Allan Weitz's blog

One of the more interesting VDSLR-related sidebar stories has been the "rediscovery" of manual-focus lenses among VDSLR shooters. Most manufacturers long ago pulled the plug on manual focus lens R&D in order to concentrate their energies into improving AF technologies. And then video came along and low and behold, all of these AF speed queens turned out to be less than ideal, not to mention too noisy, for shooting anything other than stills.

Canon shooters—APS-C format and full-frame DSLRs alike—seeking a fast (f/2.8), well-corrected (two FLD and three SLD elements), short-to-midrange tele zoom might want to have a look-see at the pro-quality attributes of the new Sigma 70–200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM zoom lens.

Most camera accessories do just that—they accessorize the camera. But some accessories define their intended products. Sony's FDA-SV1 Optical Viewfinder, designed for use with a Sony Alpha NEX-3 or NEX-5 and a Sony 16mm/f2.8 pancake lens, is such a product.

One of the drawbacks of 3D photography, going back to the turn of the last century, has been the inability to view 3D pictures without having to resort to extraneous viewing devices. Not so with Fuji's FinePix REAL 3D W3, which allows you to play back and view stills and video in full 3D—straight off the LCD—without having to wear goofy-looking glasses.

Tele-extenders are terrific tools for increasing the focal length of your current lenses without taking up valuable space or adding additional weight to your camera bag, and if you're a Canon shooter, you might be interested to know about the new Extender EF 1.4x III and Extender EF 2x III tele-converters.

Even though fast super-telephoto lenses are known to be notoriously heavy, the new Canon EF 400mm/f/2.8 IS II USM, even at 8.49 lb, is more than 28% lighter than its predecessor, making it one of the lightest in it's class.

According to Canon, the new Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM is 8% lighter and measurably faster than its predecessor, with improved image-stabilization characteristics, which should capture the attention of sports and action shooters alike.