Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens, promised to be launched before, finally comes on the market with some delay.
It features the HSM motor at no extra charge, plus Sigma’s own unique OS (Optical Stabilizer) function. This function uses two sensors inside the lens to detect vertical and horizontal movement of the camera and works by moving an optical image stabilizing lens group, to effectively compensate for camera shake. Available for Nikon AF-D and Canon dSLR. The new lens is priced at £439.99.

Specifications:

NikonCanon

Tags: Sigma 18-200mm, sigma lens, lens for nikon, lens for canon

Tamron AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical IF is a Macro Lens that just won the EISA Award (EUROPEAN CONSUMER LENS OF THE YEAR 2007).
Designed for exclusive use with digital SLR cameras equipped with APS-C sized image sensors (compatible with Nikon digital SLR cameras with APS-C -24mm x 16mm or smaller)- image sensors; manual focus only with Nikon D40 and D40x SLR models), this Tamron lens has the world’s biggest zoom ratio of 13.9X, covering a range of 28mm to 388mm focal length when converted to a full frame/35mm film format (in other words, it covers the entire focal range relevant to amateur photographers – no wonder it got the EISA Award).

“This is a do-it-all lens many DSLR users will never need to take off their cameras. The extreme (almost 14X) zoom ratio delivers the ultimate freedom for composition and framing.” commented the EISA Jury.

Tags: Tamron 18-250mm Lens, Tamron 18-250mm, all in one camera lens, tamron macro lens, 18-250mm Lens

The World’s First 14mm Ultra Wide-Angle Zoom Lens with a Constant f/2.8 Aperture and a Highly Versatile 24-70mm f/2.8 Zoom has just been launched by Nikon in August 2007.

“The AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED represents one of Nikon’s best optical designs with performance that rivals that of prime lenses. And we anticipate the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED will become very popular among professional photographers due to its remarkable versatility and optical performance. Both lenses maintain an astounding level of sharpness from the center of a picture to its edges and corners throughout their zoom range,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc.

Also, the new 3 telephoto lenses:
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR,
AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR, and
AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR
all offer unprecedented image quality, responsiveness and versatility along with new features such as Nikon’s VR II Vibration Reduction technology and Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat. When using Nikon’s VR function, you can view a stabilized image through the viewfinder, meaning that you are able to compose the pictures naturally and with greater accuracy.

The new optical design for all three lenses features three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements that minimize chromatic aberration, producing consistently high-quality images. Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat – an extra-low refractive index coating – virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of wavelengths, and is particularly effective in reducing ghosting and flare. A meniscus protective glass element also minimizes the ghosting that occurs when light reflected from a digital camera’s image sensor is in turn reflected off an ordinary flat protective glass element.

Tags: nikon nano crystal coat, ultra wide angle zoom lens, telephoto lens, vibration reduction, nikkor lens, nikkor lenses, latest nikkor lenses

July 11, 2007 – Lensbabies LLC announced the worldwide distribution of its selective focus SLR lenses and accessories. Lensbaby products will now be available through international distributors in foreign markets in addition to the United States and Canada.

“Lensbabies is very excited to have aligned ourselves with 35 premier distributors in all of the major markets around the world,” said Sam Pardue, CEO of Lensbabies, in a press release. “Not only has the Lensbaby product line captured the imagination of photographers around the world, but retailers worldwide appreciate the profitable sales generated by our line of creative lenses and accessories.”

Lensbabies allow photographers to creatively place focus by bending the lens. Lensbabies can also be purchased from the company’s website, through specialty retailers, and at tradeshows.

Tags: camera lenses, digital camera lenses, lensbabies

Good for sports scenes, portraits and wildlife photography (even dramatic landscapes), it’s quite a big lens: 71x122mm and 460 grams. Works with 55mm filters and is build from 13 elements in 10 groups, and is protected by 2 lens caps against dust and scratches.
It has a different Angle of View when attached to 35mm-format camera (degrees 32-8.10), than if attached to APS-C-format camera (degrees 21-5.20). The shortest distance from image sensor to subject is about 1.5m and maximum magnification 0.25.
Compatible with Sony Alpha digital SLR cameras, it can be used for auto and manual focusing, giving sharp and clear shots.
Sony SAL-75300

Tags: Sony SAL-75300 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 , 6 Telephoto Zoom Lens, Sony SAL-75300, camera lens

This lens gives 30-12 degree angle of view and a minimum focus distance of 5.9 feet, offers high accuracy, color rendition and performance. Solidly built, tack sharp, distortion is minimal for a zoom and color, contrast and sharpness are excellent. It is kind of heavy, but id you care more about the picture quality, you won’t mind about that. Macro Mode is only available at the 28mm, but performs good (however, not for extremely little things). Also, at 28mm if you use a normal lens hood you will get terrible vignetting. Overall, it is much better than the newer plastic lenses included in most maxxum packages, and it really provides excellent picture quality.
Konica Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5

Konica Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5

Tags: Konica Minolta, Konica Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5, maxxum, camera lens

12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG lens offers super wide angle (122-degree) for creative photographing. An inner focus system provides high performance.
This lens is equipped with a fixed Petal-type hood to obtain a superior extraneous light-blocking effect.
Four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements are provided for effective compensation of color aberration. It is an ideal lens for Digital SLR Cameras as well as film SLR cameras.
On the Sigma SD9 (1.7x crop) this lens provides the same field of view as a 20-41 mm lens, on the Canon EOS-10D/300D this is approx. 19-38 mm.

Specifications:
Construction: 16 elements in 12 groups (4 SLD, 3 aspherical)
Angle of View: 122 – 84.1 degrees
Minimum Aperture: F22
Minimum Focusing Distance: 28cm / 11 in.
Maximum Magnification: 1:7.1
Filter Size: Rear Type (Gelatin Filter)
Dimensions: Diameter 87mm X Length 102.5mm (3.4 inch x 3.9 inch)
Weight: 615 g / 22 oz.

Corresponding AF Mounts:
[12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHERICAL HSM]
SIGMA,
CANON,
NIKON (D)
[12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHERICAL]
SONY/MINOLTA(D)Mounts,
PENTAX

12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHERICAL HSM awarded Camera Grand Prix 2004 Special Prize by Camera Press Club. Except fish-eye lenses, this super-wide angle lens is the only lens that has 12mm focal length and can be used with Digital SLR cameras as well as film SLR cameras.

Tags: wide angle, sigma, color aberration, digital slr cameras, sigma, sigma wide angle, sigma lens, sigma wide angle lens, wide angle lens, aspherical lens, dSLR lens

PENTAX-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Lens is designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras with an image circle perfectly proportioned to the CCD size (23.5mm x 15.7mm), and featuring an ultra-thin pancake design and uni-focal, medium-telephoto optics.
The high-performance optics ensure outstanding image quality, and provide distinctive visual expression. Materials used for this lens are selected for optimum holding comfort and operability, and the new lens is designed to be extremely thin and lightweight, for go-anywhere portability for casual, day-to-day snapshot photography.
This lens produces smooth, natural skin tones and beautiful out-of-focus backgrounds at open aperture in portrait applications, while assuring crisp, high-contrast images at closed-down aperture in landscape photography.

Specifications:
• Lens mount: Pentax KAF mount
• Lens construction: 6 elements in 5 groups
• Angle of view: 23° ( when used with istD-series & K100D camera body)
• Aperture control: Automatic
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Metering system: TTL open-aperture metering
• Minimum focusing distance: 0.7m (2.3 ft.)
• Filter size: 49mm
• Maximum magnification: 0.12X
• Dimensions (diameter x length): 63mm x 26mm (2.5 inches x 1.0 inch)
• Weight: 130g (4.6 oz.) without hood; 150g (5.3 oz.) with hood

Tags: PENTAX-DA 70mm F2.4, pentax lens

Tokina 12-24mm f4 DX is usualy used with Nikon and Canon dSLR’s. Between 18 and 24mm the full 35mm size frame is fully illuminated, though the image quality outside the limits of the APS-C frame may be questionable. This lens is not designed for full frame 35mm use. There is no manual/autofocus switch. Instead you push the focus ring forward to switch to AF mode and pull it back to select manual focus. Autofocus is quiet and fast, though not quite so quiet and fast as the Canon EF-S 10-22/3.5-4.5 which has a ring USM motor.
More about comparison between Tokina 12-24mm f4 DX and Canon EF-S 10-22/3.5-4.5.
In terms of optical quality the Canon may be a little sharper in the corners wide open at the wide end and the Tokina may be a little sharper in the corners wide open at the long end, but overall the optical quality of the two lenses is pretty similar.

Specifications:
• Zoom Range: 12-24 mm
• Aperture: F/22-F/4
• Minimum Focus Distance: 11.8 inch (30cm)
• Macro Ratio: 1:8
• Filter Size : 77mm
• Dimensions : 3.3 in. (84mm) X 3.5 in. (89.5mm)

Tags: Tokina 12-24mm, Canon EF-S 10-22/3.5-4.5

Like other EF-S lenses, the 10-22mm ultra-wide lens from Canon is compatible with EF-S mount digital SLRs, consisted of the EOS 300D / Rebel, EOS 350D / Rebel XT, EOS 400D / Rebel XTi, EOS 20D and EOS 30D models. The EF-S 10-22mm is not compatible with full-frame of film SLRs, nor the older EOS 10D.
Like other wide angle lens it does suffer from distortion, but stopped down it’s pretty decent. As an example of how it works, imagine that at the widest angle you can shoot whole buildings without even having to go across the street.

Specifications:
• f/3.5-4.5 USM
• Aperture range: 3.5 1/f – 27 1/f
• Equivalent to a 16-35mm zoom
• USM motor for quick and quiet focusing
• Angle of view: 107.5 to 63.5 degrees
• Minimum focus distance: 0.79 ft
• Filter size supported: 77 mm
• Price Range: $619.99 – $829.99

Tags: canon, canon lens, canon ultra-wide lens, Canon EF-S 10-22mm, canon accesories, canon EOS lens, canon EOS accesories, 10-22mm lens