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New Sigma Lenses

February 20th, 2010 | 126 Comments | Posted in Third Party Lenses

Lots of new goodies from Sigma
Sigma has launched a bunch of new lenses, a new dslr and 2 updated DP series cameras.

Lenses
- 85 f/1.4 (Knew about this one a while back, it has to be great to offset the 2 Canon 85’s)

- 70-200 f/2.8 OS

- 17-55 f/2.8 OS

- 8-16 f/4.5-5.6 (This could be a neat lens)

- 50-500 OS (Bigma needed an upgrade)

cr



Cosina APO-LANTHAR 90mm F3.5 SL II for EF

February 17th, 2010 | 43 Comments | Posted in Third Party Lenses

Press Release (Google Translated)
Cosina has announced the Voigtländer-branded Apo-Lanthar 90mm F3.5 SL II close focus lens for Canon, Nikon and Pentax mounts. Maintaining the same 50cm minimum focusing distance and optical construction of the previous, SL version, the lens has been redesigned with a smaller body. Additionally, by mounting the included close up lens, its closest focusing distance can be reduced down to 32cm, giving a magnification ratio of 1:1.8. Priced at ¥58,000 (~ US $645) for the Canon EF mount and ¥55,000 (~ US $610) for the Nikon Ai-S mount and Pentax KA mount, it will be available in Japan from early March 2010.

Read More: http://translate.google.com/translate?

http://www.cosina.co.jp/

thanks Clark

cr

*FINISHED* Lomography Giveaway

December 14th, 2009 | 31 Comments | Posted in Contests, Third Party Lenses

Contest Over
Thanks to everyone that entered. The winners of the contest will be announced soon.

Lomography for EOS!
The kind folks at Lomography have donated a bundle of their Diana F+ lenses to use with your Canon EOS Camera.

All this could be yours!

All this could be yours!

What is Lomography?
The Lomographic movement started upon the discovery of the Lomo Kompakt Automat (aka the LC-A) in 1991. The compact-sized Russian camera became renowned for its unique effects such as light leaks, vignette shadowing, and rich, saturated colours. As its fan base grew overtime, the community expanded into a worldwide phenomenon, filling every space with a stream of Lomographs to build amazing Lomowalls. From then on, the community has not stopped coming up with all sorts of creative analogue ideas (and we have not stopped cooking up with fun and exciting Lomographic tools, as well!) that keep Lomographers busy tinkering with their special projects, exhibitions, and collaborations.

I want to see examples
This is a great gallery of some truly creative images, please take a look: Lomography Gallery

Secondary Prize?
You bet! I’ll be giving away a couple of Canon Rumors t-shirts!

The Catch?
You will receive a newsletter from time to time from Lomography. You can opt out of it later.

cr

Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM

December 4th, 2009 | 30 Comments | Posted in Third Party Lenses

Joy!
Sigma has updated their pretty popular 17-70 to include optical stabilization.

Press Release

"Shake me"

"Shake me"

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM.

This large aperture standard zoom lens offers an aperture of F2.8 at the 17mm focal length and is ideal for many situations such as portraits, sports, macro and general photography. The OS (Optical Stabiliser) function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. For Sony and Pentax mount, the built-in OS function of this lens can be used even if the camera body is equipped with an anti-shake function. As the compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder, the photographer can easily check for accurate focus and ensure there is no subject movement. The maximum aperture of F2.8 produces an attractive background blur and improves autofocus speed.

This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 22cm (8.6 inches) throughout the entire zoom range and maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7, making it ideal for close-up photography. It is possible to focus as close as approximately 4.7cm from the tip of the lens to the subject making this lens particularly useful for close-up photography.

Three aspherical lenses and one ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass element provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides high contrast images. The incorporation of HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures a quiet and high speed AF. This lens has a rounded 7 blade diaphragm which creates an attractive blur to the out of focus areas of the image. The inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the supplied petal-type lens hood and circular polarising filters.

cr

Filtering Protruding Front Element Lenses

November 1st, 2009 | 31 Comments | Posted in Third Party Lenses

Eureka!
I am told that there is a high end filter company working on a solution to the issue of filtering protruding front elements on select lenses. The 2 lenses in most need of filters are Nikon’s 14-24 and Canon’s 17mm TS-E. The solution should be available sometime in 2010.

It sounds easy enough to do, but the issue is flare, cost and most importantly; ease of use.

The source couldn’t say which company at the moment, but it’s coming soon.

cr

Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/28 for EF

October 12th, 2009 | 23 Comments | Posted in Third Party Lenses
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/28 ZE

Car Zeiss Distagon T* 2/28 ZE

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 12.10.2009. : The breaking dawn is a special time for photo- graphers. When the early-morning sun reluctantly chases away the still-glistening dew on the trees, this delicate transition between night and day creates moments of calm and anticipation. But without a tripod at hand, these shots will only succeed with a lens that can handle intense light.

Carl Zeiss today introduces the wide-angle lens Distagon T* 2/28 ZE with EF bayonet, suitable for all analog and digital EOS camera models. With an initial aperture opening of 1:2, it is among the most light-intense of its kind in its focal length. From landscape photography at dawn to interior shots with weak lighting and close-up portraits, the Distagon T* 2/28 ZE offers photographers plenty of room for creativity when a tripod is not used. Following the recent introduction of its two ultra-wide-angle lenses, the Distagon T* 3,5/18 ZE and the T* 2,8/21, the new Distagon T* 2/28 ZE is Carl Zeiss’ first moderate wide-angle lens with EF bayonet.

More »

Samyang Delays 14mm f/2.8

October 8th, 2009 | 13 Comments | Posted in Third Party Lenses

From DPReview
Samyang Optics has announced a delay in production of its new 14mm f/2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical lens. According to the company, the delay is due to partial redesigning of the lens construction and further improvements. The lens will now be available in the first quarter of 2010.

cr

News & Notes

September 22nd, 2009 | 95 Comments | Posted in Canon 7D, Third Party Lenses

7D Next Week around the globe
According to Rob Galbraith, sources and countless emails. The 7D should be shipping to dealers next week in the US and Canada.

7D Features & EOS
Just an interesting note. The Dutch EOSZine (Canon’s own monthly journal, www.eoszine.nl) states in its 7D preview (page 12/13) that if the 7D is too expensive “you’ll find that all mentioned innovations will be applied in all EOS models in a year time” (rough translation).

thanks Dutch

Samyang 35 f/1.2 for EF
We should be seeing a new fast prime from Samyang early next year. Canon will receive a 35 f/1.2 while other manufacturers receive an f/1.4. Apparently one of the advantages of the EF mount (larger bayonet).

Read More: http://photorumors.com/2009/….

cr