Ronkonkoma, NY, Oct. 14, 2010 – Sigma Corporation of America (www.sigmaphoto.com), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce that the company’s 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lens is now available for purchase in the United States for the MSRP of $1,400 and the estimated street price of $899.
This large aperture, medium telephoto lens is optimized for use with full-frame, DSLR cameras and is especially ideal for portrait and low light photography. When used on digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, it effectively becomes a 127.5mm F1.4 lens.
“This lens is an excellent addition to our prime lens line-up and is a great performer for a variety of photographers. For the sports or photojournalist photographer, the Hyper Sonic Motor will keep up with fast-paced action sequences; the 1.4 maximum aperture provides the ability to work at high shutter speeds under low existing light conditions,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. “That same high-speed aperture is great for a portrait photographer who is looking to isolate details in their subject, with a pleasant, out-of-focus background. One-touch, full-time manual focus is perfect for the critical, professional photographer.”
The 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM also contains one Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass element and a glass mold element to offer excellent correction for all types of aberrations and to ensure superior optical performance. This lens is equipped with a rear focus system that minimizes fluctuation of aberration caused by focusing.
The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost, even in backlight photography. The lens has a round, nine-blade diaphragm, which creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus images, and comes with a petal-type hood to block out extraneous light. For digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, Sigma provides a dedicated hood adapter to expand the length of the lens hood and to block out extraneous light more effectively.
CR’s Take
I’m a big fan of the Sigma 50 f/1.4. I cannot wait to try the 85 out, this is definitely a lens and focal length I will review.
Preorder
$899 @ B&H Photo
$899 @ Adorama
cr
Time to address the questions
I am getting a ton of questions regarding the 5D Mark II and how much longer it’s going to be a current camera. While I obviously have nothing definitive, there are been a few pieces of information come my way in regards to a Canon roadmap.
5D Mark III
- A Q2/Q3 announcement in 2011, this is not yet decided within Canon.
- Big megapixel boost, 28mp +
- Continue to build on EOSHD and supreme image quality.
- A variant of the 7D AF system.
- I can’t see them not calling it 5D Mark III, the 5D name carries a lot of weight.
- Expect it to be in the same $2699 range the 5D Mark II was at launch.
- Obvious ergonomic upgrades.
I get asked a lot if people are safe to buy a 5D Mark II now. The answer is “yes”, it’s a great camera today and it’ll still be a great camera in a year.
There is not a lot of urgency for Canon & Nikon to launch new higher end cameras in the current economic climate. Things look to improve in 2011. The 5D Mark II also still sells extremely well.
Forum Moderator
I need a couple of forum moderators, just send “Canon Rumors Guy” a message from within the forum.
cr
A lot of people are waiting for this lens.
Check out a video made with the upcoming EF 8-15 f/4L Fisheye lens. It’s going to be a very fun lens to use. They used a 5D Mark II and 7D to make the film.
All signs point to us not being able to buy this lens until January.
Click the image for the movie
thanks arpad
cr
New Firmware!
Firmware Version 1.0.7 incorporates the following fixes.
- Fixes a rare phenomenon in which “Cannot create folder” is displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor, after which shooting is no longer possible with the SD card in your camera.
Download Firwmare
cr
Canon Cross Media Station
This ingenious little device will charge your camera and pull your images and video from the cameras. It was shown at the Canon EXPO and looked cool then, and looks even cooler now. You’ll also be able to view your images via HDMI from the device.
Check Engadget for more and video!
thanks charles
cr
TS-E 90 f/2.8L?
Over at northlight and in my inbox there was a mention to expect a TS-E 90 replacement next year. I’d expect such a lens to get the “L” treatment.
cr
SX130 IS 1.0.1.0 Firmware Update
New firmware for the budget superzoom.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which the audio and video get recorded out of sync when shooting movies with the image quality set to high definition (1280×720 pixels).
- This phenomenon occurs gradually from the starts of recording and becomes more noticeable as the recording time gets longer.
- The longest HD movies this model can record at one time are approximately 10 minutes in length.
- This phenomenon occurs only when the image quality is set to HD; it does not occur in the other settings (640×480 pixels or 320×240 pixels)
Download Here
Thanks Warren
cr
No Destruction of Camera Neccessary
Zunow have released a new PL-Mount for Canon DSLR’s that doesn’t require you to mangle your 5D Mark II‘s. There will be no moving the sensor, changing electronics or the best part, no voiding your warranty.
The news you want to know? It’s going to set you back about $2800 USD. The mount uses optical glass to achieve its goal.
From Zunow
This is the very first PL Mount where you don’t have to modify your Canon DSLR camera. This means you don’t have to send it away and hope it will get back to you in one piece. Also your standard Canon warranty will still be in affect when you use this adapter.
Thanks to the high quality optical glass inside the PL Mount we can create a perfect 35mm light circle around your full frame sensor. So you can film with your Canon DSLR without any distorsion or lost in depth of field.
The Zunow PL Mount 5D comes standard with a V-lock support plate. This will support your PL Mount with a heavy cinematic lens attached. Thanks to the V-lock system you can mount you DSLR onto every quick release adapter. So easy to use onto your tripod.
If you like to know more regarding this PL Mount please fill in our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
From Cinescopophilia via Zunow
thanks David
cr
Lots to come
2011 will be the year of the lens, Canon is set to do a big refresh of their lens lineup in 2011. Nikon has done it in 2010.
The first lens I’m still told will be the 24-70 redo, and we already know about the 500 & 600.
The lenses being replaced will be popular flagship type lenses to improve resolution power. The next 1Ds and 5D will be big megapixel cameras (sorry, they’re not done with that yet).
Does that mean no EF-S lenses? The only one I could getting a refresh is the 60 macro. I’d like to see the 17-55 get a build quality upgrade (they break a lot as a rental item).
There was also this interview that mentions a big commitment to the EF mount and new products.
Canon’s Mirrorless Entry
“It’s a 2012 product”
That’s all I was told about that.
The Photographic, Video & Digital Imaging Show
I’ll be heading to Toronto/Mississauga next Friday to attend the Henry’s show. There won’t be anything new there, but I can bother the Canon reps. I’m hoping more of the new lenses will be available to touch.
Happy Thanksgiving Canada!
cr
Adorama is showing in stock for the following cameras.
The price watch pages have been updated with the new PowerShots.
60D Review Coming
The M9 review was well received and I enjoyed doing it. I’m going to follow the same formula for the 60D review. Do not expect to see the review soon, I want to use the camera for a while and try to make good photographs with it. I’m debating whether to take it to Kenya with me in November. I might split the review into 2 parts, keep an eye out.
Canon Rumors is Moving
Canon Rumors is in the process of switching hosts, there could be a hiccup or two in the next couple of days.
cr
