Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS
After a rather odd prototype leak of one of the lenses, Sony has officially unveiled a pair of super-telephoto lenses in the FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens. [Read more…]
Nikon AF-S 600mm f/4E FL ED VR Lens
Nikon has announced the new AF-S 500mm f/4E FL ED VR and AF-S 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lenses, priced at $10,300 and $12,300, respectively.
The new super telephoto lenses shave pounds off of their predecessors. The new 500mm weighs in at 6.8 lbs (compared to 8.5 lbs for its precessor), while the new 600mm lens weighs 8.3 lbs (compared to 11.5 lbs for its predecessor). [Read more…]
DxO Labs has run the new Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD lens through its DxO Mark tests and indicates that it beats out other “budget” super-telephoto lenses, including Canon’s classic (and more expensive) 100-400mm L lens. Of course, it offers an additional 200mm on the telephoto end over the Canon lens as well.
The Tamron lens was also pitted head-to-head against the Sigma 150-500mm and edged it out as well. Check out the entire comparison and test results over at DxO Mark.
Tamron’s new new 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DI VC USD lens that is set to replace the current 200-500mm version will be available in the US on January 17, 2014. Tamron still hasn’t released pricing on the new lens; however, I would expect it to come in higher than the $949 street price of the existing 200-500mm lens.
Tamron offers a little more detail into the build of the lens with its latest press release.
Employing 20 elements in 13 groups and boasting an advanced optical design, the lens delivers a superior balance of resolution and contrast for sharp, clear images. The front group contains three LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements (two in the first group, one in the third) for enhanced optical correction effectiveness, enabling the lens to thoroughly compensate for on-axis aberrations at the telephoto end. The lens also adopts eBAND Coating, developed from state-of-the-art coating technologies, and conventional BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating to greatly suppress ghosting and flare even when shooting under adverse lighting conditions.
The new 150-600mm lens is already listed at B&H Photo for Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts; however, as noted above, there is no pricing info as of yet.
The long-awaited Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with built-in 1.4x extender is now officially official and can be purchased for $11,799. Better yet, it should start shipping in a couple of weeks at “the end of May.”
The Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM can be pre-ordered here at B&H Photo and here at Adorama.
Based on the hype surrounding this lens, including the rave reviews from Olympic photographers, expect there to be some pre-orders stacking up, which could lead to some delays in meeting the demand. [Read more…]
Evidence that Nikon’s new 800mm behemoth is shipping to customers in China appeared earlier this week on the Mobile01 forums, where a user posted images of his new $18,000 lens. This should serve as good news to US customers who have pre-ordered the super-telephoto lens, as B&H Photo currently lists it as expected to ship next week on April 4.
[via NR]
Alongside the new AF-S 18-35mm lens, Nikon has also unveiled its new super telephoto lens – the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR.
Included with the new lens is the matched AF-S Teleconverter TC800-1.25E ED which was developed exclusively for the 800mm f/5.6 lens. Combined with the 1.25x teleconverter, the new 800mm lens offers a max focal length of 1000mm at a max aperture of f/7.1. On a DX-format camera, the new 800mm lens offers an equivalent focal length of 1200mm – or 1500mm when equipped with the included 1.25x converter.
The lens contains 20 elements (with two fluorite elements and two ED elements) in 13 groups and uses an electromagnetic diaphragm. The built-in Vibration Reduction compensates for four stops of correction.
The AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens should be available in April at a retail price of $17,899.95. Check availability here at B&H Photo.
B&H has the new Canon 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens in stock and now shipping. Check it out here at B&H Photo.
The Pentax DA 560mm F5.6 ED lens is a new super-telephoto lens designed for K-mount DSLRs and offers a 859mm equivalent focal length on crop-sensor cameras like the new Pentax K-5 II. The new 560mm behemoth sports a new HD coating for higher light transmittance with reduced reflection for less flare and ghosting.
The new lens is also designated as an all weather lens with 29 special seals to prevent intrusion of dust and water. The lens features a removable filter holder, which accommodates a 40.5mm circular polarizer that is included and can be rotated using a control ring.
The Pentax DA 560mm F5.6 ED lens retails for $6999.95 and should be available in December 2012. Check availability here at B&H Photo.
The long-delayed Canon 500mm f/4L IS II and 600mm f/4L IS II lenses are finally available for pre-order. Here are the links to B&H for each lens: