Tamron SP Di II 60mm F/2 Macro Lens Review

February 2010, Carl Garrard

Tamron's newest macro lens is the new Tamron SP Di 60mm f/2 Macro lens. SP is the designation for Tamron's special performance lens (their professional grade lens). It comes equipped with an internal focus motor, internal focusing design (the lens does not change shape during focusing), and a bright max f/2 aperture rating. Specifically Tamron calls this lens a Di II lens which means that is is optimized optically for digital cameras, and for sensos with an APS-C sized sensor only. However, in my findings during testing this lens on the A900 full frame sensor, some might consider this Tamron to be fully functional for full frame use as well. More on that further in the review. Announced on September 28th, 2009 the Tamron currently sells for about $570.00 in the U.S. Considering this lens could be capable of being a great portrait lens (90mm on APS-C is a great focal length for portrait work), it could be a bargain to some photographers looking for a lens that can do more than its specified task. Lets see how the Tamron performs in testing on our new AMW lens chart, and what my opinion of the overall value of this lens can mean to you.

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di Lens Review

July 2009, Carl Garrard

Tamron's SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-f4 Di Lens is a compact and relatively lightweight ultra-wide angle lens that is nearly as versatile on a full frame D/SLR as it is on an APS-C DSLR. This lens is currently priced from $300.00-$450.00 USD and seemingly offers quite a bargain for the price. It is a relatively fast maxiumum aperture lens that has a good specification sheet for both indoor and outdoor work. Mounted on an APS-C Alpha DSLR, it has a 25.5-52.5mm equivalent field of view, and does extra wide duty work for a full frame DSLR. This lens is similar in design to the Konica Minolta 17-35mm lens that has been out of production for quite some time. On the hunt for a bargain ultra-wide with respectable performance for my A900, I decided to purchase this lens and give it a go.

Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 Summary Review

June 2009, Carl Garrard

Our review reveals that Tamron's 70-300mm f/4-f/5.6 LD Macro 1:2 Lens is currently one of the most affordable and versatile lenses in its range. It is a highly popular lens and is available in just about every DSLR mount because its features and performance for the price creates a high demand from photographers of many levels of experience. For the Alpha Mount it offers full frame coverage, a 1:2 macro feature, 9 aperture blades, Limited Dispersion Elements (LD) to control aberrations, elements coated for digital optics, and a full 6 year warranty. It has been widely available since spring of 2006.

Sony Carl Zeiss 16-35mm f/2.8 Review

May 2009, Carl Garrard

Continuing to introduce professional grade optics to the Alpha lens lineup, Sony introduced the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 16-35mm f/2.8 lens on the same day the Alpha A900 DSLR was announced officially last year, to which we are finally getting a chance to review. The Sony 16-35mm Zeiss joins the lineup as the most expensive Zeiss offering yet as a professional grade ultra-wide angle alternative covering a full frame sensor. A relative brother to the extremely popular and industry leading Sony Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, both lenses look almost identical in design and include many of the same specifications. While the 24-70mm f/2.8 is a more standard zoom by focal length comparison, the Sony Zeiss 16-35mm f/2.8 fits a more specific niche category aimed at wide landscape and architecture photography. The lens boasts Sony's SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) auto focusing technology, internal zoom and focus, focus hold button, AF/MF switch, and a constant and bright f/2.8 aperture. Retailing currently for $1,899.00 the price should command more serious photographers who demand the highest optical quality available for the Alpha Mount, or for enthusiasts fortunate enough in these times to have extra cash to plunk down for the best name in lens design.

Tokina AF193 19-35mm f/3.5 to f/4.5 Lens Review

April 2009, Carl Garrard

Back in a time not too long ago when Tokina made lenses for Minolta, a lightweight, affordable ultrawide lens design became very popular, the Tokina 19-35mm f/3.5-f/4.5 wide angle lens. It was designed to cover a 35mm full frame area originally for film cameras, yet the range itself makes it compelling for APS-C use even now. The Tokina 19-35mm continues to be popular/available enough today to be a lens worth considering for the Alpha Mount, and as you can see, a subsequent review here. Brand new copies of this lens can still be found with retailers at remarkably low prices. The lens boasts metal and plastic construction, but is very rugged and precise and features internal focusing and zooming for less than $200.00 USD retail. Tokina can arguably be the best built consumer grade lenses on the market for the dollar, which makes it a pity they do not make new models available for the Alpha Mount. That aside, we still do have a few out there available to us, and the Tokina 19-35mm is one of them. Take a tour of this lens with us as I share my thoughts and test findings with you.

Pro Optic 500mm f/6.3 Mirror Lens Review

March 2009, Carl Garrard

Curiosity finally killed the cat, I just had to review this lens. The Pro Optic 500mm f/6.3 Mirror Lens was just too low of a price for me to pass up. Adorama sells these lenses exclusively for about $165.00. Certainly a tantalizing price to many of us whether you want to admit that or not. I am sure there are many of you who want to know what this lens is like, but don't really want to part with the money. I know how you think. Well, I took one for the team and shelled out my own money to answer that question for you. We all know you don't get something for nothing most of the time regarding glass for our DSLR's so I wanted to see if this lens was worth its very affordable price tag when compared to the Sony 500mm f/8 AF Mirror lens variant. I have fired enough shots through this lens to give you my thoughts on it. So off we go to the (rather short) review of this lens.

February, 2009 Carl Garrard

The Tamron 55-200mm f4-5.6 Di II LD Macro is a lens that hasn't quite had its share of fair press yet is a lens I believe that will give you quite a bit for your money in return. For about $150.00 to $200.00 USD new, the Tamron won't break your wallet either. Since money seems to be comparatively thin nowadays for many, I thought it would be nice to review a lens that gives you quite a bang for the buck. I've had this lens for some time now and have taken a vast amount of images through it. It is a lightweight and inexpensive lens with a relatively useful zoom range even when compared to the 70/75-300 budget class lenses. It gives you slightly wider field of view than that class and still maintains a smaller than average minimum focus area to boot of about 1:3.5 (APS-C). It is an APS-C specific lens that subsequently won't work for your full frame film camera or A900 without vignetting in the corners. Other than that it is a relatively simple no frill lens design that I believe is great for beginners or enthusiasts that demand a lightweight lens with decent to very good quality images. The only other real competition for this focal length this lens has is of course the Sony 55-200 variant (with a larger front filter and focusing ring), and the Sigma 55-200. The Tamron can be had for less than either.

Sony Reflex 500mm f8 Lens Review

December 2008, Carl Garrard

(Updated 12-8-2008, Added Pro Optic 2x Teleconverter Test and Sample Image Page)

So you are looking for a new telephoto lens and the Sony Reflex 500mm F8 seems to be a lens worth considering, right? For about the last 3 weeks I have been running this lens through the usual paces with the Sony A700, and am glad to report my findings in this review. First, some history. The Sony 500mm Reflex f8 is another re-badged design carried over from Minolta that was initially introduced in 1991 (re-introduced by Sony in 2006), and to this day remains the world's only auto focusing catadioptric (reflex) mirror lens for DSLR cameras. Hence this lens is completely unique, and exemplifies Minolta's dominating design genius. As the name indicates, it is a fixed aperture prime lens with a rather simple and effective design that will also turn a few heads.

Sony SAL-50F14 50mm f1.4 Lens

October 2008, Carl Garrard

The Sony 50mm f1.4-f22 Lens (SAL-50F14) is a standard prime lens carried over from Minolta. It is currently Sony's "fastest" lens in the Alpha lineup crowning it the king of low light photography in the Alpha Mount (sharing that title also with the 35mm f1.4G). It currently retails for $349.00 from retailers and SonyStyle.com, giving it a modest price. Considering you can buy a 50mm 1.7 Minolta used for about $125.00 and up, it seemingly makes this lens a tough buy brand new. Or does it? My warning, do not be fooled by mere specs and price alone as this lens offers plenty to make up that price. More...

Sony 24-105mm f3.5-4.5 SAL-24105
A full frame bargain?

August 2008, Carl Garrard
(Tested on Sony Alpha A700/200)

Sony 24-105mm f3.5-4.5 - Introduction and Overview

Sony's 24-105mm f3.5-4.5 is a carry over from the highly popular Minolta 24-105 RS 'D' (D stands for distance encoding via an 8 pin connector). Distance encoding basically means the camera and lens communicate with each other in multi-segment metering mode so the camera knows what focal length the lens is at during the time of exposure, and as a result helps to more correctly analyze that data for a final exposure calculation. This data is even more important when using a compatible flash unit so all three can work together to gather correct exposure information, and generally speaking you get a more accurate flash reading at any given focal length as a result.

Summary Review - Minolta 28-135 f4-f.5 2553-100 Lens

A bargain full frame collectors lens!

August 2008, Carl Garrard

Introduction and Layout-

Minolta's 28-135 f4-f4.5 first generation lens is a subculture icon. If you haven't yet heard of this lens, that is one reason alone for generating this article. With the soon to come Sony A900 (Flagship) due, many Minolta users or Sony users looking to upgrade to that body may be looking for some killer low budget glass. Enter the Minolta 28-135 f4-4.5. This lens boasts a full frame wide angle of 28mm, to a very decent mid telephoto of 135mm, and.... a decent macro feature to boot (1:4 magnification APS-C), with rear component and internal focusing (great for filters). You can probably get a good one for about $175.00-$300.00 USD when you look around.

Sony 28mm F 2.8 Lens SAL-28F28

Sony's most affordable general purpose Prime

July 2008, Carl Garrard

Introduction

Sony's 28mm f2.8 lens is currently the most affordable "prime" lens offered by Sony, and in Sony's top 4 most affordable lenses in its lineup. It is also Sony's smallest and lightest lens, and one carried over from a Minolta design. Brand new, this lens will only cost you $249.00 direct from SonyStyle or other retailers at the time of this review.

The most affordable G lens to date, and introduced at a very popular focal length

SAL-70300G

June 2008, Carl Garrard

(Thanks to Matt Davids at AlphaLensRental.com for providing this lens)

Lens tested on the Sony A700 and A200 DSLRS

The Sony 70-300G SSM 4.5-5.6 lens was introduced first at PMA this year, and after a bit of a wait is now finally available from Sony and other major retailers. The past "G" series lenses from Minolta and now subsequently Sony, carry a tradition of the highest image quality available from the lens lineup and typically carry a large price tag to go along with that quality. "G" lenses in the past have been hand built one by one at Sony's facilities, which partially accounts for the higher prices. With no official word from Sony, we can only guess if this lens will follow this tradition or not. Given the price, I doubt it can still be hand built. However, will it follow the tradition of image quality? Let's find out.

Sony Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f2.8 SSM SAL-2470Z

Built like an Artillery Shell, Sharp as Silk Image Quality

April 2008, Carl Garrard

(A very special thanks to Matt Davids at AlphaLensRental.com for the review copy of the lens!)

The Sony Zeiss 24-70mm f2.8 SSM large aperture lens is a professional's tool, from the price to its overall performance. Complete with a fast 2.8 max aperture thru the entire zoom range, Zeiss *T Coatings, two Aspherical and two ED glass lens elements that help eliminate flare and CA distortions, and a super fast and ultra quiet internal focusing motor, all add up to one serious lens. The Carl Zeiss 24-70 was tested on the Sony A700 and the Sony A350(See our image sample galleries).

Sony 50mm 2.8 Macro

A great macro lens, and more...

Introduction -

The Sony 50mm 2.8 Macro is an often overlooked lens for the Alpha kit. I haven't figured out just yet why this is, but I think I have a good idea. What does it offer that would make one want it for your kit? Well, the Sony 50mm 2.8 is a very sharp lens, it's built like a rock, comes complete with a focus hold/DOF preview button and a focus limiter, and has some seriously creamy-smooth Bokeh. Those who want a lens for portraits, well, it fits that bill too.