Olympus have released a new firmware update for the 12-60mm Supersonic Wave Drive lens. Version 1.1 improves the focusing precision on distant subjects when using the C-AF (continuous AF) mode.

Website: Download Olympus 12-60mm Firmware 1.1

The-Digital-Picture have just reviewed the new Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens.

“For the money, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens performs very well optically. From 18mm through 35mm or so, center sharpness is reasonable wide open and reaches its optimal sharpness at f/5.6. Corners in this focal length range are relatively sharp. Wide open center-of-the-lens performance remains similar throughout the focal length range until the long end where this lens becomes soft. At 55mm, even f/8 is not as sharp as I’d like to see. “

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Canon EF-S 18-55mm Lens Review

A new version of the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Lens is compatible with the Nikon D40 and D40x DSLR cameras. Now featuring a built-in motor, the new Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens can auto-focus with all Nikon APS-C DSLR cameras and replaces the previous version for 2008. Price in the UK is £329.99.

Tamron are introducing a new version of their 18-250mm super-zoom lens which features a built-in motor that makes it compatible with the Nikon D40 and D40x DSLRs. The Tamron AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II lens boasts the world’s greatest zoom ratio of 13.9x. Due to go sale in Japan on December 13th, there are currently no other details on pricing or availability worldwide.

The new Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM lens for full-frame cameras offers improved optical performance with a minimum focusing distance of 100cm. This lens is suitable for taking all type of subjects such as portraits, landscape, and close-up pictures. This 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 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM will cost £799.99.

The new Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC HSM is a large aperture telephoto zoom lens designed for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size sensors. It has a maximum aperture of F2.8 and incorporates an inner focusing and inner zooming system. The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) system allows quiet and high-speed auto focusing with full time manual focus override. The Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC HSM will cost £549.99.

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR is a general-purpose lens developed specifically for users of entry-level digital SLR cameras. This 3x zoom lens covers 27-82.5mm and incorporates a Silent Wave Motor for fast autofocus and Vibration Reduction for enhanced low-light performance. The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR will be available at the end of November 2007 for £179.99 / €270.00 / $199.

The Tokina AT-X M35 PRO DX is a new prime macro lens for crop-sensor DSLR cameras. Available in Nikon and Canon mounts, the Tokina AT-X M35 offers a 35mm focal length, equivalent to 54mm on a Nikon camera and 56mm on Canon. The new lens also has a constant aperture of F/2.8, consists of 9 elements in 8 groups and accepts 52mm filters. Currently announced only in Japan, the Tokina AT-X M35 PRO DX lens will be available in December 2007 for 68,000 Yen.

The Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX is a new wide-angle zoom lens for crop-sensor DSLR cameras. Available in Nikon and Canon mounts, the Tokina AT-X 116 offers an unusual 11- 16mm focal length, equivalent to 17-25mm on a Nikon camera and 18-26mm on Canon. The new lens also has a constant aperture of F/2.8, consists of 13 elements in 11 groups and accepts 77mm filters. Currently announced only in Japan, the Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX lens will be available in February 2008 for 90,000 Yen.

The Sigma 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC HSM is the first 180 degree circular fisheye lens for digital SLR cameras with an APS-C size image sensor. When used in conjunction with digital SLRs with APS-C size image sensors, it produces circular image within the frame. This lens is ideal for photographers using computer stitching software which requires circular fisheye images to be input, resulting in stitched panoramas. The minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm and maximum magnification of 1:6 also makes it particularly useful for close-up photography. The Sigma 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC HSM lens is available in Sigma AF, Canon AF and Nikon AF mounts, price is £599.99, available in December 2007.

The Sigma 10mm F2.8 EX DC HSM is a diagonal fisheye lens for use with APS-C size digital SLR cameras. The Nikon version produces a diagonal angle of view of 180° ?154° for Sigma, 167° for Canon?. The minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm, and maximum magnification 1:3.3 allows subjects to be as close as 1.8cm from the lens’ front element. This lens is supplied with a gelatin filter holder at the rear, allowing the use of gelatin filters. The Sigma 10mm F2.8 EX DC HSM is available in Sigma AF, Canon AF and Nikon AF mounts, price is £449.99, available in January 2008.

The new ZF-I lenses from Carl Zeiss are optimized for challenging tasks in industrial applications. The lenses are protected against spray water and specially sealed against dust. The silver metal finish immediately identifies the ZF-I lenses. The new lenses can also be used for machine vision, quality assurance and near-range photogrammetry. The first lenses available in this new industrial line are the wide-angle Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF-I, Distagon T* 2/28 ZF-I and the Distagon T* 2/35 ZF-I.

The ZF-IR lenses from Carl Zeiss have been developed for special applications in the near infrared range. The Planar T* 1,4/85 ZF-IR and Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF-IR are the first products in this special series of lenses. A special coating which is transmissible for wavelengths up to 1,100 nanometers is applied to enable photos in the near infrared range. The ZF-IR lenses from Carl Zeiss are suitable for use with special cameras (IR cameras without a barrier filter).

The Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/28 ZF is a new a high-speed, wide-angle lens. The high maximum aperture of 1:2 and the 28 mm focal length make the Distagon T* 2/28 ZF ideal for industrial applications. It features excellent speed and – due to the complex floating element design – and outstanding imaging performance over the entire focusing range. The ZF lens series from Carl Zeiss is suitable for cameras with F-bayonet (AIS generation) mounts and full-format sensors.

The-Digital-Picture have reviewed the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM lens, which offers a a 114 degree angle of view and features the latest Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for fast and near silent auto focus.

“The more I use ultra-wide angle lenses, the more I like them. I find it especially challenging to compose a pleasing 14mm full frame image as this angle of view takes a lot in. Keeping track of all the angles and subjects in a full frame 14mm shot is not easy. Keeping your fingers, feet and tripod legs out of the frame is just one issue you face. This focal length is especially good at emphasizing a foreground subject against an interesting background. Take in a wide landscape, capture architecture - both interior and exterior, shoot in ultra-tight spaces ... When you get everything right, the result can be spectacular. “

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Review

Olympus are releasing 3 new Supersonic Wave Drive lenses, 1 standard lens and a 2.0x Teleconverter to support the launch of the E-3 DSLR. The SWD lenses are: 12-60mm (24-120mm) 1:2.8-4.0 SWD ($999.99), 50-200mm (100-400mm) 1:2.8-3.5 SWD ($1,199.99) and 14-35mm (28-70mm) 1:2.0 SWD ($2,299.99). The standard lens is the 70-300mm (140-600mm) 1:4.0-5.6 ($479.99).

Prototypes of the new Canon 200mm f/2L IS USM and Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lenses will be shown PhotoPlus Expo this week. The Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS USM delivers telephoto performance surpassing the current top-of-the-line EF 600mm f/4L IS USM super telephoto lens. The Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM is targeting users seeking a brighter lens for portraiture and indoor sports photography. “These new lenses demonstrate that Canon is continuing to respond actively and flexibly to the wide-ranging needs of professional and advanced amateur users, with the aim of contributing to the expansion of photographic possibilities for SLR cameras,”  said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. As these new lenses are currently under development, pricing and availability information is not yet available.

The Pentax 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 lens offers a 14x zoom ratio covering everything from wide-angle landscapes to close-up sporting events and wildlife photography. Exclusively designed for use with Pentax digital SLR cameras, the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 lens has a focal length of 27.5mm - 383mm. The Pentax 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 lens will ship in October for US $499.95.

CameraLabs have reviewed the new wide-angle Sony DT 11-18mm lens.

“In its favour the DT 11-18mm suffers from little geometric distortion or light fall-off considering its ultra wide range, and it’s always good to find a lens hood included as standard – if only Canon would do the same. On the downside though, there’s noticeable softening in the extreme corners, a manual focusing ring which turns during AF, and a relatively slow focal ratio of f4.5 when it’s zoomed-out to 11mm.”

Website: CameraLabs - Sony DT 11-18mm Lens Review

The Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/28 is a new high-speed, wide-angle lens for SLR cameras. With an aperture of f/2.0 and 28mm focal length, the Distagon T* 2/28 lens is ideally suited for taking pictures in unfavorable lighting conditions. The new lens is available as the Distagon T* 2/28 ZF for cameras with the F bayonet and Distagon T* 2/28 ZK for cameras with a K mount. The Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/28 will be available by the end of 2007 for 1,049.00 €.