Category: Lenses
Photo.net have today published an interesting overview of the new EF-S lenses that were announced by Canon at the end of last week, courtesy of Bob Atkins.
“I was a little disappointed that the EF-S 10-22/3.5-5.6 USM was so expensive. I’d hoped that maybe Canon could have made a lens like this for $300 or so, but I guess it’s not easy making a lens of such a short focal length, and a 2.2x zoom at that. Canon seem to have gone for the “upscale” market with this lens, rather than the “low end” market at which the original EF-S 18-55 was targeted. Personally I’d have taken a small hit in performance for a large drop in price - but that’s just me! At $800, if you buy one you have to hope that Canon will stick with the 1.6x sensor size for a while, since this lens isn’t going to fit on any film body, or even any of the “pro” EOS 1 digital models.”
Website: Photo.net - Canon’s New EF-S lenses
Photo.net have today published an interesting overview of the new EF-S lenses that were announced by Canon at the end of last week, courtesy of Bob Atkins.“I was a little disappointed that the EF-S 10-22/3.5-5.6 USM was so expensive. I’d hoped that maybe Canon could have made a lens like…
Pentax USA Press Release 24/08/04
GOLDEN, Colorado (August 24, 2004)...PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Magazine has awarded two HOT1 Awards to PENTAX Imaging Company for the two digital SLR lenses in the PENTAX DA-series. Positioned as the perfect companion lenses for the *ist D digital SLR camera, the magazine has recognized the smc PENTAX-DA 16mm-45mm F4 ED AL lens and the smc PENTAX-DA 14mm F2.8 ED [IF] interchangeable wide-angle lens.
The compact, high-performance, interchangeable smc PENTAX-DA 16mm-45mm F4 ED AL lens features a 3X zoom ratio with focal lengths covering ultra-wide to moderate-telephoto ranges for the angle of view equivalent to 24.5mm-69mm in the 35mm format. The smc PENTAX-DA 14mm F2.8 ED [IF] interchangeable wide-angle lens is the second model of the DA-series lineup. At 14.8 ounces and measuring just 2.7 inches long and 3.3 inches in diameter, the lens is one of the lightest in its category.
Pentax USA Press Release 24/08/04 GOLDEN, Colorado (August 24, 2004)...PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Magazine has awarded two HOT1 Awards to PENTAX Imaging Company for the two digital SLR lenses in the PENTAX DA-series. Positioned as the perfect companion lenses for the *ist D digital SLR camera, the magazine has recognized the smc…
Canon UK Press Release 19/08/04
Canon announces new EF-S lenses for its D-SLR cameras
Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM wide-angle EF-S zoom lenses. Targeted at advanced digital photographers, both lenses are designed to work exclusively with Canon?s EOS 20D and EOS 300D digital SLR cameras. The focal length ranges of the new lenses are equivalent to 27-136mm and 16-35mm respectively in 35mm film format ? a spread carefully chosen by Canon to reflect the needs of its rapidly growing base of advanced D-SLR photographers.
Both lenses feature Canon?s ring-type Ultra Sonic Motors (USM) for fast, near-silent auto focus, and a range of features designed to deliver a level of image quality approaching that of Canon?s revered L-Series professional lenses.
Canon UK Press Release 19/08/04 Canon announces new EF-S lenses for its D-SLR cameras Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM wide-angle EF-S zoom lenses. Targeted at advanced digital photographers, both lenses are designed to work exclusively…
As well as the new Canon EOS 20D and 17-85mm EF-S lens, there are also official product shots of an exciting new wideangle lens, the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5. Great news for all you ESO 300D owners out there who have yet to add a wideangle lens to your kit.
As well as the new Canon EOS 20D and 17-85mm EF-S lens, there are also official product shots of an exciting new wideangle lens, the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5. Great news for all you ESO 300D owners out there who have yet to add a wideangle lens to your kit…
Digital Outback Photo have published a new article by Paul Caldwell, in which he explains how to use non-Canon lenses with his Canon 1Ds. Why would you want to do this? Well, here’s one reason:
“The 28mm F2.8 Contax was sharper all the way to the corners on every shot. When looking at the various test images I found that the center areas of each image were very close from both the (Canon) 24-70L and the Contax Distagon 28mm. But when you looked at each image at a 100% view, often times, you would see the sharpness fading on the images taken with the 24-70L as you moved out to the corners. This wasn?t true with the Contax Distagon. “
Digital Outback Photo have published a new article by Paul Caldwell, in which he explains how to use non-Canon lenses with his Canon 1Ds. Why would you want to do this? Well, here’s one reason: “The 28mm F2.8 Contax was sharper all the way to the corners on every shot…
Pentax Press Release 08/08/04
Pentax Introduces Two Compact, Lightweight Macro Lenses: First Models Of High-Performance smc Pentax-D FA Series Optimize Digital SLR Image Quality
GOLDEN, Colorado (August 8, 2004) PENTAX Imaging Company will bring the best of both worlds to photographers with two smc PENTAX-D FA interchangeable lenses - the smc PENTAX-D FA Macro 100mm F2.8 and the smc PENTAX-D FA Macro 50mm F2.8. The latest series is designed to optimize image quality in both digital SLR and film photography. Each lightweight macro lens features an image circle to accommodate 35mm format and offers close-up to life-size magnification.
Pentax Press Release 08/08/04 Pentax Introduces Two Compact, Lightweight Macro Lenses: First Models Of High-Performance smc Pentax-D FA Series Optimize Digital SLR Image Quality GOLDEN, Colorado (August 8, 2004) PENTAX Imaging Company will bring the best of both worlds to photographers with two smc PENTAX-D FA interchangeable lenses - the…
Tamron Press Release
TAMRON’S AF28-300MM HIGH POWER ZOOM LENS REDESIGNED TO FEATURE “DI” DESIGN
AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO (Model A061)
Ideal for Use with Both Film and Digital SLR Cameras
New York, NY, July 22, 2004 - Tamron USA, Inc. announced the launch of a newly redesigned AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di Aspherical (IF) MACRO (model A061), a high power zoom lens now featuring “Di” (Digitally Integrated) design.
Tamron’s Di lenses featuring optical systems for use with both digital and film cameras have been highly evaluated by users around the world since the introduction of the first Di lens, SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 (Model A09), in 2003. All Di-series lenses introduced by Tamron so far are SP lenses featuring superior specifications. However, many users strongly suggested that Tamron make the existing non-SP high power and compact 28-300mm lens they are using with their film cameras available in the Di design in order to realize the same convenience and quality images with digital cameras. Tamron has redesigned the conventional AF28-300mm zoom (A06) to feature the Di design in order to meet the demand of those photographers.
Tamron Press Release TAMRON’S AF28-300MM HIGH POWER ZOOM LENS REDESIGNED TO FEATURE “DI” DESIGN AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO (Model A061) Ideal for Use with Both Film and Digital SLR Cameras New York, NY, July 22, 2004 - Tamron USA, Inc. announced the launch of a newly…
Casio Press Release 02/08/04
CASIO Develops World’s First Transparent Ceramic Lens Using Murata’s LUMICERA *1
August 02, 2004, TOKYO, JAPAN - Using proprietary optical technology, CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. has developed the world’s first lens using transparent ceramics. This breakthrough will make it possible to create zoom lenses for cameras with greatly reduced profiles.
Ever since CASIO’s EXILIM ultra-slim, credit-card-sized digital camera went on sale, the entire digital camera market has undergone a huge change. Compact digital cameras offering mobility in a small package have become mainstream, while there has been a major push in technological development to find better methods of creating smaller, thinner cameras.
CASIO is continuing to take the lead in this field by creating the world’s first transparent ceramic lens using LUMICERA , a transparent ceramic developed by Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Casio Press Release 02/08/04 CASIO Develops World’s First Transparent Ceramic Lens Using Murata’s LUMICERA *1 August 02, 2004, TOKYO, JAPAN - Using proprietary optical technology, CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. has developed the world’s first lens using transparent ceramics. This breakthrough will make it possible to create zoom lenses for cameras…
In this week’s Sunday Morning Photographer column Mike Johnstontakes a tongue-in-cheek look at the many different types of 35mm lenses and their uses.
“Macros/micros:
Flowers, bugs, eyeballs, eyelashes, small products, tchotchkes. Dew-covered spider webs, frost patterns on windowpanes. Great hobby lenses, as macro photographers are among the only happy photo enthusiasts. Also much utilized by photography buffs who like to test lenses.”
Website: Sunday Morning Photographer: USES AND APPLICATIONS OF 35mm LENSES’
In this week’s Sunday Morning Photographer column Mike Johnstontakes a tongue-in-cheek look at the many different types of 35mm lenses and their uses. “Macros/micros: Flowers, bugs, eyeballs, eyelashes, small products, tchotchkes. Dew-covered spider webs, frost patterns on windowpanes. Great hobby lenses, as macro photographers are among the only happy photo…
Peering inside another photographer’s camera-bag is always an interesting experience, and a look inside Uwe Steinmueller’s collection of Canon lenses is no exception.
“In our work we most often use zoom lenses. 30 years ago we did not even think of touching a zoom lens (we used mainly two Nikon F2s and owned (still have them) prime lenses from 20-200mm). Why zooms today?
- Zooms improved a lot over the last 30 years
- We try to minimize lens changes as this may introduce dust into out DSLRs
- Zooms are flexible
- We may be a bit lazy :-)
But we try to stay away from zoom lenses with a huge focal range as this means that these lenses are either heavy and expensive or of inferior quality.”
Peering inside another photographer’s camera-bag is always an interesting experience, and a look inside Uwe Steinmueller’s collection of Canon lenses is no exception. “In our work we most often use zoom lenses. 30 years ago we did not even think of touching a zoom lens (we used mainly two Nikon…
Thom Hogan’s latest article on the world of Nikon is a list of all the lenses that Nikon should have produced, even including a suggested delivery schedule :-)
“One common email query I get has to do with which Nikkor lens should be purchased. That’s not an easy question by itself, as to really answer it you need to learn about the photographer asking the question; what’s right for photographer A isn’t necessarily the best bet for photographer B. But many times in answering these questions I end up in the Rabbit Hole of Missing Lenses.”
Website: Thom Hogan - The Missing Lenses
Thom Hogan’s latest article on the world of Nikon is a list of all the lenses that Nikon should have produced, even including a suggested delivery schedule :-) “One common email query I get has to do with which Nikkor lens should be purchased. That’s not an easy question by…
Sigma Corporation Press Release 20/07/04
EX series, large aperture zoom lens designed specifically for use with digital SLR cameras.
F2.8 large aperture standard zoom lens designed specially for use with digital SLR cameras.
The characteristics of digital SLR cameras were taken into consideration when designing the lens power layout. The new advanced lens design corrects various aberrations. This lens provides the utmost correction against lateral chromatic aberration which is a serious problem for digital SLR cameras.
This lens is specially coated to get the best color balance whilst cutting down flare and ghost caused by reflections from the digital image sensor and lens. It has excellent correction for vignetting and superior peripheral brightness is ensured.
Sigma Corporation Press Release 20/07/04 EX series, large aperture zoom lens designed specifically for use with digital SLR cameras. F2.8 large aperture standard zoom lens designed specially for use with digital SLR cameras. The characteristics of digital SLR cameras were taken into consideration when designing the lens power layout. The…
Lensbabies Press Release 07/07/04
July 7, 2004 Portland, OR. Lensbabies, LLC, expanded its lineup of lenses to include Original Lensbabies with camera mounts that will fit virtually all SLR bodies. Lensbabies added Pentax K, Olympus OM, Minolta Maxxum, Canon FD, Universal Screw, Minolta Manual, and Contax/Yashika mount Lensbabies to its existing product line of Canon EF and Nikon F mount Lensbabies.
The Original Lensbaby, is a flexible camera lens that creates a ‘sweet spot’ area of focus which photographers move around the image by bending the flexible lens tubing. The lens focuses like a mini-bellows on the front of an SLR. The shooter focuses a Lensbaby by compressing the lens with their fingertips. Lensbaby photographs have the roughed-up look created by Holga or Diana cameras, but using a Lensbaby on your SLR is convenient, versatile, and enables you to place the subject and the sweet spot of focus anywhere in the image.
All versions of The Original Lensbaby are available for sale now at www.lensbabies.com for $96.
Lensbabies Press Release 07/07/04 July 7, 2004 Portland, OR. Lensbabies, LLC, expanded its lineup of lenses to include Original Lensbabies with camera mounts that will fit virtually all SLR bodies. Lensbabies added Pentax K, Olympus OM, Minolta Maxxum, Canon FD, Universal Screw, Minolta Manual, and Contax/Yashika mount Lensbabies to its…
Leica have announced a new 50mm standard lens for the Leica M series. The Leica Summilux-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. is the first Leica M lens to feature a floating element - the last lens element alters its position in relation to the rest of the optical system during focusing ? thereby achieving outstanding imaging quality even in the close-up range. Expected price in Germany will be around 2250 Euros.
Website: PhotoScala
Website: Leica
Leica have announced a new 50mm standard lens for the Leica M series. The Leica Summilux-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. is the first Leica M lens to feature a floating element - the last lens element alters its position in relation to the rest of the optical system during focusing ? thereby…
Following my enthusiastic review of the Lensbaby a couple of months ago, Alain Briot and Digital Outback Photo have started a diary review of this unique product in conjunction with the Canon EOS 300D DSLR.
“I took more photos with the lensbaby today. One of the main advantages of this lens is the possibility to create in and out of focus areas quickly and easily. Normally, to get a pronounced out of focus effect on a specific area of the image, you need to use some sort of gel on the lens to blur specific areas. Cokin even sells a special gel for this use, a sort of Vaseline. You can also use a veil or other semi-transparent cloth.”
Website: Alain Briot - Lensbaby Review
Website: Read my review of the Lensbaby
Following my enthusiastic review of the Lensbaby a couple of months ago, Alain Briot and Digital Outback Photo have started a diary review of this unique product in conjunction with the Canon EOS 300D DSLR. “I took more photos with the lensbaby today. One of the main advantages of this…
Sigma Press Release 18/06/04
A new design concept for digital cameras. (2004.6.18)
MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG
Compact and lightweight medium telephoto macro lens.
Optimized image quality for Digital SLR cameras.
- Super Multi Layer (SML) coating reduces the ghost caused by reflections from the surface of digital image sensors.
- Features a compact lens design with an overall length of just 95mm.
- Minimum aperture of F/45 provides greater depth of field (F/45 for Sigma, Canon and Konica Minolta mounts and F/32 for Nikon and Pentax mounts).
- A screw-in lens hood for convenient use of circular polarizing filters
Sigma Press Release 18/06/04 A new design concept for digital cameras. (2004.6.18) MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG Compact and lightweight medium telephoto macro lens. Optimized image quality for Digital SLR cameras. - Super Multi Layer (SML) coating reduces the ghost caused by reflections from the surface of digital image sensors…
Sigma Press Release 18/06/04
From life-size close up to infinity, superior image quality for digital SLR cameras is achieved across the range.(2004.6.18)
MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DG
- Optimized image quality for Digital SLR cameras.
- Floating Internal Focusing (FIF) system minimizes the aberration in entire focusing range.
- Super Multi Layer (SML) coating reduces the ghost caused by reflections from the surface of digital image sensors.
- Minimum aperture of F/45 provides greater depth of field (F/45 for Sigma, Canon and Konica Minolta mounts and F/32 for Nikon and Pentax mounts).
- A screw-in hood for convenient use of circular polarizing filters
Sigma Press Release 18/06/04 From life-size close up to infinity, superior image quality for digital SLR cameras is achieved across the range.(2004.6.18) MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DG - Optimized image quality for Digital SLR cameras. - Floating Internal Focusing (FIF) system minimizes the aberration in entire focusing range. - Super…
Luminous Landscape have reviewed Canon’s new EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM telephoto zoom lens, which measures less than 10cm long and includes Canon’s Image Stabilisation technology to reduce camera shake.
“Would I recommend the 70-300 DO? It is probably not for most people, especially at the price. Here in the UK it sells for ?1,049. Canon have to recover the R+D costs of diffractive optics so early products will carry a premium price. They see the technology coming to cheaper lenses eventually, allowing shorter low-cost lenses to be produced. The cost of moulding diffractive elements, if mass-produced, is said not to be inherently high.”
Luminous Landscape have reviewed Canon’s new EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM telephoto zoom lens, which measures less than 10cm long and includes Canon’s Image Stabilisation technology to reduce camera shake. “Would I recommend the 70-300 DO? It is probably not for most people, especially at the price. Here in the…
Olympus Press Release 14/06/04
New specifications for the latest lens to join the Olympus E-System
ZUIKO DIGITAL ED150mm F2.0
Hamburg, 14 June 2004 - The latest addition to the range of interchangeable lenses for the Olympus E-System, the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED150mm F2.0 (35mm camera equivalent: 300mm), will be available late October 2004. However, the extra wait will be worth it. The optical system has already received a coveted award from the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). It confers awards to products and technologies of special distinction across a number of areas in the field of photography. The jury declared the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED150mm F2.0 the best high-end lens and praised it for allowing tele photography with a size of aperture not possible with systems based on the 35mm standard. Originally planned for release in summer 2004, the new Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL lens will now be available in late October 2004.
Specifications as of June 2004
Working distance - 1.4m ~ infinity
Max. image magnification - 0.13x
Minimum field size - 102 x 136mm
Dimensions (max. diameter x length) - 100 x 150mm
Weight - 1,550g (with tripod mount)
Olympus Press Release 14/06/04 New specifications for the latest lens to join the Olympus E-System ZUIKO DIGITAL ED150mm F2.0 Hamburg, 14 June 2004 - The latest addition to the range of interchangeable lenses for the Olympus E-System, the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED150mm F2.0 (35mm camera equivalent: 300mm), will be available late…
Luminous Landscape have reviewed Canon’s new EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM telephoto zoom lens, which measures less than 10cm long and includes Canon’s Image Stabilisation technology to reduce camera shake.
“This is an appealing lens in many ways. It measures reasonably well, and though the price is a bit high it is appropriate for what you get. The low weight and small size are real plusses. Resolution appears high, but I have to admit that on-screen and in prints I see a certain “softness” to images produced by this lens that doesn’t show up in lab measurements.”
Website: Luminous Landscape - Canon EF70-300mm DO IS Lens Review
Luminous Landscape have reviewed Canon’s new EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM telephoto zoom lens, which measures less than 10cm long and includes Canon’s Image Stabilisation technology to reduce camera shake. “This is an appealing lens in many ways. It measures reasonably well, and though the price is a bit high…