lenses Photography Articles

2 Third-Party Lenses that APS-C Shooters Need to Know About

We all know that when it comes to lenses, you don't have to stick to the big names to get great quality. What's more, you'll almost always pay significantly less for a third-party lens with the same features, and a few manufacturers regularly produce lenses with equal or higher ratings than the “big guys”. As always, we're keeping an eye out for those awesome bargain lenses and it's time to tell you about a few more. Without further ado, here they are:

Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Zoom

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We certainly don't have to introduce anyone to Sigma's lenses. They've been setting the bar high for years. This is a breakthrough lens and all you need to do to understand why is look at that maximum aperture size of f/1.8. It's the first to successfully maintain such a wide aperture throughout a wide angle zoom range. That means better low-light performance and better bokeh than the competiton, even at wide angles.

It's designed specifically for APS-C sensor cameras, but will mount on your full-frame, too, with very little vignetting. Internal focusing keeps the length fixed and it won't rotate your filters when you zoom or focus. The HSM motor is both fast and silent. Because it's compatible with Sigma's USB Dock, you can even fine-tune the focus as well as update the lens firmware when necessary.

As is typical with Sigma, the build of this lens is incredible, with their signature light weight, solid grip and smooth operation. It's got all the quality features you'd expect, too. It's available in Canon mount, Nikon mount, Sony Alpha mount and Pentax K mount versions.

Tamron AF18-270MM F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Zoom

AFB008C700

Talk about a walk-around lens for your crop sensor camera! This one covers just about any shooting situation you'll encounter and it bears another name that we don't have to introduce. Tamron is an award-winner and this lens is an example of why.

With a 15X zoom range from 18mm to 270mm, you might not ever have to take this one off your DSLR. It's no bare-bones lens, either – it features an ultra-quiet and fast piezo-electric focusing drive and Tamron's own tri-axial vibration compensation that can get you up to 4 stops more hand-held shooting! It's compact, lightweight and fast, and engineered just for your APS-C camera.

Imagine the freedom of composition, quick adjustment to changing scenes or subject movement and the general range of genres you can cover with this incredible zoom range! If you're looking for the ultimate all-in-one lens, this may be it. You'll be amazed at the low cost, too! Take a look at the Sony mount, Nikon mount, or Canon mount version, depending on the DSLR you're shooting with.

Don't worry; we'll keep our ears to the ground and bring you more awesome deals and groundbreaking gear! Meanwhile, check out one of our favorite photo gear retailers, below:

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This $11,500 600mm Lens is a Sight to Behold

stabilization2YouTube Screenshot/The Daniel Life

Have you ever been out shooting with your camera and thought, "Gee, I really wish I had a bigger lens"?

There's big lenses, and then there's BIG lenses...

For most of us, something like a 70-200mm would suffice. For others, something like a 400mm is better.

And for others, a massive bazooka-looking lens like the Canon EF 600mm f/4 IS USM is warranted.

I, for one, can't imagine a scenario in which I'd need this lens, but hey, different strokes for different folks!

In the video above, The Daniel Life offers up a comprehensive review of this monster lens, that way you can decide if it's something you want to buy or simply marvel at. Below, I give a play-by-play of some of the features of this amazing lens.

Editor's Note: If you're in need of a new lens, stretch your budget by selling your old gear. The place to do that is Lensfinder, a marketplace where photographers sell vintage and used lenses safely and securely. List your old lenses for sale today by visiting their website.

Yes, It's Image Stabilized

stabilizationYouTube Screenshot/The Daniel Life

Image stabilization can be a godsend when shooting handheld, though I don't imagine one can get many frames in a row when trying to hold up this behemoth.

It's also got multiple tripod mounts for added stabilization, so that's handy (or you can use a friend's shoulder, as seen above!). The tripod mount is also able to rotate 360-degrees around the lens for different mounting positions.

Just be sure you turn off the Image Stabilization when you've got the lens mounted on a tripod, otherwise the images might turn out super blurry.

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It's Weatherproof

Another piece of good news is that this bad boy is weather-sealed in case you have some photos to take at long range in the rain, snow, sleet, or other bad weather conditions.

That's a standard feature for Canon's L-series glass, which is their "luxury" line that professionals often use.

At a cost of more than $11,000, this lens certainly qualifies as luxury!

Manual Focus Takes Work

focus ringYouTube Screenshot/The Daniel Life

This lens is equipped with both autofocus and manual focus modes, but beware...

If you switch to manual focus, be prepared for some big turns of the focus ring to get the image in focus.

That's due simply to the sheer circumference of the lens, so a couple of hand movements are necessary to move through the lens' entire focal range.

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There's No Filter For the Front

filter holderYouTube Screenshot/The Daniel Life

As you might guess, because this lens is so large, there isn't a filter made to fit the front of the lens.

But Canon thought of that in advance, and placed a filter holder at the back of the lens.

Just remove the holder, pop in a traditional-sized filter, and you're ready to go!

It's More Than Just a Wildlife Lens

sample imageYouTube Screenshot/The Daniel Life

Looking at this monster lens, you might wonder why someone would need something so large.

Wildlife photographers certainly would look at this with a bit of gear lust, but it's not just a wildlife lens.

Sports photography is another ideal pursuit, and even landscape photography.

portrait sampleYouTube Screenshot/The Daniel Life

Heck, you can use it for portraits, and if you need some video of a distant subject, it can handle that as well.

In the sample image above, you can see how clear and bright the image is, and the bokeh in the background isn't bad, either!

planeYouTube Screenshot/The Daniel Life

Oh, and another subject you can photograph? Planes in flight.

The sample image above was taken from a whopping .8 miles away, demonstrating the sheer power of 600mm.

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This 600mm Lens Comes With a Case

caseYouTube Screenshot/The Daniel Life

I suppose as a bonus for buying a lens that's expensive as a car, you get a complementary locking case to shuttle lens lens around.

On the plus side, the case looks like a tank and should offer tons of protection for the lens.

On the down side, it's got "Canon" written all over it, which would-be thieves will certainly notice. There's also no wheels, so you're stuck carrying a monster lens in a monster case wherever you go.

But, hey, it's better than no case, right?

Editor's Note: Want to buy a new lens but don't want to break the bank? Buying pre-owned lenses allows you to get more bang for your buck. We recommend finding your next lens on Lensfinder, which is a marketplace for buying and selling lenses by photographers, for photographers. Check out their inventory.



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This f/1.2 Lens Might Be the Best Ever Made

Konica 57mm f1.2

Screenshot from YouTube video

The Konica 57mm f/1.2, colloquially known as the best f/1.2 lens ever crafted, is hard to get your hands on. For one thing, it costs about $800 secondhand. For another, it’s old, and going on really old for photography equipment.

But, one of my favorite YouTube photographers, Mathieu Stern, lucked out and purchased one for only $300. As only YouTube photographers do, he then went on a photoshoot with the best lens ever and posted it for the whole world to enjoy, even if you can’t afford an $800 lens.

What a Photoshoot Looks Like With the Best Lens Ever 

rare camera lenses

Screenshot from YouTube video 

“I realized that at f/1.2, this lens is way sharper than the other f/1.2 lenses I tried,” Stern said. Although, he did note how heavy the lens is. The bokeh on his photos, like the one above, is almost unbelievable.

best lens ever

Screenshot from YouTube video

The sharpness of the lens is fantastic. You don't loose detail in low light shooting with the lens wide open. Though it's tough to tell in a screenshot, check ou the video to see how truly sharp this lens is.

sharpest camera lens

Screenshot from YouTube video

If you aren’t totally convinced you should try this lens if you ever get the chance just from these photos and Stern’s testimony, then let’s convince you with some stats.

Konica 57mm f/1.2 Stats 

 Konica 57mm

The Konica 57mm f/1.2 was created from 1960 to 1987. The earliest version of the lens had only one half-stop between f/1.2 and f/2 and this lens is even harder to find amongst the rare camera lenses crowd.

You’ll also need a pretty specific camera in order to use the 57mm f/1.2 since Konica’s AR lenses have a really short focal distance and aren’t usually compatible with modern SLR cameras.

The lens has a fully automatic aperture and is quite heavy given how quick the shutter speed is. The lens does cast a yellowish color onto all of the shots it takes, though, but I think this quirk is also a bonus.  

The filter thread is 62mm, the length is 50mm, and it weighs a whopping 1.25 pounds.  

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Where to Purchase Rare Camera Lenses 

lensfinder 

If you’ve read my articles for any length of time then you know how I’m a huge fan of Lensfinderbecause of their wide array of rare camera lenses at relatively cheap prices. 

I sell my used equipment on Lensfinder, and although most of it is nowhere near as rare as the $180,000 Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM,it feels good to be part of a community of photographers trying to give their equipment a second life.

Unlike Ebay, where a lot of the Konica 50mm f/1.2 lenses are being sold, all of the fees with Lensfinder are up front. You know exactly how much you’re paying for shipping and exactly how long your new equipment will take to reach your house.

Plus, unlike Ebay, you’re primarily dealing with professional photographers. In my experience, these professional photographers are much more willing and able to answer your in-depth questions about the equipment they have up for sale. 

On Ebay, it’s common to never hear back from the seller about questions at all (especially with prized, in demand equipment like Konica lenses). 

If you’re looking for the sharpest camera lenses, or cheaper camera lenses, then you’d be wise to check out Lensfinder. 

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Why You Should Upgrade Your Kit Lens

Why You Should Upgrade Your Kit Lens

Photo by Michael Henry on Unsplash

Your new digital camera is a fantastic photographic tool. It is capable of performance we never even imagined just a decade ago. But it’s not only the camera that is involved in making photographs, you have a lens, too. 

Many digital cameras, whether DSLR or mirrorless, come in a kit with a zoom lens in the normal range. For APS-C cameras, this lens is often in the general range 18-55mm, MFT cameras 14-42mm, and Full Frame format 24-70mm or 28-80mm. 

For the most part, kit lenses are packaged with entry level up to some prosumer level cameras. A fair amount of photographers will inform beginners that you absolutely need to upgrade your kit lens right away. 

Do you need to upgrade your kit lens? What are some desirable kit lens alternatives? What should you look for when considering a kit lens upgrade? 

Kit Lens Characteristics 

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 Photo by Owen Young on Unsplash

The normal lens for 35mm film photography was most commonly the Nifty Fifty, a 50mm lens. It gave a decent representation of what the eye sees when dealing with full frame 35mm film format. It’s still the “normal” lens for Full Frame digital cameras.

Figuring in the crop factor calculations for the smaller formats, normal for for APS-C cameras is around 35mm, and 25mm for MFT format cameras. Crop factor for APS-C format is 1.5X and 1.6X, the factor is 2.0X for MFT format.

Zoom lenses that include the normal focal length plus a little telephoto and a fair amount of wide angle are some of the most useful lenses made. Add in macro or close focusing capability and you have a lens that probably covers most situations for a large number of photographers.

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What’s Wrong With a Kit Lens?

upgrade your kit lens 2

Photo by Warren Wong on Unsplash 

So why do so many experienced photographers recommend replacing the kit lens? Two reasons are usually cited. One, kit lenses are usually somewhat slow in maximum aperture. Two, kit lenses are generally manufactured with lightweight materials. 

What these characteristics do is both beneficial and limiting at the same time. The benefits are that these kit lenses can be small, light, and relatively inexpensive. The drawbacks are the previously mentioned slow maximum aperture, especially at the telephoto end of the zoom range, and that the lighter weight materials are not as rugged or durable as heavier duty materials. 

Something good to say about kit lenses is that every single one I have ever used or tested has been very sharp. Yes, kit lenses have very good optical quality. There are good reasons to pick other lenses, though.

Kit Lens Alternatives

kit lens alternatives 3

Photo by Hunter Moranville on Unsplash 

Since one of the most limiting characteristics of kit lenses are the slow apertures, many photographers new to interchangeable lens cameras will opt for a fast prime as their kit lens upgrade. You’re often not replacing your kit lens, you’re supplementing it.

A fast prime gives beginner photographers a great way to get into selective focus and controlling bokeh. In the APS-C format, prime lenses in the 35mm and 50mm focal length are relatively fast, f/2.0 or f/1.8. They are also small in size and aren’t very expensive.  

Another alternative some photographers choose is a macro lens. Especially if you are finding yourself enjoying the world of ultra close up imaging, a macro lens is a great choice. In the APS-C format, macro lenses of 40mm focal length are budget friendly and are faster than kit lens zooms, an f /2.8 aperture is common. 

gearfocus website

You can find a lot of these lenses at very low prices from used lens sellers such as Gear Focus. While it may make you nervous to think of spending money on a used item, sticking with a well respected seller with a proven track record gives you the best of both worlds - low prices and consumer protection. 

Other Kit Lens Upgrade Ideas 

kit lens alternatives 4

Photo by Markus Lompa on Unsplash 

Besides the normal focal length zoom range of lenses sold with the camera, other inexpensive lenses in different ranges could be considered kit lenses.

Among the first extra lenses purchased by a large number of beginner photographers are telephoto zoom lenses. The prices of many longer lenses could be shocking to new photographers. Some telephoto and telephoto zooms cost more than double or triple the price of the camera and lens kit. 

However, most camera makers also make longer zoom lenses with similar characteristics to the camera kit lens. For APS-C cameras, zooms in the range of 50-200mm or 70-300mm are made with lighter weight materials and slower maximum apertures. This keeps costs low while allowing you to enjoy using telephoto zooms.

kit lens upgrade 5

photo by filo via iStock 

The same thing applies to the wide angle side of things. Again, focusing on APS-C format, kit style lenses in focal length ranges of 10-20mm or 12-24mm are common in low price, slow aperture models. 

So, for a new photographer on a budget, you could get a great camera and 3 or 4 lenses covering super wide angle to significant telephoto and they could all probably fit into the bag that came with your camera and lens kit. 

Of course, kit style lenses are not all that is open to budget conscious beginner photographers. Excellent condition used lenses can be found at local camera stores and through online sellers such as Gear Focus. For peace of mind, look for sellers that offer some sort of consumer protection, such as return privileges or a limited warranty.

Learn more about the benefits of websites like Gear Focus in the video above.

How Many Lenses Do You Need?

kit lens upgrade 6

photo by 66North via iStock 

Well, what do you want to do photographically? After using your new camera and kit lens for a while, you probably know what you’re leaning towards. 

Are landscapes and architecture your thing? Consider wide angle lenses. Portraits? A fast prime could satisfy you. Wildlife? Perhaps the longer telephotos and telephoto zoom lenses are your first next lens purchase.

You don’t have to replace your first lens, but a kit lens upgrade is a good idea for your next major photographic purchase.

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