lens

Sony gets up close with new lenses

Today, Sony announced two new lenses, the 30mm f2.8 DT Macro lens (SAL30M28) and the 28-75mm f2.8 SAM lens (SAL2875) along with three new dSLRs. Providing an inexpensive entry into macro photography is the new 30mm f2.8 DT Macro lens which will sell for about $200 when it becomes available in October 2009. The lens is a DT series for Sony's APS-C sensor size cameras such as the new Alpha a550 and Alpha a500 announced today, as well as the Alpha a380 and Alpha a330. It features a distance scale in both feet and meters. Reflecting … Read more

A romp through the camera rumor mill

While none of these seem verifiable, there are simply too many rumors about new dSLRs and interchangeable-lens cameras floating around on the Web to ignore. So here, for your delectation, is a summary of all the bits that are fit to post.

The most frequent topic playing Ring Around the Web is for a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. A host of sites have repeated a set of specs first posted at Northlight Images by a supposed tester of the aforementioned model. He specifies the following:

Same 1.3x multiplier (APS-H) as previous models. 16-megapixel sensor with 8-megapixel sRAW ISO 50 to ISO 26,500 Same video and display as the 5D Mark II Slight redesign of button layout and grips

Said tester reports good high ISO photo quality (as you'd expect), faster continuous shooting than the 1D Mark III, "Nikon fast AF", usable Live View AF, and an overall better feel.

Supposedly there'll be a late summer announcement and end-of-year ship. Start saving those pennies now. Use a really big jar.… Read more

New water-resistant lenses from Pentax

Pentax has announced two new entry-level WR (water-resistant) series lenses: the DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR and the DA 50-200mm AL WR. They coincide with the launch of the company's new K-7 dSLR body, which has a dust- and water-resistant lens mount.

Both lenses offer water and dust resistance when used with a complementary water-resistant K series body, such as the K-7 or the K-20. The lenses feature weather-resistant seals for damp and inclement conditions. The DA 18-55mm WR replaces the existing model while adding the water-resistance. The DA 50-200mm WR also replaces the existing model while … Read more

Four new DT series Alpha lenses from Sony

To go with Sony's new compact and lightweight Alpha dSLR's announced today are four new DT series lenses. Designed for use with APS-C sized sensors, the new entry-level DT lenses have built-in-lens autofocus motors. The Smooth Autofocus Motor provides quiet, smooth autofocus with the new compact Alpha bodies.

Sony announced a pair of new compact, lightweight kit zoom lenses: The DT 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens has aspherical and ED (extra-low dispersion) lens elements. The DT 55-200mm f4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens has an ED lens element and its long range make it good for sports. … Read more

Numerous configurations

Magic Lens Max offers visually impaired users a virtual screen magnifier. We found it very easy to navigate, but the numerous configuration options might be confusing to some.

When activated, the main user interface appears on your desktop, and it's packed with a number of settings to show or hide the magnifier, change the lens shape, pick the color mode, adjust the zoom percentage, color levels, and the lens size and border, among other things. Also from the interface, you can create hot-key combinations for zooming, rotating, and more. We certainly appreciate all of the options, but would have … Read more

Pentax unveils new 15mm Limited Series lens

At the PMA show yesterday, Pentax announced a new Limited Series lens, the DA 15mm f4 ED AL Limited. The ultra-wide angle lens has a 23mm equivalent in 35mm terms and has a closest focusing distance of 6 inches. The lens has an aspherical (AL) lens element, and an extra low dispersion (ED) lens element to minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure image quality. Image distortion is claimed to be extremely low for an ultra wide-angle lens.

As with others in Pentax's Limited lens series, it is built to a high-quality standard, featuring the lens barrel, cap, and built-in hood … Read more

Nikon 18-105mm DX VR lens sample photos

The Nikon 18-105mm DX ED VR is sort of a kit lens on steroids; it has the all-plastic construction of a basic kit lens but adds VR and an extended zoom range. If you want to equip your Nikon DX dSLR with something more than the basic 18-55mm kit lens and a better performer than the do-everything 18-200mm lens, this one provides a good combination of features and performance for a reasonable price.

Nikon 18-105mm DX VR lens reviewed

For Nikon DX shooters looking to expand their horizons beyond the kit lens, the 18-105mm DX ED VR f3.5-5.6 lens is an attractive and reasonably priced addition to your collection. Introduced in August 2008 as a kit lens option for the D90, you can find it for well under $400. It delivers a 27-158mm 35mm-equivalent focal length in a compact and lightweight package, combined with Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) image-stabilization technology, and that makes this a good choice for travel and general pictorial photography

Read the full review here.

Canon adds some perspective to things

Canon on Tuesday announced two new perspective-controlling tilt-and-shift lenses, the TS-E 24mm f3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f4L. Adding a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle in addition to the TS-E 45mm f2.8 and the TS-E 90mm f2.8. With TS-E 24mm f3.5L II replacing it predecessor released in 1991. These new tilt-and-shift lenses have been branded L series with its distinctive red band, signifyng their professional build quality.

The TS-E 24mm f3.5L II has been updated to feature UD (ultra-low dispersion) glass to minimize chromatic aberrations. Also specially coated aspherical elements to reduce glare. Both new … Read more