Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

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Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens is designed for Canon EOS DSLRs that have an APS-C format sensor (1.6x crop).  The 18-135mm range is equivalent to a 29-216mm angle of view in a 35mm or full frame camera.

The EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens will be available in September 2009 at an initial retail price of $499.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Canon News Release

Canon’s new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens is the perfect Image Stabilized lens for advanced photographers looking for a wide-angle zoom lens with telephoto capabilities. Featuring a compact IS unit with shake correction up to four shutter speed steps, the zoom range of this lens is equivalent to 29-216mm on a full-frame camera.

 

Shooting Big Cities at Night While Traveling Light

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Serenity

You’re in a big, dreamy city at night. Mesmerized by the bright lights contrasting with the beautiful, deep blackness of the night sky, you want to take pictures and capture the stunning gorgeousness before you. However, if you don’t have a Full-Frame DSLR like a Canon 5D MK II or Nikon D700, then chances are that you will have a harder time capturing cleaner images as the smaller sensors don’t have the pixel density or algorithms programmed in to them to deliver the shots that you want. Here’s a couple of things to remember when you go out shooting at night and to get the image almost perfect the first time around with little post-process development.

The following article has been written after many trials with a Canon XSi and Olympus E-510. The former has an APS-C sized sensor while the latter is a 4/3rds camera. Each has their own limitations and differences that can be overcome while traveling with a small kit. I never shoot on Auto: it’s either Manual, Aperture, or Program for me. [Read more…]

Nikon AF-S 10-24MM F/3.5-4.5G ED DX Lens

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The Nikon AF-S 10-24MM F/3.5-4.5G ED DX lens is a new, wide angle lens for Nikon crop-sensor DSLRs – hence the DX designation in the lens name. The 10-24mm lens has 35mm focal length equivalent of 15-36mm. It will be available in May 2009 for a retail price of $899.95.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Tamron SP AF60mm F/2.0 Di II LD (IF) MACRO 1:1

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The Tamron SP AF60mm F/2.0 Di II LD (IF) MACRO 1:1 is a lens for Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts.  The 1:1 macro spec will produce life-sized images for serious macro work.  The Di II designation indicates that the new 60mm lens is compatible only with APS-C sized DLSR sensor (i.e., crop-sensors). Check availability at Amazon.com.

More details on the Tamrom 60mm f/2 macro lens in the press release below. [Read more…]

Sigma 50-200mm F4-5.6 DC OS HSM

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The Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM (above middle) is a new consumer-level telephoto zoom lens for crop-sensor DSLRs like the Nikon D60 and Canon Rebel XSi.

The optical stabilization helps to reduce camera shake induced blur and allows you to use slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible.  The hypersonic focusing motor makes for quicker autofocusing.

The Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM will be available for Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax DSLRs.

More details from Sigma’s press release below. [Read more…]

Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM

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Announced at PMA 2009, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM (at left in above photo) is a welcomed addition to its ever-growing line-up of crop-format lenses.

Two features really make this lens stand out.  Optical stabilization helps reduce camera-shake induced blur and allows the steady-handed photographer to use slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible when shooting hand held.  Sigma’s hypersonic focusing motor is known for its speed and, in my experience, rivals the real world use of Canon USM-equipped lenses of similar max aperture ranges.

The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM will be available in Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax mounts.

More details from Sigma’s press release below. [Read more…]

Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM

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The Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM builds upon Sigma’s popular 10-20mm f/4-5.6 lens with a brighter f/3.5 aperture.  The new lens continues with the same EX build quality and speedy hypersonic autofocus motor.  The Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM will be available for Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax DSLRs.

More details from Sigma’s press release below. [Read more…]

Sony’s New Alpha Lenses – Up Close

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Unfortunately, details are slim on Sony’s new super telephoto lens; however, I did manage to get some up close images of all of the new lenses from Sony.  No details on the focal length of the super telephoto lens or anything else, other than what you see in the mock up models.

Again, the new lens lineup is as follows:

Undisclosed Sony G Super Telephoto

28-75mm f/2.8

DT 30mm f/2.8 Macro

DT 50mm f/1.8

DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6

Expect some of these lenses to start hitting the market possibly as soon as this Summer.  Sorry, but that’s all the detail that Sony is giving us for now.

Plenty more images below. [Read more…]

Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and TS-E 17mm f/4L Tilt-Shift Lenses

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Canon has announced two new tilt-shift lenses for landscape and architectural photographers, the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and TS-E 17mm f/4L. The TS-E 24mm lens is priced at $2199. The TS-E 17mm lens is priced at $2499.  Check availability for each:

TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II

TS-E 17mm f/4L

Get more details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 Nikon Mount Lens Rumor

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Rumors are swirling that Voigtlander will soon release a 20mm f/3.5 lens for the Nikon mount.  Rumored specs are as follows:

  • Expected Release Date: February 28, 2009
  • Focal length: 20mm
  • Angle: 94 degrees
  • Relative aperture: 1:3.5
  • Minimum aperture 6 of 9 pieces: F22
  • Minimum focusing distance: 0.2m
  • Number of diaphragm blades: 9 pieces
  • Weight: 205g
  • Maximum total length × diameter: 63 × 28.8mm
  • Filter size: 52mm
  • Mounting: Ai-s

[DPR forum via mapcamera.com] I’m questioning the release date, and as a result, the source, a bit.  February 28 is a Saturday.