Apr 302013
 

Zeiss officially unveiled their new autofocus lenses for compact system cameras. The new lenses will be available for pre order on May 7 and Zeiss expects them in stores by May 29. 

 
Dubbed “Touit”, the lenses will start with a pair of autofocus prime lenses; a 12mm f/2.8 and a 32mm f/1.8. These lenses will be offered in Sony E-mount (NEX) and Fuji X-mount. Both those camera lines sport APS-C sensors which means the effective focal lengths are 18mm and 48mm respectively. A 50mm Makro lens is expected later this year.
 
Touit?
To quote the Zeiss Lens Blog:

But where does “Touit” come from? This illustrious name was found through to intense international selection procedure. We Followed a concept did is Already well established in the automotive industry: Selecting Certain themes for product names. As for example, one well-known German carmaker names its automobiles after types of winds and currents. We decided to derive the future names of the lenses from the Latin names of birds. That fits well, as Usually birds have excellent eyesight and can take unusual perspectives. Birds are so diverse and lively animals. Further More, the Latin names all have an attractive sound and are common in many languages and cultures.

Ummm, OK. Named after birds. Could be worse, I suppose.

 
Touit is pronounced like the English “do it.” Touit stands for good visibility, agility, mobility and diversity, qualities Which words aptly describe the new ZEISS lenses for mirrorless camera system. Touit The name comes from the band-tailed parrots. This bird is very small and agile, and its plumage is deep green. The Touit parrots live in Latin America and the Caribbean in a wide range of different habitats, from damp Iceland-tropical regions to lowland rainforests to thorn-bush savanna and even high in the Andes Mountains at altitudes of up to over 20,000 feet.
 
The first two focal lengths in the Touit family wants to be the Touit 08/02/12 and 08/01/32 Touit . The names of the optics concept thathave been used in product names until now (for example Distagon or planar), as well as the symbol denoting the T * anti-reflective coating, will continue to appear on the front ring of the lenses. “With the Touit series, we are starting a completely new naming convention,” Explains Martin Dominicus, Head of Marketing of the Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division. “Our lenses will not only be Unmistakable For Their imaging performance, manageability and product design. Their name so will give this family of lenses a very unique identity. “
Apr 172013
 

Valhalla, N.Y., April 17, 2013 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the launch of the FUJINON XF55-200mm (83-300mm*1) F3.5-F4.8 R LM OIS, the first XF telephoto zoom lens for the X-Series Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System that includes the award-winning FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and FUJIFILM X-E1. The all new XF55mm-200mm (83-300mm) F3.5-F4.8 gives photographers a fast aperture across the entire zoom range and outstanding image stabilization for sharp, high resolution images.

“We know that adding this newly designed, advanced telephoto zoom lens to our XF lens line-up will allow photographers who are using our premium X-Pro1 and X-E1 cameras to gain even more shooting flexibility, and also have cutting edge optical technology at their fingertips that enhances the way they capture images,” said Go Miyazaki, president and chief operating officer, FUJIFILM North America Corporation.XF55 200mm OIS FRONT sideways

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Apr 142013
 

Digicam.into has posted an image of the upcoming Fujinon XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS. They further speculate that:

  • the OIS will be good for up to 4.5 stops
  • the AF speed will be very fast due to the use of dual linear motor
  • it will be announce shortly (and later mention April 17th)

Specification unprecedented, AF with dual linear motor will enjoy the performance. Stage so that the 4.5-minute image stabilization as well, I have a pretty powerful thing is likely to be installed. In addition, the specifications such as weight and size of the lens structure because it is previously published in this article please see the.

Release date and announcement date accurate of this lens, but I do not know yet, Fuji Rumors so that said and announced on April 17, it seems highly likely to be officially announced in the near future very in any case .

Fuji xf55 200 s1

Nov 072012
 

Ronkonkoma, NY, November 7, 2012 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lensescameras and flashes, is pleased to announce that the first lens of its new Global Vision lineup, the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM, is now available for the street price of $899.

A 35 14 large01

The 35mm F1.4 DG HSM, is designed for photographers who want to achieve creative, dramatic effects in their photographs. As the first lens released under Sigma’s new Art line, it will feature a new matte finish and overall new design concept, which includes a clearly defined category label on every new lens. This 35mm wide-angle lens with a maximum aperture of 1.4 ensures outstanding performance in low light, and a stunning bokeh background effect to emphasize the subject. “We’re thrilled to break into this category of lenses with a product from our new Global Vision,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “We’re confident that our A1 quality control system, coupled with the industry’s first USB dock, will differentiate our lens in the category. Since it’s so versatile – ideal for scenes including landscapes, portraits, close-ups and studio photography – we think that it will be a hit.” Other features of the new 35mm F1.4 DG HSM include:

  • One “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass lens and four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass lenses to ensure exceptional correction of lateral and axial chromatic aberration, the latter of which cannot be corrected in post production
  • A floating inner focus system to provide extremely high optical performance for close-up photos
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting and provide sharp and high contrast images even in backlit conditions
  • A HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) that ensures high speed, accurate and quiet AF
  • Rubber incorporated into the attachment part of the lens hood, and an improved redesign of the lens cap and AF / MF changeover switch have been improved
  • Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), which has high affinity to metal parts, that are housed internally, increases overall functionality, lifespan, and quality of the lens
  • rounded 9 blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus areas of the image
  • A newly developed USB dock, which will be sold separately and exclusively for new product lines, can be paired with new Sigma Optimization Pro software to update the lens firmware and adjust parameters, such as micro focus adjustment

All of Sigma’s manufacturing – right down to molds and parts – is carried out under an integrated production system, based entirely in Japan. Sigma is now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are solely made in Japan. Every 35mm F1.4 DG HSM will be checked using Sigma’s own MTF measuring system, “A1,” as will all new lenses under the Global vision categories. This system uses 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors to pick up previously undetectable high-frequency details for quality control inspections.

The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM will be available in Sigma, Sony (D), Nikon (D), Pentax and Canon mounts.

To learn more about Sigma’s Global Vision, visit http://www.sigma-global.com. For information about Sigma Corporation of America, visit www.sigmaphoto.com. For more information about Sigma’s lenses, visithttp://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/lenses.

About Sigma Corporation

For more than 50 years, Sigma Corporation’s expertise and innovation has driven the company’s core philosophy of “knowledge, plus experience, plus imagination,” with an emphasis on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology. This family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 50 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Panasonic. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. For information, please visit www.sigmaphoto.com.

Jul 132012
 

RONKONKOMA, NY July 13, 2012 – Sigma Corporation, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lensescameras and flashes, has announced that the Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM will be available in the United States on July 27 for the street price of $1,699.

180mm f28 OS Macro

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Jun 142012
 

(PresseBox) Bad Kreuznach, 14.06.2012, Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH based in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, and its subsidiaries have recorded an increase in operating results by around 14 %. Total sales of 85.5 million euros in 2011 were roughly at prior-year level. Continual growth at the company’s Bad Kreuznach headquarters contributed 51.7 million euros to Group sales, up 6 percent versus the prior-year period. “We have been making major investments at the Bad Kreuznach location and are pleased to see that the headquarters has recorded further growth,” said Schneider Group’s managing director Dr. Josef Staub.

SK JPG2012 MFT14

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May 242012
 

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 24, 2012 – Today, Olympus adds to the Micro Four Thirds family of lenses with the release of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 High-Grade Portrait Lens (150mm equivalent), a high-speed, single-focal-length telephoto lens that is optimized for studio, stage, indoor sports and portrait photography, encased in a high-quality, compact, stunning metal body.

 Mock up EZ M75mm XL

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May 212012
 

SECAUCUS, NJ (May 21, 2012) – Today, Panasonic announced a new digital interchangeable standard zoom lens, the LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-HS12035). The newest addition to the company’s premium lens brand “X,” which is compatible with the Panasonic LUMIX G Series and complies with the Micro Four Thirds™ system standard, this lens offers a versatile zoom range of 12-35mm (35mm camera equivalent: 24-70mm) and features constant F2.8 aperture brightness at entire zoom range. Suitable for professionals and enthusiasts, this new lens captures a wide range of scenes from dynamic landscapes to available light and studio-lit portraits and features superb image rendering for lifelike textures and crisp edge-to-edge contrast.Panasonic 12 35 F28

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May 162012
 

Panasonic is expected to announce a new camera and two new X-Series lenses on May 21. While the camera is interesting to me from a new product perspective, I am very interested in the new lenses.

Photo courtesy of Photorumors.com
Image courtesy of Photorumors.com

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Mar 162012
 

OBERKOCHEN, 16.03.2012. – Carl Zeiss brings out a new super wide angle lens in May 2012. The super wide angle Distagon T* 2,8/15 will be available with an EF (ZE) or F bayonet (ZF.2). With an extra-large angle of view of 110 degrees in combination with a fast f/2.8 aperture, the lens enables the features for dramatic perspectives and performance demanded by the most ambitious landscape and architectural photographers. With a unique ability to capture events in a natural and extraordinary manner, it is also an ideal companion for advertising, journalism and commercial photography.

PI 0021 2012 1 dl

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