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| Tamron SP AF17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical IF |
| Tamron captured this category for the second consecutive year with the SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] lens. Tamron designed this high-speed, f/2.8, wide-to-moderate-telephoto zoom exclusively for Canon- and Nikon-mount DSLRs with APS-C sensors (the focal length is equivalent to 26-78mm in full-frame 35mm format). The lens features Tamron’s proprietary tri-axial vibration compensation (VC) mechanism to minimize the effect of camera shake, and allows photographers to shoot at slower shutter speeds while handholding the camera. With a maximum aperture of f/2.8, the lens produce appealing shallow depth of field and smooth focus transitions. |
| Price: $649. www.tamron.com |
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| AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II |
| Nikon’s Vibration Reduction II (VR II) technology stabilizes the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II for handheld shooting up to four shutter speeds slower than without VR II. Seven extra-low dispersion (ED) elements minimize chromatic aberration. Nano Crystal Coating reduces ghosting and flare, and Nikon Super Integrated Coating enhances light transmission and color consistency. The Nikon Silent Wave Motor works with the lens’s internal-focus mechanism to provide quick, quiet autofocusing without changing the length of the lens. The rounded, nine-blade diaphragm gives a more natural appearance to out-of-focus elements. |
| Price: $2,399.95. www.nikonusa.com |
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| Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM |
| This is the widest zoom lens with incorporated Sigma Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) technology for quick, quiet autofocus. It’s the only ultra-wide zoom with fixed aperture; f/3.5 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range helps it perform well in low-light situations. By incorporating two Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements with a Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass element, the 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM provides excellent correction of color aberration. It has a minimum focusing distance of 9.4 inches throughout the entire zoom range, and maximum magnification of 1:6.6. |
| Price: $950. www.sigmaphoto.com |
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| Phase One Schneider Kreuznach LS 110mm f/2.8 |
| The collaboratively built LS 110mm f/2.8 digital telephoto leaf shutter lens is designed for medium-format camera systems. The lens features shallow depth of field and flash sync up to 1/1,600 second. The telephoto provides longer focal length with just enough optical compression for full-length portrait photography. Designed for location fashion photographers using fill flash, the lens is versatile enough to apply to numerous situations, including commercial photography and even weddings. |
| Price: $3,990. www.phaseone.com |
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| Tamron SP AF 60mm f/2 Di II LD IF 1:1 Macro |
| This is the first medium-telephoto macro lens designed for APS-C size DSLR cameras with maximum aperture of f/2. The SP AF60mm f/2 covers the equivalent angle of view of 93mm when converted to the 35mm format. With its fast maximum aperture, this new Tamron 1:1 macro lens delivers smoothly blurred backgrounds. The lens features internal focusing and Tamron Full Time Manual Focus Control. |
| Price: $569. www.tamron.com |
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| Phase One Schneider Kreuznach LS 80mm f/2.8 |
| The Phase One-Schneider Kreuznach collaboration proved to be a winning combo this year. The LS 80mm f/2.8 is the standard-length lens in the digital leaf shutter collection of medium-format camera systems. Like its telephoto sibling, the LS 80mm f/2.8 has a shallow depth of field and can sync with flash up to 1/1,600 second. |
| Price: $2,490. www.phaseone.com |
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| Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZE |
| Designed to work with all Canon EOS cameras, the Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZE is an ultra-wide-angle lens with a 90-degree field of view. In keeping with recent trends in digital cameras, the Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZE is ideally suited for high-def video, due to its wide focus rotation, image quality and minimal breathing characteristics (when optics appear to change focal length). What really impressed our judges was the way the Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZE virtually eliminates image errors in transitions between bright and dark light by preventing color fringing and chromatic aberrations. The Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflex coating helps prevent unwanted reflections and stray light. |
| Price: $1,540. www.zeiss.com |
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| Lensbaby Fisheye Optic |
| Lensbaby continues its award-winning innovation with the Lensbaby Fisheye Optic, which allows photographers to turn a Lensbaby Composer into a fisheye lens. The optic’s six-element, multi-coated design features an ultra-wide 12mm focal length capable of capturing a fisheye view from infinity to 1 inch. The Fisheye Optic features a system of interchangeable aperture disks in settings from f/4 to f/22. A lens flare feature creates glowing, colorful areas around the edges of the frame, which would be black with normal fisheye lenses. Unlike most Lensbaby Optics with their focal “sweet spot,” the Fisheye Optic produces images that are sharp throughout the frame. |
| Price: $149.95. www.lensbaby.com |
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