Digital Outback Photo have published a review of the Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM lens.

“We find that the 135mm f/2 lens delivers more detail and also more contrast. Interesting how much people discuss the softness of the images from the cameras and leave the lenses out of the equation. For us the quality difference is reason enough to use in the future the 135mm f/2 as much as the scene allows. Many find the 135mm range kind of boring. But faced with the better image quality you would be surprised how well you can capture good frames with the 135mm lens by moving your body. Yes, there are situations where moving is not an option and here the zoom has clearly advantages.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens Review

DIWA member and Slovenian website e-fotografija have a great comparative review of the new Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM (pictured) and Tokina AT-X 12-24mm f/4 lenses, with plenty of sample shots for all you non-Slovenian speakers.

Website: e-fotografija - Canon EF-S 10-22mm / Tokina AT-X 12-24mm f/4 Lens Review

Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO lens is announced. The Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO lens offers macro photography with a 1:2 maximum magnification at the 300 mm focal length. The Sigma 70-300mm APO Macro lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras. The Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO lens is available for Sigma, Canon, Nikon-D, Pentax and Konica/Minolta cameras and costs £199.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO

Telephoto zoom lens with tele-macro function optimised for digital SLR cameras.

l New design and multi layer lens coating minimise flare and ghost.
l A Macro Switch is incorporated for ease of for conversion to macro photography with a 1:2 maximum magnification.
l Equipped with three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements for excellent correction of chromatic aberration throughout the entire zoom range.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 70-300mm APO F4-5.6 DG Macro lens.

Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO lens is announced. The Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO lens offers macro photography with a 1:2 maximum magnification at the 300 mm focal length. The Sigma 70-300mm Macro lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras. The Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO lens is available for Sigma, Canon, Nikon-D, Pentax and Konica/Minolta cameras and costs £149.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

Optimized for use with digital SLR cameras and capable of macro photography with a 1:2 maximum magnification.

l New multi layer lens coating minimises flare and ghost, a common problem with Digital SLR cameras.
l Engaging the Macro Switch makes the lens capable of macro photography with a 1:2 maximum magnification.
l Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass is used for compensation of chromatic aberration throughout the entire zoom range.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro lens.

LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH is announced. The LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH lens features a floating element so that it can focus as close as 0.7 meters. The LEICA f/2 75 mm lens will be available in June.

LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH Brochure (PDF)

Leica Press Release

Leica Camera AG, Solms has added a compact medium telephoto to its range of lenses for Leica rangefinder cameras. The LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. is the first lens of this focal length class to feature a floating element: During focusing, the last lens element change their position in relation to the rest of the optical system. The LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. is thus able to offer superlative quality in the close-focus range down to 0.7 meters. To take full advantage of the floating element, a highly precise adjustment mechanism has been used, although finding the space for it in a compact M lens was no easy feat!

Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM lens is announced. The Sigma 120-300mm lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras and has a new lens coating to help reduce flare and ghosting. Available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon fittings, the Sigma 120-300mm lens will cost £1999.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

A digitally optimised telephoto zoom lens covering ultra-telephoto up to 300mm with a fast maximum aperture of F2.8 at all focal lengths.

l New coating and design minimises flare and ghost.
l Four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements provide excellent imaging capability comparable with fixed focal length lenses.
l The Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) provides silent, high-speed and precise auto-focusing with full time manual focus override.
l Accepts both 1.4x and 2x EX APO Tele Converters. When combined with the 2.0x converter it becomes a 600mm ultra-telephoto zoom lens.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 120-300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM lens.

Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG HSM lens is announced. The Sigma 70-200mm lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras and has a new lens coating to help reduce flare and ghosting. Available in Sigma, Canon, Nikon-D, Konica Minolta and Pentax fittings, the Sigma 70-200mm lens will cost £799.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

Fast maximum aperture telephoto lens optimised for digital SLR cameras.

l Four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements produce excellent image quality throughout the entire zoom range.
l New coating and lens design minimise flare and ghost.
l Inner focusing and inner zooming systems retain external dimensions for ease of handling.
l The HSM models provide silent, high-speed and precise auto-focusing with full time manual focus override.

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG / HSM lens.

CameraHobby have reviewed the Lensbaby 2, a lens for SLR cameras that brings one area into sharp focus whilst creatively blurring the rest of the photograph.

“The Lensbaby 2.0 is a rather interesting beast compared to the original Lensbaby. Increased resolution and quality are definite pluses and nearly on par with a good prime lens. For users who liked what the Lensbaby offered for creative photos, but wanted better quality for the part of the photo that they wanted in focus, the Lensbaby 2 addresses that need.”

Website: CameraHobby - Lensbaby 2 Review

Website: Read my Review of the Original Lensbaby

Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM lens is announced today. The Sigma 50-500mm lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras and has a new lens coating to help reduce flare and ghosting. Available in Sigma, Canon, Nikon-D fittings (Pentax and Konica/Minolta tba), the Sigma 50-500mm lens will cost £899.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG/HSM

High Magnification Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens, with a 10x zoom ratio from 50mm to 500mm, optimized for digital SLR cameras.

l Most effective coating for minimizing flare and ghost with digital SLR cameras.
l Triple-cam Rear Focusing System ensures high precision throughout the whole focus range.
l Uses four SLD (the special low dispersion) glass elements for superior optical performance.
l Accepts both 1.4X and 2X APO EX Tele-Converters, the lens can be used as a 1000mm ultra-telephoto zoom lens.

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 50-500 F4-6.3 EX DG/HSM lens.

Sigma APO 180mm F3.5 EX DG HSM lens is announced today. The Sigma 180mm macro lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras and has a new lens coating to help reduce flare and ghosting. Available in Sigma, Canon, Nikon-D, Pentax and Konica/Minolta fittings, the Sigma 180mm macro lens will cost £549.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

Digitally optimised telemacro lens with life-size reproduction ratio

· New multi-layer coating for minimising flare and ghost.
· HSM models ensure fast and silent autofocusing with full- time manual focus override.
· Accepts both 1.4X and 2X APO EX Tele-Converters.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 180 F3.5 EX DG HSM lens.

Bob Atkins has published a detailed and favourable 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.

“Overall the Tamron SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) shows good performance. Sharpness is consistant across all apertures and focal lengths, flare is very well controlled and vignetting is very slight. There is visible chromatic aberration and barrel distortion, especially at the shorter focal lengths. However in extreme wideangle lenses of this type such aberrations are probably to be expected.”

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

Sigma 300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM lens is launched with a retail price of £1799.99 in the UK. The Sigma 300mm lens is compatible with both film and digital SLR cameras, featuring a new multi-layer coating to reduce flare. The Sigma 300mm F2.8 lens also features Sigma’s Hyper Sonic Motor for silent auto-focusing. The Sigma 300mm lens is available in Sigma, Canon, Nikon-D, Konica-Minolta and Pentax fittings.

Sigma UK Press Release

Fast maximum aperture F2.8 telephoto lens optimised for digital SLR cameras.

l Multi layer lens coating minimises flare and ghost.
l Two ELD (extraordinary low dispersion) glass elements produce excellent imaging capability.
l Accepts both 1.4x and 2.0x EX Teleconverters to produce 420mm F4 and 600mm F5.6 Autofocus ultra telephoto optics.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 300 F2.8 APO EX DG HSM lens.

A versatile, fast aperture telephoto lens for both digital and film SLR cameras. Two ELD glass elements reduce chromatic aberration to a minimum and also ensure sharp, quality images of high contrast.

The-Digital-Picture.com have reviewed the new Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM lens.

“Contrast is the Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM Lens’ optical shortcoming. I found that most of my shots needed some healthy contrast boost in post-processing (or a positive in-camera contrast setting). I could easily tell which image was taken with the Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM Lens when looking at comparative shots on a monitor. The 300 f/2.8 IS has much better contrast than the Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM Lens (it is still better with the Canon 1.4x Extender installed). The Canon 100-400mm L has somewhat better contrast when the vignetting does not get in the way. Low contrast is by far my biggest dissapointment with the 400 DO.”

Website: The-Digital-Picture.com - Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM Lens Review

The Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens is a wide-angle zoom lens designed for digital SLRs with APS-C size image sensors. The Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens offer a focal length equivalent to approximately 16-32mm (assuming a 1.6x focal factor). The Sigma 10-20mm lens will fit Sigma, Canon and Nikon digital SLR cameras. Sigma UK have just announced that the recommended retail price of the 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM will be £369.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

Sigma Announce Price of the New 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM

First deliveries of the eagerly anticipated Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens will be arriving in the UK shortly with a competitive suggested retail price of £369.99.

The super wide-angle capability of the 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens makes it a very powerful tool for both indoor and landscape photography. It is specifically designed to optimise results with digital SLR cameras encorporating APS-C size image sensors.

Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM is a fast large aperture lens designed for digital SLR cameras. When used on a DSLR with an APS-C sized sensor, the 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM is equivalent to approx. 52mm. The Sigma 30mm lens is available for Sigma, Canon and Nikon cameras. Sigma UK have just announced that the recommended retail price of the 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM will be £319.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

Sigma Announce Price of the New 30mm F1.4 EX DC

Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd will soon be taking the first deliveries of the new Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC lens with a suggested retail price of £319.99.

This large aperture 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM lens is designed to match the APS-C size image sensors of digital SLR cameras. Two SLD glass elements are especially effective in the compensation of magnification chromatic aberration.

The Digital Picture have reviewed the new Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens, which is equivalent in focal length to the popular EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM when used on the EOS 20D, EOS 300D and the new EOS 350D digtal SLR cameras.

“Back to the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens - it would not be my first choice for a macro lens (aside from product photography), but it makes a very good 60mm fixed focal length general use lens on an EF-S compatible Digital SLR Body. Since these bodies have a 1.6x FOVCF, the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens will frame subjects similar to a 96mm lens on a full frame body. Having macro capability in the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens is definitely a nice feature. If you are using a backdrop for a subject that does not run away, the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens will do a great job. Product photography is one such use. “

Website: The Digital Picture - Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens Review

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm lens is announced today. The Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm lens is designed specifically for digital SLR cameras and is available in two colours, black and silver, to match the new Nikon D50 DSLR. The The new Nikon 18-55mm lens will be available in June for £199.99 / €299.00 / $180.

Nikon UK Press Release

Wednesday April 20, 2005

Nikon is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED.  This ultra compact, lightweight standard zoom lens has a 3x focal range and is ideally suited to the new Nikon D50.

The AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED offers users a focal length range which conveniently covers everything from tight indoor portraits to standard snap shots. (The picture angle is equivalent to a 27-82.5mm lens in 35mm format.)  The lens features the newly developed compact SWM (Silent Wave Motor) which allows excellent handling and an ultra compact, lightweight design.  Including the new SWM, the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED measures a compact Ø69 x 74mm (2.7 x 2.9 in.) and weighs approximately 210g (6.8 oz.).

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm lens is announced today. The Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm lens is designed specifically for digital SLR cameras and is available in two colours, black and silver, to match the new Nikon D50 DSLR. The The new Nikon 55-200mm lens will be available in June for £199.99 / €299.00 / $250.

Nikon UK Press Release

Wednesday April 20, 2005

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED. This ultra compact, lightweight telephoto zoom lens has a 3.6x 55-200mm focal range and is ideally suited to the new Nikon D50.

The compact zoom lens offers powerful zoom performance of 55-200mm (providing a picture angle equivalent to an 82.5-300mm lens in 35mm format) and is suitable for everything from candid portraits to sports, nature and wildlife photography. The lens features the newly developed compact SWM (Silent Wave Motor) which allows excellent handling and an ultra compact, lightweight design. The lens weighs approximately 255g (9 oz.) and measures a compact Ø68 x 79mm (2.7 x 3.1 in.).

Sigma APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM lens is announced. The Sigma APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras and has a constant aperture of f/5.6 throughtout its focal length. When the Sigma APO 300-800mm lens is used with the 1.4x EX or 2x EX Apo Tele Converters (optional), it becomes a 420-1120mm F8 MF lens or a 600-1600mm F11 MF lens respectively. The Sigma APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM lens costs £4999.99 and is available now.

From 300mm telephoto to 800mm ultra-telephoto this new lens provides a constant fast maximum aperture and is optimized for digital SLR cameras.

l New multi layer coating minimizes flare and ghost.
l Two Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements produce excellent image quality.
l The Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) provides quiet, high-speed and precise auto-focusing and full time manual focus override.
l Accepts both 1.4X and 2X APO EX Tele-Converters (produces an ultra-telephoto zoom lens of 1600mm!)

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM lens.

This digitally optimized lens covers the ultra-telephoto range up to 800mm and has a fast maximum aperture. Its new lens coating reduces flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras. It incorporates two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements for effective compensation of chromatic aberrations and also ensure sharp, quality images.

Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM lens is announced. The 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM is an ultra-telephoto lens that has been optimized for digital SLR cameras. By adding a teleconvertor, the Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM lens can be used as a 700ｍm Ｆ6.3 MF ultra-telephoto lens with a 1.4X EX teleconverter, or as a 1000mm F9 MF ultra-telephoto lens with a 2X teleconverter. The Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM lens costs £2999.99 and is available now.

Sigma UK Press Release

Fast maximum aperture telephoto lens optimized for digital SLR cameras.

l Most effective coating for minimizing flare and ghost.
l Two Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements produce excellent image quality.
l Accepts both 1.4X and 2X APO EX Tele-Converters. The lens can be used as a 700mm MF or a 1000mm MF ultra-telephoto lens. 

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 500 F4.5 APO EX DG HSM lens.

This ultra-telephoto lens has a fast maximum aperture, and also features a new super multi-layer coating, which optimizes the characteristics of digital SLR cameras.