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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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