easier—autofocus.

Article: Product Review: Olympus Zuiko 12mm f/2.0 Lens for Micro Four Thirds.Pro-caliber lens for street, documentary shooters

Olympus is targeting street photographers with the simultaneous release of the fast-working E-P3 Micro Four Thirds compact camera and a posh prime lens, the Zuiko 12mm f/2.0. Did they get the lens right? Here's what one street shooting thinks after taking it for a walk around NYC.

Article: Macro lens quick buying guide.A brief look at true macro lenses - Updated for Spring 2011

If you have a zoom lens that says it’s a “Macro,” don’t believe it. Sure it’ll get you close, likely to within 1:3 magnification (that’s 1/3 life-size on the film or sensor) but technically, true macro is considered 1:1 magnification—life-sized--or higher.

Article: Which Focal Length Macro Lens Is Best For You?.The long and the short of macro lenses

Do you need a 180mm macro lens or will a 60mm do? What's the difference when both can deliver 1:1 magnification?

Article: Product Review: Voigtlander Heliar 75mm f/1.8.Fast M-Mount Portrait Lens

Leica M-Mount rangefinder users want speed, but the price is steep. Can Cosina's latest 75mm lens compete with Leica and Zeiss for a third the price?

Article: Mastering Graduated Neutral-Density Filters.From the Perfect Picture School of Photography

Adorama's online photo learning partner, the Perfect Picture School of Photography, is are very happy to add Glenn Randall as an instructor. Here he shows how to use graduated ND filters for landscape photography.

Article: Product Review: Pro Optic 14mm f/2.8 Ultrawide Lens.A budget-busting wide-angle alternative

The Pro Optic 14mm f/2.8 lens offers a low-cost entry to wide-angle photography. But can it deliver the quality to compete with the more expensive versions?

Article: Product Review: Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZ.The World’s Smallest, Lightest 15X Zoom for APS-C DSLRs

Tamron lowers size and weight and ups the ante on what may be the ideal travel photography lens.

Article: Pro Optic Filters—AdoramaTV .Product Reviews

Adorama Photography TV presents Pro Optic UV and polarizing filters.

Article: FAQ: What are Interchangeable Lenses?.Are you serious?

Are you ready to become a more creative photographer by making the step up from simple snapshot cameras to serious photographic tools? If you are, then the answer to the question, What are Interchangeable Lenses, is an important start.

Article: Tiffen Digital HT Filters: Tough As Nails.Product Review

HT stands for Hi-Trans, a proprietary multi-coating process, but do these Made In USA filters do more? And can you really clean them with a paper towel without scratching them?

Article: Portrait Lenses We've Fallen in Love With.Hitting the "like" button on a wide range of portrait options

We asked our Facebook and Twitter friends which lenses were their favorites for portrait photography. Here's what we learned.

Article: Field Test: Nikon 35mm f/1.4 Lens.A workhorse prime lens goes pro, at last

This review was very hard to be objective about. You see, I've been waiting impatiently for Nikon to release a new 35mm f/1.4 lens for more than five years.

Article: FAQ #1: One long zoom lens or two shorter zooms?.Frequently Asked Questions About Camera Gear and Photography

Welcome to the first of an ongoing series where we dig deep to answer your questions about photo gear and taking pictures. Today, we'll look at whether it makes more sense to buy two shorter zooms or a single long zoom lens that covers the entire focal range.

Article: Normal Zoom vs. Normal Prime Lens, Part I.Are kit zooms ready for prime time?

50mm prime lenses rock…but how do they compare to those inexpensive normal “kit” zoom lenses? Here’s a case study.

Article: 50mm Lens Shoot-Out: f/1.8 or f/1.4?.What kind of image quality does all that money and 2/3 of a stop really get you?

Experienced photographers know that the humble, inexpensive 50 is a little powerhouse. But should you get the faster f/1.4 or the less expensive f/1.8? Lab test results reveal interesting surprises and practical advice.

Article: Fun with a Lensbaby.Optic swaps, sweet spots, and selective focus for in-camera effects

In an earlier tutorial I showed how to create a faux Lensbaby effect in Photoshop. But like many digital darkroom techniques, it can’t quite replace the real thing.

Article: Product Review: Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 HSM Zoom Lens.An ultrawide that takes it all in

I consider ultrawide zoom lenses to be primarily special-effects tools and the Sigma 8-16mm certainly falls into this category. Let’s take a close, undistorted look at its features and abilities.

Article: Buying Guide: Choosing a Lens.The best lens might not always be the right lens for you

Choosing a lens for your DSLR or mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera can be a difficult task, not because there are so few choices, but because there are often so many.

Article: Sports lens buying guide.Want to catch the action? Here’s a quick guide to the gear—especially lenses--you need.

First, lets’ disqualify compact cameras. Get 'em off the field. The lag time on any compact camera can delay the actual picture-taking moment rules them out when you need split-second timing. (I’m penalizing EVF “bridge” cameras, too—they may look like DSLRs, but most react slower.)

Article: In praise of kit lenses.You can go a long way, photographically, with a budget-priced starter zoom lens

I come to you today to sing the praises of the kit lens--that humble midrange zoom that is often bundled with starter and intermediate-level SLR cameras.

Article: Field report: Pro Optic 500mm f/6.3 mirror lens.Lots of mm's for the $

If you're an aspiring nature shooter who is discouraged by the high cost of supertelephoto lenses (which can run into the thousands of dollars), here's a low-cost alternative: the Pro Optic 500mm f/6.3 mirror lens.

Article: Product Review: Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 lens.For this long zoom lens, the Optical Image Stabilization is the star

In 2005, Sigma introduced a monster 10x zoom lens, the 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG/HSM, which offered flare-reducing lens coating, a HyperSonic motor and SLD glass.

Article: Top Portrait Lenses.Five favorite lenses that will flatter your subject

If you’re getting serious about portrait photography, consider investing in a moderate telephoto lens. Here’s a round-up of the best.

Article: Product Review: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens.A step-up lens for enthusiasts gets stabilization

Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to upgrade from that cheap kit lens or an aspiring photojournalist seeking a versatile lens within a tight budget, the Sigma 17-70 is worth your attention.

Article: Leica-M Lenses For Cheapskates, Part II .The Fab Four Leica Summarits

You don’t have to spend two grand or (much) more for a bona-fide Leica lens. Does Leica’s new lineup of f/2.5 Summarit-M lenses deliver true Leica performance?

Article: Leica M-Mount Lenses For Cheapskates.Part 1: The 50mm Voigtlanders

Can affordable alternatives to those pricey Leica M lenses produce outstanding images? Our resident Leica expert puts three “Normal” Voigtlanders through their paces.

Article: Product review: Leica 24mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH.A handy low-light street lens

Leica’s 24mm f/1.4 Summilux is one of only two such lenses in production—the other one is the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II. How does this fast wide angle lens fare?

Article: Product review: Leica 21mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH.Super-wide, super-fast. Super good?

As Leica proudly proclaims, the 21mm f/1.4 Summilux is indeed the fastest 21mm lens ever produced. Let's take a closer look.

Article: Product review: Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH.The world’s fastest “normal” prime lens

For well over half a century, one of the chief attractions of the venerable Leica M rangefinder system has been its acclaimed line of interchangeable Leica lenses. This week, we look at three of the latest.

Article: Product Review: Carl Zeiss 28mm Distagon T* f/2.0 ZE lens.Wide and fast…and perfect?

Zeiss has recently introduced a series of spare-no-expenses, top-quality manual-focus lenses optimized for today’s digital SLR cameras. Let’s put one of them through its paces.

Article: Product Review: Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Lens.A longer telephoto zoom for the rest of us

It has a desirable focal range and a very tempting price tag, but can the Sony 75-300 f/4.5-5.6 Macro deliver good enough quality?

Article: Product Review: Sony 11-18mm f/3.5-4.5 Lens.We take a close look at a holdover from the Minolta days

Made exclusively for Sony DSLRs with APS sensors, the Sony 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 has the Minolta DNA. Does it deliver what digital shooters need?

Article: Product Review: Pro-Optic 8mm f/3.5 Fish-Eye CS lens.Does this sub-$300 ultrawide lens deliver image quality that will please demanding digital photographers?

Lots of photographers would like to own a really wide angle, fish-eye lens, but there has always been one major roadblock standing in the way: the price tag. These optical devices are complicated to design and build, and that complexity is ultimately reflected in the cost.

Article: Product Review: Sigma 150-500mm f/5.6-6.3 lens.Does this super tele-zoom have what it takes to win on the gridiron?

A professional sports photographer takes this $1,000 lens on assignment to a football game to see if can capture the action.

Article: Field Test: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4 lens.Micro Four Thirds ultrawide is ultra-cool

Will photographers pony up more than a grand for this jewel of a lens? We put it through its paces.

Article: Field Test: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/4-5.8 ASPH lens.New Micro Four Thirds kit lens covers a wide range

If you’re buying your first Micro Four Thirds camera, this may be the first lens you’ll use. Can it deliver quality images throughout its full 10x range?

Article: User Report: Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC lens.Heavy Hitter

A superwide zoom lens joins a very small club with its constant f/3.5 aperture. Can it deliver the kind of sharp images that justify the cost and extra weight?

Article: How to use a Lensbaby.Dreamy toy-camera photos with SLR control: 100 in 100, day 92

Quaint imperfection? Fuzzy focus? Funky blur? It's in there! Learn how to enhance your creativity and increase the fun factor in your photography with these innovative, unique lenses.

Article: Product Review: Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH lens.100 in 100/IV, day 60: We test the world’s smallest, lightest mid-range zoom

Panasonic gives the kit lens a makeover and puts it on a diet. Now it’s looking small and sharp.

Article: Field Test: Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC USM OS Lens.What can't this lens do?

Optical advances make now a great time to get a long-range zoom lens.

Article: Protect your lens with Skylight or UV filters.Things to put in front of your lens

The advertised purpose of a Skylight or UV filter is to cut atmospheric haze by absorbing ultraviolet light.

Article: PRODUCT PROFILE: You’re NOT going to lose your lens cap!.What should you do with your lens cap when you’re taking pictures?

There is a raging debate about the above question in the photography community. The two sides are Cap Keepers, and Cap Tossers.

Article: $4,000 Leica lens vs a $350 off-brand oldie: Which is better? .We test both, but the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think!

Life is full of compromises. Take lenses: Should you buy the best lens money can buy, or go for a less expensive model? The classic advice is to always buy the best lens you can afford, but what if there is a major difference in price?

Article: Product Review: A “300-600”mm Lens for Sharp Wildlife Shots.How a matched tele-converter and telphoto lens can create magic

I had an older 500mm lens and began to wish for something better.

Article: Get Closer Close-Ups With A Tele-Extender.An alternative to macro, sort of

We continue our look at tele-extenders an how they can add versatility to your lenses in general, and macro photography capabilities in particular.

Article: Extend zoom lens range with a tele-converter.It's Almost Something for Nothing

Tele-converters, aka tele-extenders, are relatively small optical devices that fit between your camera body and lens, producing greater magnification and increasing the lens’ focal length.

Article: REVIEW: Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII VC lens.Ultimate Long-range Zoom for DSLRs?

Tamron updates its superzoom.

Article: Lenses for HDR photography.Expand your range, both optically and otherwise

HDRI (High Dynamic Range Imaging) has become a much-discussed way to get the produce images with a range of tones and colors similar to what the human eye sees. Here are some basic HDRI techniques and advice.

Article: Use fast lenses for low light.Wide aperture lenses can see more in the dark

Most lenses are designed to work under normal lighting conditions. In photographic terms, "normal" generally means outdoors. Normal lighting may work in overcast weather, shade of trees or buildings, or in brightly lit rooms with skylights and plenty windows, but the real world isn't always like that.

Article: Lensfest2010: Tele zooms go all the way.Welcome to Lensfest 2010, where we look at the best of this year’s new optical marvels.

.Welcome to Lensfest 2010, where we look at the best of this year’s new optical marvels.

Article: Get to know a new lens.An optimal optical opportunity

Looking for photographic opportunities, consider trying out a new lens—or familiarizing yourself with a lens you don’t use often.

Article: Infrared filter guide.Your digital camera may already be IR-ready. All you need is the right filter.

Is your digital camera capable of infrared (IR) capture? Point a TV remote control at the lens, push a button, and take a picture or look at the image on the LCD panel.

Article: "Normal" lens buying guide.Life begins at 50

If one way to overcome problems associated with low light is to shoot at a wide aperture, then you need a wide-aperture ("fast") lens. Most kit zoom lenses only open to around f/3.5 or f/4, and fast zooms that maintain a maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range cost a mint.

Article: Use a wider aperture.f/1.8 and be there!

To overcome many of the problems associated with low-light photography, and give your creative juices a jump-start, use a lens with a wide maximum aperture (in the f/1.4-2.8 range) and shoot away.

Article: What's A UV Filter For?.Demystifying a common accessory

A UV filter is one of the most common accessories purchased by SLR lens owners.

Article: Beware of Lens Flare.How to keep your scenes clear of errant light

Lens flare happens when non-image-forming light enters a lens and falls on thefilm or sensor. If the light is well diffused it lowers the contrast of the image.

Article: Polarize For Bluer Skies.Intensify the hues

When photographing subjects which are backlit against a bright blue sky, the exposure required for the subject can often result in the sky being somewhat overexposed and washed out.

Article: Lens Defect Detective.Is your lens a a sharp shooter or a fuzzy dog? Test it and find out

Anyone who has followed photography discussions on the web over the last 10 years or so will have noticed an increasing number of complaints about defective lenses. It's gotten to the point where I've actually seen some people complain that they are afraid tobuy a lens in case they get a bad one!

Article: Clean it up!.How to keep your lenses and filters smudge- and scratch-free

The best way to keep lenses and filters clean is not to get them get dirty in the firstplace. This may sound trite, but every cleaning carries with it a very small risk ofcausing problems.

Article: FOCUS ON LENSES: Fuzzy Logic.Sharp lenses are good, but here's why you should pay attention to background blur and bokeh

While sharpness is an essential part of most photographs, the creative use of backround blur can be a very useful compositional element.

Article: BUYING GUIDE: Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) Lenses.Expand your creative options with the right lens--or lenses

Learn your lens lines

Article: BUYING GUIDE: Filter FAQ.Frequently-asked questions about choosing and handling filters

We answer seven important questions about filters.

Article: BUYING GUIDE: Optical Filters.You could do some of these effects in Photoshop--but why wait when you can get it done in your camera?

Perhaps the single greatest thing about optical filters--those transparent, usually round, usually glass light modifiers that screw onto your lens--is that they allow you to add creative effects easily at the moment of exposure.

Article: Do you still need a polarizing filter? Yes!. Here's one thing Photoshop will never be able to do

Pssst...I've got this great new filter that can actually eliminate reflections!