TheWinners
AWARDS 2020
Lens
Accessories
BESTWIDE-ANGLE LENS
BEST TELEPHOTO LENS
BEST STANDARD LENS
BEST TRIPOD: ALLOY
BEST TRIPOD: CARBON-FIBRE
WINNER Irix 45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly
This top-end manual focus lens for Canon EF, Nikon F and Pentax mounts is built to withstand the most arduous conditions – and gives brilliant results. SHORTLISTED • Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM • Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S • Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 Pro • Panasonic Lumix S Pro 50mm f/1.4 • Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD • Tokina opera 50mm f/1.4 FF • Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4
WINNER Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art
WINNER Zeiss Otus 100mm f/1.4
Sigma is one the biggest names among independent lens suppliers and, exploring its Art lens range, it’s easy to see why. The 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art is the ultimate ultra-wide zoom, with its fast f/2.8 aperture and optical construction of 17 elements. No fewer than eight of these are advanced glass, guaranteeing sharpness across the frame, even when used wide open. SHORTLISTED • Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM • Fujifilm XF8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR • Irix 11mm f/4 Blackstone • Laowa 14mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D • Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S • Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 FE • Tokina Opera 16-28mm f/2.8 FF • Zeiss Otus 28mm f/1.4
What more can we say about the Zeiss Otus range? Year after year, they scoop awards for amazing performance. The Otus 100mm f/1.4 is an attention grabber due to a superfast maximum aperture. Given the telephoto focal length, it’s very impressive. This is a great lens if you want to enjoy selective focus photography with creamy bokeh. • Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM • Fujifilm XF50mm f/1.0 R WR • Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S • Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS • Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD • Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD • Tokina ATX-M 85mm f/1.8 FE SHORTLISTED • Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
WINNER Manfrotto Befree GT XPro Carbon
WINNER Vanguard VEO 3+ 263AB
Vanguard’s innovative MACC (Multi-Angle Central Column) appears on this award-winning tripod. It allows you to position the camera at almost any angle quickly and easily. That makes it ideal for macro and nature photography and video, as well as landscapes and travel work. The kit includes an MA1 adapter for mounting an extra device, such as a monitor, light or hard drive. SHORTLISTED • Kenro Karoo Compact Tripod Kit (small, aluminium) • Manfrotto 190XPro Aluminium 4-section • Slik Pro 700DX
Manfrotto’s Befree tripod series offers great value, designs and usability. The Befree GT XPro Carbon is no different. It’s the first that’s been developed for macro. The ability to set the central column to 90° renders it perfect for shooting flat lays, still lifes and nature. This tripod is a worthy winner. SHORTLISTED • 3 Legged Thing Legends Ray • Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30 • FLM CP-26 Travel • Gitzo tripod Traveler, GT2545T • Novo Explora T20 • Leofoto Ranger LS-324C + LH-40 • Vanguard VEO 3+ 263CP
BEST SUPERZOOM LENS
WINNER Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.5 Di III RXD The Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.5 Di III RXD scooped a world first with its fast f/2.8 aperture at the 28mm end of a superzoom. It’s a really solid performer! SHORTLISTED • Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM • Fujifilm XF18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR • Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR • Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 • Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD
BEST MEMORY CARD
WINNER Lexar Professional 2000x SDHC/SDXC UHS-II
BEST MACRO LENS
Editor’s Choice: Leofoto Ranger LS-324C + LH-40
It’s always been imperative that memory cards are reliable. Now, the latest cameras shooting 4K video also demand speed to keep buffering and image drop to a minimum. Lexar’s award- winning card, which uses UHS-II technology, performs impressively. It reaches read speeds up to 300MB/s and write speeds of 260MB/s. It’s also super-durable, as it’s waterproof and built to withstand shock, vibrations, changes in temperature and even X-rays. SHORTLISTED • Lexar Professional CFexpress Type B • PNY Elite-X SDXC • SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC UHS-II • Sony SF-M Tough UHS-II SD
Editor’s Choice: Laowa 14mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D
Editor’s Choice: Fujifilm XF50mm f/1.0 R WR
Laowa has constantly surprised and delighted with an ever-growing lens range, particularly its innovative wide-angle offerings. Last year, there were two new additions: an 11mm f/4.5 FF RL and the nominated 14mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D. The latter is a compact, ultra-wide lens that proves a great match for the current cohort of mirrorless cameras.” Will Cheung–Editor
With its XF50mm f/1.0 R WR, Fujifilm developed
In a market full of innovative products, it takes something special to catch my eye – I’ve found it with the Leofoto LS-324 + LH-40. It’s beautifully made and great to use, with its impressive ball head and legs that operate smoothly. Plus, it’s very stable, irrespective of whether you’re shooting with long lenses, medium format or extreme exposures.” Will Cheung–Editor
WINNER Tokina FiRIN 100mm f/2.8 FE Macro
the first AF lens to reach such an amazing speed. I picked out this lens for an Editor’s Choice award because of its optical performance. Wide aperture lenses aren’t uncommon, but this one is exceptionally sharp, even when it’s wide open. I’d happily shoot everything at f/1.0 now. It’s a crackerjack of a lens!” Will Cheung–Editor
Tokina’s macro is a deserved winner.
SHORTLISTED • Fujifilm XF80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro • Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 • Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2:1 Ultra Macro • Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro • Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 SP Di Macro 1:1 VC USD • Voigtländer 110mm f/2.5 Macro Apo-Lanthar
18 Photography News | Issue 86
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