Ultra Cool Gadgets

Featuring the latest 3-stop Image Stabilizer for outstanding camera shake reduction, the EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM zoom lens also features super responsive autofocus. Replacing the popular EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM, the world’s first interchangeable lens with Image Stabilizer (IS), the lens is expected to appeal to serious amateur nature and sports photographers looking to achieve outstanding results while shooting hand held.

Technical Details :
* 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens with f/4-5.6 maximum aperture for Canon EOS SLR cameras.
* 3-stop Image Stabilizer for reducing camera shake; ring-type ultra-sonic monitor(USM).
* Electro-magnetic diaphragm (EMD) helps create attractive background at large apertures.
* Super Spectra lens coating and lens element shaping suppresses flare and ghosting.
* Measures 3 inches in diameter and 5.6 inches long; weighs 22.2 ounces; 1-year warranty.

- Image Stabilizer : IS dramatically reduces image blur caused by camera shake. The EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM features Canon’s latest 3-stop IS, a one-stop improvement over its predecessor.
- Superb autofocus : The micro USM motor found in the EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM employs ultra-sonic frequency vibrations to drive auto focus with unrivalled speed and near-silent operation.
- Pleasing defocused background : The EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM employs an electro-magnetic diaphragm (EMD) with a circular aperture. This helps create an attractive, even defocused background when isolating a subject at large apertures.
- Image quality : By optimizing Super Spectra lens coatings and lens element shaping, Canon’s engineers have been effective in suppressing flare and ghosting–more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection off the image sensor.
- The EOS system : The EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM includes distance metering information, providing compatibility with the E-TTL II flash system of late model cameras such as the EOS-1D Mark II N and EOS 5D .

Pros:
The optical quality is great, the speed is terrific, and it compares well to the 70-200mm lens that people like to say blows this out of the water (I believe they are wrong – but we will get into that later) and finally, the price cannot be beaten. Buy it.

Cons:
No hood, extends as it zooms, and the quality of the picture in low light situation lessens a little.

The newest addition to Nikon’s world-class Nikkor lens lineup, the DX Nikkor series was developed for professional and advanced amateur digital SLR users who demand high optical performance. This 55-200mm lens offers such features as two extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass elements for minimized chromatic aberration, an exclusive Silent Wave Monitor that allows for accurate and quiet high-speed autofocusing, and a nine-blade rounded diaphragm. And thanks to the 200mm maximum focal length and 3.6x zoom, you can shoot everything from close-up sports shots to national park wildlife without standing right next to your subject. Other details include a super-integrated coating that minimizes ghosting and flare; a nine-blade rounded diaphragm for more natural out-of-focus highlights; and a focus switch that lets you easily switch between autofocus (A) and manual (M) modes. All Nikon lenses carry a five-year warranty.

Technical Details :
- 55-200mm zoon Nikkor lens with f/4-5.6 maximum aperture for Nikon digital SLR cameras.
- 2 extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass elements for minimized chromatic aberration and superior optics.
- Super-integrated coating minimizes ghosting and flare for more vivid images in dim lighting.
- Silent Wave Motor produces quick and quiet high-speed auto focusing;weighs 9 ounces.
- Measures 2.7 inches in diameter and 3.1 inches long; 5-year warranty.

SPECIFICATIONS :
- Focal length: 55-200mm.
- Maximum aperture: f/4-5.6.
- Minimum aperture: f/22-32.
- Picture angle (Nikon DX format sensor): 28 degrees (at 55mm) to 8 degrees(at 200mm).
- Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:3.5.
- Lens construction: 13 elements in 9 groups (with 2 ED glass elements).
- Lens drive: Silent Wave Monitor.
- Dx type: DX Nikkor (for use with Nikon digital SLR models).
- Minimum focus distance: 3.1 feet.
- Filter/attachment size: 52mm.
- Included accessories: LC-52 snap-on front lens cap, LF-1 rear lens cap, HB-34 lens hood, CL-0815 lens case.
- Dimensions: 2.7 inches in diameter, 3.1 inches long.
- Weight: 9 ounces.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK :
This lens is sharp even at wide apertures, the VR (image stabilization) works great, autofocus speed is more than acceptable, and it it is very light and compact. As for image quality, search the various internet photo sites, such as dpreview and nikonians for sample photos taken with this lens by real users. The results are impressive.
Of course, the lens is slow (like almost all consumer zoom lenses), in that its widest aperture is smaller than a professional zoom or prime lens, so it’s not a good choice for action photography in lower light conditions (like indoor sports without flash or outside sports at dusk). But a fast telephoto zoom will cost at least three times as much and weigh a ton.

The 50mm f/1.4 standard lens is a terrific choice for both casual and professional photographers. The lens is outfitted with two high-refraction lens elements and new Gaussian optics, which combine to eliminate astigmatism and suppress astigmatic difference. As a result, the lens obtains crisp images with little flare even at the maximum aperture. The lens’s f/1.4 speed, meanwhile, is perfect for available-light shooting. And as a bonus, this lens is the only lens in the EF system to offer an extra-small Micro Ultra Sonic Motor (USM) while still providing a full-time manual focusing option. Other features include a close focusing distance of 1.5 feet, a 58mm filter size, and a one-year warranty.

Technical Details :
* 50mm standard lens with f/1.4 maximum aperture for Canon SLR cameras.
* 2 high-refraction lens elements and Gaussian optics help eliminate astigmatism.
* Delivers crisp images with little flare at the maximum aperture.
* Extra-small Micro USM focus adjustment and full-time manual focusing.
* Measures 2.9 inches in diameter and 2 inches long; 1-year warranty.

Specifications :
* Focal length: 50mm
* Maximum aperture: f/1.4L
* Lens construction: 7 elements in 6 groups
* Angle of view: 46 degrees
* Focus adjustment: Overall linear extension system with USM
* Closest focusing distance: 1.5 feet
* Filter size: 58mm
* Dimensions: 2.9 inches in diameter and 2 inches long
* Weight: 10.2 ounces

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK :
- Affordable-but-Solid Contruction.
- Focus Versatility.
- Resistance to Abberation.
- Color : The f1.4 has “proper-to-strong” color richness.
- Headroom : The engineering of the lens lets you choose the trade-off between “most possible light” or “most possible clarity.”

Nikon’s 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor is a high-ratio 11x zoom lens with Nikon’s exclusive VR II Vibration Reduction technology. Nikon’s VR II provides the equivalent of a shutter speed 4 steps faster than would otherwise be possible, enabling substantially sharper pictures in challenging conditions. The Nikkor 18-200mm lens incorporates two ED glass and three aspheric lens elements to provide optimal color, contrast and clarity while minimizing chromatic aberrations and other distortion, resulting in outstanding image quality and versatility. In addition, Nikon’s compact AF-S Silent Wave Motor provides fast and quiet autofocusing while the M/A mode allows for simultaneous switching between Autofocus and manual focus operation.

Technical Details :
* High-ratio, 11x zoom lens and 18-200mm focal range.
* VR II Vibration Reduction technology provides a four-steps-faster shutter speed.
* Lens incorporates two ED glass and three aspheric lens elements.
* Delivers high-resolution and contrast, outstanding image quality, and fantastic photographic versatility.
* AF-S Silent Wave Motor provides fast quiet autofocusing, and M/A mode makes it easy to switch from auto to manual focus.

Major features of the Nikon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor lens:
- Offers a broad 18-200mm focal range (11.1x zoom) for use in a variety of situations (equivalent to a 27-300 mm lens in 35mm format); VR II Vibration Reduction system offers the practical equivalent of using a shutter speed 4 stops faster.
- Two ED glass and three complex aspherical lens elements minimize chromatic aberration, astigmatism, and other forms of distortion while ensuring high resolution and contrast.
- Incorporates a compact SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for quiet focusing. Delivers high-level optical performance that is specially designed for use with the Nikon digital SLRs.
- Employs a seven-blade, rounded diaphragm opening that achieves a natural blur for out-of-focus elements.
- Enables focusing from as close as 50 centimeters (20 inches) from the subject through its entire focal range.
- M/A mode for rapid switching between autofocus and manual focus operation.
- Internal Focusing (IF) design simplifies the use of circular polarizing filters.
- Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) offers superb color reproduction while minimizing ghosting and flare.
- Flower-shaped lens hood HB-35 (included) greatly reduces stray light, enhancing image quality.

Pros :
- Light weight for range.
- Large range.
- Vibration Reduction.
- Sharp, crisp pictures with vibrant colors.
- Fast Focus with manual focus adjustment ring for fine tuning.
Cons :
- Light fall off at long telephoto settings and large f stops.
- Vibration Reduction helps with handheld shots but does not stop subject motion in low light, you still need a fast lens for that high price and limited availability.
- Might get light fall off at wide angles unless expensive 1/2 width filter is used.
- Lens Creep (but most telephotos have this to some extent).