Zoom Lenses Test

Reviews on Zoom Lenses

"Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS"

Issue: Spring/2008

On test: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

This latest addition to the Canon budget lens line-up has plenty to offer in the way of spec, but does its low price mean there are compromises elsewhere? We take a closer look ... → More

"Superzoom Lenses"

Issue: 3/2008

On test: Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II iF, Pentax 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL, Sigma Imaging 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, Sigma Imaging 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro

It's absolutely true to say that the best optics are prime lenses - that is, lenses with a fixed focal length - while short mid-range zooms usually offer the best optical quality in the zoom category. Recently, though, there's been an influx of new longer zoom lenses at relatively budget prices, that stretch the boundaries of what we would have though possible just a couple of years ago. → More

"Canon E70-200mm f/4L IS USM"

Issue: 11/2007

On test: Canon EF L IS USM 70-200 mm f/4

If you are a Canon user, it's no doubt your dream to own a couple of the famous white L series lenses. While most of these models are hugely expensive and weigh a ton, this new f/4 IS lens doesn't weigh or cost that much. Is it the best telephoto lens available? let's find out ... → More

"Tele-Zooms for under £250"

Issue: 11/2007

On test: Nikon AF-S VR DX 55-200 mm f/4-5.6, Tamron AF 55-200 mm F/4-5,6 Di II LD MACRO, Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED, Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200 mm f/4-5.6 G ED

When we discuss digital cameras and lenses, we usually mention the magnification factor of the focal length. This is due to the smaller size of the sensor, compared to the 35mm format, which in effect just uses the central area of the image, giving a magnified effect to that of a 35mm frame. As film has been around for a long time, and many photographers are used to the view that certain focal lengths will have on a 35mm frame, we quote 35mm equivalent focal lengths. In actual fact, the focal length of the lens doesn't change - it's just the angle of view - but manufacturers have been keen to adjust focal lengths of lenses so that similar angle of views of older popular lenses can be achieved with digital SLRs. To this end, a new category of zoom lenses has emerged that effectively replaces the old 70-300mm standard: the 55-200mm lens. Using a magnification factor of 1.5x (the most common for DSLRs, except for Canon's 1.6x), these zooms provide a 35mm equivalent of 82.5-300mm, but thanks to the digital advantage of lengthening the focal length, this equivalent angle of view can now be achieved using smaller and more lightweight optics. Additionally, this focal range is an ideal supplement to a standard 18-55mm kit lens that comes with most DSLRs. → More

Zoom Lenses

Zoom lenses usually employ focal length ranging up to around 200mm. They differ from macro lenses, which can have similar focal lengths, but are used for making enlargements of close up objects, rather than far off. A zoom lens can therefore make it appear that the photographer is closer to the subject than they actually are. Therefore it is possible to stand at one end of a field and photograph a cow at the other and for that cow to appear just as large as it would, had you have taken the picture from one meter away. However, as a zoom lens also compresses the distance between objects, the fence around the field will look larger than in a picture taken with a standard lens. Most zoom lenses are fairly heavy, weighing over a kilo in some instances and therefore are not necessarily suited to spontaneous use. A zoom lens can be picked up for as little as one hundred pounds but there is really no ceiling price for professional grade lenses and prices can reach into the thousands for a really good lens.