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GADGET BAG
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Take It In Wide
Expand your image-making possibilities with a wide-angle lens
By Maura C. Lanahan
Wide-open spaces. One of the best ways
to capture this feeling is by using a wide-angle lens. The first
time I used a wide-angle, I couldn’t put it down. I suddenly
was offered a unique way of photographing a scene beyond what
a standard focal-length lens could provide. Its versatility allowed
me to shoot images in tight spaces as well as compose expansive
landscapes.
Since that first introduction, wide-angle lens technology
has come a long way. Back then, just having a wide focal length
with quality glass was great; with the advent of digital, however,
new features have evolved that are a benefit when shooting with
a film camera as well.
Digital shooting has prompted optical innovations that affect
both film and digital photographers. Lens technologies like low-dispersion
glass that limits aberrations and flare, and aspheric lens elements
that help to deliver sharper images and prevent distortion have
become a must in recent designs. Additionally, internal-focusing
mechanisms prevent the front of the lens from rotating so filters
stay in place.
When you’re in the field, convenience is essential, and
for this reason, wide-angle zooms have become popular. These
lenses provide a range of focal lengths so you don’t have
to move from your shooting position, and with digital cameras,
they assist in guarding against dust reaching your sensor during
frequent lens changes.
When you set out to purchase a wide-angle zoom, one feature to
consider is maximum aperture. An aperture of ƒ/2.8, commonly
called a faster or wider lens, is ideal for shooting in low-light
situations, as it allows you to handhold your camera. This may
be essential if you’re photographing people at night, but
unnecessary if you intend only to capture landscapes, where a
higher ƒ-stop is needed. Also, lenses with larger apertures
are bigger in size, heavier and typically cost much more.
Lenses For Film Or Digital Cameras
Whether you’re shooting a film or digital Canon SLR, the Canon
EF 16-35mm ƒ/2.8L USM is an ultra-wide-angle lens
that offers a broad view of your scene and a fast aperture of ƒ/2.8
for low-light or indoor shooting. The lens is relatively compact
(3.3x4.1 inches) and easy to carry (1.3 pounds) while combining
three aspheric elements in the optical design to limit aberrations
and distortion. List Price: $1,599.
The Konica Minolta AF Zoom 17-35mm ƒ/2.8-4
(D) has been designed with the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D
in mind, but also works on film cameras. A maximum aperture of ƒ/2.8
allows for handheld, low-light shooting. Aberrations are kept
to a minimum with three aspheric elements. The lens has compact
dimensions of 3.2x3.4 inches and weighs less than a pound. List
Price: $826.
Mount the Nikon 17-35mm ƒ/2.8D
ED-IF AF-S Zoom-Nikkor on a film or digital SLR. With
compact and lightweight dimensions of 3.2x4.2 inches and 1.6
pounds, the lens is ideal for travel. Extra-low-dispersion (ED)
glass elements reduce chromatic aberrations and flare. List Price:
$2,119.
The Pentax smc P-FA J 18-35mm ƒ/4.0-5.6
AL features aspheric elements and a multi-layer coating
to limit aberrations, ghosting and flare. With dimensions of
2.8x2.7 inches and weighing only a half-pound, the lens is ultralight
and easy to handle and carry. List Price: $250.
With its large aperture, the Sigma
17-35mm ƒ/2.8-4 EX DG Aspherical HSM allows you to
shoot in low-light conditions with a film or digital camera.
The optics incorporate aspheric lens elements and special low-dispersion
(SLD) glass to limit aberrations and flare. With dimensions of
3.3x3.4 inches, the lens weighs 1.2 pounds. List Price: $700.
The Tamron SP AF 17-35mm ƒ/2.8-4
Di LD Aspherical (IF) is a versatile tool that can mount
on a variety of film or digital SLRs. Weighing just over a half-pound,
the lens is light and simple to operate. Its compact size of
3.3x3.4 inches makes it easy to fit in your pack. List Price:
$818.
The Tokina AF193 19-35mm ƒ/3.5-4.5
Zoom fits any Canon EOS, Minolta AF, Nikon D or Pentax
AF film or digital SLR. The lens incorporates high-refraction,
low-dispersion (LD) glass and multicoated lens elements created
by Hoya to limit aberrations, ghosting and flare. With dimensions
of 3.2x3 inches and a weight of less than a pound, the lens is
a light addition to your pack. List Price: $390. read
more»
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PAST GADGETS
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Gadget Bag: The Long View
May 2007
Compact super-zoom cameras offer tremendous telephotos in portable packages
By William Sawalich
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Gadget Bag: Multimedia Storage Viewers
April 2007
Back up and review your images in the field with handheld media devices
By Jon Sienkiewicz
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Gadget Bag: Have A Ballhead!
August 2006
Prized for solid construction and ease of use, ballheads are the choice of professional landscape photographers the world over
By Ted Alan Stedman |
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Gadget Bag: Sharpness Is Easy
May 2006
Tripods are indispensable, and new, exotic materials and construction make them better, lighter and stronger than ever
By Jon Sienkiewicz
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Gadget Bag: Power Hungry
July 2005
Today's batteries help satisfy our insatiable electronic gear
By Ibarionex R. Perello
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