8 http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk
Tamron 70-300mm
telephotofor Sony
Tamronis developingtheworld’s
‘smallestandlightest’telephotozoom
forSonyE-mount,the70-300mmF4.5-6.
Di III RXD.WhileTamronhasmademany
telephotozoomsthatextendto 300mmfor
DSLRs,thisis the rstmodeldesignedfor
full-framemirrorless.Thelensis weather-
sealed,sportsan‘RXD’RapideXtra-silent
steppingDriveforfocusing,andis relatively
compact– witha 77mmdiameterand
weighing544g.‘The70-300mmF4.5-6.
is a highlypracticallensthatmakesthe
excitementof telephotoshootingeasier
thaneverbeforeacrossa diverserangeof
shootingstylesincludinglandscapes,
sportsandotherathleticevents,wildlife,
portraits,andmore,’saidthecompany.The
lenswillbeavailablein autumn,andthe
UKpriceis yetto becon rmed.
Free Nikon webcam
software
With more and more people using
cameras to carry out work meetings
via Zoom or Skype, Nikon is the latest big
maker to bring out webcam software. The
company’s Webcam Utility software is
compatible with selected DSLRs and the
Z-series mirrorless camera range, and
although it is free, the beta download is
only available for Windows. Once installed
on your Windows PC, connect your camera
via a USB lead and you should get far
better picture quality than you would from a
bog-standard webcam built into your
screen. Nikon joins Olympus, Canon,
Panasonic and Fuji lm in bringing out
webcam software and the full list of
supported Nikon cameras, along with
download instructions, is at bit.ly/
nikonwebcam
Sigma releases 85mm
Art lens for mirrorless
Sigma has announced
its latest lens for
full-frame mirrorless
cameras, the Sigma 85mm
F1.4 DG DN | Art. This
short telephoto prime is the
rst with a fast f/1.
aperture that the rm has
designed speci cally for
mirrorless cameras, starting
a new line that will
complement its existing set of
f/2.8 zooms. It’s said to be
ideal for portrait, wedding and
event photographers. Sigma
claims that the new lens
delivers improved image
quality compared to its
counterpart for full-frame
DSLRs, yet weighs only
slightly more than half as much.
Optically, it comprises 15 elements in 11
groups, including ve super-low dispersion
(SLD) elements and an aspherical element to
combat optical aberrations. Particular
attention has been paid to eliminate colour
fringing around out-of-focus elements, a
symptom of axial chromatic aberration. It alsoThe winners of the Down’s Syndrome
Association’s (DSA) international
photographic competition have been
announced, with successful entries coming
from Ireland, Canada and the USA. Now in its
tenth year, the ‘My Perspective’ competition
gives photographers who have the genetic
condition the chance to share their view of
the world. The Peoples’ Choice Award was
voted for by the public online. They chose
Conor O’Dowd’s portrait entitled ‘My friend
Jason the model’ as their favourite (top row
far right). Conor, who is from Drogheda in
County Louth, Ireland, said: ‘I am surprised to
win. It’s great. It makes my parents proud. I
can’t wait to tell my best friend Jason the
great news. I love the My Perspective
competition... during lockdown I was out and
about taking pictures.’
Congratulations to everyone shortlisted. As
the organisers note, the current Covid-
situation is particularly challenging for people
who have Down’s Syndrome. ‘The usual
rhythm of life has been disrupted without
warning, leaving feelings of isolation, anxiety
and frustration. Many have additional health‘My Perspective’ contest winners
The winning entries from this year’s contest
conditions... It can be hard to understand
social-distancing and many have dif culty
communicating how they are feeling if they
become unwell, mentally and physically. It is
hoped that this year’s “My Perspective”
competition has given entrants something to
focus on during lockdown.’ See the full list of
winners at http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk.employs a diaphragm with 11
curved blades to give a circular
aperture for attractive bokeh.
Along with excellent optical
performance, the rm is
promising high-speed AF and
robust build, with dust- and
splash-proof construction. It’s
employed a stepping motor that’s
designed to work well with both
phase-detection and contrast-
detection autofocus. The barrel
features an aperture ring that
can be de-clicked or locked,
along with a focus-mode
switch and an AF-lock
button whose function
can be customised from
the camera body. The
supplied bowl-shaped lens
hood has a locking button for
additional security. In terms of size, the lens
is 94.1mm long and 82.8mm in diameter,
weighs 630g and has a lter thread of
77mm. Its minimum focus distance is 85cm.
The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is due to
go on sale in Sony E and Leica L mounts on
27 August for £999.