The-Digital-Picture.com have reviewed the Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens, which is mainly used for architecture and wide landscape photography.

“The Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens is a very sharp lens with excellent contrast/saturation. the TS-E 90 is sharp wide open and very sharp at f/3.2. Corner sharpness is very good even wide open. Full shift decreases sharpness (and creates autoexposure issues). The TS-E 90 is very slightly sharper than the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at the same focal length and aperture. The Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens is also slightly sharper than the Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift-Lens, especially wide open in the corners on a full frame body.”

Website: The-Digital-Picture.com - Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens Review

ePhotoZine have reviewed the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO lens, which offers macro photography with a 1:2 maximum magnification at the 300 mm focal length.

“The extended focus, providing the 1:2 macro facility, is especially useful and performed well giving good definition at close quarters. The new multi-coating, which gives the lens it’s DG (optimised for digital) classification, helps a design that is good to start with, that extra bit of help in controlling artefacts. CA is well controlled and distortion reasonably well managed, although there is a slight pincushion effect at the 300mm end. (Easily cured in software on digital images)”

Website: ePhotoZine - Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO Lens Review

The Croatian website fot-o-grafiti has published a review (in English) of the new Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 35-100mm lens, which has a constant aperture of f/2 throughout its range.

“Because of its range and speed, it is uniquely suited for creating shallow depth of field at the portrait range; head shots are its specialty, and it really lives up to the task. Bokeh is nothing short of fantastic; as good as anything I ever saw. The DoF characteristic is such that you can get the entire face sharp, and have rapid decomposition of background. When you shoot near to the minimum focusing distance, after 20cm or so everything melts away into uniform blur. Fashion photographers will love this one, especially for its clarity, delicate contrast and color, fantastic sharpness - and did I say bokeh? If it sounds as if we’re drooling, it’s because we are. This one is as good as it is heavy.”

Thanks to Zoltán for letting me know!

Website: fot-o-grafiti - Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 35-100mm Lens Review

Pentax UK Press Release

Pentax Introduces a Compact Ultra-Wide-Angle 2x Zoom Lens for Digital SLRs

Pentax Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the smc Pentax-DA 12mm-24mm F4 ED AL [IF]. Developed for exclusive use with Pentax digital SLR cameras, this compact, lightweight, two-times zoom lens lets the photographer capture unique, eye-catching images with its ultra-wide-angle perspectives.

Major features
1. Ultra-wide-angle coverage
When mounted on one of the Pentax *istD-series digital SLR cameras, this two-times zoom lens offers an angle of view from 99 degrees to 61 degrees (equivalent in focal length from 18.5mm to 37mm in the 35mm format) to create extraordinary visual effects available only in ultra-wide-angle photography, including a greatly emphasized sense of perspective and an extremely wide depth of field (or in-focus area).

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens is announced. The Canon 24-105mm lens 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 Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens will be available from September 2005 priced £869.00 RRP inc. VAT/ €1259.99 RRP inc. VAT.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon’s lightweight, Image Stabiliser zoom lens for professionals – the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest professional L-series lens: the lightweight EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM with Image Stabiliser. Dust and moisture resistant and incorporating Canon’s very finest standards of precision optics, the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is designed for reportage, event, travel and celebrity photographers looking for a lightweight and manoeuvrable lens with minimal image quality compromise.

Complementing the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM and EF 70-200mm f/4L USM, the lens completes Canon’s f/4L-series zoom lens range. These lenses are designed for professional photographers requiring a light zoom lens with a fixed aperture throughout the zoom range. For outstanding camera shake reduction, Image Stabiliser allows shutter speeds of 3 stops slower than would otherwise be possible, with no perceptible increase in image blur.

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is announced. The Canon 70-300mm lens features Canon’s latest 3-stop Image Stabilisation system and replaces the existing EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens. The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens will be available from October 2005 priced £469.00 RRP inc VAT/ €679.99 RRP inc VAT.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon’s new telephoto zoom lens with Image Stabiliser – the EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM zoom lens. Featuring the latest 3-stop Image Stabiliser (IS) for outstanding camera shake reduction, the lens is also equipped with super responsive auto focus. Replacing the popular EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, the world’s first interchangeable lens with IS, the lens is expected to appeal to serious amateur nature and sports photographers looking to achieve outstanding results while shooting hand held.

ePhotoZine have just reviewed the Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di Lens. The 17-35mm lens has a fast aperture of f/2.8 at its widest angle. The lens gives an angle of view equivalent to 28-55mm on a digital SLR camera (as most digital SLRs have APS-C sized CCDs).

“The optical performance of this lens is both extremely good while at the same time being quite disappointing! The results from the centre of the lens, especially at the wide end, are very good indeed. Unfortunately, the fall-off in quality towards the edges at the wide end was more than we expect nowadays. Conversely, the 35mm end had better results coming from the edges than at the centre, but remember, this lens was designed originally for 35mm film cameras, and this phenomenon has appeared before and we have put it down as a plus point. This wide-ranging performance does not stop purely with sharpness either.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8 Di Lens Review

Sigma UK Press Release

Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Lens Receives EISA European Lens Of The Year 2005-2006 Award.

The Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC superzoom lens, wins EISA EUROPEAN LENS OF THE YEAR 2005-2006 award.

EISA is the largest editorial multimedia organisation in Europe, with a membership of fifty Audio, Mobile Electronics, Video and Photo magazines drawn from twenty European countries. Every year, the EISA Awards celebrate new photographic products such as interchangeable lenses, digital and film compact and SLR cameras. The Awards applaud the products that combine the most advanced technology with the most desirable features.

In the second of two lens reviews, Thom Hogan casts his critical eye over the new Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm lens which ships as a kit with the D50 DSLR. Can you really get a decent lens for £199.99 / €299.00 / $180?

“Sharpness is good but not great throughout the range, with f/8 being the point of maximum sharpness on my sample pretty much across the entire focal length range. Even at f/3.5 (or 5.6 at the tele end) in the corners this lens remains a fair performer—slightly better than you’d expect for the price. I’d be more comfortable about using this lens wide open if it weren’t for the visible vignetting, but if you’re a Capture user and shoot NEF, you can safely ignore that comment, as Capture’s Vignette control handles this lens well. Otherwise be forewarned that you’ll need to get to about f/8 to lose the vignetting effects.”

Website: Thom Hogan - Nikon 18-55mm Lens Review

Thom Hogan takes a look at the new Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm lens, designed specifically for digital SLR cameras like the D50, and doesn’t really like what he sees.

“Handling is not a strong point of this lens. Indeed, it’s a very weak point. The zoom ring is stiff, but good. The barrel extends about an inch-and-a-half at maximum, with the minimum point being at 55mm. The barrel doesn’t rotate during zoom or focus. The focus ring is terrible, being only a slight ring near the front of the lens. Worse still, even though this is an AF-S lens, you cannot manually override focus without flipping either the camera or the lens to the manual focus position. Coupled with only five autofocus sensors on a D50 or D70s, not being to override focus makes this not really much of a wildlife or sports friendly lens.”

Website: Thom Hogan - Nikon 55-200mm Lens Review

Tokina Press Release

Tokina announces Sangers as UK distribution partner Japan, 4th August 2005. Tokina Co., Ltd has appointed the Sangers Group as it’s exclusive distributor in the UK for it’s range of SLR lenses. Yuji Nakano, General Manager, Tokina, Japan, in an official statement said, “We are extremely pleased to announce a new partnership with the Sangers Group. Their expertise will widen distribution of Tokina in the UK and re establish the brand, which is supported by an exciting SLR lens range which includes the all new and award winning and highly acclaimed 12mm- 24mm digital compatible ATX lens.” Sangers will launch with the ATX standard and Pro range for professional and enthusiast users of digital and 35mm SLRs.

ePhotoZine have the first online review of the new Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens wide-angle zoom lens for digital SLRs.

” This lens is sharp! At 20mm, resolution tests showed it matched, and at one point even slightly out performed the venerable Canon 17-40mm L. At 15mm it’s a little soft at the edges, although still nice in the centre, but by the time it gets down to the 10mm mark the edges have improved again. In fact, at the wide end, the overall performance was the best in the range. The lens has obviously been optimised for the shorter focal length as there was no distortion there, whereas the 20mm end did have a little pin-cushioning. “

Website: ePhotoZine - Sigma 10-20mm Lens Review

The-Digital-Picture.com have reviewed the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L Tilt-Shift lens, which is mainly used for architecture and wide landscape photography.

“The Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L Tilt-Shift Lens is not stellar in terms of sharpness. I found it to be the least sharp of the three Canon TS-E lenses. It is somewhat soft wide open, getting decent at f/5.6 with continuing improvement through f/8. Even so, I found it to be on par with the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L Lens at similar apertures. The TS-E 24mm may have a slight advantage at and beyond f/5.6. The TS-E 24mm was somewhat sharper in the corners, but still showed some extra corner softness wide open (on a full frame body). Sharpness decreases as the lens is tilted - and decreases more rapidly as the lens is shifted. Remember that sharpness isn’t everything.”

Website: The-Digital-Picture.com - Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L Tilt-Shift Lens Review

The Sigma 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 DG MACRO is announced. The new Sigma 28-300mm lens is designed for digital SLR cameras and provides a high zoom magnification of 10.7x and a minimum focusing distance of 50cm at all focal lengths. Available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon fittings, the Sigma 28-300mm Macro lens has a price tag of £229.99 in the UK.

Sigma UK Press Release

Digitally optimised super zoom lens with a 10.7x zoom magnification.

l New multi layer lens coating minimises flare and ghosting, a common problem with Digital SLR cameras.
l Wide angle, Standard, Telephoto and Close up, the all-purpose zoom lens.
l Two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements and four Aspherical Lenses produce superior optical performance.

Konica Minolta UK Press Release

Konica Minolta introduces new DT series lenses

As the new standard for digital SLR cameras, DT lenses are ideally suited to digital SLR cameras such as the Dynax7D and Dynax 5D that are equipped with APS-C sized (23.5 x 15.7 mm) CCD’s.

Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 18 -70 mm F3.5 to 5.6 (D) - £110.00
Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18 mm F4.5 to 5.6 (D) - £449.00
Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 18-200 mm F3.5 to 6.3 (D) - £379.99

The 18-70mm and 11-18mm lenses will be available in September 2005. The 18-200mm lens will be available in November 2005.

Konica Minolta UK Press Release

Development of Konica Minolta AF 35mm F1.4G (D) Interchangeable Lens for SLR Cameras of the Dynax Series

Konica Minolta has developed the Konica Minolta AF 35mm F1.4G (D) * interchangeable lens for SLR cameras of the Dynax Series. An overview of the lens is given below. Timing of this lens is planned for Spring 2006.

Development Targets
The Konica Minolta AF 35mm f1.4G (D) was developed as the successor model of the Konica Minolta AF 35mm F1.4G lens that has been well respected amongst users for the beautiful defocused effect rendered around the aperture. This lens was developed as an interchangeable lens for the Dynax Series and delivers high resolution performance using a newly designed optical system, as well as enabling a high level of flash metering owing to a distance encoder within the lens.

Luminous Landscape have published a brief review of the new Tamron SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF), a new high performance ultra wideangle zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras using APS-C size image sensors.

“If you’re looking for an ultra-wide zoom for your 1.5x or 1.6x lens factor DSLR then I can recommend the Tamron SP 11-18 f/4.5-5.6 Di II LD to you. The price is attractive and the lens is capable of producing high quality images. If you are the owner of a Canon D30, D60 or 10D, and therefore unable to use the Canon 10-22mm lens without performing warranty destroying surgery, the new Tamron provides an attraction option.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Tamron SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Review.

The Sigma 800mm F5.6 APO EX DG/HSM lens is announced. The new Sigma 800mm lens is designed for digital SLR cameras and features the Hyper Sonic Motor as well as full-time manual focusing. Available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon fittings, the Sigma 800mm lens has a price tag of £4499.99 in the UK.

Sigma UK Press Release

Fast maximum aperture 800mm ultra telephoto lens optimised for digital SLR cameras.

l Two Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements produce excellent image quality.
l Accepts APO EX Tele-Converters. The lens can be used as a 1600mm ultra-telephoto lens when used with the 2X APO EX Tele-Converter.
l New multi layer lens coating is very effective with digital cameras, minimises flare and ghost.

Olympus UK Press Release

Take a fresh perspective

Introducing the Olympus E-System ZUIKO DIGITAL Fisheye Lens

London, 30th June:  Owners of Olympus E-System cameras will be able to get a completely new view of the world from next year with the introduction of the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 8mm 1:3.5 Fisheye Lens.  E-1 and E-300 photographers will soon be able to benefit from a full 180° diagonal angle of view enabling unique and eye-catching panoramic pictures to be taken.

Rollei Press Release

Rollei Announces High Speed 50 MM Lens From Schneider-Kreuznach—Auto Focus f/2.8 Lens Is Designed for Rollei’s 6008 Professional Cameras

STROUDSBURG, PA, June 21, 2005 - Rollei, manufacturer of the classic twin-lens 6x6 Rolleiflex, today announced a new Schneider-Kreuznach high speed, versatile AF lens for the Rollei 6008 family of high-end professional cameras.

The ruggedly built AF Super-Angulon HFT PQS interchangeable auto focus lens features a high speed f/2.8 lens for a brilliant viewfinder image and a classical 50 mm wide-angle focal length. The new high performance lens will be available beginning this week in the U.S. for $4,499.