Ultra Cool Gadgets

Designed to meet consumer demands for a fast EF-S zoom lens, the EF-S 17-55mm offers image quality on par with Canon’s highly regarded L-series lenses. The lens features a large circular aperture that produces a shallow depth of field, creating background blur that draws special attention to the photographic subject. The lens construction, meanwhile, includes UD and aspherical elements that deliver impressive image quality throughout the entire zoom range. And thanks to the Image Stabilizer lens groups–which shift to compensate for camera shake–the image appears crisp and clear on the image plane, eve in dim light. Finally, the lens offers a ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM), inner focusing, and new AF algorithms to help achieve autofocus quickly and quietly, along with full-time mechanical manual focusing that makes it possible to manually adjust the focus even in AF mode.

Technical Details :
* 17-55mm wide-angle zoom lens with f/2.8 maximum aperture for Canon DSLR cameras.
* AD and aspherical elements deliver impressive image quality through entire zoom range.
* Image Stabilizer lens groups shift to compensate for image shake even in dim lighting.
* Large circular aperture produces shallow depth of field; ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM).
* Measures 3.3 inches in diameter and 4.4 inches long; weighs 22.8 ounces; 1-year warranty.

To meet user demands for a fast EF-S zoom lens, Canon has specially designed a new lens with a large aperture of f/2.8 for select Canon Digital SLR cameras. The large circular aperture produces a shallow depth-of-field, creating background blur that draws attention to the photographic subject. The lens construction includes UD and aspherical elements, which deliver impressive image quality throughout the entire zoom range. Image Stabilizer lens groups shift to compensate for camera movement so that the image appears steady on the image plane, ensuring clear, crisp images, even in dim light. With a Ring-type USM, inner focusing and new AF algorithms, this lens achieves autofocus quickly and quietly, and with full-time mechanical manual focusing, manually adjusting the focus is possible even in AF mode.

FEATURES :
* Focal length: 17-55mm
* Maximum aperture: f/2.8
* Lens construction: 19 elements in 12 groups
* Diagonal angle of view: 78 degrees (at 30 feet) to 27 degrees (at 50 feet)
* Focus adjustment: AF with full-time manual
* Closest focusing distance: 1.15 feet
* Zoom system: 5-group helical zoom (front group moves 27mm)
* Filter size: 77mm
* Dimensions: 3.3 inches in diameter, 4.4 inches long
* Weight: 22.8 ounces

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK :
This lens focuses fast and sure–even in low light, no hunting around to lock onto a subject. Pictures taken with the camera hand-held at 1/10 to 1/15 sec shutter speeds inside with no flash were tack-sharp (Thanks to the IS). With F2.8 and IS, this lens opens up a whole new world of natural low-light photography. Not only are more inside shots possible, you also have the versatility to create gorgeous bokeh. You create these bokeh effects generally zoomed to 55mm (where the kit lens’ max aperture is F5.6). Since the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 has a constant F2.8 max aperature, you don’t have to worry about the depth of field increasing as you zoom. It is so confidence-inspiring to walk around and set your aperture where you want it to give you the depth of field you want, and not really worry about the shutter speed being too slow.

The Lumix G 20mm/F1.7 ASPH, a compact and lightweight “pancake” lens, is dramatically compact and lightweight, featuring an outstanding F1.7 brightness which allows consumers to create stunning photos with beautiful, soft focus. Comprised of seven lenses arranged in five groups, the Lumix G 20mm lens actually uses two aspherical lenses to effectively minimize distortion and achieve super high resolution. The versatile 20mm focal length (equivalent to 40mm on a 35mm film camera) is suitable for all applications–from scenery shots to dimly-lit indoor environments.
When mounted on Lumix G Micro System Cameras, the Lumix G 20mm/F1.7 ASPH lens allows for use of the advanced contrast Auto Focus (AF) system, which includes Panasonic’s Face Recognition functions. It’s comprised of seven blades, which produce an attractive and smooth background blur effect when shooting at larger aperture settings. The lens also features a highly-reliable metal mount, and use multi-coated lens elements to minimize glare and further enhance optical performance.

Technical Details :
* 20mm focal length; equivalent to 40mm on a 35mm film camera.
* Compact and lightweight “pancake” lens.
* F1.7 brightness for beautiful, soft focus.
* Comprised of seven lenses arranged in five groups; uses two aspherical lenses to effectively minimize distortion.
* Used with Lumix G Micro System Cameras, allows for use of the advanced contrast Auto Focus (AF) system.

The Panasonic H-H020 large-diameter F1.7/20mm (35mm camera equivalent) fixed focus lens produces bright photos with a dramatic soft focus even in dimly lit locations. Comprising of seven lenses in 5 groups, the new lens system uses two aspherical lenses most effectively to minimize both distortion and chromatic aberrations, achieving super high resolution corner to corner. The versatile 20mm of focal distance (Equivalent to 40mm on a 35mm film camera) is suitable for wide variety of occasions from daily snapshots including sceneries like sunsets and dimly lit indoor shots to the deliberately creative shots taking advantage of its beautiful soft focus. When mounted on the LUMIX G Micro System Cameras, the LUMIX G 20mm / F1.7 ASPH. allows use of the advanced contrast AF system, which includes a Face Recognition function, for more convenient, more enjoyable shooting. Seven blades give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings. The new LUMIX G 20mm / F1.7 ASPH. lens also features a highly reliable metal mount, and uses multi-coated lens elements that minimize ghosts and flare to further enhance its optical performance. Its compact, easy-to-carry size is also ideal for capturing everyday scenes and snapshots. Aperture Range – F1.4 Aperture – F1.7 Minimum Aperture – F16 Closest Focusing Distance – 0.2m / 0.66ft Maximum Magnification – Approx. 0.13x / 0.25x (35mm camera equivalent) Diagonal Angle of View – 57 Filter Size – 46mm / 1.81 in Max. Diameter – 63mm / 2.48 in Standard Accessory – Lens Cap, Lens Hood, Lens Rear Cap, Lens Storage Bag Overall Length (inches) – Approx. 25.5mm / 1.00 in (from the tip of the lens to the base side of the lens mount) Dimensions (H x W x D) – 3.31” x 4.41” x 4.03” Weight – Approx. 0.50 lbs.

Bring small things into full-sized view with the Canon EF 100mm macro USM lens. Macro lenses can uncover detail that would be impossible to detect by the eye and give new perspective to extremely minute subjects such as insects or the petals of a small flower, and this lens is no exception. The lens offers such features as a three-group floating system for exceptional close-up performance; a secondary diaphragm that blocks stray light at f/2.8, which increases contrast when shooting wide open; a ultra-sonic monitor (USM) that provides outstanding autofocusing speed at all focusing distances; a wide manual focusing ring with smooth action; and full-time manual focus even in AF mode. The first lens in its class to feature inner focusing, the lens carries a one-year warranty.

Technical Details :
* 100mm macro USM lens with f/2.8 maximum aperture for Canon SLR cameras.
* Secondary diaphragm blocks stray light at f/2.8 for increased contrast.
* Ultra-sonic monitor provides outstanding autofocusing speed at all distances.
* 3-group floating system for exceptional close-up performance; full-time manual focus.
* Measures 3.1 inches in diameter and 4.7 inches long; weighs 21.1 ounces; 1-year warranty.

FEATURES:
* Focal length: 100mm
* Maximum aperture: 1:2.8
* Lens construction: 12 elements in 8 groups
* Diagonal angle of view: 24 degrees
* Focus adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM
* Closest focusing distance: 1 foot (film plane to subject)
* Filter size: 58mm
* Dimensions: 3.1 inches in diameter, 4.7 inches long
* Weight: 21.1 ounces

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK :
This is the lens I leave on my camera for general purpose use. At non-macro focus distances, it is a very fast lens in a convenient short-telephoto length. The images are sharp out to the corners. This is one of those great Canon lenses that probably deserves an L-series rating but is available without the red stripe and exorbitant cost. There is a lot of glass in this lens – it is heavy. I highly recommend buying the tripod collar as it allows you to attach the camera and lens to a tripod or ballhead with much better balance. If you plan on using the macro functionality, keep in mind that the effective f-stop of the lens goes way up when you’re focusing at very close range. At 15cm from the front surface, it performs as though it were an f/9.

With the advent of the latest 15X zoom lens from Tamron, the pioneer of high power zoom lenses, the high power zoom lens has steadily evolved from a 7.1X to a 10.7X to a 13.9X and now to the worlds largest zoom ratio of 15X by combining advanced high power zoom design technologies accumulated by Tamron since 1992. The lens covers an angle of view equivalent to that of a 28mm wideangle to a 419mm ultra telephoto with just one lens, letting the user capture once-in-the-lifetime images of panoramic landscape images or close-up pictures of children smiling, without having to get too close to the subject and without having to change lenses.

Technical Details :
* Flower-shaped lens hood accessory included.
* Minimum focusing distance of 0.49m over the entire zoom range for the maximum magnification ratio of 1 – 3.5.
* Zoom lock mechanism for convenience in carrying the outfit.
* New outer design matches the newest generation high power zoom lens in the digital era.
* 7 Diaphragm Blades.

Camera shake can ruin your photos, particularly when taking telephoto shots or shooting in low light conditions. The Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 macro zoom lens, however, fights camera shake with its state-of-the-art vibration compensation (VC) mechanism, which delivers blur-free handheld images for incredible results. The proprietary VC mechanism employs a three-coil system that moves the VC lens electromagnetically based on signals originating from the movement of three steel balls. The lens element that compensates for vibration is held in place by the balls, so there is little friction and the movement is quite smooth. The end result is a technology that makes it possible to create exceptional images at slower shutter speeds under conditions where a tripod used to be necessary. You can also use subject movement to good effect with the lens, bringing out the contrast between motion and stillness, or shoot without a flash to evoke the genuine atmosphere of the scene.
The lens covers an extremely broad range of focal lengths, from an extra-wide 18mm length to a telephoto 270mm length (the 35mm equivalent of 28mm to 419mm). The resulting 15x zoom ratio is the world’s largest, representing a wide cross section of Tamron high-power zoom design technologies. Plus, the vibration compensation works throughout the entire zoom range, giving you the freedom to create a wide variety of images. The lens lets users capture once-in-a-lifetime panoramic landscape images or close-up pictures of children smiling, all without getting too close to the subject or changing lenses. Other details include a macro magnification range of 1:3.5, a minimum focusing distance of 19.3 inches, and a 72mm filter diameter.

FEEDBACK :
1. The lens is smaller than expected.
2. The focus ring moves smoothly in manual mode.
3. The VC does jump a bit at first but stabilizes quickly.
4. The zoom seemed a bit stiff when first tried it but didn’t noticed it when actually shooting.
5. The zoom ring moves in the opposite direction as my canon lenses!
6. There is significant distortion at 18mm — no big surprise. But at 35mm, I noticed an unusual distortion as well. This isn’t a lens for architecture images.
7. The lens produces warmer images.