The Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens for Nikon DX format digital SLRs is introduced today, costing £299.99 and available in September 2006.

Nikon UK Press Release

Nikon is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, a compact, lightweight 7.5x zoom lens. Boasting a range of state-of-the-art optical technologies, this new lens offers outstanding performance at a remarkably affordable price. The AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED features Nikon ED glass, aspherical lens elements and SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for enhanced performance. With a focal length range of 18-135mm, the lens is suitable for a wide variety of shooting situations; from sports, action and portraits to wide-angle landscapes. The picture angle is equivalent to a 27-202.5mm lens in the 35mm format. Advanced Nikon engineering, particularly the compact SWM, has realised the possibility of a compact lightweight lens with excellent handling characteristics. The optical design features one ED glass element and two hybrid aspherical lens elements to assure high-resolution, high-contrast images while minimizing chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion. The compact SWM built into the lens offers the smooth and quiet autofocus performance that users have come to expect from Nikon lenses.

Camera Labs have just reviewed the new Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM.

“If you’re seriously into portraits or low light work though, the Canon EF-S 17-55mm will delight. The more you see what it’s optics are capable of, the more you find yourself taking shots under conditions you’d previously walk away from. And while it’s pricier than the EF-S 17-85mm, Canon owners can at least console themselves it costs the same or less than the Nikkor DX 17-55mm f2.8 while additionally boasting Image Stabilisation.”

Website: Camera Labs - Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review

SLRgear have reviewed the new Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens, which features a fixed aperture of f/4 throughout the zoom range and an Image Stabiliser that allows shutter speeds of 3 stops slower than normal.

“Bottom line, the Canon 24-105mm f/4 L is a really excellent optic, but one that struggles a bit along the edges and in the corners with full-frame bodies. As such, it’s an almost ideal candidate for use with DxO Optics Pro, particularly if you’re shooting with a full-frame dSLR.”

Website: SLRgear - Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens Review

Sigma UK Press Release

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new MACRO 70mm F2.8 EX DG lens.  This medium telephoto macro lens is ideal for both digital SLR cameras and 35mm film SLR cameras. The 70mm focal length gives an equivalent field of view as our popular 105mm macro lens when used on digital SLR cameras with an APS-C size image sensor. The design of this lens makes it suitable for taking pictures in all situations from infinity to 1:1 macro, both with natural light conditions or flash.

CameraLabs have just reviewed the new Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens.

“In terms of focusing speed, the Nikkor’s premium SWM system was certainly quicker than the Sigma and Tamron, but not by a large degree. Where they really differed though was in focusing noise with both the Sigma and Tamron models being considerably louder than the Nikkor. The Tamron was worst of all in this respect, grinding quite conspicuously during manually focusing. Again if ultimate discretion is your thing, you’ll need to spend more on the Nikkor.”

Website: CameraLabs - Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Lens Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

ePhotoZine have reviewed the new Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM portait lens.

“The optical performs of the lens is impressive. By any standards! At the widest apertures it is very good and at f/5.6 it is stunning! And don’t forget that by the time you reach that aperture the lens has already been stopped down by 5 stops! The control of distortion, as could be expected on a prime lens, is good, measuring just -0.34% pincushion on the Imatest™ distortion module, an amount that is indistinguishable with the mark one eyeball.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

CameraLabs have reviewed the new Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens, which features a fixed aperture of f/4 throughout the zoom range and an Image Stabiliser that allows shutter speeds of 3 stops slower than normal.

“The lens performed well across its range, particularly in terms of corner sharpness at wide angle, while essentially matching our EF 85mm f1.8 prime in terms of resolving power. We were also impressed with the Image Stabilisation which allowed us to handhold at much slower shutter speeds than normal. Compared to lenses designed for bodies with smaller sensors though, it suffered from a worse degree of light fall-off, but this is par for the course for wide-angle lenses designed for full-frame bodies.”

Website: CameraLabs - Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens Review

Leica Press Release

New 6-bit coding of Leica M system lenses for image optimization in connection with the planned digital camera model.

Leica Camera AG, Solms will be giving the lenses of the Leica rangefinder system a new code on the bayonet ring in future to enable the planned digital Leica M camera to recognize the lens type. The information on the lens that is being used helps the camera to optimize image quality. All lenses leaving the factory from July 1st, 2006 onwards will have the new coding, although they can still be fully used with the current analog cameras LEICA MP and LEICA M7 as well as classic models built after 1954. Lenses in the current range as well as many earlier models can be retrofitted at the cost of the owner to benefit from the image optimization in the camera. The lenses are compatible with the planned digital M camera even without retrofitting, except that the additional features cannot be used.

Carl Zeiss Press Release

Oberkochen/Germany, 06.06.2006 - The scientific expertise of Carl Zeiss in camera optics and the industry-leading position of Sony in the consumer electronics market offer a solid foundation for expanding the existing cooperation in the field of DSC and Camcorders into the field of digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLR). The first Sony DSLR camera with Carl Zeiss inter- changeable lenses is the Sony ALPHA, also launched today. “We are delighted to expand our collaboration with Sony, the world leader in consumer electronics. We consider this collaboration as an important step into the DSLR market,” comments Dr. Winfried Scherle, General Manager & Vice President Carl Zeiss AG Camera Lens Division. “Sony’s technological expertise and under- standing of consumer markets combined with Carl Zeiss’ proven proficiency of optics and lens solutions makes us a strong team.”

Bob Atkins has taken a look at the new Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di lens.

“The initial impression of the Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] is that it’s a solid lens. It feels “dense”. Not heavy, but it gives the impression of solidity. The body seems to be made of a composite (plastic) material and the finish is in low-reflectivity black with a gold ring. Both the zoom and manual focus rings are covered in rubber with ribbing to make them easier to grip. The MF/AF switch is located near the lens mount and there is a “lock” button which can be used to lock the zoom at the 17mm position.”

Website: Bob Atkins - Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di Lens Review

Sigma Press Release

New 8mm F3.5 EX DG CIRCULAR FISHEYE lens optimized for digital cameras will be available this summer.

Product Summary

* A maximum aperture of F3.5 and minimum focusing distance 13.5cm (5.5“) with a maximum magnification of 1:4.6.
* An angle of view of 180 degrees creates a circular image with 35mm and full frame digital SLR cameras.
* Corresponding AF Mounts :SIGMA, NIKON, CANON, ?, PENTAX (availability of each mount will be announced at a later time)

CameraLabs have just reviewed the new Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens, also comparing it to rival lenses from Sigma and Tamron.

“We personally found VR allowed us to handhold shots taken at 200mm as slow as 1/15 of a second, although obviously it greatly depends on the conditions and your own steadiness. This however was a decent performance, as we’d normally require a much faster shutter speed to avoid camera shake at this focal length - and remember with the cropping effect of a smaller sensor, 200mm on the lens is effectively delivering a 300mm field of view.”

Website: CameraLabs - Nikon 18-200mm VR Lens Review

The-digital-picture.com have just reviewed the new Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM.

“I’m not sure why Canon did not go all the way and make the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens an L-Series lens. An upgraded (metal) lens barrel seems to be the missing component - and the red ring. Also, the accessories included with L-Series lenses are missing - the Lens Pouch LP1219 and Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens-exclusive Lens Hood EW-83J are optional. Since Canon has an L-Series lens on the PowerShot Pro 1, making a non-“EF” L lens is apparently not outside of their definition. This lens certainly has the image quality to be an “L”.”

Website: The-digital-picture.com - Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review

Canon USA Service Notice

Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens May Result in Insufficient Resolution

To Customers Who Use the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens:

Thank you very much for your patronage of our products. We have recently become aware of a phenomenon in which some images captured by the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM lens appear in insufficient resolution. This phenomenon may be seen at the edge of the frame at the 300mm setting when the camera is held vertically. We have been studying the symptoms of this phenomenon in order to determine its precise cause and to develop an appropriate remedy. We will inform you on this Web site as soon as this remedy has been decided, which, at this point should be by the end of June 2006.

Sigma have announced the APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM lens, a large aperture zoom lens designed specially for digital SLR cameras with close-up capability. This large aperture telephoto zoom lens has a minimum focusing distance of 100cm (39.4”) and has a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.5 and it is optimized for digital SLR cameras. This lens’ super multi layer lens coating reduces flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras. ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glasses and SLD?Special Low Dispersion? glasses are used for utmost correction against chromatic aberrations, high image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range.

The-Digital-Picture have reviewed the new Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO lens.

“The Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8 EX DG Lens is a well-built, well-spec’d lens with a decent price. It does not outperform (physically or optically) Canon’s similarly spec’d EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens, but it costs less than half as much.”

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 Lens Review

The-Digital-Picture have reviewed the new Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM portait lens.

“Image quality was excellent on the original 85 L, but using Super Spectra coatings and optimized lens element shaping to suppress flare and ghosting should make the 85mm f/1.2 L II an even better performer. Anti-reflective material has been placed inside the lens barrel as well. In reality, I am seeing only very slightly improved image quality - but it is still excellent. In certain situations, I am seeing less flare. Both 85mm L lenses are noticeably better at controlling flare than the 85mm f/1.8. The biggest image quality difference I am seeing between the I and II lenses is a slightly more neutral color from the new lens. “

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Sigma UK Press Release

Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM is awarded TIPA Best Consumer Lens in Europe 2006

The Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM super wide-angle zoom lens, exclusively designed for digital SLRs, wins the “TIPA Best Consumer Lens in Europe, 2006” award. TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) is comprised of 31 publications from 12 countries. The knowledgeable chief editors and technical editors from these publications form the judging panel for the awards. Photo Imaging has been a prominent part of the TIPA awards since 1991.

Northlight Images have shared their recent experience with the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L Tilt-Shift lens, which is mainly used for architecture and wide landscape photography.

“Quite fascinating to use if you are from a 35mm SLR background. It takes some serious experimenting to get the hang of when to use the lens (and when not to). With a bit of trickery you can use various lens correction software for fixing vignetting and chromatic aberration. Vertical shifts (rise and fall) seem to produce the most noticeable vignetting and metering problems. Don’t forget that many of the shots I’ve included here, were taken at maximal shift, where distortions are at their greatest. Best results are probably going to come from using a combination of the lens shifting and Photoshop to get the very best results. Using the shift function gives about the same horizontal angular coverage as a 16mm lens, but with noticeably higher resolution.”

Website: Northlight Images - A Tilt and shift lens on your DSLR

Pentax USA Press Release

GOLDEN, CO (March 31, 2006)….PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the YOUR CHOICE consumer rebate program on select PENTAX digital SLR lenses beginning Saturday, April 1, 2006 until July 6, 2006.  The PENTAX YOUR CHOICE program offers generous rebates up to $100 US that allow customers the opportunity to gear up on a selection of 12 popular PENTAX digital lenses.  Every smc PENTAX lens features the acclaimed multi-layer coating to lower surface reflection, reduce ultraviolet rays, and deliver clear, high-contrast images. Famous for pristine clarity, superb contrast, and superior quality, smc PENTAX lenses are the exceptional choice for discerning photographers of every level. “PENTAX has manufactured over 24 million lenses in the last five decades because we believe that for every assignment there needs to be a lens that matches each photographer’s style, amateur and professional alike,” said Ned Bunnell, director of marketing, PENTAX Imaging Company. “With our lens rebate program, you can choose the PENTAX system that’s best for you,” added Bunnell.