February 6th, 2012, Saitama, Japan － Tamron Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of optical equipment, announced the development of the SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A007), a full-size high-speed standard zoom lens equipped with VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive), with resolution at the top of its class.

The price and availability of the SP 24-70mm will be announced at a later date.

Product Features

• A full-size, high-speed standard zoom with built-in VC ( Vibration Compensation). Even when shooting in low-light conditions with a slow shutter speed to render sharpness, Tamron’s acclaimed VC allows for stable handheld camera work, to more fully enjoy the benefits of this high-speed zoom lens.
• Uses special high-grade glass in the three LD elements, three glass molded aspherical lenses, one hybrid aspherical lens and two XR (Extra Refractive Index) glasses, delivering top-of-the-class quality images suited to this high-grade lens. Using a rounded diaphragm, the lens achieves gorgeous blur effects. This rounded diaphragm retains a nearly circular shape even when taken two stops down from its fully open state.
• Features Tamron proprietary USD ( Ultrasonic Silent Drive) to power a speedy AF drive together with a continuous manual mechanism.
• This high-speed standard zoom lens has a wide-end focal length of 24mm that expands the photographic area.
• The lens adopts the new technology including the latest optical design, VC ( Vibration Compensation) image stabilization and USD ( Ultrasonic Silent Drive), all in a lighter and more compact package.
• Moisture-resistant construction helps prevent water from penetrating the lens.

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New Tokina
Tokina has announced a replacement for their hightly regarded AT-X 11-16 f/2.8 for APS-C sensors.

AT-X 116 PRO DX Ⅱ

• 11 ~ 16mm F2.8 (IF) ASPHERICAL
• Retail Price: ¥ 90,000 (tax not included with hood)
• Product photography is Nikon mount specification.
• Nikon digital (APS-C)
• Will be released in late March 2012.
• Canon digital (APS-C)
• Will be released in late July 2012.

Tokina at B&H

Below is a Google translated spec list

The newly developed SD-M (Silent Drive-Module)
Using high-quiet DC motor, sealed by the shape and integral gear reducer motor, quiet to significantly enhanced.

GMR sensor (magnetic sensor Precision)
AT-X 16-28 F2.8 PRO FX like, AT-X 116 PRO DX II to the GMR sensor mounted directly under the high-resolution focus. Focus control enables precise than the rotation detection sensor is used as a normal AF sensor control, and succeeded in accelerating the speed AF as a result.

Adoption of new coating
AT is well received generally taken to improve the multi-coating as well as X 116 PRO DX has a more smooth gradation of the shadows.

Achieved by adopting high-dimensional depiction of ultra-low dispersion glass and aspherical lens
P-aspheric lens placed in front of the group MO. Together with molded glass aspherical lens placed in the rear lens group which, while correcting the distortion, we are ideally each aberration correction. In addition, SD very close to fluorite (ultra low dispersion) glass, “FK03″ by adopting two, we aim to eliminate chromatic aberration.

Compact and good operability
The one-touch focus clutch, AF-MF transition is simply sliding the focus ring to the front side. Feeling when manual focus, reasonable torque in the sense focus ring allows precise focusing.

While a large aperture zoom F2.8, achieve a minimum focusing distance 0.3m. Effective in taking advantage of the change in perspective drawing.

In addition, the filter size is 77mm. Frequent use C-PL Filter also available.

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Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 25 f/2
B&H has limited quantity of the new Zeiss Distagon 25 f/2 that was announced at the end of October.

As per most of the Zeiss lenses, it’s coming highly regarded. Here’s just one review.

Zeiss Distagon T* 25 f/2 @ B&H for $1699

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Stolen at CES?
The Sigma 180 f/2.8 OS Macro lens that was showcased at CES 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada has gone missing.

The lens was one of 2 pre-production models believed to be in existence. If you took it, give it back. For the record, I touched it, but I left it at the Sigma booth.

Source: [PP]

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Off to Sigma
The first place I wanted to head to was Sigma and checkout the new Sigma 180 f/2.8 OS Macro lens. It’s the first 180mm f/2.8 macro lens ever produced. Sigma hasn’t yet issued an official press release on the lens. The other lenses announced by Sigma were for the mirrorless market.

The new macro lens intro | Sigma 200-500 f/2.8 & my wife.

First Impressions
It’s an impressive size for a macro lens. It’s larger than the Canon 180 f/3.5L by a fair margin. Especially in width. The front element is quite impressive and it weighs accordingly. The tripod collar seems extremely solid and the switches on the side are of decent quality. The fit and finish on the lens is about what you’d expect from Sigma. This is another lens that no longer has the spray on hair coating of Sigma lenses in the past.

The lens didn’t have a lens hood on, so I have no idea how much that would extend the size of this large macro lens. I’ve yet to use a macro lens that isn’t sharp, and by appearance alone, this will probably continue the trend. I only hope Sigma has used quality parts inside the lens and quality control is up to par at launch.

The Sigma 180mm f/2.8 OS Macro & 5D Classic

Availability & Pricing?
The official word I received from the representatives at the Sigma booth was the price was unknown and it would begin shipping in March.

I asked about more Sigma lenses in the pipeline and received the usual “no comment” and a smile.

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CES/PMA Announcement
Sigma will be announcing new photographic products on January 10, 2012 according to their web site.

There could be new cameras, both SD and DP as well as mirrorless lenses. We were told about new DSLR lenses that could be announced in January.

Source: [Sigma] via [PR]

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens @ Adorama (Save $100)

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From Sigma
I received word that a few lenses are on schedule to be announced in 2012.

Lots of people would welcome some updated fast wide angle primes that dont cost $1500.

Lenses Mentioned

• 24 f/1.8 (Full Frame)
• 35 f/1.8 (Full Frame)
• 300 f/2.8 OS
• 500 f/4.5 OS

It may have been suggested that the 500 could turn out to be an f/4, I had a hard time with translation.

From Tamron
I’m told a new superzoom is on schedule. Something in the 18-300 range. An updated 70-200 f/2.8 VC was mentioned as well as a new macro.

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From Zeiss
Through the special optical design and the targeted selection of optical glass, chromatic aberrations are virtually eliminated on the Distagon T* 2/25. The effective correction of distortion and field curvature is attributable to the inclusion of two aspheric lens surfaces. The floating elements design ensures high quality across the entire image field. The Distagon T* 2/25 is practically distortion-free.

With outstanding image quality even at maximum aperture, the Distagon T* 2/25 proves particularly advantageous in indoor photography without the use of a tripod – even in difficult lighting conditions. With this lens, you can take wide-angle shots which look natural and dynamic at the same time, thanks to the large angle of view. Whatever the application, this lens goes beyond the bounds of creativity.

Technical Specifications

• Focal length: 25 mm
• Aperture range: f/2.0 – f/22
• Focusing range: 0.25 m – infinity
• Number of elements/groups: 11/10
• Angular field, diag./horiz./vert: 81°/71°/51°
• Coverage at close range: 219 x 144 mm
• Filter thread M 67 x 0,75
• Dimensions (with caps): ø 71 – 73 mm, length 95 – 98 mm
• Weight: 570-600 g
• Camera mounts: EF Mount & F Mount

Official Zeiss Product Page

thanks Bruce

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New Lenses from Germany
Apparently a couple of new Zeiss lenses are just around the corner.

• ZE 25 f/2
• ZE 15 f/2.8

Both lenses are said to become available for ZE and ZF mounts.

Via Email and [ZR]

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Fujinon Lenses
A brief email this AM stated Fuji will announce Fujinon lenses for the EF mount in March. No other details were given. This is the first time I’ve heard anything on the topic. Grain of salt and all that.

There have been mentions elsewhere from time to time that Fuji wasn’t finished in the DSLR business.

*UPDATE*
This could also be lenses for video as pointed out by a few people, though the information did specify EF.

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EF Mount for your iPhone 3 or iPhone 4
I was waiting, and waiting, and Photojojo finally did it. A lens mount adaptor for your EF lenses and the iPhone 3 & 4!

I love cool and unique “why the heck not” products. I hope to get my hands on one and adapt an EF 800 f/5.6L IS to it and go birding. That’s right…. birding with an iPhone!

The iPhone 4 version is $249 USD and the iPhone 3 version is $190. A steal for most photography accessories.

Product Page

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A new epic Zeiss
You can buy the new Zeiss 35 f/1.4 for Canon from B&H for $1843.00

You can also rent it from LensRentals.com for as little as $64.50 + shipping.

I’ve heard amazing things about this lens. The guys at LensRentals are crazy about it, or just crazy.

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We previously reported Sigma would be updating some of their large primes.

[PR] via [EG] &  have posted a patent for a new Sigma 500 f/4 supertelephoto lens.

With the price of the new Canon offerings, there’s going to be lots of room for other companies to make big glass more affordable.

Patent Information:

• Patent: 2011-70043
• Patent filing date: Sept 28, 2009
• Focal length: 489.9938
• Aperture: 4.1004
• Angle of view: 5.0498 °
• Back Focus 90.3449mm

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Sigma adding to the prime lineup
With the success and quality of the Sigma 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.4, I’m told they’ll be adding more fast primes to the lineup over the next 18 months.

Lenses on the horizon may include a 24  f/1.4, 35 f/1.4 and 135 f/2.

Sigma will also continue to update lenses by adding OS to them. The 300 f/2.8 may be the first to get OS along with the 500 f/4.5. With the pricing of the new Canon lenses in these focal ranges, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Sigma do something 20% cheaper.

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