The Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM is a new ultra telephoto zoom lens covering a telephoto range up to 500mm. Sigma’s original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed approximately 4 stops faster. The 150-500mm lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focusing capability. The Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens will be available in April 2008.

The Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM is a new telephoto zoom lens incorporating Sigma’s original Optical Stabiliser. This offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed approximately 4 stops faster. The 120-400mm lens also incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focus override. The Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM will be vailable in April 2008.

The Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM is a high ratio zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras. The new 18-125mm lens incorporates Sigma’s original OS (Optical Stabiliser), which offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed approximately 4 stops faster. The Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM lens will be available in May 2008, price to be announced.

Sony have announced two new lenses - the Vario Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA and 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G. Co-developed with Carl Zeiss, the Vario Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA is a wide angle 24-70mm zoom lens with a large f/2.8 aperture. The Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA lens will be available for about $1,750. The 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G incorporates the optical performance of Sony’s G series in a compact and flexible telephoto zoom lens. The 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G lens will be available for about $800. Both lenses will be available this spring.

The new Tamron SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) is a ultra wide-angle zoom lens for digital SLRs with APS-C size sensors. 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. Price and availability of the Tamron 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 lens to be announced.

The new Tamron SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO is a fast tele-zoom lens for digital SLRs with with 35mm full-size image sensors. The new lens offers the best-in-class minimum focusing distance of 37.4” (0.95m) over the entire zoom range. The Tamron SP AF70-200mm offers a focal length range from 109-310mm on a DSLR with an APS-C size sensor. The Canon mount is scheduled for spring delivery, with Nikon, Pentax and Sony versions to be announced at a later date. Price and availability of the Tamron 70-200mm F/2.8 lens to be announced.

The Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] is now available in the Pentax mount. Designed for DSLRs with APS-C size sensors, the Tamron 17-50mm is a lightweight and compact, fast standard zoom lens that offers a focal length of 26-78mm. The Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] is already available in Nikon, Canon and Sony AF mounts. Price and availability of the Tamron 17-50mm lens for Pentax to be announced.

Tamron have developed three zoom lenses with built-in motors for Nikon DSLRs, two for the APS-C size format and one for full-size format cameras. The three lenses are the AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II (model A14NII), SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II (model A16NII) and 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di (model A17NII). Price and availability of all three lenses to be announced.

Pentax will exhibit three DSLR lenses currently under development at this week’s PMA show. The smc PENTAX-DA 55mm F1.4 SDM is a moderate-telephoto lens offering a focal length equivalent to 84.5mm. The smc PENTAX-DA 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM is a telephoto zoom lens covering moderate- to super-telephoto ranges (92-383mm). Finally, the smc PENTAX-DA 17-70mm F4 [IF] SDM is a moderate-telephoto zoom lens equivalent to 26-107mm. Two of the lenses are slated for a Summer 2008 release.

The new AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens is a wideangle 5.3x zoom with built-in vibration-reduction. Nikon VR II Vibration Reduction technology provides the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than normal. Aimed at users of the D80, D200 and D300 DSLRs, the lens covers ultra-wideangle through to short telephoto. Estimated pricing for the AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is £429.99 / €642.00 / $649, available in February.

The new AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED lens offers 1:1 reproduction of objects at just 18.5cm away. Designed for for micro or close-up photography, the AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm includes Nikon’s new Nano Crystal Coat and ED glass elements for outstanding image quality. The AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED measures just 73 x 89mm and weighs 425 grams. Estimated pricing for the AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED is £379.99/ €567.00 / $549.95, available in March.

The PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED is a new Tilt/Shift Lens ideal for studio, architecture and landscape photography. The lens offers a tilt/shift capability range of up to +/-8.5º and shifting +/-11.5mm and can be rotated a full 90° degrees left or right with convenient clicks-stops at 30° intervals. “The very first 35mm tilt/shift lens was pioneered by Nikon in 1961 and the incredible image quality and class-leading levels of movement offered by the PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED tilt/shift lens demonstrates the NIKKOR heritage of innovation and optical quality,” said Robert Cristina, Manager Professional Products and NPS, Nikon Europe B.V. Estimated pricing for the PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED is £1099.99 / €1642.00 / $1929 and it will be available in March.

Nikon have also announced that two further PC-NIKKORs are now in the final stages of development, adding PC-E Micro NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED and a PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D to the range of tilt/shift lenses. These new lenses are planned for availability in the summer 2008.

Olympus has released three new types of compact lens elements to improve image quality and zoom power. They are the DSA (Dual Super Aspherical lens), EDA (Extra-low Dispersion Aspherical lens) and SHR (Super High Refractive index lens). Each element represents a breakthrough to ensure picture-perfect results and imaging flexibility. These new types of lens elements are incorporated in the latest Olympus compact cameras, announced this week.

Samsung has launched two new DSLR lenses, the D-XENON 18-250mm F3.5-F6.3 and 18-55mm II F3.5-F5.6. Robert King, Commercial Director of Samsung Cameras commented “These two new lenses form part of the next step in Samsung’s continued growth in the SLR market – the lenses used together with the new GX-20 offer superb quality and cutting-edge functionality.” Available from March 2008, the price for the GX-20 with 18-55mm lens is £699. The price and release date for the Samsung 18-250mm superzoom lens is still to be confirmed.

Canon have unveiled two new professional EF lenses, the EF200mm f/2L IS USM and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM. Both lenses feature a 4-stop Image Stabilizer and incorporate L-series lens optics. With its large f/2 aperture, the EF200mm f/2L IS USM will appeal to photographers who require a brighter lens for indoor sports and portraiture photography. The EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM enhances Canon’s super telephoto range with the longest focal distance of any EF lens on the market. The EF200mm f/2L IS USM will be available from April 2008 priced at £4499.99 / €6659.99. The EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM will be available from June 2008 priced at £8999.99 / €13299.99.

Pentax have introduced 5 new lenses for their DSLR cameras, including 300mm and 200mm Supersonic Motor lenses. Both lenses are also weatherproofed and protected from penetrating dust by appropriate seals. The full lineup is:

- smc PENTAX-DA* 300mm F4.0 ED [IF] SDM
- smc PENTAX-DA* 200mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM
- smc PENTAX-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited
- smc PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED
- smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II

Prices range from £99 for the 18-55mm to £899 for the 300mm lens, availability to be confirmed.

Tamron are releasing a new version of their popular 70-300mm telephoto lens that’s compatible with the Nikon D40/D40x DSLRs. The revamped AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 lens will have a built-in motor AF system. The price of the new Tamron 70-300mm for Nikon in the US is $189.00 and it will ship this week. It will be launched in Japan on February 1st 2008.

Sigma are offering a free upgrade to owners of all Sigma lenses that don’t support the new Nikon D3 digital SLR camera’s “Auto DX crop” function. Sigma lenses with the problem include the 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM and APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM (certain serial numbers are affected for each lens). Upgrade will be required for the following problems:

1. When the Nikon D3 is in Auto DX crop function and the 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM or 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens is attached, the image area format will not change to DX format automatically.
2. When the Nikon D3 is in Auto DX crop function and the APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM or APO 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM lens is attached, the image area format will be changed to DX format, even if the image area format is set to FX format or 5:4.

The CoastalOpt 60mm UV-VIS-IR is the world’s first fully corrected lens for the UV-VIS-NIR spectrum. Available in the Nikon F mount and designed for use with both 35mm film and digital formats, the 60mm UV-VIS-IR 1:4 Apo Macro lens is perfect for full spectrum cameras such as the Fuji IS-Pro. The CoastalOpt 60mm UV-VIS-IR lens costs $4,495, available on Feburary 1st 2008.

The Mamiya Sekor Macro MF 120mm F4 Lens has been upgraded with th addition of a 16-bit CPU for enhanced digital communication. “The Mamiya 120mm f/4 macro lens is one of the sharpest lenses available today,” said Jeff Karp, Mamiya Product Marketing Manager, “and it has already been critically corrected for digital imaging. But it needed an upgrade to be fully compatible with the latest cameras, software and digital backs.” The Mamiya Sekor Macro MF 120mm f/4 D Lens is compatible with the Mamiya 645AFD ll camera and is available now.