Originally posted in “Couv Camera” by Rod Sager
For several decades now, the so-called “all-in-one” lens has been a tool in the world of lenses. In the beginning back in the early to mid 80s, these lenses were 35-200mm and later 28-200mm for full frame (35mm) SLRs. These lenses were never particularly sharp nor did they make images that could be used in a serious or professional manner. The biggest problem the lenses had was distortion typically severe barrel distortion at the wide end and heavy pincushion distortion at the tele end. In the film days there really wasn’t much you could do to “correct” distortion. But the modern era is different, digitally we can correct these issues. Has the modern lens manufacturing and engineering coupled with high tech digital cameras made these lenses a viable and quality alternative to multiple zooms? I bought a few to try out.