Samyang has long been known for producing sharp and highly affordable manual focus lenses, but in recent years, they have moved into producing autofocus lenses as well, while still keeping those budget prices that have endeared them to many photographers. At $299, the AF 45mm f/1.8 FE offers a lot of lens for not a lot of money, and this excellent video review takes a long-term look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Ultra-wide angle zoom lenses are useful for a wide range of applications, with professional models generally employing an f/2.8 aperture. However, not all photographers need to spend the kind of money or lug around the weight that comes with such a lens. Nikon’s NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S offers all the benefits of an ultra-wide angle zoom without that bulk or expensive price, and this great video takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it.
85mm lenses with wide maximum apertures are some of the most popular out there, particularly for portrait photographers, where their flattering focal length and narrow depth of field make them ideal for photographing people. Nonetheless, such lenses can cost well north of $2,000, which is what makes the Meike 85mm f/1.8, which costs less than $200, so intriguing. Can it keep up with more expensive options, though? This great video review takes a look at its performance and image quality to answer that question.
The new Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is one of the more interesting lenses to come along in a while, offering an intriguing focal length range that sacrifices reach at the long end compared to a 24-70mm for the ability to go wider than the usual 24mm, putting it somewhere between a standard zoom and an ultra-wide angle zoom. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
TTArtisan has established themselves as a manufacturer of often astonishingly affordable lenses that still offer decent or even good image quality, often far outperforming their cost. The 27mm f/2.8 continues that trend by offering Fujifilm X Series users a wide angle lens with autofocus for just $149. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in use.
When I was working in the photo industry in the late 90s and early 00s, Nikon was king. Canon was already a close second or even considered the leading brand, depending on which photographer one spoke with. Both companies offered a robust selection of lenses, advanced camera bodies, and excellent autofocus systems. And then there were the outlier brands, like Minolta, Olympus, and Pentax, all who made some wonderful cameras, but were not nearly as popular as tools for professionals. Minolta was, perhaps, one of the most adventurous camera makers.
