On his blog, professional sports photographer Jeff Cable has briefly reported on his experiences with a “hand built” (prototype) Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens. “I borrowed t[he] 200-400 and it is amazing!” Cable says. “Canon and Nikon both loan lens and cameras to all Olympic photographers… I am like a kid in a candy store.” Canon first announced the development of this lens back in February, claiming that it “will offer an unsurpassed combination of versatility, first-class optical performance and an enhanced weather-proof construction.”

Source: Jeff Cable Photography via Photography Bay

Sony today introduced a new telephoto zoom lens for its A-mount DSLRs and SLTs with APS-C sized sensors. With a 35mm equivalent focal range of 83-450mm, the Sony DT55-300mm f4.5-5.6 SAM features a Smooth Auto-focus Motor (hence the SAM abbreviation in the product name), which enables fast, quiet and smooth focusing even during video capture. The optical formula comprises 12 elements in 9 groups, including one ED (extra-low-dispersion) lens element, and an iris diaphragm with seven rounded aperture blades. Weighing in at 460 grams, the Sony DT55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM lens has a close-focus point of 1.4 metres, 0.27x maximum magnification and a 62mm filter thread. Shipping with a bayonet-type hood, the Sony DT55-300mm f4.5-5.6 SAM will be available from September 2012 priced at $300.

The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM is a new moderate wide-angle lens for the Canon EOS M compact system camera. With a diagonal angle of view of 63°30’, the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lens is equivalent to a 35mm optic on a full-frame body. The optical formula comprises 7 elements in 6 groups, including one aspherical lens element, and an iris diaphragm with seven rounded blades. The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM has a close-focus point of 15cm, maximum aperture of f/2 and a 43mm filter thread. The lens will be available from October priced at £229.99/€273.99 RRP including VAT.

The Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is a new M-mount standard zoom for the Canon EOS M compact system camera. With an angle-of-view range of 74°20’ - 27°50’, the Canon EF-M 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM is equivalent to a 29-88mm lens in a 35mm system. The optical formula comprises 13 elements in 11 groups, including 3 aspherical elements, and an iris diaphragm with 7 rounded blades. Other features include optical image stabilisation; an inner focusing system with STM technology, supporting the EOS M’s Movie Servo AF function for smooth and quiet continuous autofocus during video shooting; a close-focus point of 25cm; and a 52mm filter thread. The Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens will be available from October for $299.99/£269.99/€320.99.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-150mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S. telephoto zoom lens looks like in the flesh?
We have compiled a small hands-on gallery for your perusal.

The Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-150mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S. is a compact, stabilised, 90-300mm equivalent telephoto zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Constructed of 12 elements in 9 groups, including 2 aspherical and 1 Ultra High Refraction-index (UHR) lens element, the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-150mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S. features Nano Surface Coating to minimise reflections and incorporates an iris diaphragm with 7 rounded aperture blades for a pleasing bokeh. The lens will be available in September for £279.

Fujifilm has published a fifteen-page brochure that includes detailed specifications for 5 XF lenses, a lens roadmap and a few other accessories. The roadmap is the same as the one that was released back in June but the brochure goes one step further by revealing the detailed specs of the two lenses that will go on sale this autumn, including the Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R and the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS. The former is an ultra-wideangle prime with an angle of view of 89 degrees and an optical formula that comprises 10 elements in 7 groups, including 2 aspherical and 3 “abnormal dispersion” elements. The latter is a standard zoom boasting optical image stabilisation as well as 14 lens elements arranged in 10 groups. Each lens features an iris diaphragm with 7 rounded aperture blades.

Sigma USA has revealed the estimated street price and availability of the Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens. Announced in January, the new APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM is billed as the world’s first 180mm f/2.8 macro lens with a 1:1 reproduction ratio. In addition to the faster maximum aperture, the new lens also offers optical image stabilisation and a quiet “hypersonic” AF motor. Three “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass elements, which have a performance equal to fluorite glass, are included to provide correction for colour aberrations, while the Super Multi-Layer Coating is claimed to reduce flare and ghosting. The Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM will be available in the United States on July 27 for the street price of $1,699.

Nikon has announced the upcoming release of a weather sealed 800mm f/5.6 Nikkor lens with auto-focus capabilities. Compatible with both FX and DX digital SLR bodies, the new lens will boast the longest focal length of any AF Nikkor to date. Nikon’s new 800mm lens is scheduled to be on display at Photokina, 18-23 September 2012. The full specifications, release date and suggested retail price have not yet been determined. Judging by the number of controls on the lens barrel, we fully expect the lens to a offer a focus limiter, Vibration Reduction with different VR modes, full-time manual focus override and perhaps a few other functions (e.g. on-lens AF-Lock and AF-On buttons or a Focus Preset feature etc.). Do note however that the appearance of the final version of the lens might differ from the picture above.

Fujifilm has released a new roadmap for its Fujinon lenses for the Fujifilm X-Pro1. This autumn the company will introduce the Fujinon XF 14mm (21mm equivalent) f/2.8 ultra-wideangle prime and the XF 18mm-55mm (27-84mm eq.) f/2.8-4 zoom. In early 2013, these lenses will be joined by three primes that include the XF 56mm (84mm eq.) f/1.4, the pancake XF 27mm (41mm eq.) f/2.8 and the XF 23mm (35mm eq.) f/1.4. Then in mid-2013, Fujifilm will launch a telephoto zoom called the XF 55mm-200mm (83-300mm eq.) f/3.5-F4.8 and the super-wide XF 10mm-24mm (15-36mm eq.) f/4 zoom lens, both with optical image stabilisation.

Sigma has posted sixteen sample images captured with the new Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens. All of these sample photos are available at full resolution, but be aware that - somewhat surprisingly - they were all shot with the lens mounted to a Sigma SD15 rather than the newer and higher-resolution SD1. The photographs represent a range of genres including landscapes, portraiture, macro, wildlife, architecture and sports. You can download the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM sample images from the website below.

Website: Sigma

The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM is a new, compact superzoom lens for dSLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors. Compared to the existing 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, the new lens offers a lighter and more compact design, better close-up capabilities with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.9, and incorporates a special Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material that makes it ideal for use in circumstances where extreme variations in temperature cannot be avoided. The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens is also equipped with Super Multi-Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting, a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) to ensure fast and quiet auto-focusing, an Optical Stabiliser (OS) for better hand-held results and a rounded, seven-blade diaphragm for a pleasant rendering of the out of focus areas. The lens will be available in Sigma, Sony, Nikon, Canon and Pentax mounts, starting with the Canon version coming in July. Pricing and availability for other mounts have yet to be announced.

Schneider Kreuznach has announced its intention to enter the lucrative market of Compact System Camera lenses. “We are placing a strong focus on the innovative market for mirrorless system cameras with their interchangeable lenses and have appropriate developments in the pipeline,” said Schneider Group’s managing director Dr. Josef Staub. “Schneider Kreuznach will launch the first lens of an all-new range of mirrorless system cameras this fall.” According to Photoscala the first lens in the line-up, called the Schneider Kreuznach Super Angulon 2,0/14mm, will be available with a Micro Four Thirds mount for “less than 1500 euros.” Unusually for a Schneider Kreuznach lens, the Super Angulon 14mm f/2 will offer auto focus capabilities as well as diaphragm control via the camera body.

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a new DX-format lens with an ultra-high 16.7x zoom ratio and a 27-450mm equivalent focal range. Complementing the versatile focal range is Nikon’s second-generation Vibration Reduction system, which is claimed to allow “substantially sharper handheld images across the zoom range.” The optical formula comprises 19 elements in 14 groups, including 3 aspherical and 3 ED lens elements. Offering a 45cm close-focus point at the 300mm setting, the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR provides a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.2. An iris diaphragm with 9 rounded blades allows for a smooth rendering of the out-of-focus areas. Weighing in at 830 grams, the new Nikon 18-300mm lens comes with a CL-1120 soft pouch and a petal-shaped HB-58 hood. With availability slated for the end of June, the DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is expected to retail at around £850/$1000.

Nikon has announced a new FX-format zoom lens with a 24-85mm focal range, compact build and Vibration Reduction. Weighing in at 465 grams, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR features an inner focusing mechanism, with autofocus controlled by a Silent Wave Motor (SWM). The optical formula comprises 16 elements in 11 groups, including 1 ED and 3 aspherical lens elements. The minimum focus distance is 38cm from the focal plane at all focal lengths. Also featuring an iris diaphragm with 7 rounded blades for a pleasing bokeh, the AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR takes 72mm filters and comes with an HB-63 lens hood and a CL-1118 soft pouch as standard. Available from the end of this month, the new Nikon 24-85mm VR lens can be yours for £519.99/$599.95.

Nikon today announced that total production of Nikkor lenses for interchangeable lens cameras has reached seventy million. As the 60 millionth Nikkor was manufactured in April 2011, this means that Nikon produced no less than 10 million interchangeable lenses in a matter if just 14 months. Additionally, the company has reached another milestone by producing the 30 millionth lens equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM).

Designed specifically for Sony NEX and Samsung NX cameras, the Samyang 8mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC Fisheye is the latest addition to the Korean manufacturer’s range of manual-focus lenses. Comprising 10 elements arranged in 8 groups, including one aspherical and two extra-low-distpersion elements, the lens offers an angle-of-view of 180 degrees, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 metres. Slated for a July release, the Samyang 8mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC Fisheye will retail for €349.99/£279.99.

Canon has has announced two new lenses for its EOS system. The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM ($549.99/£479.99/€569.99) is a compact, versatile zoom for digital SLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors. The lens features an intelligent optical Image Stabiliser which offers a claimed 4-stop advantage over non-IS models, and a new stepper motor (STM), enabling fast, continuous focus when recording moving subjects. When shooting movies, Dynamic IS automatically engages, countering any shake caused by the videographer’s movement to produce smooth, stable footage. The Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM ($199.99/£229.99/€279.99, pictured) is a full-frame pancake lens ideal for reportage, travel and street photography. In addition, it also features STM technology for fast auto focus during movie capture.

Rollei has revealed four new add-on add-on lenses for the Apple iPhone 3G/4/4S. The new range includes the Rollei 12x Tele (€49.99), 9x Tele (€39.99), 0.5x Super Wide (€29.99) and 0.28x Fisheye converters (€19.99), which can be affixed to the iPhone via the supplied hard case. All of the new Rollei conversion lenses are available now.

Tamron has announced the addition of the Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD for Canon mount to the lens profile for aberration correction offered for Adobe Photoshop CS6, ACR 7.1 and Lightoom 4.1. With the new profile, customers who own the lens will be able to utilize the above software for easy correction of lens distortion, chromatic aberrations and peripheral brightness based on design data.