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Canon's 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS is the latest in its line of inexpensive dSLR kit lenses which began with the original 18-55mm in 2003, as an accompaniment to the groundbreaking EOS Digital Rebel/300D (widely considered to be the camera which started the affordable dSLR revolution). The focal length range was chosen to be equivalent to the popular 28-90mm kit lenses then available for entry-level 35mm SLRs, and lightweight plastic construction was used to keep costs down. The design was slightly refreshed with the introduction of a mk II version to accompany the Digital Rebel XT/350D, however this only really featured subtle cosmetic changes, with no improvement to the optics. And those optics were never the strong point of this lens, which gained a reputation as a somewhat mediocre performer, with many users looking to upgrade fairly rapidly. But Canon has now produced a major upgrade in the shape of this IS version, which looks destined to become the new standard kit lens for Canon's APS-C dSLRs such as the EOS 450D. IS stands for Image Stabilization, and the new lens features a wholly new, simplified optical image stabilization module, which Canon claim offers similar performance to that offered in their higher end (and hitherto much more expensive) IS lenses. This new lens is a clear response to the competitive threat posed by other manufacturers offering sensor-shift stabilization in relatively inexpensive dSLR bodies, so the big question is whether it can deliver the goods in terms of image quality, in the face of some strong competition at this entry-level point |
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This lens also sees Olympus finally adopting the now near-ubiquitous ultrasonic motor for focusing, here dubbed the 'Supersonic Wave Drive', and (according to their press material at least) offering the world's fastest autofocus when used with the E-3. This in turn allows the use of a mechanically-coupled manual focus ring, in a welcome contrast to the somewhat-unloved 'focus-by-wire' mechanisms on its previous lenses. Further headline features include dust and splashproofing for protection against the elements, a 25cm close focusing distance, and a circular aperture diaphragm promising pleasing background blur. On paper at least, this makes for a hugely compelling overall package |
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The 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is the latest design from independent lens maker Sigma, announced in March 2008. It's a rare example of what is rapidly becoming an endangered species; an all-new, large maximum aperture, fixed focal length 'prime' lens, and (like Sigma's 30mm F1.4 DC before it) a hugely welcome addition to a market in danger of becoming saturated by identikit slow zooms. The 50mm focal length makes it a classic 'standard' lens for 35mm full-frame cameras, while on DSLRs with smaller format sensors it acts as a short 'portrait' telephoto, with an equivalent angle of view ranging from 75mm (on 1.5x 'DX' format) to 100mm (on Four Thirds DLSRs). The fast maximum aperture offers several key advantages over zooms, including the ability to isolate a subject by selectively blurring the background, the option to shoot in low light whilst maintaining reasonably high shutter speeds (ideal for indoor photography without flash), and the provision of a bright viewfinder image for composition |
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