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

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