2020-05-01_N-Photo_the_Nikon_magazine

A

Well, if you don’t ask, you
don’t get. I’d go for the
mid-sized option in Novo’s
range of Explora tripod kits, namely
the Explora T10. It’s certainly sturdy,
with a maximum load rating of 15kg,
and has a generous maximum
operating height of 172cm, while
still folding down to just 49.5cm.
That’s mostly thanks to adopting
the popular recent ‘travel tripod’
trend, in which the legs swing
upwards and the feet surround the
head for compact stowage.
The kit is cleverly designed and
nicely engineered, with eight-layer
carbon fibre for the leg sections
and centre column. One leg can be
unscrewed and connected to the
centre column for use as a monopod.
The ball head is of similarly high-
quality, with an Arca-Swiss quick-
release plate, pan-only release
and adjustable friction damping.
Considering the quality and durability
of the kit, it’s ace value at £249/$339.

Q

I’ve tried various

super-telephoto

zooms, but sharpness

seems lacking at the

long end. Would an

80-400mm with a tele-

converter be better?

To ny P o p p le

A

It’s always a struggle
retaining sharpness at very
long focal lengths, partly
because keeping the camera free of
vibrations becomes critical. Mirror-
bounce and even shutter-shock can
cause problems. However, you’re

better off with a good super-telephoto

zoom, rather than adding a tele-

converter to an 80-400mm lens.

Based on our lab tests and real-

world experience, the Sigma

150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM

Sports is the pick of the crop,

although it’s weighty at nearly 3kg.

Next up is the Nikon AF-S

200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR, although

this has a shorter maximum focal

length, closely followed by the

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di

VC USD G2, which is sharper at the

long end than the original edition of

the lens. The Sigma 150-600mm

f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary

has slightly less long-end sharpness.

Q

If I apply exposure

compensation

when I’m using the

Manual shooting mode,

will it have any effect on

shutter speed, aperture

and sensitivity?

Himansu Tripathy

A

If you’re using a manually

set ISO value, exposure

compensation will have

absolutely no effect in Manual

shooting mode. The aperture and

shutter speed values remain exactly

as you set them.

However, if you’re also using the

Auto ISO setting, the sensitivity will

be altered whenever you apply

positive or negative exposure

compensation, to give brighter or

darker photographs respectively.

Even so, the aperture and shutter

speed will still remain fixed.

Secondhand superstar

Q

I’m after a macro lens, but

don’t plan on using it

very often, so I’d like to keep

the cost down. What’s a

good secondhand option?

Marcus Taylor

A

Our experts at MPB recommend...

For superb performance on a budget, we’d

recommend the Sigma 105mm OS HSM.

It predates the company’s ‘Global Vision’ line-up, so

there are some great used models to choose from.

Sponsored by

MPB

MPB

offers a next day

delivery service

& six-month

warranty on all

used equipment

mpb.com

Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM

THIS LENS IS GREAT FOR EXTREME CLOSE-UPS

AND IT ALSO WORKS WELL FOR PORTRAITURE

RELEASED: 2011

PRICE NEW: £359/$469

BUY AT MPB TODAY:

‘Excellent’ £244/$316

‘Good’ £214/$277

Sigma’s 105mm OS HSM

macro lens delivers full 1.0x

magnification at its closest

focus distance of 31.2cm.

This enables huge

enlargements of tiny bugs

and other small objects,

revealing almost

microscopic levels of detail.

Not just for close-ups, the

lens also works perfectly as

a fast telephoto prime, with

its f/2.8 aperture rating and

4-stop optical stabilizer.

On a full-frame camera

body, the focal length is a

good fit for portraiture. On a

DX format body, the crop

factor gives an effective

focal length of 157.5mm,

which is useful for shooting

sports and wildlife, aided by

the fast and whisper-quiet

ring-type ultrasonic

autofocus system.

Key points

1. Internal focus
   It doesn’t extend at shorter
   distances, and the front does
   not encroach on subjects.


2. Optical stabilization
   The 4-stop optical stabilizer
   has two switchable modes.
   Mode 1 is for static shooting
   and Mode 2 is for panning.


3. AF range limiter
   The limiter switch, which
   can lock out distances
   either side of 45cm, avoids
   excessive hunting.

Groups/elements: 16/11

Full-frame compatible: Ye s

Effective focal length

(DX): 157.5mm

Min focus distance: 0.31m

Max magnification: 1.0x

Autofocus: Ring-type

ultrasonic

Diaphragm blades: 9

Filter size: 62mm

Dimensions (dia x length):

78x126mm

Weight: 725g

The Sigma 150-600mm Sports is currently the top super-telephoto
zoom for outright image quality, but it is rather a hefty beast.