It has been a while since Canon announced the 450D / Rebel XSi. DPReview editors got their hands on a production version of the new DSLR camera and posted a gallery of sample images. Nothing looks very striking from those sample photos, but the Canon 450D will be a great choice as an entry level digital SLR camera with many improvements over its predecessor and good value.
After a long delay, DPReview has posted a very detailed review of the Nikon D300 digital SLR (DSLR) camera. Against some strong competitions, the D300 easily earned a “Highly Recommended” and the review states “… biggest problem writing this conclusion has been picking out the D300’s weak points” and “… there’s simply no better semi-professional digital SLR on the market“.
If you are still hesitant on buying the D300 for whatever reason, the review may finally help you make the decision.
I have one of the older model (A16N) Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 for Nikon. I like the lens for its value even though it does have a flaw related to FLASH photography in TTL-BL mode. Lately, Tamron has announced update to this lens with a built-in AF motor.
A vendor in Malaysia has received the lens and posted a short review on PhotoMalaysia. In summary, the new version has:
Once a very popular lens selling even above MSRP not too long ago, the Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED has lost its charm somewhat. I guess the demands drop as most people who wanted it already got it. It can now be easily found at most photography equipment places for less than MSRP.
It appears that DPReview just started doing lens reviews but I am a little surprised to see the review of this lens coming from DPReview at this time (two years after its release), when many people are waiting for an already-late Nikon D300 review.
Based on the review, the lens is “about making some optical compromises to provide the broadest possible range in a single lens”. It is “nothing more than an expensive snapshot lens”, and it is for “he photographer who wants to shoot a little bit of everything and not have to change lenses”. I guess that’s quite accurate.
For reference, here are some other reviews of this lens:
According to DPReview, Tamron announced the SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro at PMA 2008. It seems to be an interesting addition to the camp of Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro and Tokina AT-X 828 AF Pro 80-200mm f/2.8 as a low cost alternative to the expensive OEM counterparts. Although not mentioned in the DPReview coverage, the Nikon mount version will have a built-in auto focus motor so it works on all Nikon DSLR cameras including D40/D40X/D60, which do not have in-body AF motor. Quoting from the product overview from Tamron:
While overall dimensions are confined to the absolute minimum, the new SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 zoom lens is packed with features that allow stress-free photography: a versatile MFD of just 37.4″ over the entire zoom range; best-in-class maximum macro magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at f=200mm; and an advantageous internal focusing (IF) system. The new tele-zoom lens covers a desirable focal length range of 70mm medium telephoto to 200mm telephoto when mounted on full-size format SLR cameras and a focal length range from 109mm to 310mm* ultra telephoto when mounted on a DSLR camera with an APS-C sized imager.
Being a owner of five quality Sigma EX lenses, I am happy and impressed with the latest Sigma lenses announcements at PMA 08. The gigantic green beast Sigma 200-500 f/2.8 EX DG is a showcase of Sigma’s achievement in the photography lens market. Labeled as the “ultimate wildlife lens”, APO 200-500 f.2.8 is “the world’s first lens to offer an f/2.8 aperture at 500mm focal length”. It was actually displayed at PMA 2007 as prototype. Read More…
Tamron just announced at PMA 2008 three new lenses with built-in AF motor for Nikon mount SLRs. This is a great news for users of Nikon D40(x) and future users of the newly announced D60, which do not have a AF motor in the camera. The press release is posted at Tamron USA website with the specifications.
The first two are designed for cameras with APS-C sized (DX) sensors (labeled as “Di II” lens) and the last one also works for camera with full frame (FX) sensor. No word on availability yet.
Previously, Tamron announced AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro with built-In auto focus motor for Nikon. Sigma also has a similar 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC with a built-in motor for Nikon.
Many have seen over-exposure problems with the 17-50 f/2.8 in TTL-BL flash mode that might be a design flaw. I hope this new version brings a fix to it.
Nikon has just announced the D60 DSLR that appears to be a replacement for the D40(x) models and an array of SLR lenses. Read the details by following the links below.
I am a little disappointed by the D60 because I was expecting a D80 replacement. The new lenses are a little boring as well. Nikon’s consumer grade zoom lens lineup just became even messier with the introduction of the DX Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. The other two lenses are more targeted towards professional photographers in an effort to revamp Nikon’s aging full frame lens offerings. I guess it becomes necessary with the recent introduction of the D3 full frame (FX format) DSLR camera.
