In a surprise announcement, Cosina today unveiled the Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95, a new, ultra-fast standard prime for Micro Four Thirds cameras. The Nokton 25mm f/0.95 - which is not to be confused with the Noktor 50mm f/0.95, a longer and altogether completely different lens made by another company - is a genuine Micro Four Thirds lens that does not require the use of an adapter. Like other current Voigtländer lenses, the Nokton 25mm f/0.95 is manual-focus only, and comes with a distance scale complete with depth-of-field marks; something unique among MFT lenses. Constructed of 11 elements in 8 groups, this new 25mm lens has a diagonal angle of view of 47.3°; essentially the same as that of a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera. Outfitted with a 52mm filter thread and shipping with a hood, the Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95 will be released in October priced at 95,000 yen.

Website: Cosina Japan
Website: Olympus’ press release welcoming Cosina on board

Canon has launched the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, a zooming fisheye lens offering both circular and full frame images. A zoom-lock mechanism on the lens body allows the range to be limited to the focal length that ensures the best possible full-frame view without unsightly vignetting around the edge. ‘C’ and ‘H’ markings can be found next to the zoom operation ring, indicating the wide-angle zoom position where vignette-free shooting is possible with APS-C and APS-H sensors, respectively. Constructed of 14 elements arranged in 11 groups, the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM features Canon’s Super Spectra Coating on every lens element. The inner surface of the front element also features Canon’s SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC), which uses tiny cone-like structures, shorter than the wavelength of visible light on the surface of the lens element, to gradually slow light down until it is at the same speed as it travels through glass, removing the risk of flare occurring before the light reaches the sensor. A ring-type ultrasonic motor provides quick and accurate focusing when shooting and enables a full-time manual focus functionality. The Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is available from January 2011 priced at £1499.99 / €1789.99 / $1400.00.

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM is a compact L-series telezoom lens featuring optical image stabilisation, two ultra-low dispersion elements and Canon’s Super Spectra coatings. An eight-blade circular diaprhragm offers excellent bokeh, while AF is fast and quiet thanks to a ring-type ultrasonic motor. As with all Canon L series lenses, full time manual focus override is possible, allowing photographers to manually focus, even when the AF motor is engaged. As befits an L-series Canon lens, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM offers exceptional build quality including environmental protection. Canon’s new Fluorine Coating also makes cleaning the lens easier, preventing smears or streaking. The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens is available from October priced at £1599.99 / €1909.99.

The Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM & EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM super-telephoto lenses feature completely redesigned optical systems and the latest iteration of Canon’s image stabiliser. Operation of IS mode 2 has been improved when shooting panning motion and a new third IS mode has been added, assisting users when quickly switching between subjects by activating the IS unit only during exposure. Both lenses have 16 elements in 12 different groups, using high performance fluorite lens elements that correct chromatic aberration. The optical elements also feature Canon’s latest Super Spectra Coatings, optimised for both the position and type of each lens element. A SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC) reduces ghosting caused by light bouncing back from the imaging sensor. The EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM is claimed to be the lightest lens in its class due to a 28% reduction in weight compared to its predecessor. Both lenses will be available from December, priced at £7499.99 / €8929.99 (Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM) and £11499.99 / €13689.99 (Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM).

Canon today announced the development of two new super-telephoto lenses – the Canon EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and the Canon EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM (pictured). Each will include the highest quality components, featuring high-specification image stabiliser technology alongside the use of optical materials such as fluorite, to correct aberrations ensuring high resolution images rich in detail and contrast. The redesigned, lightweight bodies will provide added mobility alongside enhanced protection against dust and water, the company says. The new lenses will be displayed for the first time in Europe during Photokina 2010.

Carl Zeiss will present new lenses and, for the first time, accessories at Photokina. The “application island” at the booth in Hall 2.1 will allow visitors to test the entire line of Carl Zeiss lenses using a number of real subjects. In addition to the entirely new Zeiss lenses, guests will also be able to use Sony lenses featuring Carl Zeiss technology. Zeiss’ other partner, Nokia, will also present its latest smart phones at the booth, featuring Carl Zeiss optics.

Jessops, the only UK retailer to offer the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD in September, is now taking pre-orders for the lens. The VC abbreviation in the product name stands for “Vibration Compensation” - so it is an optically stabilised lens -, whilst the USD designation indicates that the lens has an Ultrasonic Silent Drive auto-focus motor, which also enables full-time manual focus override. The the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD utilises an advanced optical design that features an LD (Low Dispersion) and an XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) lens element made from specialised materials that prevent chromatic aberration. The Tamron SP 70-300mm lens is available to pre-order now at jessops.com for £429.99.

Nikon has posted a number of sample images taken with the new 24-120mm, 28-300mm, 55-300mm and 85mm lenses. There are 5 sample photos captured with the AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, 5 shots taken with the AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, 2 images photographed with the AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR and 5 photos shot with the AF-S 85mm f/1.4G.

Website: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Samples
Website: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Samples
Website: Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Samples
Website: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G Samples

Want to see exactly what the new 85mm f/1.4, 24-120mm f/4, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 and 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Nikon lenses look like in the flesh?

Here are 16 hands-on product shots, including a side-by-side comparison of the 24-120mm f/4 with the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 - click through to view the gallery.

Timed to coincide with the announcement of the Nikon D3100 digital SLR camera, Nikon also unveiled today a new DX format telezoom called the AF-S Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR. This lens has a 35mm-equivalent focal range of 82.5-450mm, and features a Silent Wave Motor for quiet auto-focus operation, 9 rounded diaphragm blades for pleasing bokeh, 2 extra-low dispersion lens elements for minimising chromatic aberrations, Super Integrated Coating for enhanced light transmission efficiency and superior colour consistency, plus Nikon’s VR II image stabilisation system with a Tripod Detection Mode. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR lens is scheduled to hit the shelves in mid-September at the recommended/estimated selling prices of £369.99/€438.00/$399.95.

Nikon today announced the much-anticipated AF-S version of its 85mm f/1.4 lens. Covering the full 24x36mm frame on 35mm film, the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G ED is compatible with FX and DX digital SLR bodies as well as most modern Nikon film SLRs such as the Nikon F6 (though being a G series lens, it lacks an aperture ring, and is therefore not suitable for use on older Nikon film cameras). Being an AF-S lens means two things: ultra-quiet auto-focus and full-time manual focus override. Additional features include Internal Focus (IF) that allows the lens to focus without changing the barrel length, Nano Crystal Coat to reduce instances of ghosting and flare, and a rugged construction build to endure aggressive field use. The ultra-fast AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G has an estimated selling price of $1699.95 in the US. The recommended UK/EU prices are £1499.99/€1776.00.

The AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR is a versatile 5x zoom lens designed for use on both FX and DX digital SLR bodies. Featuring two ED and three aspherical lens elements, Nano Crystal Coat and a fixed maximum aperture throughout its zoom range, the AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR promises to be an improvement over the existing AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED (at nearly twice the price). Constructed of 17 lens elements arranged in 13 groups, the new 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR from Nikon also features an iris diaphragm with 9 blades for improved bokeh, and the manufacturer’s VR II image stabilisation system for shake-free hand-held shooting. Through extensive use of magnesium and Super Engineering Plastic components the lens is built to handle the knocks of everyday use, and rubber sealing around switches and lens mount mean moist or dusty conditions are not a problem. The AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR will be available from mid-September at an estimated selling price of $1049.95 in the US. The recommended UK/EU prices are £1049.99/€1243.00.

The new AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is Nikon’s first FX lens with a 10.7X zoom range. Its optical formula includes two ED glass elements that effectively minimise chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings, and three Aspherical Lens Elements that virtually eliminate coma and other aberrations at wide aperture settings as well. Being an AF-S lens, the Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR provides fast and quiet autofocus, and also incorporates an M/A Focus Mode Switch that enables quick changes between manual and autofocus operation. A Zoom Lock Switch secures the lens barrel at its minimum focal length preventing the lens from extending during transport. Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating (SIC) enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior colour consistency and reduced flare, while the 9 rounded diaphragm blades promise a nice natural look to the out-of-focus highlights. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR ultrazoom lens will become available in mid-September, at an estimated selling price of $1299.95 in the US. In the UK and the euro zone, the recommended retail prices are £869.99/€1030.00 respectively.

DXO Labs have posted new data for the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens. Measurements have been carried out on ten Canon and eleven Nikon SLR camera bodies. To view test results and scores for the lens, follow one of the links below.

Website: Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro on 10 Canon Bodies
Website: Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro on 11 Nikon Bodies

Sony Japan has announced pricing and availability of the 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS lens for the Sony E mount. Compatible with the Sony NEX-3, NEX-5 and Handycam NEX-VG10 products, the Sony E18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS lens will be released on 10 September 2010 in Japan, priced at 99,750 yen. Weighing in at 524 grams, this 27-300mm equivalent ultra-zoom lens features optical image stabilisation, smooth and quiet autofocus and stepless aperture control, as well as an aluminium alloy exterior barrel with high-quality finish.

Tamron’s anniversary model SP 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens features VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization and an ultrasonic auto-focus drive. Available for the Nikon mount on August 26, 2010, with the launch of mounts for Canon and Sony to follow, the SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD lens can be used with both full-frame sensor and APS-C sensor cameras, where the angle of view will change the zoom range to 109-465mm.

Sigma has announced that its new, optically stabilised APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens, which contains the company’s new “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) lens glass, is now available in the United States. Constructed of 22 elements in 17 groups, the lens has a filter thread size of 77mm and has an iris diaphragm with 9 rounded blades for smooth bokeh. Two FLD glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction of colour aberration, the company says. Supplied with a tripod collar and a petal type lens hood, the Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM weighs in at 1,430 grams and is available in the United States for the MSRP of $2,470.

The district court in Utrecht/Netherlands rendered a drastic verdict against H.P. Ruitenberg and 4 respective entities of the so-called Crown group in favour of Tamron Europe. Tamron`s lawyers succeeded in providing evidence that Ruitenberg and several of his respective Crown companies violated the trademark rights of Tamron by dealing with illegally imported merchandise, which was not imported into the EU by or on behalf of Tamron. The verdict includes a penalty of €2,000,000 for non-compliance with an earlier verdict that Tamron had obtained in its favour.

Timed to coincide with the announcement of the world’s first 3D consumer camcorder, Panasonic has also unveiled its plans to release an interchangeable 3D lens for the Micro Four Thirds system. This compact twin lens features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses that are then processed with a 3D image processing system. Panasonic plans to release this new lens for sale before the end of the year.

Sigma has released an APS-C lens hood adapter for use on the Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 DG OS HSM telezoom, nicknamed the “Bigma”. This hood adapter extends the length of the lens hood and provides more effective shading when used with digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor. As of July 2010, the HA1030-01 adapter will be supplied with all APO 50-500mm DG OS HSM lenses. For UK customers who have already purchased the lens, the hood adapter will be available free of charge through Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd. Note that this applies to the “OS HSM” version of the lens.