Category: Lenses

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm 1:1.2 PRO is a new ultra-bright auto-focus standard prime for the Micro Four Thirds system. "Throughout the design process, special attention was given to ensuring this 1:1.2 aperture M.ZUIKO Pro series lens renders the most stunning bokeh to greatly enhance the aesthetic quality of backgrounds – or for using the bokeh effect as the subject itself," Olympus said in a statement. "The beautiful shapes this lens delivers right up to the edges of the image and the natural defocusing effect result from the combination of the unique optical design of the lens system and its 9-bladed aperture." Additionally, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm 1:1.2 PRO lens boasts a "very fast" AF and Olympus' advanced Z Coating Nano, which effectively reduces flaring and ghosts for even sharper, clearer images. The robust, metal-build lens features a maximum magnification of 0.11x (35mm equivalent: 0.22x) and weighs in at 410g. The lens will become available in October, priced at £1099.99/€1,299.00.
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm 1:1.2 PRO is a new ultra-bright auto-focus standard prime for the Micro Four Thirds system. "Throughout the design process, special attention was given to ensuring this 1:1.2 aperture M.ZUIKO Pro series lens renders the most stunning bokeh to greatly enhance the aesthetic quality of…

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm 1:4.0 IS PRO is a 24-200mm equivalent Micro FourThirds lens with a constant maximum aperture. Dust-, splash- and freezeproof, this professional-grade travel zoom features a built-in image stabiliser that can work synergistically with Olympus' camera-based sensor-shift stabilisation systems to achieve an incredible 6.5-stop advantage over non-stabilised camera-lens combinations. Weighing in at 561 grams, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm 1:4.0 IS PRO offers outstanding close-up photography capabilities thanks to its minimum working distance of 1.5cm. The lens will become available in November 2016 and will retail at a recommended price of £1099.99/€1,299.00.
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm 1:4.0 IS PRO is a 24-200mm equivalent Micro FourThirds lens with a constant maximum aperture. Dust-, splash- and freezeproof, this professional-grade travel zoom features a built-in image stabiliser that can work synergistically with Olympus' camera-based sensor-shift stabilisation systems to achieve an incredible 6.5-stop advantage…

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm 1:3.5 Macro is a new macro lens with a maximum reproduction ratio of 1.25:1 and a close-focus point of 9.5cm. Another crucial feature for would-be nature specialists is the lens’ near-silent focus mechanism and lightweight design, which in tests improved AF response by 20-30% compared to conventional macro lenses. Available immediately, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm 1:3.5 Macro is priced at £249.99/€299.00.
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm 1:3.5 Macro is a new macro lens with a maximum reproduction ratio of 1.25:1 and a close-focus point of 9.5cm. Another crucial feature for would-be nature specialists is the lens’ near-silent focus mechanism and lightweight design, which in tests improved AF response by 20-30%…

Sigma have unveiled its new 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art, 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art and 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport lenses. The Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art lens is engineered to support the highest resolution sensors on the market with an exceptional degree of sharpness. The Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art lens will be available in late October and retails for a recommended street price of $1199.00 USD / £1199.99.
The Sigma 12-24mm F4 features the largest aspherical glass mold in the industry, offering photographers an ultra-wide angle zoom with virtually no distortion, flare or ghosting. The Sigma 12-24mm F4 Art lens will be available in late October and retails for a recommended street price of $1599.00 USD / £1649.99.
The flagship Sigma super telephoto 500mm F4 Sport lens incorporates the very latest in Sigma optical technology and innovation. The Sigma 500mm F4 Sport lens, in Canon and Sigma mounts, will be available in late October. The Nikon mount will be available in late November. The 500mm F4 will retail for a recommended street price of $5999.00 USD / £5999.99.
Sigma have unveiled its new 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art, 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art and 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport lenses. The Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art lens is engineered to support the highest resolution sensors on the market with an exceptional degree of sharpness. The Sigma 85mm F1.…

Sony is demonstrating its full range of digital imaging offerings at Photokina 2016. Located in Hall 5.2, the Sony booth will be open from 10:00 on Tuesday 20th September until 18:00 on Sunday 25th September. In addition to showcasing the full product line-up including the newly announced A99 II camera, Sony is offering a full programme of live talks and demonstrations. At these free talks, world-renowned photographers and filmmakers will be sharing their insights as well as their own personal and professional experiences of using Sony cameras and lenses. As part of the programme, there will also be a series of live action shows which attendees are invited to photograph including a celebration of Samurai sword artistry, professional break dancers and acrobats.
Sony is demonstrating its full range of digital imaging offerings at Photokina 2016. Located in Hall 5.2, the Sony booth will be open from 10:00 on Tuesday 20th September until 18:00 on Sunday 25th September. In addition to showcasing the full product line-up including the newly announced A99 II camera…

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic GH5 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?
Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic GH5 compact system camera and the three new Leica lenses. Panasonic are also showing early prototypes of an audio accessory and a battery grip for the GH5.
Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic GH5 compact system camera looks like in the flesh? Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic GH5 compact system camera and the three new Leica lenses. Panasonic are also showing early prototypes of an audio accessory and a…

Panasonic have announced that they are developing the successor to the GH4 compact system camera. The Panasonic GH5 will be released in the first half of 2017. The Lumix GH5 will feature 6K/30p 18mp, 8mp/60fps burst photo, 10-bit 4:2.2, 4K/60p and more. In collaboration with Leica, 3 new lenses will also be released - the 8-18mm, 12-60mm, 50-200mm Hybrid f2.8-4.0 Leica Zoom Lens series.
Dr Andreas Kauffman from Leica appeared onstage to elaborate upon Leica's long-standing relationship with Panasonic. He commented that “We have learned how to become friends during the last 15 years”. Leica and Panasonic renewed their partnership in 2016, and are working on many new products, including the three new lenses that have been announced today.
Panasonic have announced that they are developing the successor to the GH4 compact system camera. The Panasonic GH5 will be released in the first half of 2017. The Lumix GH5 will feature 6K/30p 18mp, 8mp/60fps burst photo, 10-bit 4:2.2, 4K/60p and more. In collaboration with Leica, 3 new lenses will…

The Samyang XEEN 16mm T2.6 is a new professional video-cine lens. The 16mm is a specific angle that is loved by most of the directors of photography around the globe for its usage for wide, yet emotional, scenes in film and videos. Samyang has released XEEN 16mm T2.6, inheriting the renowned image quality of Samyang’s wide angle series. This launch expands the XEEN line up to seven lenses from 14mm to 135mm.
The Samyang XEEN 16mm T2.6 is a new professional video-cine lens. The 16mm is a specific angle that is loved by most of the directors of photography around the globe for its usage for wide, yet emotional, scenes in film and videos. Samyang has released XEEN 16mm T2.6, inheriting the…

Within the next 18 months, Leica SL photographers can look forward to the expansion of the SL lens portfolio with the addition of an ultra-wide zoom and four prime lenses. The Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. is scheduled to be available in January 2017 at a suggested retail price of £3,850 including VAT. This will be followed by the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH. in Summer 2017. The Leica APO-Summicron-SL 90mm f/2 ASPH. and the Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH. are scheduled for Autumn and Winter 2017 respectively, followed by the Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. in Spring 2018. Pricing will be announced nearer to each launch date. The Leica SL Handgrip is available now in the UK at a suggested retail price of £600 including VAT.
Within the next 18 months, Leica SL photographers can look forward to the expansion of the SL lens portfolio with the addition of an ultra-wide zoom and four prime lenses. The Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. is scheduled to be available in January 2017 at a suggested retail price of…

The ZEISS Loxia 2.4/85 is a new portrait lens for Sony mirrorless full-frame cameras with E mount. The new Loxia 2.4/85 with its seven lens elements in seven groups has been designed for digital sensors and is based on an optimized ZEISS Sonnar design. The lens has a minimum object distance of 0.80 meters. The manual focus ring has a rotation angle of 220 degrees and enables the subtlest variations of focusing. The large aperture of f/2.4 combined with the high-quality optical design ensures an appealing bokeh. The electronic interface transfers lens data (EXIF) as well as focus movements. Global delivery of the ZEISS Loxia 2.4/85 will begin at the beginning of December 2016. The recommended retail sales price is 1,399 euros (including 19% VAT in Germany) or 1,399 US$.
The ZEISS Loxia 2.4/85 is a new portrait lens for Sony mirrorless full-frame cameras with E mount. The new Loxia 2.4/85 with its seven lens elements in seven groups has been designed for digital sensors and is based on an optimized ZEISS Sonnar design. The lens has a minimum object…

Canon has launched the EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II USM with fast, whisper quiet Nano USM for wildlife and sports. Replacing the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, the sleek and compact EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II USM has an impressive 70-300mm focal range, helping you capture a variety of subjects from a distance, and whilst on-the-move, whether you’re looking to shoot sports, wildlife, action or movies. The EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS II USM will be available from November 2016 with an RRP of £499 / $549.
Canon has launched the EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II USM with fast, whisper quiet Nano USM for wildlife and sports. Replacing the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, the sleek and compact EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II USM has an impressive 70-300mm focal range, helping you capture a variety of subjects…

Venus Optics have unveiled the new Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D and the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT lenses. The Laowa 15mm f/2 FE is currently the World’s Fastest 15mm rectilinear lens for Full Frame cameras. The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT is the widest f/2 rectilinear lens ever designed for Micro Four Thirds Cameras. The Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D and the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT will be available to the market in early 2017.
Venus Optics have unveiled the new Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D and the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT lenses. The Laowa 15mm f/2 FE is currently the World’s Fastest 15mm rectilinear lens for Full Frame cameras. The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT is the widest f/2 rectilinear lens ever designed for Micro…

Zeiss have released a teaser for a new Sony A7-series lens on Facebook and Twitter. The announcement reads "Hey friends of the Sony α7! At photokina you will have the chance to test a new lens. The announcement will follow soon! What‘s your guess? #ZEISSphk16". From the design, we'd guess at a new manual focus Loxia...
Zeiss have released a teaser for a new Sony A7-series lens on Facebook and Twitter. The announcement reads "Hey friends of the Sony α7! At photokina you will have the chance to test a new lens. The announcement will follow soon! What‘s your guess? #ZEISSphk16". From the design, we'd guess…

The Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE MF is a new wide-angle, manual focus lens for Sony E-Mount full frame mirrorless cameras. It is a perfect match to a Sony A7 series body in terms of design, high-precision Japanese made parts and form factor. The FíRIN 20mm F2 FE MF performs excellent optical abilities due to perfectly placed two all-glass precision molded aspherical elements with 3 Super-Low Dispersion (SD) glass lens elements. It has the ability to encode and transmit aperture, distance and optical data to the camera body making this lens fully suitable in terms of using MF assist function, 5 axis image stabilization and view finder electronic distance scale. The Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE MF will be available in the First Quarter, 2017.
The Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE MF is a new wide-angle, manual focus lens for Sony E-Mount full frame mirrorless cameras. It is a perfect match to a Sony A7 series body in terms of design, high-precision Japanese made parts and form factor. The FíRIN 20mm F2 FE MF performs…

Meyer-Optik-Goerlitz announced today that it is adding the Primoplan 75/f1.9 to its already successful Kickstarter campaign to resurrect the Primoplan 58/f1.9. The Primoplan 75/f1.9 was developed by legendary designer Paul Schäfter. The new version will also be handbuilt in Goerlitz, with Meyer-Optik developing them with the support of engineer Dr. Wolf-Dieter Prenzel, who was part of the former Meyer-Optik engineering team in Goerlitz in the 1970s.
Meyer-Optik-Goerlitz announced today that it is adding the Primoplan 75/f1.9 to its already successful Kickstarter campaign to resurrect the Primoplan 58/f1.9. The Primoplan 75/f1.9 was developed by legendary designer Paul Schäfter. The new version will also be handbuilt in Goerlitz, with Meyer-Optik developing them with the support of engineer Dr…

The Samyang 85mm F1.2 and 14mm F2.4 are the first lenses in in Samyang's new premium lens line-up. The manual-focus 85mm F1.2 is the brightest lens in existing full frame DSLR lenses, while the 14mm F2.4 is equipped with the most advanced optical technology among Samyang lenses, featuring 18 elements in 14 groups. The Samyang 85mm F1.2 (Canon EF) and 14mm F2.4 (Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E) lens will be globally available within 2016, and the suggested retail prices will be announced at a later date.
The Samyang 85mm F1.2 and 14mm F2.4 are the first lenses in in Samyang's new premium lens line-up. The manual-focus 85mm F1.2 is the brightest lens in existing full frame DSLR lenses, while the 14mm F2.4 is equipped with the most advanced optical technology among Samyang lenses, featuring 18 elements…

The legendary Primoplan f1.9/58, last produced in the 1950s, will return in modern form with the help of a Kickstarter project that German lens manufacturer Meyer-Optik-Goerlitz launched today. Like its vintage namesake, the revived Primoplan 58 will produce a variety of signature bokeh, from the so-called butterfly bokeh where he bubbles seem to melt to a creamy, dreamlike bokeh to a more subtle swirling out-of-focus area that gives portraits and urban photography, alike, a unique look.
Through the Kickstarter project, Meyer Optik Goerlitz offers backers the chance to be first in line to receive the new Primoplan 58 at a greatly reduced price. The initial offering allows early backers to pre-order the lens for $499, about a third of the expected retail price when the modern version of the Primoplan 58 comes out next year.
The legendary Primoplan f1.9/58, last produced in the 1950s, will return in modern form with the help of a Kickstarter project that German lens manufacturer Meyer-Optik-Goerlitz launched today. Like its vintage namesake, the revived Primoplan 58 will produce a variety of signature bokeh, from the so-called butterfly bokeh where he…

Canon has now produced 120 million EF lenses. On August 26, 2016, Canon's 120-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras was an EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM telephoto zoom lens.
Canon has now produced 120 million EF lenses. On August 26, 2016, Canon's 120-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras was an EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM telephoto zoom lens.

ZEISS have announced three new Milvus lenses for high-end DSLR cameras - the 2.8/15, 2.8/18 and 2/135. The three new lenses ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15, Milvus 2.8/18 and Milvus 2/135 expand the Milvus family that was introduced last September, bringing the total number of focal lengths to nine. The delivery worldwide of the three new lenses will begin at the end of October 2016. Sales prices are EUR 2,699 (including 19% VAT) or USD 2,699 (excl. VAT) for the ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15; EUR 2,299 (including 19% VAT) or USD 2,299 (excl. VAT) for the ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18; and EUR 2,199 Euro (including 19% VAT) or USD 2,199 (excl. VAT) for the ZEISS Milvus 2/135.
ZEISS have announced three new Milvus lenses for high-end DSLR cameras - the 2.8/15, 2.8/18 and 2/135. The three new lenses ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15, Milvus 2.8/18 and Milvus 2/135 expand the Milvus family that was introduced last September, bringing the total number of focal lengths to nine. The delivery worldwide…

SIGMA is entering into the cinema lens market by releasing a new line of SIGMA CINE LENSES, designed specifically for cinematography. For the first phase, SIGMA will release two zoom lenses in Japan and the USA for Canon EF and Sony E mount camera systems. Another zoom lens and five prime lenses will be released to the market in sequence from 2017 onward.
SIGMA is entering into the cinema lens market by releasing a new line of SIGMA CINE LENSES, designed specifically for cinematography. For the first phase, SIGMA will release two zoom lenses in Japan and the USA for Canon EF and Sony E mount camera systems. Another zoom lens and five…