Venus Optics have announced the US SRP of the new Laowa 105mm f/2 STF lens. This unique manual-focus lens has an integrated apodisation filter that promises to deliver "superior bokeh rendering and crystal sharp images." The full-frame Laowa 105mm f/2 STF lens features 11 elements in 8 groups with a 14-bladed diaphragm and a minimum focus distance of 0.9m. The STF abbreviation stands for Smooth Trans Focus, a reference to its special optical system, which is intended to deliver smooth transitions between crisp in‐focus areas and a defocused background or foreground. Weighing in at 745 grams, the Laowa 105mm F2 STF will be available from April for $699. In the UK, the lens will be priced at £649.99, with first shipments expected later this month.

Sigma Corporation of America has announced a special $80 instant rebate on its Sigma Global Vision18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary lens. Available for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony camera mounts, the Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 is designed for APS-C cameras and features an enhanced optical stabiliser, an optimised hyper-sonic AF motor, four FLD elements and a 1:3 macro ratio. In addition to the rebate, Sigma is packaging in, at no additional cost, its Sigma AM72-01 close-up lens, a $55 value. Designed exclusively for the 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 lens, the Sigma close-up converter offers a maximum reproduction ratio  of 1:2. The instant rebate and close-up lens bundle is available now.

Sigma has announced its presence at the 2016 Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Conference (WPPI) in Las Vegas, NV from 7-9 March 2016. Sigma will showcase its brand new products including the 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens (pictured), the MC-11 mount converter and the 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens; as well as feature a lineup of Sigma Pro speakers in its theatre at booth 521. Attendees who visit the Sigma booth will have multiple chances to win Sigma lenses each day by simply scanning their badge or participating in the new Sigma Social Studio.

UK Optics (Laowa UK) has announced the Laowa 105mm f/2 STF lens. This unique manual-focus lens has an integrated apodisation filter that promises to deliver "superior bokeh rendering and crystal sharp images." The full-frame Laowa 105mm f/2 STF lens features 11 elements in 8 groups with a 14-bladed diaphragm and a minimum focus distance of 0.9m. The STF abbreviation stands for Smooth Trans Focus, a reference to its special optical system, which is intended to deliver smooth transitions between crisp in‐focus areas and a defocused background or foreground. Weighing in at 745 grams, the Laowa 105mm F2 STF will be available later this month, priced at £649.99.

Panasonic has announced a new power zoom for the Micro Four Thirds system. The Lumix G Vario 12-60mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. is a durable, weather sealed 24-120mm equivalent lens that is claimed to offer "the highest standards of detail and sharpness." Incorporating an inner focus drive system and a stepping motor, the new Panasonic G Vario 12-60mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. is capable of smooth, silent operation to work with the camera's contrast-detect AF system for both photo and video recording. It is also compatible with the sensor drive at max. 240 fps to take maximum advantage of cameras with high-speed AF. The lens also features 0.54x (35mm camera equivalent) magnification offering near-macro capabilities.  Comprising 11 elements in 9 groups, the optical system features three aspherical lens elements and an ED lens which effectively suppresses spherical distortion or chromatic aberration. The Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. lens will be available in May for $499.99.

Sigma USA has announced two new Global Vision Lens kits: the 150-600mm F5-6.3 Sports Lens and TC-1401 1.4X Teleconverter bundle ($2,229) and the 150-600mm F5-6.3 Telephoto Contemporary Lens and TC-1401 1.4X Teleconverter bundle ($1,289). Expanding the focal range from 150-600mm to 210-840mm F6.3-9, the new bundles offer Canon, Nikon and Sigma camera users a more powerful telephoto reach. “These bundles are ideal for photographers – both professional and enthusiast – who continually seek out longer ranges and want more options for their shooting style,” states Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “Sigma’s high-performance telephoto offerings cover the range of photographic scenarios from professional sports to nature and more. Combined with the Sigma 1.4X Teleconverter, customers have even more options with the same great performance they have come to expect from Sigma.”

The Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary is a new lens for Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount cameras. Featuring a 35mm equivalent focal length of 60mm/45mm, the Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary lens has an optical construction comprising 9 elements in 7 groups and an iris diaphragm with 9 rounded aperture blades. By incorporating a stepping motor, the lens offers a quiet and fast auto focus operation and full compatibility with Sony's Fast Hybrid AF technology. The lens will be available for £239.99.

The Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM is Sigma's second APS-C format zoom lens offering a constant f/1.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range. Equivaletn to a 75-150mm lens in 35mm terms, the Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM features an internal zoom mechanism and an aperture diaphragm with nine rounded blades. Weighing in at 1,490 grams, the Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM has an optical construction comprising 21 lens elements in 15 groups and a minimum focus distance of 95cm. The lens will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma fit for £779.99.

The Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is the World's first image-stabilised 85mm f/1.8 lens for SLR cameras. Using LD (Low Dispersion) and XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) glass elements, the new lens is constructed with Tamron’s new SP design, incorporating a new look and feel which includes larger and more tactile switches, together with Tamron’s Moisture-Resistant Construction. VC (Vibration Compensation) is also included in the lens design to help reduce camera shake making it easy to take handheld photographs in low light. USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) focusing is also a key part in delivering sharp and precise focus every time, with full-time manual override for extra creative control. Avaiability is slated for 24 March 2016. Pricing to be confirmed.

Tamron have introduced a new version of their 90mm macro lens. The new Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 VC USD MACRO 1:1 VC inherits many of the features of its predecessor, but boasts an enhanced VC image stabilisation system with XY-Shift compensation and improved near-silent USD focusing system. The construction of the lens now includes a newly designed all-metallic barrel, with larger switches reconfigured for smoother function. Tamron have incorporated a new standard of Moisture-Proof & Dust-Resistant construction, plus Tamron’s Fluorine coating which is applied to the front element to help repel water and oil. This new 90mm VC USD lens will also be the first Tamron lens incorporating the facility for users to update firmware, customise autofocus positions and adjust the mechanical setup and preferences of the lens by simply attaching it to the optional TAMRON TAP-in Console and connecting it via USB to a PC. Launching on Thursday, the new lens carries an SRP of £580 / $649. (This TAP-in console will be released in March.)

Not content with launching 10 new photo products at CES, Vegas, at the start of the year, followed by the surprise announcement of the 1DX Mark II weeks later, photo stalwart Canon has launched a further five new products with May 2016 availability.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1.

Want to see exactly what the new HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm F2.8ED SDM WR lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm F2.8ED SDM WR lens.

Want to see exactly what the new HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR lens.

The HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm F2.8ED SDM WR is a large-aperture, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for PENTAX K-mount digital SLR cameras. When mounted on the PENTAX K-1 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera body, this zoom lens provides an ultra-wide-angle focal-length coverage from 15mm to 30mm.

The HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm F2.8ED SDM WR lens will retail for £1449.99 and will be available from the end of April 2016.

In the US the HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm f/2.8ED SDM WR lens will be available in April 2016 at www.ricohimaging.com and retail outlets nationwide for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,499.99.

The HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR is a compact, lightweight standard zoom lens for PENTAX K-mount digital SLR cameras. This new compact, lightweight standard zoom lens provides a focal-length range from wide angle to medium telephoto.

The HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR lens will retail for £499.99 and will be available from the end of April 2016.

In the US the HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6ED DC WR lenswill be available in April 2016 at www.ricohimaging.com and retail outlets nationwide for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $499.99.

Zhongyi Optics have released an improved version of their first f/0.95 lens, the Zhongyi Mitakon Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95. Delivering improved sharpness and better control of chromatic aberration, the new edition is a lot more smaller and lighter (460 grams vs. 680 grams) than its forebear. Available with a Fuji X / Sony E / EOS-M mount, the Zhongyi Mitakon Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95 Mark II has an image circle covering APS-C sized sensors and an optical formula comprising 11 elements in 8 groups (including one extra-low dispersion element, two extra-high refractive index elements and three high refractive index elements. The new lens is now available for $599.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens, including a side-by-side comparison with the Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS lens and a sliced-through view of the interior.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS lens, including a side-by-side comparison with the Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS lens, the Sony 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II A-mount lens, the new 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, and a sliced-through view of the interior.