Digital SLR Blog

Firmware version 1.1 for the Lumix G Vario 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Micro Four-Thirds camera lens is now available and it brings the following changes:
    * Improved Auto Focus performance in [AFC] mode.
    * Improved Auto Focus performance in Motion Picture recording.
    * Please note that Auto Focus in [FHD] does not work.
    * Improved the stability of O.I.S. in Motion Picture recording.
      (except [FHD] mode)
    * Decreased the operation noise of the aperture in Motion Picture recording. (except [FHD] mode)

Cosina will soon release a Voigtländer branded 50mm f/1.1 lens exclusively for the Leica M mount. The superfast 50mm ƒ/1.1 lens with ultra-high refractive index glass will be released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Cosina's Bessa series of rangefinder cameras.

[Via The Online Photographer]

The smc PENTAX-DA18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL WR, and the smc PENTAX-DA50-200mmF4-5.6ED WR are two new compact, lightweight zoom lenses. The lenses boast of a weather-resistant construction, are treated with PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating and feature the Quick-Shift Focus system for instant AF/MF switching. The DA 18-55mm will retail for  $199.95 and the DA 50-200mm $249.95.

[Via DCI]

The newly announced Fantasea BigEye Lenses are compatible with cameras from all major brands like Canon, Olympus, Fuji, Sea & Sea, Ikelite etc. Utilizing a patent-pending lens technology, the BigEye Lens provide a wide angle solution for large zoom lens compact digital cameras like the Canon G10, Fuji F200 and more. For more information go here.

Olympus has released updates for the following lenses: Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 8mm F3.5 Fisheye, 18-180mm F3.5-6.3, 70-300mm F4.0-5.6 and the 90-250mm F2.8. The update fixes the sequential shooting when using C-AF on the E-3 and E-30. For more information go here.

Olympus Europe has added a Lensfinder page on their website which is aimed at helping Four Thirds users ascertain their lens requirements. Located in the Buying Advice section, the Lensfinder page has Four-Thirds focal lengths from 7 to 300mm (14mm to 600mm in 35mm equivalents).  You can check out the feature here.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Tamron is offering a $50.00 rebate on the AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens. The offer is valid till May 12, 2009 and the lens purchase must be made between May 5 ~ May 12, 2009 to qualify for rebate. Also redemption requests must be post-marked by May 26, 2009 to qualify and to download the rebate form go here.

Canon US has announced a new rebate programme onselect Canon lenses and accessories, as well as instant rebates on Canon EOS 50D and Rebel XSi Digital SLR cameras. The offer is valid from May3rd to July 11th 2009. Details are below.

The new Nikon AF-S DX-NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED is an ultra-wide lens that offers a focal length of 10 to 24mm. The lens features silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology and FX-format shooters can also benefit from it , since Nikon’s FX-format cameras will automatically apply the DX-Crop Mode when shooting. The AF-S DX-NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED will retail for $899.95.

Firmware update for the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lens is now available for download. The  update improves the performance and compatibility of the Four Thirds system. For more information go to http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/support/soft/firm/index.htm

The Tokina AT-X 16.5-135 DX , is a 16.5-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AF lens that has been designed keeping in mind the needs of DSLR cameras with APS-C sensors. Having a focal length of 16.5 - 135mm, the lens has a minimum aperture of F/22 and is available in both Nikon and Canon mounts.

Tamron has announced the SP AF60mm F/2.0 Di II LD (IF) MACRO 1:1 (Model G005), a life-size macro lens for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size image sensors. The lens will have a fast maximum aperture of F/2.0 and an equivalent angle of view of 93mm when converted to the 35mm format. The new life-size macro lens from Tamron is expected to be made available in mounts for Canon, Nikon (with built-in AF motor) and Sony.

Olympus has released a firmware update for the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm lens. The Zuiko Digital 9-18mm lens update increases the responsiveness of the autofocus when using Imager AF (I-AF) with the Live View LCD in some situations.The firmware can be updated through Olympus Master software and go here for more info.

Sony will soon update their DSLR portfolio by releasing six new lenses this year. The lenses in question are:A Super telephoto lens, 28-75mm f/2.8 (both for full-frame), a 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DT, a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT and a 50mm f/1.8 DT and 30mm f/2.8 DT. No further details were available as of now.


[Via Photography Blog ]

Another new lens unveiled by Panasonic at the PMA was the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. The Micro Four Thirds lens has a focal range of 28-280mm and uses four aspherical lenses and two ED lenses to achieve dramatic downsizing despite its powerful 10x optical zoom.

The Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm/F4.0 ASPH is a new ultra wide-angle zoom lens that has a range of 7-14mm (35mm camera equivalent; 14-28mm). When mounted on the DMC-GH1 Lumix G Micro System Camera, the new lens allows use of the advanced contrast AF system, which includes a Face Recognition function.

The newly announced LEICA SUPER-ELMAR-M 18 mm f/3.8 ASPH wide-angle lens has been designed for Leica’s digital M series and film cameras. It has an angle of view of up to 100 degrees and  corresponds to an universal 24 mm wide-angle lens when mounted on a LEICA M8 model.

Canon has expanded its lens portfolio by launching two new Tilt-Shift lenses, the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f/4L. Perfect for landscape and architectural photography, the lenses support ll Canon EOS system single lens reflex camera. The TS-E 17mm f/4L is also the world’s shortest focal length Tilt-Shift lens with full-frame 35mm coverage. The TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II is expected to ship in May for an estimated retail price of $2,199.00. The TS-E 17mm f/4L is expected to ship in May for an estimated retail price of $2,499.00.

Dpreview has reviewed the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens and have mixed feelings about it.  While  the 'do-it-all' travel lens does come recommended however at times the lens was a sub-par performer especially when it came to optical stabilization.T he F6.3 maximum aperture at 200mm also compromises autofocus performance according to the reviewer.

Says the reviewer:
“Overall, then, this isn't a lens for pixel-peepers who above all else demand critical corner-to-corner sharpness in every shot. But for more normal users looking for a versatile, all-in-one travel lens within a budget”.

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM lens  that was first spotted at the Photokina 2008 will retail for £799.99. The lens will be available in Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax mounts.

[Via Dpreview ]

The Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical lens was reviewed by Dpreview. According to the reviewer, the lens works for its remarkable 15x focal length range, its impressive image quality, its vibration correction system and its design. However autofocus was found to be slow and the macro power wasn’t up to power.

Excerpt from conclusion:
“We were overall quite impressed by the Tamron 18-270mm. where it's good, it's actually very good indeed, and even where it's weak it's not too far behind the competition.”

SLR Gear reviewed the Panasonic 14-45mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 OIS lens that also ships with the G1 as its kit lens. On testing the lens, the reviewer found the images to be sharp especially in wide-angle settings. The lens did produce some negligible chromatic aberration and the reviewer also noticed a small amount of barrel distortion at all focal lengths.

Excerpt from conclusion:
“As the first lens to come out of the gate in the Micro Four Thirds system, the 14-45mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 doesn't disappoint, providing more than capable performance in a miniature package. It's not perfect, but its flaws are relatively minor and it complements the G1 camera very well.”