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Page 4 of 5
 STANDARD ZOOMS
In 1955, a 35mm camera
most likely came with a standard 50mm lens. In 1995, a 35mm camera also
probably came with a 50mm lens. Lately, though, that has changed. The
trend has replaced 50mm primes with normal zoom lenses. These midrange
zooms cover the middle of the focal length spectrum, often edging into
the wide-angle or telephoto zones.
These zooms are
extremely popular because they’re so flexible. They’re usually
relatively compact, which when combined with the range of focal lengths
they cover, makes them very versatile, so manufacturers often make them
standard issue with new camera kits.
Sigma makes a 17-70mm zoom lens for
several APS-C cameras that offers an additional benefit: It’s a macro
lens. Macro lenses can focus very close, making it possible to magnify
small objects to as much as half of life-size on the sensor. A looser
definition says that a lens is macro when a 4x6 print produces a
larger-than-life-size reproduction. However it’s measured, the Sigma 17-70mm ƒ/2.8-4.5 DC Macro
packs a versatile lens into a compact package. Measuring only about 3x3
inches, thanks to the variable maximum aperture, it doesn’t make a big
dent on the bank account, either. Suggested Retail Price: $590.
PRIME TIME
Prime lenses once dominated the lens landscape when zooms were bulky, impractical, expensive and generally inferior in optical quality compared to primes. These fixed-focal-length lenses were usually compact (at least in the wide-angle and middle range) and very sharp. Decades later, though zoom lenses have vastly improved, the benefits of primes still hold true. They’re still carried by traditionalists who believe the best quality comes from fixed focal lengths, and they’ll sacrifice the convenience of zooms in order to get it.
Great prime lenses are available from every manufacturer, in almost every focal length and price point imaginable. Because they typically have fewer elements, primes are often lighter and faster focusing, as well as less prone to lens flare than zooms with additional elements. The biggest benefit of their minimalist design, however, is the fixed maximum aperture that’s often faster than zooms.
 Pentax introduced two new high-powered primes this fall: the 200mm ƒ/2.8 and 300mm ƒ/4.
Ideal for sports photographers who want long focal lengths and fast
apertures for shooting in low-light conditions, these top-notch
Star-series lenses are rugged, designed for digital and optimized for
the Pentax SLR system. They deliver 35mm-equivalent focal lengths of
306mm and 460mm, respectively, and incorporate supersonic in-lens
motors for fast and quiet autofocusing. List Price: TBD.
 If super-telephotos won’t satisfy your prime fix, consider a shorter lens like the Sony 35mm SAL-35F14G.
With a normal angle of view of 52.5mm in equivalent terms, this prime
is sure to be a staple in any Sony shooter’s arsenal. Thanks to a
superfast maximum aperture of ƒ/1.4 and the Super SteadyShot
image-stabilizing features of Sony’s Alpha D-SLRs, this compact lens
makes it easy to shoot handheld in extremely low-light situations. That
gives photographers the chance to capture images they never could
before—if they’re willing to pay the price. List Price: $1,399.
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