The AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8 is an ultra-wide angle zoom designed for full-frame FX-format Nikon DSLRs. Announced in 2007, alongside the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8, it delivers a unique combination of ultra-wide coverage, fast and constant focal ratio, pro build quality and superb results which has deservedly seen it become one of the most desirable…
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The AF-S Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED is an ‘affordable’ wide angle zoom lens that’s compatible with Nikon’s full-frame FX format DSLRs. Announced in January 2013, it’s aimed at photographers who’ve bought lower-priced full-frame DSLRs like the D600, but equally works on cropped-frame DX format models, where it becomes equivalent to 27-53mm. Officially it’s the successor…
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The Olympus 75mm f1.8 is a high quality telephoto lens for the Micro Four Thirds system. Ideal for portraits with its 150mm field of view.…
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The Olympus 17mm f1.8 is a general-purpose prime lens with a semi-wide focal length. A great compact walk-around option for MFT bodies.…
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The EF-S 24mm f2.8 STM is a ‘pancake’ prime lens for Canon’s cropped-frame DSLRs with APS-C sensors. It delivers 38mm equivalent coverage which makes it an ideal walk-around lens, roughly similar in length to the classic 35mm options on full-frame or 35mm film bodies. The f2.8 focal ratio gathers more light than a typical kit…
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Canon’s EF 16-35mm f4L IS USM is an ultra-wide zoom that’s compatible with full-frame DSLRs. It’s the successor to the EF 17-40mm f4L USM, losing a little on the long-end, but gaining a tad on the important wide-end, while also adding the benefit of image stabilization. Crucially it matches the coverage of the EF 16-35mm…
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Canon’s EF 16-35mm f2.8L II USM is the second version of its professional ultra-wide lens. It delivers huge views on a full-frame body and is so wide it’s also usable as a standard zoom on a cropped body. It’s pricey, but features a constant, bright f2.8 aperture, quick and quiet USM focusing, and as an…
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The widest prime lens in the Canon catalogue is a real gem: the EF 14mm f2.8L II USM, now in an improved Mark II version, delivers ultra-wide coverage without any of the distortion of a fisheye. This is the lens to go for if you want to capture big skies, large buildings or expansive landscapes…
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If you’re really into photographing tiny subjects like insects, consider Canon’s MP-E65 which can achieve greater than 1x magnification without attachments. At its closest focusing distance of 24cm, the MP-E65 can deliver 5x reproduction for spectacular close-ups, which combined with the f2.8 aperture can also achieve very blurred background effects. It’s manual focus only, but…
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Close-up fanatics wanting a top-quality Macro lens should consider the EF 100mm f2.8L, which works on cropped and full-frame bodies, delivers 1x magnification and boasts Canon’s first Hybrid Image Stabilisation system which counteracts both lens shift and angular motion. The ‘L’ build quality is dust and moisture-resistant, and the out-of-focus effects look great thanks to…
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