Canon News: Clutch of new lenses

Canon have upgraded some of their 'big dog' white lenses, a new 'not-sure-who-will-buy-it' L-series zoom, the two extenders and also a fish-eye zoom too!  They're also on the case updating the 500mm and 600mm f/4 lenses too (Due December 2011)...

Canon EF 300 f/2.8 L IS II and 400 f/2.8 L IS II

As a wildlife photographer, these are the most exciting lenses.  I've hired the 300 f/2.8 L IS for trips to the Arctic and Namibia and would struggle to fault its quality.  Well, it's been improved alongside its closest brother, both with new design and materials meaning a welcome weight saving too.

300mm f/2.8L IS II

• 300mm f/2.8 high-performance super-telephoto lens
• Part of Canon’s acclaimed L series
• Durable, rugged and lightweight
• 4 stop Image Stabilizer
• Enhanced image quality with SWC coating
• 3 IS modes
• Quiet and fast autofocus 

More details here 

Due Late August 2011

400mm f/2.8L IS II

• 400mm f/2.8 ultra-high-performance super-telephoto lens
• Part of Canon’s acclaimed L series
• 4 stop Image Stabilizer
• 3 IS modes
• Durable, rugged design
• Enhanced image quality
• Quiet and fast autofocus 

More details here.

Due Late August 2011

Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM

• High performance telephoto zoom lens
• Part of Canon’s acclaimed L series
• 4 stop Image Stabilizer
• Two UD elements
• Highly resistant to dust and water
• 8 blade circular aperture
• Quiet & fast autofocus
• Compatible with a tripod collar 

(If this tickles your fancy, you may also want to check out one of the 70-200 L IS lenses (there's a new f/2.8 version, or the f/4 one), alongside a 1.4x extender)

More details here. 

1.4x III and 2x III Extenders

• Extends the master lens focal length by 1.4x/ 2.0x
• Outstanding image quality
• Highly resistant to dust and water
• Improved communication between lens and camera
• Optimised lens coatings
• Compatible with L-Series telephoto and telephoto zoom lenses

 More details here.

EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM

• Circular or full frame Fisheye zoom lens
• Part of Canon’s acclaimed L series
• Durable and rugged design
• Quiet and fast autofocus
• Full-time manual focusing
• Easier lens cleaning 

Due late July 2011.

More details here.

Nikon News: new Nikkor lenses

Four new lenses from Nikon:

AF-S NIKKOR 85MM F/1.4G

• Fast f/1.4 aperture
• Newly-developed optical system with 10 elements in 9 groups
• Incorporates Nikon’s exclusive anti-reflection Nano Crystal coat, drastically reducing ghosting and flare
• Dedicated Silent Wave Motor (SWM) to ensure quiet and accurate focusing
• Magnesium body and sealing against moisture and dust 

More details here

AF-S NIKKOR 24-120MM F/4G ED VR

• 5x zoom lens for FX format D-SLR photographers
• Excellent value and performance in a compact package for adventurous photographers everywhere
• Second generation Vibration Reduction system (VR II)
• Design uses Nano Crystal coat, two ED glass elements and no less than three aspherical lens elements to maintain bright, high contrast images
• Very discreet autofocus performance with instant Manual override possible in M/A mode

More details here

AF-S NIKKOR 28-300MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR

• Huge 10.7 zoom ratio makes it the ultimate ‘walkabout’ lens.
• Two ED and three aspherical elements to effectively manage the risk of aberrations that can occur with super-zoom lenses
• Second generation Vibration Reduction system (VR II)
• Can focus as close as 50cm at all focal lengths for added flexibility
• The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) was designed specifically to deliver quiet and accurate AF operation across the extended zoom range with intuitive manual override

More details here

AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300MM F/4.5-5.6G ED VR

 

• 5.5 times zoom ratio offers flexibility by drastically extending the telephoto reach
• Incorporates high quality ED and new HRI (High Refractive Index) glass elements to help deliver crisp images, even under harsh lighting conditions.
• Second generation Vibration Reduction system (VR II)
• Weather sealed mount, which prevents moisture and dust infiltrating the lens or camera sensor

More details here