Daily Digital Camera News

Carl Zeiss is back with its latest super-wide-angle lens, the Distagon T* 15mm F2.8. Designed for Canon EF and Nikon F mounts, the lens features an optical formula that consists of 15 lens elements in 12 groups. The Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 is able to focus from only 25cm (10-inch close-focus point) and provides a diagonal angle of view of 110°.

What makes this super wide angle lens special is that it incorporates two aspheric lenses and special types of glass material with abnormal partial dispersion to provide an extraordinary correction of chromatic aberration. This lens has an integrated lens hood and a 95mm filter thread. The Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 will be released in May 2012 at a recommended retail price of €2,148 or US$2,948 (excluding VAT). Watch the video after the jump. Read more…

Nikon Inc. has announced the availability of the new AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G prime lens.
Measuring 80mm x 73mm and weighing 350 grams, this FX-format lens is perfect for shooting stills or HD videos under ideal lighting, in low light, head and shoulder portraiture, weddings or concerts. It has a fixed focal-length of 85mm with a maximum aperture of f/1.8, Nikon’s Internal Focus (IF) system and a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for extremely quiet autofocusing. If you use the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G lens on a DX-format D-SLR such as the Nikon D5100 and D3100, the lens offers an effective field of view of 127mm. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G will be available in March 2012 for $499.95 a pop. Each purchase comes equipped with a 67mm snap-on front lens cap LC-67, a rear lens cap LF-4, a bayonet hood HB-62 and a flexible lens pouch CL-1015. [Nikon]

I can say this is the right time to buy a new Canon lens. B&H Photo has started selling the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens for only US$659. The original price was US$759, so you can save $100! We have posted a new about this lens in August 2011. As a reminder, the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens comprises of 17 elements (including a UD-glass element) in 12 groups. This standard zoom lens offers a focal length range, which is equivalent to 24-136mm in 35mm format. [Product Page]

The Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS (Optical Stabilizer) lens is an all-in-one telephoto zoom lens that offers the equivalent focal range of approx. 29-320mm when used with a Canon digital SLR camera. The lens is perfect for low light photography, since it adopts the OS (Optical Stabilizer) system that minimizes image blur caused by camera shake. This super-zoom lens also has the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed 2-3 stops faster. The Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS lens for Canon and Nikon DSLRs is priced at $399 each. Read more…

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G is a classic portrait lens, which designed primarily for FX-format DSLR cameras. The lens features an ultra fast f/1.4 wide-open aperture along with the rounded 9-blade diaphragm, making it perfect for portraits. There is an M/A focus mode switch, allowing you to quickly change between manual and autofocus. When used with DX-format DSLR cameras, the lens offers a 127.5mm equivalent focal length. Additional specs include the silent wave motor, internal focus, and super integrated coating for enhances light transmission. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G classic portrait lens retails for $1,699.95. [Product Page]

The new Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 APO EX DG ultra-telephoto zoom lens for Nikon DSLR cameras is now available for purchase via Amazon. Priced at $25,999, the lens is ideal for astrophotography, portraits, wildlife, and sports. This ultra-telephoto zoom lens produces high-quality photos thanks to the SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass and three ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements. There is also a super multi-layer coating that reduces flare and ghosting. The Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 APO EX DG uses a Li-ion battery BP-21 to power the zooming and AF operations. [Amazon]