The Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC is a new 15x zoom lens for Nikon DSLR cameras with built-in motors. Providing a focal length equivalent to 28-419mm, the Tamron 18-270mm lens is also equipped with a highly effective Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism. Note that this lens is designed for exclusive use on digital SLR cameras equipped with smaller sized (APS-C sized) image sensors. The new Tamron 18-270mm lens for Nikon digital SLRs with built-in motors will be available in Japan from September 20th 2008.

The new Tamron SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) is a ultra wide-angle zoom lens for Nikon digital SLRs with built-in motors. The lens covers an extended focal length range equivalent to 16-37mm that is particularly wide for an ultra wide-angle zoom lens, while improving the aperture to F/3.5-4.5 and keeping the filter diameter to 77mm. Note that this lens is designed for exclusive use on digital SLR cameras equipped with smaller sized (APS-C sized) image sensors. The new Tamron 18-270mm lens for Nikon digital SLRs with built-in motors will be available in Japan from September 27th 2008.

Tamron have announced the launch date for 3 new Di lenses in the full-frame imaging format. The Tamron SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di lens (pictured) for Pentax and Sony DSLR cameras will be available in Japan on September 20th 2008, and the Tamron SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di lens for Nikon DSLRs with built-in motors will be available in Japan on September 27th 2008.

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm F/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a new lens designed to partner Nikon’s D90 DSLR. The Nikkor 18-105mm lens offers a focal length equivalent to 27 to 157.5mm in 35mm format, built-in Vibration Reduction and Silent Wave Motor, and features a single ED glass element and one aspherical lens. The AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm F/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens will be available from September 2008 for £199.99/ €274.00 / $399.95.

The Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is a new 11x zoom lens. Offering an equivalent focal length of 29-320mm, the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is designed exclusively for use with EOS cameras featuring an EF-S lens mount. The EF-S 18-200mm features a 16 element, 12 group construction, close focusing distance of just 45cm, and 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer. The Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is available from the end of September 2008 priced at £549.99 / €729.99 / $699.00.

The-Digital-Picture have reviewed the new Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC HSM lens.

“The Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM Lens is a very attractive combination of focal length range, wide aperture and size/weight. Unfortunately, focus calibration issues appear to be prevalent in this lens. All three purchased-retail-new copies of this lens I tried strongly front-focused on both my Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D and Canon EOS 40D DSLRs. All three focused consistently, but all focused well in front of the subject.”

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Sigma 50-150mm Lens Review

The-Digital-Picture have just reviewed the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II Macro lens.

“I was very disappointed to yet receive another front-focusing copy of the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II Macro Lens on my third attempt. Two of these lenses came from B&H and a third came from Amazon.com (just to mix things up). I tested these lenses on two Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III bodies (one is Canon-calibrated) and a Canon EOS 40D body. All delivered the same AF results - consistently front-focusing. I don’t plan to try a fourth copy.”

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 Lens Review

The Tokina ATX 11-16mm F2.8 PRO DX lens has just been launched in the UK. Tokina’ 11-16mm lens creates super-wide images without ‘fish-eye’ distortion, and is compatible with DSLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors. The AT-X 116 PRO DX features Tokina’s exclusive One-touch Focus Clutch Mechanism, which switches between Auto Focus and Manual Focus by simply snapping the focus ring forward for Auto and back towards the camera to focus manually. The Tokina ATX 11-16mm F2.8 PRO DX lens is available in either a Canon or Nikon mount for £489.99 Inc VAT.

The Tokina ATX 35mm F2.8 Macro PRO DX lens is now available in the UK. Tokina’s 35mm lens can focus as close as 5.5 inches (14cm), yielding a macro ratio of 1:1 or life-sized reproduction, and is compatible with DSLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors. The AT-X M35 PRO DX features Tokina’s exclusive One-touch Focus Clutch Mechanism, which switches between Auto Focus and Manual Focus by simply snapping the focus ring forward for Auto and back towards the camera to focus manually. The Tokina ATX 35mm F2.8 Macro PRO DX is available in either a Canon or Nikon mount for £369.99 Inc VAT.

The-Digital-Picture have reviewed the new Tamron SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO, a fast tele-zoom lens for digital SLRs with with 35mm full-size image sensors.

“Overall, and especially for the price, I’m very pleased with the image quality of the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens. On the wide end (70mm), this lens is sharp wide open (f/2.8) across the entire 35mm frame. Stopping down only makes a small improvement in sharpness - reduced vignetting is the primary difference seen. By 100mm, the center is still sharp wide open, but corner softness is setting in due to a slightly curved focus plane. Stopping down to f/5.6 results in excellent image quality across the frame. “

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Tamron 70-200mm F/2.8 Review

The-Digital-Picture have reviewed the Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM, a high ratio zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras.

“My experience with this lens’ autofocus accuracy has not been the best. I am getting the best results from the widest angles with hit rates deteriorating as the focal length increases. Even the relatively wide DOF (Depth of Field) delivered at this lens’ max aperture are not enough to hide the inconsistencies. Shooting at f/8 or f/11 gives me better results - better hiding any AF errors with deeper DOF. “

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Review

Nikon has introduced the new PC-E Micro NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D perspective control lenses. Designed for specialist applications in architecture, commercial and landscape photography, the PC-E 85mm and 45mm lenses offer a tilt/shift mechanism, revolving capability and auto aperture control. The 45mm focal length of the PC-E Micro Nikkor 45mm f/2.8D ED lens is ideal for a natural looking perspective that can be controlled creatively by the photographer. The PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D lens replaces the existing PC Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D and is ideal for tabletop photography and creative portraiture. Both lenses will be available from August 2008 for £1349.99 / €1800 / $1,799.95 each.

Carl Zeiss has announced the Distagon T* 3.5/18 ZF, a new 18mm super wide-angle lens for SLR cameras. With an impressive field of view of 99°, this new, rectilinear lens provides dramatic perspectives for architectural, landscape and close-range photography on 35mm full-frame cameras. The front filter diameter of 82 mm allows for use of standard screw-in filters when combined with the included lens shade. The Distagon T* 3.5/18 ZF for F-mount cameras will be available in July 2008 for 960 Euros (not including VAT).

Carl Rytterfalk has reviewed the Sigma AML-1, a new close-up lens for the Sigma DP1 compact digital camera.

“I should have had TWO lenses or even three and stacked them, that would probably give very nice macros. Right now you don’t get close enough for that type of photography with only one lens. For movies and portraits such as the ones above it’s a wonderful solution and gives you new views - plus that the extreme OOF is perfect for videos.”

Website: Carl Rytterfalk - Sigma AML-1 Review

CameraLabs have reviewed the Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm 1:2.8, a tiny new Four Thirds lens equivalent to a focal length of 50mm.

“Ultimately most DSLR owners consider a standard focal length lens at some point for their collection, and for Four Thirds owners, that means something with a focal length of around 25mm. The pancake hits that particular nail on the head while additionally boasting very slim dimensions and light weight. As a standard lens alone we can recommend it, but if you have one of the smaller Olympus bodies and value portability, then it’s an unbeatable choice. Indeed we’d say it’s mandatory if you bought an E-4xx for its compact dimensions.”

Website: CameraLabs - Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm Review

The smc PENTAX-DA 17-70mm/F4[IF] SDM is a new standard zoom lens designed for exclusive use with Pentax DSLR cameras. The 17-70mm lens covers the focal-length range from 26mm wide angle to 107mm telephoto in the 35mm format, and features the smooth and quiet SDM autofocus system with built-in supersonic motor. Other highlights of the Pentax 17-70mm lens include a minimum focusing distance of 0.28 meters over the entire zoom range and a Quick-Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual-focus operation. The smc PENTAX-DA 17-70mm/F4[IF] SDM will be available in mid-July for £449.

The-Digital-Picture have reviewed a new professional EF lens, the Canon EF200mm f/2L IS USM.

“The Canon EF 200mm f/2.0 L IS USM Lens is at its release the shortest fixed-focal-length (prime) lens to have Image Stabilization. This IS implementation is rated by Canon for a state-of-the-art up-to-4-stops of improvement - and I find the improvement to be as-rated. After a long day of physical labor (around the house), and after well over 250 shots taken handheld (this is a heavy lens), I could still take sharp handheld shots at 1/5 sec with this lens as demonstrated in the sample comparison below.”

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Canon EF200mm f/2L IS USM Review

Sigma are offering a free upgrade service to Canon EOS 40D users experiencing problems with the 120-400mm and 150-500mm lenses. When the Canon 40D digital SLR is in AI Servo AF mode and the OS function is switched ON, the number of continuous frames per second will decrease. This issue affects all Sigma APO 120-400mm lenses with a Serial Number lower than 1011001, and all Sigma APO 150-500mm lenses with a Serial Number lower than 1007001.

PopPhoto have reviewed the new Canon EF-S 55-250mm lens, which incorporates a 4-stop Image Stabilizer to combat image blur caused by camera shake and slow shutter speeds.

“A natural for globe-trotting vacationers and soccer parents, this is the obvious second lens for Canon EOS 40D and Rebel XSi owners. Clearly it and the 18-55mm IS make an attractive team that promises sharp pictures in dicey light across an amply wide 13.9X zoom range. And you can’t beat that price.”

Website: PopPhoto - Canon EF-S 55-250mm Review

Canon USA have just launched their Summer 2008 Instant Rebate scheme. Between May 18th and July 19th, 2008, Canon will be offering an instant rebate offer on selected EOS cameras and accessories, including $300 off the EOS 5D and $200 off the EOS 40D. The limit is one instant rebate per eligible product purchased during the promotion period.