Photography Gear News

"Schneider Kreuznach has said it will begin making lenses for mirrorless systems, and has shown renderings of a 14mm F2.0 lens for the Micro Four Thirds system. The move will make Schneider one of the few independent lens makers building autofocus lenses for mirrorless systems, following the launches of lenses for Micro Four Thirds and Sony NEX from Sigma and a NEX 18-200mm from Tamron. As part of its annual review, Schneider says it will introduce a range of lenses for mirrorless cameras 'this fall,' which we're expecting to mean around the Photokina show in Cologne, this September."

"Nikon has launched the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 G, an updated version of its popular moderate telephoto prime lens. The AF-S version of the lens is a completely new optical design and features a built-in focusing motor to allow it to autofocus on all Nikon DSLRs. The lens features an internal focus design and 7 rounded aperture blades. It can focus down to a distance of 80cm (2.6ft). The lens will be available from March 2012 for a price of around $499."

Canon has announced two lenses for its EOS system. The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is designed as a relatively compact image-stabilized standard zoom for full frame SLRs, and will be offered as a kit with the EOS 6D. It includes a Macro setting offering an impressive 0.7x magnification, backed up by Canon's Hybrid IS that promises increased effectiveness at close distances. It's also weather-sealed, and will be available from mid-December at an RRP of $1499 / £1499.99 / €1459. Meanwhile the EF 35mm f/2 IS USM features an all-new optical design, and includes image stabilization and an ultrasonic focus motor. It will be in on sale early December for $849.99 / £799.99 / €849. Both lenses will work on full frame and APS-C cameras.

Canon has also introduced a new design of lens cap that includes a center-pinch mechanism for easier handling with lens hoods in place. Other brands have been offering this type of cap for years, but at least Canon has finally caught up. The new caps will eventually be supplied with all new Canon lenses, starting from January 2013.

Pentax Ricoh has announced the Pentax DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM superzoom and a the HD Pentax DA 560mm F5.6 ED super-telephoto prime. The 18-270mm offers a 15x superzoom covering a 27.5-414mm equivalent range and is based around the company's SDM 'supersonic AF' motor. Meanwhile the 560mm F5.6 becomes the first Pentax lens to be given its 'HD' coating which, the company says, denotes high performance. The 859mm equivalent super-telephoto lens is environmentally sealed, to match the performance of the company's higher-end DSLRs. The lenses will cost around $800 and $7,000 respectively.

"Canon has developed the EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm F2.8 STM lenses with stepper motors for fast, quiet operation when shooting video. The 18-135mm STM is an extended standard zoom for APS-C DSLRs, while the 40mm STM is a pancake prime lens for full frame and APS-C cameras. Both lenses feature stepper motors, to enable fast, quiet focus, particularly with the contrast-detection method of autofocus used for live view and video. They also both have electromagnetic diaphragms - allowing smooth and accurate control over aperture for video shooting. The lenses will be available from late June 2012, with the 18-135mm STM costing $549 and the 40mm F2.8 STM costing $199."

Sigma announced for the Salon de la Photo a new light and tiny (8.5x7.5cm, 490g) 18-200mm stabilized zoom. The street price should be around 550€.

Press Release:

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the SIGMA 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM. This 11.1x high zoom ratio lens is designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras, incorporates Sigma’s original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function and offers a broad shooting range from wide angle to telephoto.
The SIGMA 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM is the successor to the SIGMA 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS/ HSM which was launched in June 2007. The lens is ideal for travel photography with a compact construction and length of just 87.7mm. This lens features FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, and SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements providing excellent correction of color aberration. Aspherical lenses give excellent correction for all types of aberration and distortion. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting, ensuring high quality images throughout the entire zoom range. Sigma’s OS (Optical Stabilizer) system offers effective correction of approximately 4 stops, enabling easy handheld photography. HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures quiet, high-speed auto focus and the inner focus system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the supplied petal-type lens hood and circular polarizing filters. The rounded 7 blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out of focus areas of images.

* Sony and Pentax mounts do not incorporate Optical Stabilization.