Sigma announces two new fisheye lenses for Sony and Pentax - 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC CIRCULAR FISHEYE HSM and 10mm F2.8 EX DC FISHEYE HSM.

Press release:

4.5mm F2.8 EX DC CIRCULAR FISHEYE HSM For Sony and Pentax
This autofocus circular fisheye lens has an angle of view of 180 degrees in all directions. It is exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras with the APS-C size image sensor. When used in conjunction with digital SLRs with APS-C size image sensor, it produces circular image within the frame. The minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm/5.3inch and maximum magnification of 1:6 make it particularly useful for close-up photography. SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, Super Multi Layer Coating and inner focusing system provide superior image quality. HSM ensures fast and quiet auto focusing and includes full-time manual focus

10mm F2.8 EX DC FISHEYE HSM For Sony and Pentax
This diagonal fisheye lens is designed for use with digital SLR cameras equipped with an APS-C size image sensor. It produces a diagonal angle of view of 180 degrees. The diagonal field of view of this fisheye lens produces striking images with exaggerated perspective and distortion. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm/5.3inch, and maximum magnification 1:3.3. It allows subjects to be as close as 1.8cm/0.7inch from the lens’ front element. The exclusively designed integral hood and the Super Multi-Layer Coating minimize flare and ghosting and create superior image quality.

Tags: 10mm, 4.5mm, F2.8, fisheye, HSM, lense, Pentax, Sigma, Sony

Sigma announces 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM for the Four Thirds System.

Press release:

This large aperture lens becomes a medium telephoto lens offering 100mm equivalent angle of view on Four Thirds cameras. The optimum optical design and molded glass aspherical lens elements provide excellent correction of coma aberration. It ensures superior peripheral brightness and provides sharp, high contrast images even at the maximum aperture. The Super Multi Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting. Superior optical performance is ensured throughout the focusing range. The rounded 9 blades diaphragm creates an attractive blur. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), ensuring a quiet and high speed AF as well as full time manual focusing capability.

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Tags: 4/3, 50mm, DG, EX, f/1.4, Four Thirds, HSM, Sigma

Sigma announces 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM - 14 elements in 12 groups with HSM.

Press release:

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM. This large aperture standard zoom lens covers focal lengths from 24mm and is housed in compact construction.

The latest optical design provides an overall length of 94.7cm /3.7inch. It is ideal for general photography such as snapshots, portraiture and landscapes. The Super Multi Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting. ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass, two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements and three aspherical lenses provide excellent correction of all types of aberrations.

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Tags: 24-70, DG, EX, F2.8, HSM, Sigma

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new APO TELE CONVERTER 1.4x EX DG and APO TELE CONVERTER 2x EX DG for Sony mount.

New dedicated tele converter for Sony mount telephoto lenses that support HSM

APO TELE CONVERTER 1.4x EX DG for Sony
APO TELE CONVERTER 2x EX DG for Sony

• Dedicated tele converter for telephoto lenses incorporating HSM
• Exclusive design maintains the master lens’ high level performance
• Super Multi Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting

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Tags: HSM, Sigma, Sony, Teleconverter

Pentax announces two DA Star* lenses for DSLR - 60-250 mm f4 ED [IF] SDM and 55mm f1.4 SDM.

Press release:

HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division is pleased to announce the launch of two high-performance interchangeable lenses for the acclaimed smc PENTAX-DA series. These lenses are designed exclusively for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras to deliver top-quality digital images. The smc PENTAX-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM is a versatile telephoto zoom lens offering a high zoom ratio, while the smc PENTAX-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM is a compact medium-telephoto lens offering a large maximum aperture.

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Tags: 55mm, 60-250, DA*, Pentax, SDM

Nikon announces AF-S version of the 50mm f1.4 lens with Silent Wave Motor. The Optical system is with 8 elements in 7 groups.

Press release:

NIKON CELEBRATES THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF NIKKOR OPTICAL EXCELLENCE WITH AN ALL-NEW 50mm f/1.4 PRIME LENS

75 Years Later and 45 Million Lenses Produced, the NIKKOR Pedigree Continues to Thrive with the Introduction of the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G Lens

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Sept. 22, 2008) – Nikon Inc. celebrates 75 years of defining optical excellence with the release of the newly engineered AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 prime lens that is considered by many photographers to be an essential tool with a focal length that closely replicates the visual perspective of the human eye when used with an FX-format D-SLR. Nikon’s optical expertise and modern technological advances, such as the Silent Wave Motor, help to deliver outstanding operation that is critical for Nikon FX and DX-format photographers who demand the pinnacle of photographic performance.

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Tags: 50mm, AF-S, f/1.4, Nikkor, Nikon

Carl Zeiss SLR lenses now also with EF bayonet

ZE mount is for Canon EF bayonet.

The first two lenses are Planar T* 1.4/50 ZE ($ 660) and Planar T* 1.4/85 ZE ($ 1,170).

Press release:

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 15.09.2008.
Carl Zeiss is expanding its successful line of SLR lenses: ZE lenses with EF bayonet for all analog and digital EOS camera models. As with all EF lenses, the new ZE lenses from Carl Zeiss transfer all information exclusively via electronic contacts. This means that all exposure modes such as programmed auto exposure, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual setting are supported. The camera’s automatic focus confirmation also remains available to an unlimited extent with these manual focus lenses. With digital SLRs, the lens data and all exposure data can also be accessed via the camera’s EXIF file. Even E-TTL flash metering is supported. The first lenses to be available will be the Planar T* 1.4/50 ZE and the Planar T* 1.4/85 ZE in the last quarter of this year. Further focal lengths will be added to the line within the next few months.

Recommended retail price of both lenses:
Planar T* 1.4/50 ZE 579 euros (incl. 19% German VAT)
Planar T* 1.4/85 ZE 999 euros (incl. 19% German VAT)

Tags: Carl Zeiss, EF, lens, ZE

Nikon introduces AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR.

5.8x zoom lens with Low Dispersion (ED) glass, Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and Enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR II).

The estimated selling price is $399.95.

It will also be available as part of the D90 kit for an estimated selling price of $1299.95.

Press release:

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Tags: 18-105, AF-S, Nikkor, Nikon, VR