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BEST REPORTAGE LENSES






            Overall verdict





             We’ve packed this group test full of           cracking optic that is at home in any
             powerful primes, as you’d expect to find,       serious collector’s kit. When all is said            BEST
             with some noteworthy zooms to boot. As         and done we had to look at the overall               IN
                                                                                                                 TEST
             usual, every optic here will not only do the   packages, meaning size, weight and cost
             job, but also do it in style, and they’re all   were huge factors in placing our podium.
             worthy of your consideration. Although we      Although they are all winners in their field,
             included a smattering of wild card zoom        there were three lenses that had the total
             lenses that are doubtless legends in their     package and excelled in every part of our
             own right, we felt the prime lenses gave       judging criteria. The phenomenal Sigma
             a touch more in terms of size advantage        35mm f/1.4 Art not only launched a beloved
             and apertures, making them the perfect         range of optics, it’s also available cross-
             combo for discreet shooting in any             mount for seven different manufacturers.
             scenario. That said, zooms are a great         It’s well known for sharp optics, and
             option should you require added versatility.   despite getting on in years, its age isn’t                                   HIGHLY
                                                                                                                                         RATED
                                                            slowing it down at all. It comes at a very
             And the winner is...                           appealing price for a pro optic that makes it
             Picking a winner was no mean feat, and on      almost too good to be true.
             any given day it could have easily gone           Taking second place is Fujifilm’s 23mm
             another way. The Sony is a formidably          f/2. It may not have quite as wide an
             sharp lens that offers a wide angle to catch   aperture as others, but it’s small, compact
             entire scenes, while the Tamron SP is a        and couldn’t be less imposing. This ideal
                                                            companion lets you effortlessly blend into
                “SIGMA’S                                    the crowd and shoot until your heart’s
                                                            content. Also, it’s packing weather sealing
                EXCELLENT                                   and cut throat sharpness – a killer combo.            HIGHLY
                                                               Taking our third spot is Nikon’s                   RATED
                35MM F/1.4 ART                              mirrorless 50mm. The optical clarity is to

                LAUNCHED A                                  be seen to be believed, and the simple, yet
                                                            effective, build quality pays dividends in
                MUCH BELOVED                                discretion and travelling power. It’s a great     Above This test is packed with excellent
                                                            lens that definitely does more than enough         optics, making judging extremely tough.
                LENS RANGE”                                 to earn its place on the podium.                  However, three lenses really stood out.





                At-a-glance results                 Price         Max aperture      Min aperture      Filter thread       Weight           RATING



              CANON RF 50mm f/1.2L USM         £2329            f/1.2             f/16              77mm              950g

              TAMRON 70-200mm                  £1149            f/2.8             f/22              77mm              1500g
              f/2.8 DI VC USD G2

              NIKON NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G         £375             f/1.4             f/16              77mm              280g


              PANASONIC VARIO-SUMMILUX
                                               £1799            f/1.7             f/22              77mm              690g
              10-25mm f/1.7
              OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO
                                               £379             f/1.8             f/22              46mm              120g
              DIGITAL ED 17mm f/1.8

              TAMRON SP 35mm
                                               £879             f/1.4             f/16              72mm              815g
              f/1.4 DI USD
              SONY FE 24mm f/1.4               £1295            f/1.4             f/16              67mm              445g
              G MASTER


              NIKON NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S      £519             f/1.8             f/16              62mm              415g


              FUJIFILM XF 23mm f/2 R WR        £429             f/2               f/16              43mm              180g


              SIGMA 35mm f/1.4
                                               £599             f/1.4             f/16              67mm              665g
              DG HSM ART


             KEY:      Best performing model under our test conditions          Highly recommended product




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