Lensbaby have announced the launch of the Composer Pro II with Sweet 80 Optic, an 80mm f/2.8 tilting lens designed for portrait photographers or anyone looking for selective focus at longer focal lengths. By bending the depth of field around photographers’ subjects, the Sweet 80 achieves Lensbaby’s classic “sweet spot” effect of sharp focus on the subject while the surrounding area fills with compelling streaky bokeh. The new optic features an internal 12-blade aperture which can be stopped down all the way to f/16. The Composer Pro II with Sweet 80 Optic will be available for purchase in early October 2017 for $379.95. For those who already own an Optic Swap compatible Lensbaby lens body, the Sweet 80 Optic will be available separately for $199.95.

Want to see exactly what the new Fujifilm XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR lens.

Want to see exactly what the new Fujifilm GF 250mm F4 R LM OIS WR lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Fujifilm GF 250mm F4 R LM OIS WR lens.

Tamron today announced the new, moisture resistant Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens for Canon and Nikon dSLRs. This image-stabilised, full-frame telephoto zoom lens features an ultrasonic AF motor, wide and ribbed zoom and focus rings, an AF/MF switch, a distance scale sheltered behind a clear plastic window, and a zoom lock switch that prevents zoom creep during transport. The optical design includes 3 LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements for greater aberration reduction and Tamron’s original eBAND Coating for superior anti-reflection performance. The 100-400mm is fully compatible with Tamron’s 1.4X tele converter that multiplies the lens’s focal length, and the Tamron TAP-in Consolewhich enables lens customisations for focus adjustments, VC mechanism adjustments and more. Additionally, an Arca Swiss compatible tripod mount is available as an optional accessory. Availability and pricing will be communicated at a later date.

The Fujinon GF 45mm F2.8 R WR lens will be released in November 2017. The Fujinon GF 45mmF2.8 R WR is a highly versatile wide angle lens with a focal length equivalent to 36mm (on a 35mm format) and maximum F2.8 aperture. Thanks to its compact and lightweight design (weighing only 490g), this lens is ideal for street and documentary photography. The Fujinon GF 45mm F2.8 R WR lens will be available in November 2017, with an RRP of £1699.

The Fujinon XF 80mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro is the first 1.0x magnification mid-telephoto macro lens for the X Series range. This lens features a focal length equivalent to 122mm (on a 35mm format), a maximum aperture of F2.8. The lens supports hand-held shooting thanks to a powerful image stabilizer and ultra-lightweight design. The Fujinon XF 80mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro will be available in November 2017, with an RRP of £1249.

Fujifilm has added the GF 250mm F4 R LM OIS WR lens and GF 1.4X TC WR teleconverter to the G Mount lens roadmap. The GF 250mm F4 R LM OIS WR is a telephoto prime lens with a focal length equivalent to 198mm. The GF 1.4X TC WR is a high-performance teleconverter capable of multiplying the focal length by 1.4x.

Fujifilm has added the XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR and XF 200mmF2 R LM OIS WR lenses to the latest X Mount lens roadmap. In addition, the release date of the “MK Series for X Mount version” will now be 2018 rather than 2017, as previously communicated.

Meike have unveiled the manual-focus MK-85mm f/2.8 Macro lens for Canon, Fujifilm, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon and Sony cameras. Weighing in at 500 grams, the Meike MK-85mm f/2.8 Macro lens offers a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:1.5 and a minimum focus distance of 25cm, and also doubles as a medium telephoto prime. The optical formula comprises 11 elements in 8 groups, with nano-technology multi-layer coating. The suggested retail price is $299.99.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L, TS-E 50mm, TS-E 90mm, TS-E 135mm lenses and Macro Twin Lite accessory looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L, TS-E 50mm, TS-E 90mm, TS-E 135mm lenses and Macro Twin Lite accessory.

Canon have unveiled four new professional lenses -  the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM, TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MACRO, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L MACRO and TS-E 135mm f/4L MACRO.

The EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is available from November 2017 with a SRP of £1,569.99/€1,879.99

The TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MACRO is available from November 2017 with an SRP of £2,499.99/€2,999.99

The TS-E 90mm f/2.8L MACRO is available from November 2017 with an SRP of £2,499.99/€2,999.99

The TS-E 135mm f/4L MACRO is available from November 2017 with an SRP of £2,499.99/€2,999.99

In the US, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4 L IS USM is scheduled to be available November 2017 for an estimated retail price of $1599.00. The Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro lens, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro lens and TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro lenses are scheduled to be available November 2017 for an estimated retail price of $2199.00. The Canon Macro Twin-Lite MT-26EX- RT Flash is scheduled to be available November 2017, for an estimated retail price of $989.99.

Canon has been awarded three prestigious accolades from the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA). The EOS 5D Mark IV (pictured) has been named ‘EISA Professional DSLR Camera 2017-2018’, the EOS 77D has been awarded ‘EISA Consumer DSLR Camera 2017-2018’ and the Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L III USM has been awarded ‘EISA Professional DSLR Lens 2017-2018. “Canon has a long-standing reputation within the industry for delivering high-quality products that enable users to tell the best story of their lives through unlocking their creative shooting potential with the support, reliability and consistency needed,” commented Lee Bonniface, Marketing Director, Consumer Imaging, Canon Europe. “Feedback on our products through award recognition such as EISA, is paramount as we strive to produce pioneering and class-leading solutions that enable photographers around the world to discover, capture and share their own unique stories through photography.”

The Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art lens has won the “EISA European DSLR Lens 2017-2018” award. Ideal for events such as concerts, indoor sports, conferences, weddings and studio/location portraiture; the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art (read review) is highly capable of isolating your subject from the background. Its new large hyper sonic motor (HSM) provides ample torque to the focus group for optimal speed while the acceleration sensor detects the position of the lens for compensation focus groups for factors including gravity, producing faster and more responsive AF. Equipped with a focus limiter, the 135mm F1.8 Art can be easily optimised for a variety of camera-to-subject distances.

Canon has been awarded three accolades from the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA). The EOS 5D Mark IV (pictured) has been named ‘EISA Professional DSLR Camera 2017-2018’, the EOS 77D has been awarded ‘EISA Consumer DSLR Camera 2017-2018’ and the Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L III USM has won the ‘EISA Professional DSLR Lens 2017-2018’ title. “Canon has a long-standing reputation within the industry for delivering high-quality products that enable users to tell the best story of their lives through unlocking their creative shooting potential with the support, reliability and consistency needed,” commented Lee Bonniface, Marketing Director, Consumer Imaging, Canon Europe. “Feedback on our products through award recognition such as EISA, is paramount as we strive to produce pioneering and class-leading solutions that enable photographers around the world to discover, capture and share their own unique stories through photography.”

Venus Optics have announced the World’s widest rectilinear f/2 native lens for Sony full frame E-mount cameras, the Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D. Despite the extreme specifications, Venus Optics have successfully minimized the weight of the lens to around 500g (~1.1 pounds) and 8cm long. The optical fromula comprises 12 elements in 9 groups with 2 aspherical elements and 3 extra-low dispersion glass elements. Unusually for an ultra-wide lens, the Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D has a flat front surface and a 72mm filter thread so polarisers ND grads and other filters can be mounted easily. Additionally, the lens is specially designed with an aperture switch which allows users to quickly switch between click-less and clicked aperture. This added feature will be extremely useful for videographers. The Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D is currently available to pre-order in the official website of Venus Optics and their authorised resellers. The recommended retail price id $849.

Sigma Corporation of America today announced its “Total Solar Eclipse” promotion that features instant rebates for the following Sigma Global Vision telephoto lenses and mount converter: the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary and Sports lens models, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens, and the Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter for Sony E-mount camera systems. The new Sigma instant rebate programme pays homage to the rare total solar eclipse phenomenon taking place on 21 August 2017. Sigma customers will receive a $200 instant rebate off the purchase of a Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports lens (normally $1,999 USD) and a $100 instant rebate off the purchase of a Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens (normally $1,089 USD). Sigma customers will also receive a $50 instant rebate off the purchase of a Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens (normally $799 USD). The promotion features an additional $100 instant rebate off the purchase of a Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter for Sony E-mount, full-frame and APS-C sensor cameras (normally $249 USD) when purchased with either of the 150-600mm F5-6.3 or the 100-400mm F5-6.3 lens models. The “Total Solar Eclipse” promotion ends on 21 August 2017.

MTF Services have designed brand new solutions to convert the new FujinonMK lenses to Micro Four Thirds and FZ mount systems. Fitting the new mount options for the Fujinon MK lenses will be offered as a service from the team at MTF Services. Simply ship your lens over to MTF’s London-based workshop (Unit 4 Kingfisher House, Trinity Park, Trinity Way, London, E4 8TD), and the team will fit your preferred mount before shipping back to you, fully tested, professionally adapted, cleaned and ready for use.

The Lomographic Society has launched the Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens Brass, Chrome Plated edition. The Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens has been designed by Lomography’s technicians based on an 1839 design – and condensed into a bold brass lens for modern analogue and digital cameras – available in Canon EF and Nikon F mounts. "Photographers and videographers can delve into an extensive variation of moods and special effect: silky soft focus at f/2.9, crisp sharp shots from f/5.6 onwards, and a focal length of 64mm," the society says. The Daguerreotype Achromat Lens works with a Waterhouse Aperture Plate system, which allows full creativity with depth of field and bokeh effects. Now, the much talked about Art Lens is back with a brand new design: a sleek chrome plating for a classic, timeless look that protects your brass lens from wear and tear. Priced at just €499, the Chrome Plated Daguerreotype Achromat is available now from the Lomography Online Shop and Gallery Stores worldwide.

More than 100 years after the Emil Busch Glaukar 3.1 was introduced, two top German photographers have reinvented this classic as a modern portrait lens. Fashion photographer Benedikt Ernst and portrait photographer Firat Bagdu have partnered with optical engineer Wolfdieter Prenzel for this project, and launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring the Glaukar 97mm f/3.1 into the modern age. The new Glaukar 3.1 will have the same brass appearance and silhouette as the original but will be constructed from high-end aluminium with a brass-like finish, which ensures the durability and mechanical precision of a modern lens. And while the new lens will look very much like the classic, the inside has been redesigned by Prenzel, completely from scratch to meet today’s high-tech demands. Planned for release in Canon, Fujifilm, Leica M and T, MFT and Sony fit, the new Glaukar 91mm f/3.1 will be manufactured in Wetzlar, Germany.

Just a few days after a similar announcement by Sigma UK, Sigma Corporation of America has revealed pricing for the Sigma 14mm T2 FF and 135mm T2 FF Cine Prime lenses. Based on the SIGMA 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art and SIGMA 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art announced earlier this year, these two new lenses are aimed at professional videographers. Available in PL, Canon EF and Sony E mounts, each new lens carries an MSRP of $4,999. The two lenses will also be available as a set, complete with a carrying case, for $10,499. Videographers can also buy the entire Sigma Cine Prime lens series, comprising seven lenses and two cases, for $24,799.