Samsung has launched two new DSLR lenses, the D-XENON 18-250mm F3.5-F6.3 and 18-55mm II F3.5-F5.6, compatible with the new GX-20 and Samsung’s popular GX-10 DSLR cameras. The GX-20 and lenses are expected to be available from March 2008, price for the GX-20 with 18-55mm lens – £699 RRP (price for the 18-250mm lens is TBC).
I don’t have any specifications yet, but further informations can be found on the official website.

Pentax have introduced 5 new lenses for their DSLR cameras, including 300mm and 200mm Supersonic Motor lenses. Built-in ultrasonic motors (Supersonic Motors) in the lenses provide for extremely quiet and fast autofocusing. Both lenses are also weatherproofed and protected from penetrating dust by appropriate seals. The front lens elements of the lenses use the special Pentax SP – “Super Protect” – fluoride coating technology. This nano-technology protects the front lens against dust, finger marks or smearing, making the lenses exceptionally easy to clean. The Pentax “Quick Shift Focus System” allows the photographer to manually alter the focus point at will without having to take the camera out of the autofocus mode. Prices range from £99 for the 18-55mm to £899 for the 300mm lens.

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

Tamron is 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. Filter Diameter is Ø 62mm and it weights 458g (16.2oz). The start price of the new Tamron 70-300mm for Nikon is $189.00.
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. On the other hand, 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, featuring a maximum aperture of F2.8. The Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC HSM will cost £549.99.

Like I said before, I keep my eyes open for any compatible lens with my Nikon D40x SLR. I know discussions where people spoke about not buying this affordable performant camera for one single reason: there are not enough compatible lenses (lenses that have an integrated focus motor). But, the manufacturers already solved the problem:
- first it was the NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
- then there were Tamron AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II (Model A18N II) and AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF)
- and now it is the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3

This new lens from Sigma is a 11.1x high zoom ratio lens with a built-in AF motor allowing autofocus with all Nikon APS-C DSLR cameras. (it’s exactly what I was waiting for)
The built-in motor is capable of autofocusing with all Nikon DSLR cameras. Two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) lenses and two Aspherical glass elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberration. Sigma’s super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides high image quality throughout the zoom range. However, vignetting will occur if the lens is used with 35mm SLR cameras, APS format film cameras or digital cameras with image sensors larger than APS-C size, including 5:4 and FX format of Nikon D3 camera.
An inner focusing system also eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the petal lens hood and circular polarizing filters. A zoom lock switch mechanism is provided to prevent the lens from creeping due to its own weight.

THE SPECIFICATIONS
* Lens construction : 15 Elements 13 Groups
* Angle of view : 76.5°- 8.1°
* Number of blades : 7pcs
* Minimum Aperture (W) : F22
* Minimum Focusing Distance : 45cm / 17.7in.
* Maximum Magnification : 1:4.4
* Filter Size : Ø62mm
* Dimensions(Diameter x Length) : Ø70mm X 75.6mm / 2.8in. X 3.0in.
* Weight : 395g / 13.9oz

Accessories
SIGMA DG UV 62mm 00-85126-92372-3
SIGMA DG WIDE CIRCULAR PL 62mm 00-85126-92383-9
LENS HOOD LH680-01(Supplied) 00-85126-91730-2

Nikon D40 and D40x digital cameras are only fully compatible with AF-s and AF-I lenses. This means that the lens must have it’s own focusing motor. So far, there were not too many such lenses to choose from, but, here’s the big news:

Tamron Announces the Launch of the Popular AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II with Built-In Motor for Nikon (Model A18N II)

A Compact, Lightweight and Ultimate High Power Zoom Lens Boasting the 13.9X Zoom Power Designed Exclusively for APS-C Sized Digital SLRs

Mr. Morio Ono, of Tamron Co., Ltd., announced that the company will release the AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro, a lightweight, compact and ultra high power zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C sized image sensors with a built-in motor for Nikon (Model A18N II).

Product Name
AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II (Model A18N II) for Nikon

Date of Launch Schedule in Japan
December 13, 2007

The AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro is the ultimate high power zoom lens boasting the world’s greatest zoom ratio(*1) of 13.9X, a milestone that Tamron, the pioneer of high power zoom lenses, has achieved by commanding its technologies to further expand the capabilities of high power zoom lenses.

It looks like all the new lenses have that fameous VR inscription meaning that they include Vibration Reduction technology to help consumers snap sharper photos than ever before, even while shooting handheld. The new AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G for Nikon digital SLR’s is no exception.
The focal length of this lens (the standard 18-55 mm, 3x zoom) makes me think that from now on, all the cameras in 2008 will come with this lens in the kit instead of the old 18-55mm lens for basic kits.
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens will be available starting from December 2007 at a price of approx. $200.
Here’s a quote from the press release I received this week:

The 3x optical zoom offers users of Nikon DX-format D-SLR cameras including the D40, D40x, D80 and new D300 with a versatile picture angle perspective ranging from wide angle for dramatic landscapes and interiors, to moderate telephoto that is ideal for flattering portraits.

Beyond the lens’ incredible optical versatility is the amazing benefit of Nikon’s VR technology, which enables photographers to take substantially sharper handheld pictures at slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible. This provides the distinct advantage of being able to shoot more effectively in a much broader variety of challenging conditions. Nikon’s VR system affords users the ability to take pictures at shutter speeds up to three stops slower* than they ordinarily could shoot without the image-degrading blur caused by camera shake at slow shutter speeds.

Like all NIKKOR lenses, the new AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens is engineered to exacting standards to meet the demanding needs of digital photography. This digitally optimized lens features hybrid aspherical elements to minimize chromatic aberration, while Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating reduces instances of lens flare and ghosting. The lens also features Nikon’s compact Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology for quiet, fast and accurate autofocus performance so no moment is missed.

Tags: AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens, nikkor 18-55mm, nikkor 18-55mm vr, nikkor lens, 18-55mm lens, nikon compatible lens

Do you want/need a 18-250mm lens? You can win a Tamron AF18-250mm Di II All-In-One Zoom Lens during the Digital Scrapbooking Day, held in 2007 on November 3rd.
Digital Scrapbooking Day encourages scrapbookers, photographers, crafters, and genealogists to set aside some time to preserve, document, and archive their memories digitally. On this event, Tamron, a leading manufacturer of high power zoom lenses for digital SLR cameras, is sponsoring a giveaway of the popular Tamron AF18-250mm Di II All-In-One Zoom Lens.
The Tamron AF18-250mm Di II All-In-One Zoom Lens is a lightweight, compact, and ultimate high-power zoom lens designed for exclusive use with digital SLR cameras equipped with APS-C sized image sensors, such as Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony DSLR models. Weighing just over 15 ounces, it is so remarkably lightweight that you will never have to (or want to) take it off the camera. It’s the ideal zoom lens for capturing all of your precious memories from first steps to soccer goals, from everyday moments to fabulous vacations.
The lens retails for $499, making this a valuable prize for any digital photographer/scrapbooker. Interested parties can enter to win the lens at http://www.tamron.com/lenses/digital_scrapbook07.asp , until the contest closes on 12/10/07. The winner will be selected randomly from all entries and notified by 12/12/07 via email.

DA 18-250mm f/3.5-f/6.3 ED AL [IF] is a new interchangeable lens from Pentax (therefore, you should notice Pentax DA series is specifically designed for Pentax digital SLR cameras). The 14x super zoom lens features 27.5mm to 383mm (35mm equivalent) focal range and it is build upon 2 a-spherical optical elements in order to reduce aberration effects.

Compared to the other lenses in the Pentax product line, the new DA 18-250mm f/3.5-f/6.3 is not as compact as the DA 50-200mm f/4-f/5.6 ED, DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED/AL [IF], or the DA Fish Eye 10-17mm f/3.5-f/4.5 ED [IF]. The Pentax 18-250mm lens weighs 1 pound and has an 3 x 3.4-inch body.
The minimum focusing distance is approx. 1.48-foot (0.45 meters) – based on mechanical Inner Focus (IF).

“Without the need for lens changes, it can be used for a wide variety of applications — ranging from such standard applications as landscape photography, snapshots, and portrait at frequently used focal lengths, to specialized applications like sports and wildlife photography at the super-telephoto range”.

The lens retails for $499.95 and will be available starting from October 2007.

Tags: pentax lens, pentax da lens, DA 18-250mm f/3.5-f/6.3, pentax DA 18-250mm f/3.5-f/6.3, pentax slr lens, 14x lens, 18-250mm lens

The Sony DT 11-18mm is actualy the widest angle Sony zoom for Alpha DSLRs (see Sony Alpha A100). In fact, is compatible with both cropped-frame Alpha DSLRs and the earlier Konica Minolta Dynax / Maxxum 5D and 7D bodies (DT 11-18mm, like many Sony lenses, is actually a rebranded and slightly modified version of an existing Konica Minolta model).
The DT 11-18mm is offering an equivalent range of 16.5-27mm, a range which is ideal for capturing big landscape views and large buildings both inside and out. With only 1.63x optical zoom ratio, if you zoom in you have a more typical 27mm wide angle coverage. The maximum aperture of f4.5-5.6 is a little slower than some ultra-zoom rivals at the wide end, such as Canon’s EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-5.6, but matches most when zoomed-in, and, it shares many similarities with the existing Tamron 11-18mm lens.
If you want to use it with filters, note that you need a 77mm diameter filter. The physical dimensions of the lens is 83mm and 81mm in length when zoomed-out, while it weighs 360g.
Lens System: 11 elements in nine groups and features a seven-blade aperture diaphragm.

Tags: sony 11-18mm lens, sony alpha lens, sony wide angle lens, 11-18mm lens

A wide-angle 28.5mm SLR lens from Carl Zeiss has been launched, a lens called Distagon T 2/28 ZF lens.
among the most high-speed optics for these focal lengths, Distagon is useful for landscape, architecture, and portrait photography, allowing wide-angle images with a maximum aperture of 1:2.0 (having an aperture range of f/2 to f/22). Also, whit the 530 grams (18 ounces) lens you can manually focus as close as 0.24 meters (9.45 inches) for detail shots.
The metal lens is constructed of 10 elements in 8 groups.
Retail price: 1,049 € (equiv. $1,464 USD).

Tags: camera lens, zeiss lens, wide angle lens, 28mm lens

DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 is a new Wide-Range Lens from Sony that comes with the also brand new DSLR-A700 kit. It has a 6.6x magnification factor and an equivalent range of 24-157.5mm in traditional 35mm format. As for compatibility, Filter Diameter is 62mm.
Specifications:

DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Lens, instead, has a 14x zoom factor and a focal range that measures 27-375mm.
Specifications:

In the future, a 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G lens will be launched.

Tags: DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3, DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6, sony lens, lens for sony, sony a700

The new lens comes in a more compact and light-weight body. According to the press release: “The LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR comprises 15 lens elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical lenses, minimising distortion and peripheral vignetting at the wide end. Two ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses reduce chromatic aberration to an absolute minimum. Across the entire 28-100 mm zoom range, it captures high-resolution, high-contrast images that are clear from corner to corner.
With a minimum focus distance of 29 cm even at full zoom, the new lens provides a maximum photographic magnification of 0.42x (35mm equivalent). This combines with Mega O.I.S. hand-shake correction to let you capture outstanding macro shots even at tele-end without using a tripod.”
The the seven-blade diaphragm aperture produces a nice DOF effect at telephoto end, and, the new lens system uses multi-coated lens elements that reduce ghosting and flare to an absolute minimum.
With Panasonic cameras, it is compatible with the face detection system.
The Leica 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 lens will be available from October 2007 stand-alone or with the Panasonic DMC-L10 SLR kit.

Tags: leica 14-50mm/f3.8-5.6, leica lens, lens for panasonic