ISSUE 125
30 / AWARDS
Lenses continued.
Accessories
BEST PHOTO TRIPOD
BEST ON-CAMERA MICROPHONE
BEST STANDARD LENS
WINNER: Peak Design Pro Lite
WINNER: Sennheiser MKE 400
WINNER: Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Otus ML
With a stylish, low-profile build that oozes class, the Sennheiser MKE 400 is a worthy winner thanks to its ability to deliver clear, focused audio in a solid, economical on-camera design. It does an excellent job of isolating speech while reducing unwanted background noise. The built-in wind protection, adjustable gain and headphone monitoring make it a genuinely practical tool in the field, while Sennheiser’s renowned audio expertise ensures consistent, professional-quality results. For creators who want a simple, reliable upgrade from in-camera sound, the MKE 400 is a no-brainer mic purchase.
The Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Otus ML has been a legendary DSLR lens for years. Now it’s available in mirrorless fitment, it’s no surprise that it’s been voted the best standard lens. It sets a new benchmark. The Otus ML delivers extraordinary sharpness across the frame, stunning micro-contrast and beautifully nuanced colour rendition. The fast f/1.4 aperture enables precise subject isolation and exceptional low-light performance, while the fully manual design encourages deliberate image making. Built to an uncompromising standard, Zeiss’s lens is for photographers who demand absolute quality and are willing to slow down to achieve it.
The Peak Design Pro Lite redefines what a modern photo tripod should be. Lightweight, yet super rigid, it’s for photographers who value portability without compromising stability. The clever, fast-deploying leg system and intuitive controls make set-up quick and frustration- free, while the compact folded size lets it slip easily into a backpack. Despite its slim profile, it supports serious camera gear, making it ideal for travel, landscape and everyday shooting. Smart design, premium materials and real-world usability combine to make the Peak Design Pro Lite a standout choice.
BEST TELEPHOTO LENS
BEST ON-CAMERA MONITOR
WINNER: Atomos Ninja TX
Atomos is the long-standing gold standard for on- camera monitors, so it’s no great shock that the Ninja TX grabs a prize by combining a superbly bright, colour-accurate touchscreen with powerful recording and monitoring tools. Its high-resolution HDR display makes judging focus, exposure and colour far easier than relying on a camera’s rear screen, while support for ProRes and Raw workflows gives filmmakers greater flexibility in post. Add in responsive menus, robust build quality and wide camera compatibility, and the Ninja TX elevates shooting confidence and image quality.
WINNER: Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS
The Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS takes home the bacon in the best telephoto lens category for providing serious reach in a remarkably compact, lightweight and comparatively affordable package. Designed specifically for full-frame mirrorless systems in Sony E mount and Leica L-Mount, it offers fast, accurate autofocus and impressive optical stabilisation, making it a great choice for any wildlife, sports or aviation photographer’s kitbag.
Sharp wide open, with excellent contrast and control of aberrations thanks to its use of special, exclusive low-dispersion glass elements, it exceeds expectation in terms of performance and portability. Professional features include a weather-resistant build for protection in tough shooting conditions, a focus limiter switch, a de-clickable and lockable aperture ring, a detachable tripod socket and a custom mode switch. Sigma has hit on a genuinely winning formula.
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