"Pentax DA 35mm f2.4 AL Lens Review
Introduction- The budget 35mm f2.4 is compact lightweight standard equivalent lens for all Pentax DSLRs (as of the time of this writing). As the name implies, it has a relatively bright max f/2.4 aperture and 50mm equivalent (in 35mm terms) field of view. This lens is for the budget conscious or those who like a good bang for the buck. Pentax denotes that this lens is good for beginners who want better picture quality from a prime lens without having to spend a lot of money to do so. More at www.photographic-central.blogspot.com."
Pentax 21987 DA 35mm f/2.4 AL Lens for Pentax Digital SLR cameras "

Turn Your 50mm Lens Into A Super Macro-On A Budget

May 2011, Carl Garrard

Going Macro For Less- For this article, I'm using a Standard 50mm Lens as an example and test bed for the filter and lens. For those of you who can't afford, or better yet don't want to afford, a dedicated macro lens- this article is for you. There are a couple different ways to go about avoiding the purchase of a sometimes pretty expensive dedicated macro lens for your DSLR arsenal. Namely there are two common ways: Turn your lens around backwards and use an adapter to mount it to your camera, or buy a dedicated macro filter to screw onto the front of your lens. Personally I prefer the latter, and I'll explain why in more detail as we go along here.  One way in particular I find even better than just screwing on filter to your 50mm Standard lens.

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.