Canon News: New 24-70mm and 35mm lenses

Canon have launched a couple of new lenses, details below:

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4 L IS USM

A versatile 24-70mm f/4 L-series lens with macro mode for up to 0.7x magnification. Ultrasonic AF provides fast, near-silent focusing. UD and aspherical elements deliver superb image quality.

• Versatile zoom range for a variety of subjects
• Macro mode for up to 0.7x magnification
• Up to four-stop Image Stabilizer
• Two aspherical and two UD lens elements
• Fast ultrasonic AF
• Sealed against dust and moisture
• Nine-bladed aperture for soft bokeh 

More details here.

 

 Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

A 35mm prime lens with a four-stop Image Stabilizer and f/2 maximum aperture – ideal for low-light photography. Ultrasonic AF is fast and accurate. An aspherical lens element boosts image quality.

• Up to four stops of image stablisation
• Fast f/2 maximum aperture
• Ultrasonic AF for quick and accurate focusing
• Compact, lightweight design
• Eight-bladed aperture for smooth bokeh
• Moulded glass elements for consistent sharpness
• 0.24m minimum focus distance

More details here.

Sigma News: Trio of new lenses and USB Dock

Over at Sigma, they've been busy designing some new lenses and have announced three new ones, outlined below.  Words below from Sigma.

35mm F1.4 DG HSM

Many avid photographers will definitely prefer this 35mm lens to the more conventional 50mm. Using a leading-edge design and state-of-the-art production technology, we've honed its performance to the point where it can do full justice to the expressive power of the very latest digital cameras. At low apertures, for example, it can perform like a wide-angle lens, while if it's opened up to F1.4, it will give the background a pleasing bokeh effect and make the subject pop like a mid-range telephoto lens. What makes this lens so desirable is the wide scope it provides for artistic expression.


17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM

Mainly used for general-purpose photography, this everyday lens covers a range equivalent to 25.5-105mm on a 35mm camera. A large-aperture lens that opens up to F2.8, it's surprisingly compact in size. Great for treasured snapshots of travel or family occasions, it also handles shots that are a little bit more creative. Designed to be the kind of lens you carry around with you all the time, it delivers simplicity and is so user-friendly it's sure to satisfy even the most demanding of users.

 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM

Although high-function digital cameras now deliver improved picture quality at high-ISO settings, adjusting your lens to a large aperture is still the most effective strategy for action shots. And even if you have to take the shots from a less-than-ideal position, as is so often the case when shooting sports or on-stage action, this zoom lens, with its maximum focal length of 300mm, lets you open up the aperture all the way to F2.8. In other words, when conditions are difficult, this high-performance lens gives you more scope to express yourself in the shots you take.

More details here, which also introduces a 'USB dock', for updating firmware, etc. on the lens - an interesting idea to make it available to the end-consumer.

Nikon News: new 35mm and 200mm prime Nikkor lenses

Nikon have launched a couple of new Nikkor lenses.

AF-S NIKKOR 35mm F1.4G

• Professional, wide-angle FX-format lens.
• 35mm focal length (DX equivalent: 52.5mm) with fast f/1.4 aperture.
• Outstanding optical performance: boasts an aspherical lens element for superior resolution and contrast.
• Bright Viewfinder image.
• Nano Crystal coat reduces ghost and flare.
• 9-blade rounded diaphragm opening for super-smooth bokeh.
• SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for quiet and accurate autofocus.
• Durable weather-sealed magnesium body.
• Detachable hood and soft case included.

More details here.

AF-S NIKKOR 200mm F2G ED VRII

• Professional telephoto lens.
• 200mm focal length (DX equivalent 400mm) with fast f/2 aperture.
• Vibration Reduction II (VR II) stabilization system with Normal and Active modes. Lets you use shutter speeds that are up to 4 stops slower.
• Nano Crystal coat reduces ghost and flare.
• Three focus modes: instant manual focus override (M/A), manual (M) and instant auto focus override (A/M) that prioritizes autofocus even when the focus ring is in use.
• Closest focusing distance: 1.9 m.
• Three ED (Extra low Dispersion) and one super-ED glass elements ensure high resolution and superior contrast.
• SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for quiet, accurate autofocus.
• Durable weather-sealed magnesium body with meniscus glass to protect the front element.

More details here.

New Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

New Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G