Author: David Ashton

Traditionally, long telephoto lenses need a good amount of glass to maintain top-level image quality. That is why most of Sony’s telephoto range is in the higher-priced tiers. But as today’s focus is on the best Sony telephoto lenses under $250, we decided to look to third-party lens makers for the most affordable, budget-friendly versions. The third-party manufacturers in this price bracket have a distinct advantage, as they all tend to offer fantastic value in exchange for good lenses in a wide range of focal lengths. As the telephoto range can stretch from 80mm and above, the lens you choose…

When we find ourselves staring down a limited budget, we have to pay very close attention to what we are actually getting for our money. As we are dealing today with the best Sony wide-angle lenses under $250, the options available with Sony branding drop dramatically, as most of their offerings are in the higher price brackets. Sony has always tended to keep its lens range in the upper echelon of optic quality, which results in high price tags. Because of that, the bulk of our examples today will come from third-party makers which can fit Sony cameras, while still…

ZEISS has always been unconventional, striking its own path with what it considers world-class optics. This methodology has always seemed to be a success, despite some seemingly odd focal lengths along the way. This has been most recently characterized by the introduction of the ZEISS Touit 32mm f/1.8, available only for Fuji and Sony camera mounts and providing a near-standard view of 48mm on crop sensor cameras. The ZEISS 32mm has the same optical makeup on both platforms, but the real endgame here is to offer a standard prime for APS-C systems which can plug the gaps in the current…

Tamron provides some affordable and budget-friendly alternatives if you want to dive into the world of macro photography. The best Tamron macro lenses under $500 are going to be the focus today, and we’ll see exactly what we can get for this amount of money and if they check all the boxes for a top-quality macro lens. There are certain criteria to look for in good lenses if your main objective is to capture the small things in life. These points usually boil down to a certain range of focal lengths, a 1:1 reproduction ratio, and a lens that can…

Photographers usually shy away from watery conditions like a vampire hiding from garlic. Even though top-end cameras and lenses have reasonable waterproofing, it still fills us with dread to get anything more than a few drops of rain on our precious camera gear. This means if you have to lug all your pricey gear into wet and humid environments, you will need one of the many ingenious waterproof camera cases we’ve found to protect all your wares. In these scenarios, a robust solution will be needed, which is why we are taking a closer look at the top waterproof camera…

There’s no denying the addictive fascination of capturing the smallest of subject matter with a macro lens. A magnified view of everything opens up a whole new world, but first you must choose an appropriate lens to render all that small detail. Depending on which camera platform you currently reside upon, there should be camera manufacturer lenses available. But if you want to follow the third-party lens route, more options present themselves. Today we’ll be checking out the best Tokina macro lenses under $1000. Tokina may not have a vast amount of macro lenses in its current line-up, but lucky…

If you’re after a standard viewpoint lens, this usually means grabbing hold of a 35mm or 50mm prime. Both of these focal lengths are good all-rounders, but as photographers, we have been programmed to adhere to these standards, which means the ZEISS Batis 40mm f/2 CF is a weirdly in-between offering. This in-between focal length can be seen as either a positive or a negative, depending on your viewpoint. Positive in that the focal length provides a happy medium between the two standards, but a negative in that it’s neither one nor the other. But as with anything in life,…

Once you’ve taken the jump from the average kit lens to more refined optics, there is a whole world that opens up. One area where high-quality glass can be found outside the Nikon camp is with third-party lens makers, which is why today’s focus is on finding the best Sigma lenses for Nikon crop sensor cameras. Sigma has been making some quality prime and zoom lenses of late, mainly coming from their Art and Contemporary range. However, like any piece of fine optics, you will have to pay to play. This may seem like overkill at first on a Nikon…

When it comes to carting around your precious Nikon equipment, there are quite a few options available. The ideal solution will largely depend on how much protection is needed and whether you’re out for a day trip or a mission in a far-off land. Today we will be looking more closely at Nikon camera bags to suit short excursions, where bullet-proof protection is far too big and bulky to be viable. Camera bags in this arena are designed to carry a good-sized DLSR camera body and a few lenses, with accessories, quite happily. The aim is to have a carry…

There’s no denying that Nikon produces quality lenses, with options available for every conceivable focal length. For those with deep pockets, this would be the end of the story. But for the rest of us who want to squeeze out the most optical quality for our chosen budget, a third-party Tamron lens is the next best bet. Thus, our reason for checking out the best Tamron lenses for Nikon crop sensor cameras today. While there are lenses out in the wilderness made specifically for the DX format, we tend to lean into the FX versions, which can also fit DX…

Just as we’re constantly upgrading to ever more professional cameras and lenses, it’s important to stay current with our equipment transport needs. It usually goes like this: the more expensive the hardware, the more protection that is needed. The average padded camera bag is okay for general day-to-day use, but if you’re traveling further afield or lugging your kit up a mountain, then you will need the more hardened protection of camera cases for DSLRs and mirrorless setups. Think of it this way. For musicians, a soft, padded gig bag will suffice for traveling to a local show. When moving…

When it comes to buying lenses, third-party makers have a whole host of options that are very cost-effective, compared to branded versions. Today we will be checking out the best Tamron lenses for Canon crop sensor cameras as the company provides very affordable and budget-friendly optics, which still provide heaps of quality for the price. Just like many lens makers, Tamron offers versions specific to full-frame and crop sensor camera bodies, depending on your needs. But it’s generally the case that the full-frame versions also fit a Canon cropped camera and provide the best optical qualities. This is why we…

Lightweight travel tripods should conjure up mental images of portable solutions which look the part, are light enough to carry around all day, and are compact in size. This wasn’t always the case, as in the olden days a travel tripod was either your main version, which weighed the same as a stadium lighting rig, or something so flimsy it just got left in a corner. This simple piece of apparatus has come a long way, with travel tripods coming in all shapes and sizes, which can fold up more times than a contortionist and are available in either aluminium…

The humble camera tripod has been around since the dawn of photography, making the difference between sharp images and a veritable blurry mess. In the golden olden days with large-format cameras, tripods were a necessity. Nowadays, tripods can be more of an optional extra, as cameras are far more lightweight and are helped out with facilities such as image stabilization. However, to achieve the very sharpest images for the likes of landscape or night-time photography, a tripod is still the best way to go. For the occasional user, budget tripods can be the best option if you don’t want to…

Investing in high-quality glass should always be your number one priority for either full-frame or crop sensor cameras. As we are looking at the best Sigma lenses for Canon crop sensor cameras today, we have the full gamut of lenses to play with. Sigma, just like the rest of the third-party lens-making brigade, produces highly-capable optics, which are viable alternatives to camera brand versions. This means, if you want to go all in with either a prime or zoom lens for your Canon cropped camera, there should be an option out there covering your wanted or needed focal lengths. 1.…

When most of us are dealing with ultra-high-quality low-light specialist lenses, something like an f/1.2 aperture usually fills most needs. But for those who want the most sumptuous quality where price is no object, then the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH is a very likely candidate. The original Noctilux f/1 version of this lens has been around since 1976 and gone through quite a few design iterations. Now it’s the turn of the 50mm f/0.95 ASPH to impress the most discerning. Now, this lens isn’t your regular 50mm prime, especially with its bargain basement price of just $12,500. That vain…

For those who like to photograph the smallest things in life, a macro lens is the usual way to go. As you shop, you’ll find some macro lens options available that are the same as your camera brand. But if you want to dive into what the third-party camp has to offer, there are many good lenses available. Today we’ll be checking out the best Tamron macro lenses under $1000. As we have a reasonable amount of cash to spend, the options can encompass both prime and zoom lenses. The advantage of going down the third-party route is that you…

One of the standard zoom lenses that is always touted to cover the short to medium telephoto range is the 70-200mm. This zoom lens has been a great solution for everything from portrait, wedding, events or wildlife images, with a fast enough aperture for low light scenarios. Most will look at the same-as-camera-make versions as their first port of call. But if you want a 70-200mm zoom which is more cost-effective, the likes of Sigma have some very capable options. This is why we are taking a closer look at the Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM for…

When we were tasked with finding the best Sony zoom lenses under $250, we had to narrow our focus far more than usual. Sony optics are generally in the higher price range and as we are only looking at zoom lenses today, we can’t opt for the usual prime lenses in this category. This means, to snag an affordable zoom lens that falls within our budget, we have had to get a little creative and include options that can be picked up either used or refurbished. Buying a used or refurbished lens is a bit like buying a used vehicle.…

To capture the smallest of subject matter and detail, a macro lens is the most likely option for us photographers. This type of lens generally doubles up as a regular high-end prime or zoom, which also features a macro mode. Macro lenses are generally, but not always, linked to certain focal lengths. This means, when considering the best Sigma macro lenses under $1000, the options are more limited than if we were looking at the full gamut of traditional lens types. However, with Sigma being known for excellent optics at affordable prices and often the best value overall, we have…

It has always been a good idea to invest in a prime lens when you’re on a limited budget. The main reason is the extra level of definition and sharpness that comes with a prime lens. That’s not to say zoom lenses aren’t equally capable in the right hands in this budget range, but a prime lens generally ensures that all the optical quality has been piled into one focal length. As we are looking at the third-party variety today, we are narrowing the focus down to the best Tokina prime lenses under $500. Tokina is just one of the…

If you’ve decided to dive into the sharp and detailed world of a prime lens, then the Sigma brand has some great options currently available. Since the initial release of their Art and Contemporary range, the company’s prime and zoom lenses have been viable alternatives to similar camera brand offerings. This is why we are taking a closer look at the best Sigma 35mm lenses, as this focal length is one of the more popular choices. A 35mm prime lens provides a slightly more wide-angle view than that of a 50mm. This type of lens is a good solution for…

Third-party lens makers such as Tamron used to always be the second choice alternatives. These days, the tables have turned, with Tamron producing some mighty fine optics in all price bands, appealing to professionals and amateurs alike. But just like the rest of the third-party pack, for the best offerings in the wide-angle lens department, you will have to cough up a fair amount of money. That’s why we are taking a closer look at the best Tamron wide-angle lenses under $500. In this price bracket, there are still good lenses that are affordable and come within our budget, while…

There’s no denying that a 24-70mm lens is one of the most versatile zooms you can have in your kit bag. This particular zoom covers the standards of 35mm and 50mm, while also covering the relatively wide angle of 24mm and the longer length of 70mm. This means you’re essentially using the equivalent of a bunch of prime lenses, all in one package. That’s why we are bringing you the best Sigma 24-70mm lenses today. Sigma, just like the rest of the third-party lens makers, is producing viable alternatives to same-as camera make versions. Each lens here has equal or…

If you need an ultra-wide lens for the likes of landscapes or architectural images, Sony has managed to cram the majority of its offerings in the high price bracket range. But that doesn’t mean you can’t snag an affordable lens that contains highly usable optics. Sony ultra wide-angle lenses under $500 are fewer in number, with a little leeway needed in focal length. To stay under this budget, we have to include some third-party options. Not just for variety sake, but also to show that if you step outside the Sony arena there are some great wide-angle lenses to be…

When we were tasked with finding the best Tokina super-telephoto lenses under $500, the usual course of action took place. We dove into the company’s inventory, put each lens through its paces, argued at length over which are the best features, then finally came up with the most affordable, budget-friendly optics in the price range. But once in a while, a lens manufacturer simply doesn’t have that many choices in our chosen category. This means if you’re dead set on owning Tokina glass in the super-telephoto zone and have a budget of $500, your options are limited. However, we will…

Tamron, like the rest of the third-party lens brigade, produces a whole wealth of quality prime lenses that are not just affordable, but also come with top quality optics. In today’s roundup, we will be looking at the best Tamron prime lenses under $500, which can still buy you a good lens for professional applications or even for occasional use. However, just like a dangling carrot, there will always be examples of lenses just out of budget range to tempt you in. But Tamron just so happens to have a good selection of high-quality optics that provide all the sharp…

One of the most useful telephoto zooms you can ever own is the 70-200mm. This type of zoom lens covers the short to medium telephoto range and has been the number one solution for anything from portraits to wildlife photography. Without waxing lyrical for days about the usefulness of a 70-200, the end solution for most for a quality zooms was a same-as camera brand lens. But as soon as third-party makers started to get in on the act, their versions instantly became viable options. Therefore, we’re bringing you our top picks of Sigma 70-200mm lenses. Now, as you’re reading…

It seems that every photographer has at least a mild fascination with telephoto lenses. Owning glass that can capture distant objects as if they were right in front of you is great fun. However, these specialist optics can be quite pricey. That’s why we’re bringing you the best Tamron telephoto lenses under $500. Many of the top telephoto lenses are in the high price bracket range, but as shown by the examples below, there are still affordable options available. All of these lens types provide nice rounded features with good optics for under $500. You may have to deal with…

The ZEISS Planar design, according to the company, is one of the most influential, borrowed – or to be polite – inspirational optical arrangements of all time. This is a system that just simply works and with the close link between Sony and ZEISS, the Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA is one of those high-quality standard view lenses which can’t be ignored. The proven template should mean the highest of image quality, with this lens on paper being a one-stop shop at the 50mm focal length. But the 50mm lens in itself is a classic and a standard, which…