Tokina 11-18mm f/2.8 ATX-M Review: Strong Optics, Delicate Lens
Wide-angle zoom lenses with fast apertures are few and far between when it comes to Sony APS-C cameras. The Tokina 11-18mm f/2.8 ATX-M takes its shot in this overlooked class.
Pentax 100mm f/2.8 Macro Review: Great Quality in an Outdated Package
When it comes to macro photography, having the right lens is critical for achieving the best possible images. As such, the updated $547 HD D FA Macro 100mm F/2.8 ED AW from Pentax brings a refreshed optical formula optimized to work better with larger megapixel DSLR's but, sadly, not much else.
Why Buying a $14,000 Lens Made Sense for Me
When Nikon announced the new Z 400mm f/2.8 TC lens, lots of people asked if I was going to buy one. My answer? “No way, I’d be crazy to spend $14,000 on one lens.” So I guess I’m crazy, because now I have one. Here’s what happened that changed my mind.
Wide-Eyed with the Carl Zeiss 16mm f/8 Hologon
Dramatic, restrictive, and humbling are three words I'd use to describe the Carl Zeiss 16mm f/8 Hologon Ultra-wide lens that I shoot adapted to Leica M film cameras.
Fujifilm Shares a Tour of its Japanese Camera and Lens Factory
Fujifilm Japan has published a video tour of one of its camera and lens factories. In total, the company has six production facilities, including four in Japan.
Samyang Announces a 35-150mm f/2-2.8 ‘All-Rounder’ Zoom Lens
Samyang has announced a new 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens for Sony E-mount which features a wide zoom range typically associated with "all-in-one" style kit lenses but with a fast variable aperture that is uncommon in that segment.
Webb’s ‘Cosmic Seahorse’ Photo Shows Gravity Bending Spacetime
One of the first images the James Webb Space Telescope ever captured was only possible thanks to a gravitational lens. Its latest is another example of this phenomenon, this time featuring a galaxy called the Cosmic Seahorse.
The Mitakon 28mm f/5.6 is a Cheap Recreation of a Leica Summaron
Chinese lens manufacturer Zhong Yi Optics has announced the Mitakon Creator 28mm f/5.6 lens, a $299 recreation of the Leica Summaron M 28mm f/5.6 which the company says has a "faithful adherence to the original lens characteristics while maintaining an affordable price for photographers".
Light Lens Lab 50mm f/2 Review: The Classic Speed Panchro II Reborn
I have a special interest in manual focus 50mm lenses. It began with a Praktica film SLR that was bundled with a 50mm f/2.8 Meyer-Optic Görlitz lens. Next came a Canon Ftb SLR with a 50mm f/1.4 FD SSC lens. This lens had a noticeable improvement in image quality along with a much better anti-reflection coating.
The Best Protection Filters for Lenses in 2023
If you want to get a rise from fellow photographers, hop onto any online photography forum and discuss ultraviolet (UV) lens filters. You can say they're excellent or that they're worthless. Either way, you're sure to kickstart a less-than-friendly debate. Like most online debates, there'll be no winners.
DZOFilm’s Gnosis 24mm is its Widest Macro Cinema Lens Yet
Less than a month after announcing the Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 parfocal cinema lens, DZOFilm has unveiled its Gnosis 24mm T2.8 macro cine lens.
Testing the Apexel 200X LED Lens: A Microscope for Your Phone
I received a request from Apexel to review a phone accessory that connects to microscopes, telescopes, or binoculars. I replied to inform them that I had none of those pieces of equipment but I might be interested in reviewing a macro or microscope attachment to mobile phones.
New Lensbaby Double Glass II Lets You Shoot with Customizable Bokeh
Lensbaby has unveiled its new Double Glass II optic at CP+ 2023 in Japan. The latest in Lensbaby's long line of unique creative photography lenses and accessories, the Double Glass II is a new-and-improved version of Lensbaby's Double Glass optic for its Optic Swap system.
Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM Review: Another Excellent Addition to E-Mount
Sony’s new Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM is a compact, fast, and high-resolution lens in Sony’s upper-echelon G Master lineup, and it joins Sony’s already flush 50mm focal length lineup.
Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 XF Lens Review: The Bokeh Monster
The Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 doesn't slot neatly into Viltrox's existing prime lens lineup for APS-C cameras (and currently for Fuji X-mount) - in fact, I'd call it an aberration, an experiment, possibly even a mistake. But what a wonderful mistake.
Your Disdain for Micro Four Thirds is Misguided
Micro Four Thirds (MFT) is perhaps the most derided of all camera formats in modern digital photography. It is constantly overlooked, scoffed at, and is the subject of disdain. It really shouldn't be, and you all are way too hard on it.
What is Focal Length in Photography?
One of the most basic and common terms in the world of photography is the focal length of a lens. In this guide, we will dive down deep into what focal length is and how it works.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Review: Upping the Ante Across the Board
Sigma’s 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art takes its place as the latest lens in Sigma’s venerable high-end lens line and is a welcome addition thanks to excellent performance and a low cost of entry.
How the Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 Lens is Made
A recent factory tour reveals some of the steps that Fujifilm takes to hand-assemble its huge XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR lens.
Using the AstrHori 18mm f/8 Low-Cost Shift Lens
Low-cost lenses started appearing in the market in the last twenty years or so, with prices coming down steadily. When I saw another inexpensive lens in an article a couple of months ago, it grabbed my attention not with its price but with its core feature. It was a shift lens. An 18mm, fixed-aperture at f/8, shift lens at $119 was worth trying.
Canon Designs 300mm f/2.3 and 400mm f/5 Autofocus Mirror Lenses
Canon has designed a pair of RF-mount catadioptric telephoto lenses that it says successfully corrects for field curvature while still being small, lightweight, and have a large aperture: a 300mm f/2.3 and a 400mm f/5.
Using Long Working Distance Macro Lenses with Your Camera
The Mitutoyo long working distance objectives are popular in macro photography, but often difficult to mount to a camera.
Hands-On with the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 Sports Lens: Lots to Like
The Sigma 60-600mm for Sony E-Mount is a versatile, compelling, and unique lens with a mindblowing 10x optical zoom range. As with any all-in-one lens, it’s not without its compromises, and the $2000 price puts it up against Sony’s native FE 200–600mm f/5.6–6.3 G OSS, even though the Sigma has a more versatile zoom range.
A Guide to Camera Lens Features
There's more to consider than focal length and price when buying a new lens. Lenses come with an assortment of features such as stabilization and weather sealing, plus issues like distortion and bokeh.
Filmmakers Build Ultra-Fast f/0.3 29mm from Old Leica Projector Lens
A team of photographers built a super fast f/0.3 29mm lens from a Leitz projector lens to shoot a beautiful short film.
New 7Artisans 12mm f/2.8 II Wide-Angle APS-C Lens is for Mirrorless
7Artisans has announced a new wide-angle APS-C lens for Nikon Z, Sony E, Fuji X, EOS-M, and MFT mounts, the 12mm f/2.8 Mark II, an updated version of its previous 12mm f/2.8.
Laowa Unveils the 6mm f/2 Zero-D: The Widest-Ever Rectilinear MFT Lens
Venus Optics has announced the Laowa 6mm f/2 Zero-D MFT rectilinear lens, the "Photo Version" of the previously released 6mm T2.1 Cine Lens that offers the same image quality as the cine version but finally adds electronic components for in-camera controls and proper EXIF information recording.
The PetaPixel Awards: The Best of Photography in 2022
We are proud to announce the second-annual PetaPixel Awards which praise a number of new photography products that our staff has voted as the best in their respective categories.
Yongnuo YN85mm f/1.8 Z DF DSM Review: High Performance on a Budget
The $379 Yongnuo 85mm f/1.8 Z DF DSM lens is among the first third-party prime lenses available for the Nikon Z system that not only has an impressive autofocus system, but also boasts a customizable Lens Function button (L-Fn) and control ring.
The New 7Artisans 35mm f/2 Mark II for Leica Rangefinders is Just $250
7Artisans has announced a new large-aperture prime lens for the Leica M Mount, the M35mm f/2 Mark II, an updated model of its previous 35mm f/2 for Leica rangefinders that has since been discontinued.