Olympus Japan has posted three full-resolution sample photographs captured wit the brand new M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 lens mounted to an Olympus OM-D E-M5 body. All three sample images were shot with the lens wide open, i.e. at the f/1.8 setting. You can download the M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 sample images from the website below.

Website: Olympus Japan

The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm F1.8 is a new telephoto portrait lens for the Micro Four thirds system. Offering an effective focal length of 150mm in 35mm terms, the all-metal Olympus 75mm lens is perfect for portraits, high-speed indoor sports and stage shooting in low light. The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm F1.8 lens will be available from July 2012 for £799. The optional LH-61F lens hood costs £69.90 and the LC-61 lens cap £39.90.

The PENTAX-DA 50mm f/1.8 is a new medium-telephoto autofocus lens. Designed exclusively for use with the company’s K-mount bodies, the Pentax 50mm lens delivers a focal length 76.5mm in the 35mm format. The PENTAX-DA 50mm f/1.8 lens will be available July 2012 with a retail price of $249.95 / £249.99.

The Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH is a new standard zoom lens for the Micro Four Thirds system. Offering a versatile zoom range 24-70mm in 35mm terms and a fast maximum aperture throughout the focal range, the Panasonic 12-35mm lens is comprising of 14 lenses in 9 groups, utilises Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology for reduction of ghosting and flare, and features a built-in Optical Image Stabilizer. The Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm will be available in June for £999.

Sigma has annoucned that the Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM is now available in Sony fit. The successor to the Sigma Macro 105mm F2.8 EX DG, introduced to market in June 2004, this large aperture medium telephoto 1:1 macro lens features a HyperSonic Motor as well as Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and one high refractive index SLD element. A floating focusing system moves two different lens groups in the optical path to different positions. The Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM features a splash resistant design for use in harsh conditions and a rounded 9 blade diaphragm for a pleasing rendering of the out-of-focus areas. The lens is available at a suggested retail price of £649.99.

Fujifilm has posted six full-resolution sample images captured with the Fujfilm X100 camera and the new WCL-X100 wide-angle conversion lens. Taken at f/5.6 and f/8 using the Provia, Velvia and Astia film simulation modes, these sample photos are meant to demonstrate what the new converter is capable of. You can download the Fujifilm WCL-X100 samples from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm Wide Conversion Lens WCL-X100 Sample Photos

Fujifilm has launched the Fujifilm WCL-X100, a 0.8x wide-angle converter for the Fujifilm X100 large-sensor compact camera. This conversion lens attaches directly on to the camera and converts the lens to a 19mm wide angle (28mm in 35mm terms). The design of the WCL-X100 has been carefully considered to ensure a seamless blend with the camera. It uses the same materials, textures and colours as the X100 itself, plus the optional LH-X100 lens hood and PRF-49S protective filter can be used on the conversion lens. Manufactured in Japan, the Fujifilm WCL-X100 features an all-glass optical construction using four elements in three groups, with Fujinon EBC coating.

Leica is expanding its Leica S medium-format system with five new central shutter (leaf shutter) lenses, with availability from October 2012. As promised at the launch of the system back in 2008, these lenses deliver a top shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second and enable flash synchronisation at all speeds. Compared to the body-integral focal-plane shutter of the Leica S2 camera, which boasts a top shutter speed of 1/4000th of a second but a rather slow flash sync speed of 1/125, the CS lenses offer a working range expanded by three f-stops, which in turn allows Leica S sytem users to be more creative with their flash photography. The lenses that will go on sale in October include the central-shutter versions of the Leica Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. (£5,850) and Leica Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 ASPH. (£5,515) wide-angle lenses, the Leica Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH. (£4,365, pictured) standard lens, the Leica APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 (£5,975) tele-macro lens and the Leica APO-Tele-Elmar-S 180mm f/3.5 (£5,975) telephoto lens.

The Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. is a new, apochromatic standard lens for the Leica M system. Weiging in at 300 grams, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. features 8 elements in 5 groups - including a floating element that changes its position relative to the front group during focusing -, an iris diaphragm with 11 blades and a close-focus point of 0.7m. Assembled in an intricate process, completely by hand, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. will be available in the UK from the end of July 2012 for £5,400.

Lensbaby has announced the availability of its Pro Effects Kit, which bundles the Lensbaby Composer Pro with Sweet 35 Optic, the Edge 80 Optic, Macro Converters, Lens Cleaning Cloth and the Lensbaby System Bag.  “The Sweet 35 & Edge 80 will give you versatility and flair, ensuring whatever Lensbaby look you desire, it will be achieved,” said portrait photographer Holli True. The Pro Effects Kit is available now for $750.

Kenko Tokina has re-announced its lightweight 300mm mirror lens for Micro Four Thirds. Now named the “Tokina Reflex 300mm f/6.3 Macro,” the lens measures only 66x66mm (length x diameter) and weighs in at a mere 300 grams - remarkable figures for a lens whose angle of view is similar to that of a 600mm optic in a 35mm system. Like the vast majority of mirror lenses, the Tokina Reflex 300mm f/6.3 Macro is a manual-focus lens with a fixed aperture. The lens takes 55mm filters, focuses down to 0.8m and offers a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2 (hence the “macro” designation), In Japan, the Tokina Reflex 300mm f/6.3 Macro is scheduled to go on sale next month for 40,000 yen excluding taxes.

Source: Kenko Tokina

The Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC all-in-one zoom lens for the E-mount of Sony mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera series has been named the “Best Entry-Level CSC Lens” by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). This light and compact lens delivers the 35mm equivalent of 27-300mm yet weighs a mere 16.2 oz. At the telephoto end, the lens can focus as close as 19.6 inches; to aid in close-up and long-range telephoto shooting it incorporates a specifically designed moving coil Vibration Compensation feature. The AF drive has a stepping motor that is optimized for use with Sony’s contrast-detection AF system.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm F/1.8G lens looks like in the flesh?

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm F/1.8G is a new fast wide-angle lens for Nikon FX full-frame DSLR cameras.

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm F/1.8G lens.

The AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G is a new wide-angle lens for Nikon full-frame DSLRs. The fast aperture wide-angle prime lens has a new optical design with two aspherical lens elements, large (f/1.8) aperture for smooth bokeh, a weather-sealed mount and weighs just 330g. The AF-S NIKKOR 28mm F/1.8G will be available in May for £619.99 / €739.00 / $699.95.

In addition to the Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9, Carl Zeiss has also announced three CP.2 Compact Prime lenses with a maximum aperture of T1.5. Available in focal lengths of 35mm (€3,700 / $4,900), 50mm (€3,300 / $4,500) and 85mm (also €3,300 / $4,500), the new Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses offer filmmakers new opportunities for shooting in low-light conditions. As with the rest of the CP.2 family, the Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses feature a 14-bladed iris diaphragm for a pleasing rendering of the out-of-focus areas. The standard cine-style housing with gearing allows the attachment of any standard follow-focus system. By using the interchangeable mounts for PL, EF, F, MFT and E, the Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses can be easily adapted to numerous camera systems. The lenses will be available from August.

Olympus has released a firmware update for the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens. Version 1.1 adds support for the Zoom Resume feature of certain Panasonic bodies and enhances the performance of the Olympus OM-D’s image stabiliser when the camera is used with the 12-50mm lens set to macro mode. You can upgrade your lens’ firmware via the Olympus Digital Camera Updater application, as described at the website below.

Website: Olympus Europe | Firmware Update Instruction
Review: Read our in-depth review of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens

The Olympus E-PL3 PEN Lite has been named “Best Entry-Level Compact System Camera” by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). The jury praised the camera’s focusing speed, image quality, body-integral image stabiliser and overall usability. Meanwhile, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2 has won the “Best Fixed Focus CSC Lens” category.

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Olympus E-PL3
Review: Read our in-depth review of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2 lens

At the NAB Trade Show in Las Vegas, Carl Zeiss is showcasing its first Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens to complement the Compact Prime CP.2 line of lenses. The Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 features an iris diagram with 18 rounded blades for a pleasing rendition of the out-of-focus areas. The cine-style housing with gearing allows the attachment of any standard follow-focus system. The Carl Zeiss T* anti- reflection coating minimises stray light and ghosting within the lens. Weighing in at 2.8kg (6.2lbs), the Carl Zeiss Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9will start shipping in the fourth quarter of 2012 at a recommended retail price of €14,900 or US$19,900.

This year, two Panasonic products have received accolades from the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). The Panasonic GX1 (pictured) has been named ‘Best Advanced Compact System Camera’ of the year, while the Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm won the ‘Best Compact System Camera Expert Lens’ category. On the latter, a TIPA jury spokesperson commented: “Constructed with nine elements in eight groups, with four aspherical and two ED lenses, the Micro-4/3rds mount Lumix G 14-42mm lens is a power zoom, making it ideal for both still and especially video recording. An enhanced built-in Power O.I.S. optical image stabilisation feature aids in quality recording, and Nano Surface Coating technology results in a dramatic reduction of ghosting and flare.”

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Sigma’s 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM has won the TIPA 2012 Best Entry Level Lens award, while the Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM has been named the Best Expert DSLR Lens in 2012. The 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM is the new, optically stabilised version of Sigma’s 11.1x superzoom lens, equipped with a HyperSonic Motor (HSM) for quiet focusing. The Sigma APO MACRO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM is the world’s first optically stabilised 180mm macro lens with a reproduction ratio of 1:1 and a maximum aperture of f/2.8.