From Reuters:</p>
<p>Toshiba Corp is set to sell its image sensor business to Sony Corp for around 20 billion yen ($164.68 million) as part of a restructuring plan laid out earlier this year, sources with knowledge of the deal said on Saturday.</p>
<p>Toshiba, whose businesses range from laptops to nuclear power, is undergoing a restructuring after revelations this year that it overstated earnings by $1.3 billion going back to fiscal 2008/09.</p>
<p>Image sensors, which are used in digital cameras and smartphones, are part of Toshiba’s system LSI semiconductor business. Toshiba plans to sell its image sensor manufacturing plant in Oita, southern Japan, and pull out of the sensor business altogether, said the sources, who declined to be identified.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/24/us-toshiba-divestiture-sony-idUSKCN0SH2N320151024" target="_blank">Read More…</a></p>
<p><em>Photo Credit // REUTERS/YUYA SHINO</em></p>

<p>Usually around the time of a DSLR announcement, there’s talk about Canon using a third party sensor in the camera. We have always dismissed those rumors and sure enough, the announced camera comes with a Canon sensor.</p>
<p>We’re being told that Canon is actively testing a third party full frame sensor in a DSLR. Along with the third party sensor, they’re testing the same camera with Canon made sensor.</p>
<p>After <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/canon-develops-aps-h-size-cmos-sensor-with-approximately-250-megapixels/">Canon’s recent development announcement of a 250mp sensor</a>, it’s obvious Canon is not getting out of the sensor business altogether, but I suppose it’s possible that some non flagship products could see a third party sensor. We don’t know the business advantages of using a third party sensor, but we’d imagine it would lower the cost of development.</p>

<p>The recent announcement for the 20mm f/1.4 Art from Sigma was somewhat of a surprise, considering there’s already a 24mm f/1.4 Art. Though the 20mm perspective should provide enough difference from the 24mm to be a popular addition to the Art series line of lenses.</p>
<p>We’re told Sigma will continue to be aggressive with new lens releases into 2016 and that the following lenses should be expected some time during the year. 2016 is a Photokina year, and Sigma usually announces a good number of products for the German, bi-annual trade show.</p>
<ul>
<li><em>Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art</em>

This is easily the most requested addition to the Art series of lenses. Most, including us, expected it to be the next Art prime from Sigma. We’re told to expect it in the second half of 2016 and that the lens is in prototype form.</li>
<li><em>Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 Art OS</em>

Sigma is actively working on a 24-70 f/2.8 Art OS lens. We’re told it’s a completely new optical formula for the focal range from Sigma. With Nikon releasing a VR version of their 24-70 f/2.8, we expect Sigma to get on the stabilized bandwagon.</li>
<li><em>Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS Sport</em>

We’re told this lens has been in active development for quite some time and that Sigma is working diligently on the autofocus performance such a lens would demand. This could be a Photokina 2016 lens.</li>
</ul>
<p>Sigma is actively working on about 12 lenses we’re told and we should also expect a new art series wide angle prime, as well as new supertelephoto lenses over the next 12-18 months.</p>
<p>The bad news? There is no active development of a follow-up to the Sigma 200-500 f/2.8.</p>

ZY Optics, the makers of the Mitakon Speedmaster 135mm f/1.4 lens has made it available for preorder. You are required to put down a $500USD non-refundable deposit on the $2999 lens to reserve your copy of the lens. Production of the lens is going to be limited to 100 units.</p>
<ul>
<li>$2999 USD</li>
<li>Only 100 lenses will be made.</li>
<li>$500 non-refundable deposit for pre-ordering. Refund will only be arranged if the lens cannot be delivered to you. Balance due before shipping.</li>
<li>Tentative delivery in early 2016. (Subject to the development process)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.zyoptics.net/product/pre-order-mitakon-speedmaster-135mm-f1-4/" target="_blank">Preorder the Mitakon Speedmaster 135mm f/1.4</a></strong></p>