There are two different versions of the lens, one built for the full-size iPad and the other built specifically for the iPad mini. The full-size iPad version sports a 10x zoom, while the iPad mini lens has a 12x zoom. The lens also comes with a minimalistic case for your iPad that allows you to attach the lens to the tablet.

The two lenses also have manual focus rings on them so that way you can adjust the photos to your liking, offering you a bit of manual control over the iPad’s camera app, which leaves a lot to be desired in that respect. The lens is about the size of a small handheld flashlight, and it quickly screws on and off the iPad shell for easy storage when you’re not using it.

As for price, you’re looking at $25 for one of these lenses, which isn’t too terrible, considering that a smartphone lens from the same company is around the same price. As far as compatibility, Photojojo says that the full-size iPad lens will only work with the 3rd- and 4th-gen iPads, although you may be able to squeeze it on the iPad 2 if you really wanted to.

The 30mm f/1.4 lens is designed for large-aperture APS-C format cameras, and the angle of view is equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm camera. The lens promises to deliver the highest level of image quality, thanks to a Hyper Sonic Motor for quiet, high-speed autofocusing, as well as a 9-blade rounded diaphragm that creates a bokeh effect. It also has a brass bayonet mount designed to withstand long-term use. The lens has been specifically optimized to reduce field curvature and improve focusing capabilities.

The 60mm f/2.8 DN lens is designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, as well as Sony E-mount shooters. It has an angle of view equivalent to 120mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The lens contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize chromatic aberration. The lens is specifically created for telephoto shooting and portrait work, and it will be available in both silver and black.

Sigma’s other new 30mm lens is a f/2.8 lens also meant for Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount cameras. This lens is meant for everyday shooting and is engineered as an all-around lens that you can anywhere. It’s also perfect for casual and formal portraiture, and documentary photography. The lens includes a double-sided aspherical lens that improves its optical performance.

Last, but not least, the 19mm f/2.8 DN is yet another Micro Four Thirds and E-mount lens that has an angle of view equivalent to 38mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 28.5mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). This lens is designed for street shooting, as well as landscape, architecture, and studio work.

Pricing and availability on these lenses have yet to be disclosed, but Sigma says that the 30mm f/1.4 lens is expected to arrive in a couple of months, while we have yet to hear a release window for the other three lenses.

The lens is constructed mostly from metal parts and features the same Snapsnot Focus mechanism with a distance indicator as already seen on the premium 12mm lens, which allows for easy pan focusing with the built-in distance indicator. Extra-low reflection optical coatings were also applied to the lens to help reduce lens flare and ghosting, even when shooting against the light.

The focus ring on the new lens can be used to quickly snap between manual- and auto-focus modes, and sliding the ring back reveals range markings on the lens barrel that include distance and depth-of-field scales, which act as useful guides when optimizing the focal distance. There’s also a high Refractive index lens to help reduce aberrations.

The lens measures less than two inches long, which makes it compact and easy to carry around. The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.8 lens will be priced at around $500, and should be available sometime next month. A release date and price in the UK is still yet to be determined by Olympus.

It can maintain its f/4 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range, and is made up of 15 lens elements split into 12 groups. The aperture is a 9-blade circular and Canon has used inner focusing and a ring-type ultrasonic motor for quieter use, though which supports manual override at any time.

The EF 24-70 f/4L IS USM measures in at 93mm long, is dust and water resistant, and comes with a pouch and reversible lens hood. It’ll hit shelves in December, priced at $1,499.

As for the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM prime, that’s the fruits of the company’s work to improve picture quality around the edges of the frame, as well as make for a faster, quieter lens than its predecessor. It has optical image stabilization and the same manual focus override support as the new zoom, a circular aperture diaphragm, and has been coated for flare reduction.

It will go on sale, again in December, priced at $849.99.

For professional photographers, Nikon’s new 800mm telephoto lens may be worth the big investment for photographing birds or any type of wildlife. Nikon hasn’t specified when they lenses will start to ship or how much it will cost, but you can bet that it will be pretty expensive. Canon’s EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM costs photographers a whopping $13,000.

The new 800mm telephoto lens will be shown off by Nikon at the Photokina show scheduled to take place this September in Cologne, Germany. Nikon currently offers super-telephoto models at 400mm, 500mm and 600mm with a 200-400mm zoom.

[via CNET]

The new EOS-1D C Digital SLR can record video in 4K 4096 x 2160-pixel resolution or in Full HD 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution. It features an 19.1-megapixel full-frame 24mm x 36mm Canon CMOS sensor with the ability to record 8-bit 4:2:2 Motion JPEG 4L video. ISO goes as high as 25600 for exceptional image quality for motion picture recording even in low-light conditions.

Canon’s two digital cinematography cameras, the Cinema EOS C500 and the Cinema EOS C500 PL are designed for industries that require top notch picture quality such as in premium Hollywood films. They are both capable of capturing 4K resolution video to be outputted uncompressed RAW for external recording.

Lastly, four new EF Cinema zoom lenses will work with the Cinema EOS C500 digital cinematography camera to deliver 4K resolution images, while a new 4K display technology will provide a solution to previewing these high-resolution images for a complete professional workflow in 4K.

In fact, the lenses are actually more expensive than the C300 itself, each carrying a sticker in excess of $40k. The Canon CN-E 14.5-60mm T2.6 L S Cinema Zoom Lens with EF Mount comes in at $42,750, as does the Canon CN-E 14.5-60mm T2.6 L SP Cinema Zoom Lens with PL Mount. $44,650 gets you the Canon CN-E 30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S EF Mount Cinema Zoom Lens or the Canon CN-E 30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L SP PL Mount Cinema Zoom Lens.

Inside the C300 there’s an 8.29-megapixel Super 35mm CMOS sensor, while on the outside there’s a 4-inch rotating 1.23-megapixel LCD preview display and dual-CompactFlash memory card slots. Recording is in Canon’s 4:2:2 50 Mb/s MPEG-2 XF codec, and if the Cine lenses are looking too rich for your blood then you’ll be pleased to hear that the company’s existing DSLR lenses are supported too.

Sample clips from the EOS C300 can be found here.

[via CanonRumors - thanks Paul!]

The wheel looks like a rotary dial and features ten different filters, including a Dual Image Lens that produces two identical images like a 2-way split image filter, a Triple Image Lens that does the same but three ways, and a Quadruple Image Lens again four ways.

It also has a 60mm Macro Lens for taking photos roughly 60mm in distance from the lense, a Green Filter, a Red Filter, a Red Filter with a clear heart shape center, and a Yellow and a Blue filter each with a clear circular spot in the center.

The Holga iPhone Lens Filter Kit SLFT-IP4 is available now and retails for $29.99. The case it self comes in five different colors of black, white, silver, red, and blue. For examples of what each of the filters would look like, you can visit the Holga product page.

[via TUAW]

What this will get you is a teeny tiny mirrorless camera with a brand new mirror, SLR-speed focussing, and an overall sweet result. Contrast detection in AF used in cameras that normally have no mirror is quite slow at the moment, especially when you’re considering you’re using lenses made to rock and roll. Now you’ve got a small gun messing with the big guns, if you know what I mean. Does this mean the device you’re rolling with is still a mirrorless camera? You be the judge of that – we’re calling it an advanced frankenstein.

This type of new mirror is called a “pellicle mirror”, and isn’t actually all that new when you consider it’s been being used for more than 40 years by the Pellix 45 made by Canon in 1965. This camera was the first to use such a mirror and it’s been used sparsely since – of course you can see the mirror type in action again in the Sony A55 and A33 DSLRs of 2010, too. Why on earth this solution hadn’t been used in lens adapters up until now – we cannot say. It’s sort of like pop art – it seems so obvious, but the first person to do it gets credit!

[via PhotoRumors]

More professional focusing is also promised, thanks to a dampened focus ring. There’s still support for the Lensbaby Optic Swap System, however, meaning that the Fisheye, Soft Focus, Pinhole/Zone plate, Single Glass and Plastic lenses can be swapped in.

Lensbaby expects the Composer Pro to sell for $300 with the Double Glass Optic or for $400 with the Sweet 35 Optic. The regular Composer will see a price cut to $250.

Press Release:

Lensbaby Announces a New SLR Lens: The Composer Pro

The Composer Pro delivers ultra-smooth creative control for the most discerning professional photographers and videographers

Portland, OR – April 4, 2011 – Lensbaby announces its newest SLR creative effects camera lens, the Composer Pro. The Composer Pro refines and enhances the popular and award winning Lensbaby Composer by upgrading the swivel ball and focus mechanism to provide professional performance. The Composer Pro’s metal swivel ball design and refined focus mechanism deliver ultra-smooth focus and tilt control. The updated focus mechanism features a fluid and accurate dampened focus ring comparable to the focus mechanisms of the highest quality professional manual focus lenses. This smooth, fluid operation makes the Composer Pro the perfect choice for discerning professional photographers and videographers who want to create ground-breaking creative imagery.

The Composer Pro is compatible with the Lensbaby Optic Swap System and ships with either the Double Glass Optic or the new Sweet 35 Optic installed. Each optic creates a Sweet Spot of sharp focus that photographers can move around the photo by tilting the Composer Pro’s swiveling lens body. The Composer Pro is compatible with the complete range of creative optics in the Lensbaby Optic Swap System including the Fisheye, Soft Focus, Pinhole/Zone plate, Single Glass, and Plastic. Each optic can be swapped into the Composer Pro to deliver a different creative effect.

The Composer Pro joins Lensbaby’s growing family of lenses, which now includes the Lensbaby Composer, Scout, Muse, and Control Freak. The Composer Pro will retail for $300 with the Double Glass Optic installed or for $400 with the Sweet 35 Optic installed. The entry-level Lensbaby Composer will remain in Lensbaby’s product line but at a lower MSRP of $250.

“The Composer Pro builds on the strengths of its siblings in the Lensbaby family. In addition to being a core element in the Lensbaby Optic Swap system, it is smooth, fluid and precise to meet the needs of our community of photographer who want to see their unique visions through a precision piece of photographic equipment. Professional photographers continue to be at the core of our customer base.” said Craig Strong, Lensbaby Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer. “The Composer pro is for them.”

Composer Pro Specs:

Refined metal ball design delivers ultra-smooth focus and tilt control
Ships with either the Sweet 35 Optic or Double Glass Optic installed
Compatible with the Lensbaby Optic Swap System
Focus Type: Manual
Size/Weight: 2.25” (5.71cm) high x 2.5” (6.35cm) wide / 4 oz (113.4g)
Tilts from zero to 17.5 degrees
Sweet 35 Optic Product Specs:
Focal Length: 35mm
12 blade internal aperture, controlled by a dial on the front of the optic
Aperture range from f/2.5 through f/22 (sweet spot size ranges from 15%, at f/2.5, to 40%, at f/22, of total image area on APS-C sensor cameras)
Selective focus optic (creates a sweet spot of focus surrounded by gradual blur)
Compatible with Lensbaby Composer, Scout, Muse, and Control Freak lens bodies*
Focus distance when used with Composer Pro: 7.5” to infinity
4 multi-coated glass elements, in three groups
46mm front threads**
*The Sweet 35 Optic is not compatible with the Composer with Tilt Transformer for Micro 4/3rds and Sony NEX Cameras.
**The Sweet 35 Optic is not compatible with current 37mm Lensbaby accessories.

Double Glass Optic Product Specs:
Focal Length: 50mm
Low dispersion, high refractive index, multi-coated optical glass doublet
Aperture Type: Interchangeable, magnetic aperture disks
Apertures: f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22
Selective focus optic (creates a sweet spot of focus surrounded by gradual blur)
Focus distance when used with Composer Pro: 18” to infinity
37mm front threads accept all Lensbaby accessory lenses

Composer Pro with Double Glass Optic is available now from Lensbaby-authorized photo specialty stores worldwide, and from Adorama, Amazon, bhphotovideo.com and LensBaby online. Composer Pro with Sweet 35 Optic will be available soon. Composer Pro with Double Glass Optic retails for $300 MSRP and Composer Pro with Sweet 35 Optic retails for $400 MSRP. For more information contact PR Representative Jessica Darrican at jessica@maxborgesagency.com.

The new optic clips onto the Lensbaby Composer, Scout, Muse, and Control Freak lenses, and supports up to 3-inch macro shots depending on mount. It’ll suit both full frame and APS-C cameras, too; there’s a demo video showing it in action here.

Sample shots of the sort of images the new optic can produce below, and plenty more to peruse here. The Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic is available now, priced at $180.

Press Release:

Lensbaby® Introduces its First 35mm Optic with 12-Blade Adjustable Aperture

The Sweet 35 selective focus optic has the sweetest spot of all

Portland, OR – March 1, 2011 – Lensbaby, manufacturer of award-winning Creative Effects SLR camera lenses, announces the addition of the Sweet 35 Optic to its Optic Swap System. The Sweet 35 Optic, a 35mm selective focus optic with an internal 12-blade adjustable aperture, creates a Sweet Spot of sharp focus that photographers can move around the photo by tilting their Lensbaby lens. The Sweet 35 Optic boasts the widest focal length of any selective focus Lensbaby optic, features close-focus capabilities, and is available now for use with the Lensbaby Composer®, Muse®, Control Freak™ and Scout lenses.

Departing from its interchangeable magnetic aperture system, Lensbaby has created its first optic with an adjustable aperture. With the Sweet 35, photographers can quickly and seamlessly change the aperture from f/2.5 through f/22, simply by rotating the dial on the front of the optic. The aperture opening is what controls the size of the Sweet Spot of sharp focus, giving photographers the ability to see the Sweet Spot change through the lens, without missing a moment.

“Changing the look of images from my Lensbaby lens with the Sweet 35 optic by quickly adjusting the aperture dial at the front of the optic has become habit-forming and allows me to create photographs I would never see through another lens,” said Craig Strong, Lensbaby Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer.

The Sweet 35 allows focus down to 7.5 inches from the front of the lens when used with the Lensbaby Composer and as close as 3 inches when used with the Muse. The 35mm focal length is just wide enough on full-frame cameras and just normal enough on APS C senor cameras, making the Sweet 35 perfect for landscape, environmental portrait, and event photography.

“The Sweet 35’s easily changed apertures, wider focal length, and close focus ability make it our most versatile and fun optic,” said Strong.

Sweet 35 Optic Product Specs:
Focal Length: 35mm
12-blade internal aperture, controlled by a dial on the front of the optic
Aperture range from f/2.5 through f/22 (sweet spot size ranges from 15%, at f/2.5, to 40%, at f/22, of total image area on APS-C sensor cameras)
Selective focus optic (creates a sweet spot of focus surrounded by gradual blur)
Compatible with Lensbaby Composer, Scout, Muse, and Control Freak lenses*
Focus distance when used with: Composer: 7.5” to infinity / Scout: 6.5” to infinity / Muse & Control Freak: 3” to infinity
4 multi-coated glass elements, in three groups
46mm front threads**
*The Sweet 35 Optic is not compatible with the Composer with Tilt Transformer for Micro 4/3rds and Sony NEX Cameras.
**The Sweet 35 Optic is not compatible with current 37mm Lensbaby accessories.

The Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic is available now for $180.00 (MSRP) from www.lensbaby.com, Lensbaby-authorized photo specialty stores worldwide, and from adorama.com, amazon.com and bhphotovideo.com.

The first example from the company will apparently be a 28mm f/2.8 model with a 4-group/5-lens design. Unsurprisingly, given the estimated pricing, it appears to be a manual rather than an auto-focus lens, but Zhongyi Optics has said it intends to make versions for Sony’s NEX range of interchangeable lens cameras as well.

[via 43Rumors]

The 60mm Macro Lens packs optical image stablization – as on the 18-200mm and 16-80mm – together with a Super Sonic Actuator (SSA) for faster, quieter auto-focus. As for the 85mm F1.4 CSC portrait lens, that has full time manual focus.

Finally, the 16-80mm Advanced Standard Zoom throws in OIS and Voice Coil Motor (VCM) autofocus. The five lenses will be released between May and December – see the table below for more details – with pricing tba.

Press Release:

Samsung Launches New 2011 NX Series Lens Line Up

NX Series further strengthened with launch of five new lenses, allowing every photographer to create professional quality images

SEOUL, Korea – February 21, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced five innovative new lenses for its NX camera system. The new lenses bring more premium innovation to the range, featuring class-leading technology such as a premium portrait lens and lenses for movie capturing, opening new creative avenues for NX users to explore.

All of the lenses are compatible with Samsung’s unique i-Function system, which helps users create powerful effects easily through quick and convenient controls. The new launches, along with the five lenses released in 2010, mean that there are now 10 high-performance lenses available for the NX system, making this one of the most comprehensive ranges available in the Compact System Camera (CSC) market. Samsung’s new lenses have been created to allow users to maximize the potential of their NX system cameras, achieve professional-looking results and enjoy taking photos whatever their level of photography experience.

The new lens range includes Samsung’s 18-200mm multi-purpose Long Zoom Lens. This model features modes which are optimized for creating high-quality movie content with a single lens. The new long zoom lens also has a fast, silent Auto-Focus due to Samsung’s use of Voice Coil Motor (VCM) technology, so users can capture important events without recording the sound of the camera’s AF. The lens also features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to cancel out any hand movement and deliver crisp, clear images, even when a subject is far away.

Samsung has also launched a light, compact 16mm F2.4 Ultra Wide Pancake Lens. The bright aperture of this lens helps to capture wider images even in low light, and deliver a shallow depth of field. The new lens’ compact size and sleek design make it the perfect companion to the stylish NX camera range, and its ultra wide angle is ideal for taking landscape shots and deep perspective pictures.

For the ultimate in super fast and silent Auto Focus, Samsung’s new 60mm Macro Lens features a Super Sonic Actuator (SSA) to deliver a fast, quiet Auto-Focus and also has an Optical Image Stabilization so users never have to miss the timing of that perfect close up shot. For more advanced photographers, the lens offers the ability to manually fine-tune focusing using the Full-Time Manual Focus.

The Premium Portrait Lens also launched today is the ultra bright 85mm F1.4 CSC lens, designed for professional photographers. This lens also includes the SSA to provide a fast and silent Auto-Focus. Like Samsung’s 60mm Macro Lens, the 85mm Premium Portrait Lens also includes the Full Time Manual Focus, giving advanced photographer’s greater control over their preferred settings. The bright F1.4 lens offers the ideal solution for capturing perfect and professional looking portrait pictures of friends or loved ones.

Samsung’s 16-80mm Advanced Standard Zoom Lens is optimized for taking great movies and still shots. Like the 18-200mm long zoom lens, it has a fast, silent Auto-Focus and Optical Image Stabilization. To make capturing great footage easy in any situation, the lens includes VCM modes ranging from landscape to portrait.

“At Samsung we are committed to ensuring that we remain at the cutting edge of imaging technology, and these five new lenses are testament to that ambition and the growing strength of compact system camera photography,” said Mr. Hyunho Chung, executive vice president and head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “These are products that a professional photographer would be proud to use, but we make them so easy to use that a novice could get amazing results every time, and that is a credit to our strong R&D team. We are continuing to innovate in this exciting market and we have more significant developments planned for the future, which will add to our growing strength in the compact system camera market.”

So far, Sony has managed to persuade Carl Zeiss, Cosina, Sigma and Tamron to at least give a thumbs-up to the specifications being made public, though not all have said that they’ll actually be making lenses. Only Tamron has gone beyond “endorsing” the publication, in fact, though we’re guessing that won’t be the case for long.

Sony expects to begin disclosing the E-mount specs from April 1 2011, though they’ll need to pass a “predefined process of approval” and sign a license agreement first.

Press Release:

Sony Discloses Basic Specifications of the “E-mount” for Interchangeable Single Lens Cameras without Fee 08 February 2011

Sony Corporation announced today it will disclose the basic specifications of its “E-mount” for interchangeable single lens cameras, without fee, to manufacturers of lenses and mount adaptors, starting April 1st, 2011.

This opens the way for manufacturers of various lenses and mount adaptors to effectively develop products conforming to “E-mount” specifications.
Users of the Sony’s “NEX-3”, “NEX-5”, “NEX-VG10” and other “E-mount” compatible Sony digital imaging products to be launched in the future will now be able to use interchangeable lenses from both Sony and various other manufactures, while they will also be able to attach non-Sony lenses to their Sony digital imaging products via a mount adapter.
Sony believes the growth of digital imaging products employing the “E-mount” will further increase the enjoyment of photography and video shooting among an even wider range of users.

These basic specifications will be disclosed to manufactures of lenses and mount adaptors following a predefined process of approval and the signing a license agreement with Sony.

As of today, the decision to disclose basic specifications of the “E-mount” has been endorsed by the following companies.

Carl Zeiss AG
As an independent lens provider, Carl Zeiss welcomes the disclosure of the “E-mount” specifications by Sony. It helps manufacturer’s product development, benefits customers and therefore assists in establishing “E-mount” as a new, healthy and strong system on the market.

Cosina Co., Ltd.
Cosina Co., Ltd is excited by the potential of Sony’s “E-mount” which enables to a large-size image sensor to be incorporated in a compact, interchangeable lens camera. We have high expectations for the “E-mount” with its aims to create a new photography culture, and express its assent to Sony’s decision to provide information related to “E-mount”.

Sigma Corporation
Sigma Corporation fully supports Sony’s decision to disclose basic “E-mount” specifications. We believe this move will spur the further growth and diversification of camera system across the industry, provide photo enthusiasts with a wealth of choice and enrich in their photographic lifestyles.

Tamron Co., Ltd.
Tamron Co., Ltd endorses Sony’s decision to disclose basic “E-mount” specifications.
We aim to offer our customers new solutions and unprecedented photo-shooting enjoyment through the manufacture and sale of “E-mount” lenses.

It would be safe to assume that Zeiss will be offering normal lenses for cameras, not just video lenses. The official PR from Olympus and Zeiss stated, “Now, as Carl Zeiss AG joins the Micro Four Thirds System group, ZEISS HD Video lenses will be available to users of Micro Four Thirds cameras, contributing to a vastly expanded product line and enhancing the joys of digital imaging with the Micro Four Thirds System.”

There is no word on pricing or availability of Zeiss micro four thirds lenses at this time. I would expect these lenses to be among the more expensive offerings considering the premium nature of the Zeiss brand.

Micro-4/3 “offers an excellent opportunity for the industry as a whole, as well as for us as a lens manufacturer” he suggests, though the company is yet to reveal what sort of lenses they’re actually working on. Still, given the platform’s cross-manufacturer compatibility, this is good news for anybody looking to add to their camera kit-bag.

[via 43rumors]

Press Release:

SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH now a member of the “Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group”

BAD KREUZNACH, 4 February 2011. Schneider-Kreuznach has joined the “Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group” – a consortium of companies with the objective of improving the possibilities and quality of compact digital cameras. Developed by Olympus and Panasonic, “Micro Four Thirds” is a standard for lens mounts that is tailored to digital system cameras. “This standard has great potential. It simplifies and improves the options for compact digital cameras and offers an excellent opportunity for the industry as a whole, as well as for us as a lens manufacturer. We are working intensively on a corresponding series of lenses,” says Dr. Josef Staub, CEO of the Schneider Group.

The standard defines the sensor size, the lens mount together with the communication protocol, the aspect ratio and the flange back distance, as well as the optical requirements for production and construction. The industry standard has been developed deliberately without taking into account conventional lenses, cameras or sensor sizes. In this way, compatibility problems with older components are avoided as is the need to compromise when designing new components.

The forum standard policy means that any member company can make and distribute accessories for the system that meet the standard. It is therefore possible to combine components from different manufacturers.

About the Schneider Group: The Schneider Group specializes in developing and producing high-performance photographic lenses, cinema projection lenses, as well as industrial optics and precision mechanics. The group comprises Jos. Schneider Optische Werke, founded in Bad Kreuznach in 1913, and its subsidiaries Pentacon (Dresden), Schneider Kreuznach Isco Division (Göttingen), Schneider-Optics (New York, Los Angeles), Schneider Bando (Seoul), Schneider Asia Pacific (Hong Kong) and Schneider Optical Technologies (Shenzhen). The company’s main brand is “Schneider-Kreuznach”. It has around 620 employees worldwide, with 330 based in its German headquarters. For years now the group has been a world market leader in the area of high-performance lenses.

Apparently, that mount standard isn’t common on digital cameras, it was designed for movie cameras originally. The C-mount is a 1-inch diameter and the mock ups the firm has in their display show 14 lenses that will be coming.

I wonder if that giant telescope thing on the far right is a lens for the camera too. I think that gives you x-ray vision. There is no word on availability and pricing outside of Japan on the new lenses or camera. Inside Japan, the cam and lenses will hit this summer for about 30,000 yen.

Via Photography Blog

Sony says that should help users create background-blur effects while filming video.  Meanwhile there’s also MF Assist, which enlarges a portion of the frame on the NEX-3/5′s LCD display while manually focusing, and which can be kept on-screen for a user-customizable length of time.

Finally there’s customizable soft keys for two of the three buttons on the back of the cameras, which can now be set to control  Shooting Mode, Shooting Tips, Precision Digital Zoom, ISO, White Balance, Metering Mode, Flash Compensation, DRO, Auto HDR, Creative Style, MF Assist and AF Area among other things.  Users can also choose to have the Menu button always show them the last viewed menu pane or the main menu.  The new firmware can be found – in both PC and Mac formats – at Sony’s support site.

[via DPReview]

It can also record 25fps 720p HD video, packs an 11 point SAFOX IX autofocus system and has a maximum 1/6000 second shutter speed.  There’s also a homegrown shake reduction system and a dust-removal mechanism.

As for the companion lens, the Pentax DA 35mm F2.4 AL is targeted at entry-level DSLR buyers (though it will work with all the company’s models) and will be priced at $219.95 when it arrives in October.  As for the Pentax K-r DSLR, that will be $799.95 body-only or $849.95 as the K-r Lens Kit with an 18-55 lens.  Two further double lens kits will be available, pairing the K-r with the 18-55 lens and either the 50-200 ($899.95) or 55-300 ($999.95) lenses.

Press Release:

PENTAX ANNOUNCES K-r DIGITAL SLR AND NEW 35MM LENS

GOLDEN, CO. September 8, 2010…PENTAX Imaging Systems Division has announced a new digital SLR line with color accents that allow owners to choose one that matches their personal style. The colorful PENTAX K-r DSLR camera offers advanced yet simple to use features at an attractive price.

The compact, lightweight PENTAX K-r is easy to use with Auto Picture, Scene, and Custom Image Processing modes that take the guesswork out of shooting stunning images while still offering a high degree of manual and priority control. The K-r offers a variety of new and improved features including a fast framerate, high ISO sensitivity, responsive autofocus, an improved 12.4 megapixel low-noise sensor and widescreen HD video capture that take it a step above an entry-level DSLR camera.

Key features of the PENTAX K-r that are new or have been improved upon from the most recent entry to mid-level PENTAX DSLR models include:
• Three stylish color choices include traditional black, the new classic white, and PENTAX red reflect any owner’s personal style.
• Large 3 inch LCD with 921,000 dots of resolution.
• Faster high speed 6 FPS framerate that captures 25 images in a single sequence.
• A maximum 1/6000 second shutter speed.
• Viewfinder focus point indicator.
• Improved in-camera HDR image capture including a Night Scene HDR mode.
• High sensitivity 100-25600 ISO range with improved noise performance from the new 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor.
• Versatile dual-power-source design, which offers the choice of either a rechargeable lithium-ion battery or four AA-size battery power (using optional AA Battery Holder D-BH109).
• Infrared data transfer compatible with the IrSimple™ high-speed infrared data transmission system for wireless data transfer to the web or other IrSimple-compatible devices (includes a match-game between two PENTAX K-r’s).

Other important features of the new K-r models include:
• Widescreen 720p HD video at 25 FPS.
• PENTAX-original Shake Reduction mechanism for sharp, blur-free images that works with every PENTAX lens ever made
• Dust Removal mechanism, to shake dust off the CMOS image sensor.
• Highly responsive and accurate 11 point SAFOX IX autofocus system with dedicated AF assist lamp.
• Wide range of in-camera image processing and special effects filters.

With a highly portable, compact and lightweight body in a choice of colors, the K-r holds appeal for busy parents, family memory-keepers, travelers and anyone who reflects personal style in all their pursuits including their journey into photography or videography as a skill or hobby. The PENTAX K-r digital SLR will ship in October 2010 for as follows:
K-r Body Kit $799.95 USD
K-r Lens Kit w 18-55 $849.95 USD
K-r Double Lens Kit w 18-55, 50-200 $899.95 USD
K-r Double Lens Kit w 18-55, 55-300 $999.95 USD

PENTAX also announced the smc PENTAX DA 35mm F2.4 AL, standard lens designed exclusively for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras. This new lens is versatile enough to be used with a wide range of subjects and applications for high-resolution images with edge-to-edge sharpness.
It is a perfect choice for digital SLR beginners to familiarize themselves with the basics of using interchangeable lenses.

The PENTAX DA 35mm F2.4 AL lens also will ship in October for $219.95 USD.
More information is available here: www.pentaximaging.com and product images are available
here: www.pentaximaging.com/press/pressfiles.html An information video is available here:
www.pentaximaging.com/pentaxian1

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of a variety of digital cameras including weather resistant digital SLRs and stylish, compact, waterproof cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces. For over 90 years, PENTAX has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.

First up is the pricy M.ZUIKO® DIGITAL ED 75-300 MM F4.8-6.7, which will carry a $899 tag and promises to be the world’s smallest and lightest 600mm super telephoto lens.  It’s accompanied by the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150MM F4.0-5.6, far cheaper at $299, and is a 35mm equivalent to 80-300mm.

The 40-150mm lens will drop in November, while the 75-300 lens will follow on in December.  Both will be available in either black or silver.

[via Gizmodo]

Press Release:

Olympus PEN® E-P2: Back In Black

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., August 31, 2010 – In the past year, the Olympus PEN family has won a series of high profile awards, including the CEA CES Innovations Award, the EISA Best European Camera and the Red Dot Design Award. Today, meet the newest member of the world-renowned family: the Olympus PEN E-P2 black-on-black kit. For the first time, the PEN E-P2′s stylish retro black metal body is complemented by a black M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 17mm lens and a black FL-14 flash in an exclusive, limited availability kit.

Look what you can do with a PEN E-P2 kit. Just like the original, it blends high-quality still images like those taken with a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) with High Definition (HD) video, stereo linear PCM audio recording and In-Camera Creativity inside an ultra-portable body.

“The PEN E-P2 kit’s edgy black styling gives the camera a discreet, more professional look. Perfect for photographers who want to capture the action without being a distraction,” said Katie Roseman, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Photo enthusiasts will appreciate the camera for its excellent image quality, HD video, creative functions and high-end stereo sound, while design aficionados will relish its sleek black profile.”

The powerfully simple PEN E-P2 is compatible with an array of Micro Four Thirds lenses, including the newly announced M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300 MM F4.8-6.7 and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150MM F4.0-5.6, which feature a high-speed, silent autofocus during still shooting and HD movie capture. It is part of a new generation of system cameras.

The black Olympus PEN E-P2 kit will cost $999.99 and will be available at select photo specialty stores beginning in October, 2010. The kit includes the PEN E-P2 Body, black M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 17mm lens, black FL-14 flash, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack, Li-Ion Battery Charger, Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS [ib] software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card.

Press Release:

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., August 31, 2010 – Olympus today announces two new lenses to its Micro Four Thirds lens family: the M.ZUIKO® DIGITAL ED 75-300 MM F4.8-6.7 and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150MM F4.0-5.6. Both lenses feature a high-speed, silent autofocus during still shooting and high definition (HD) movie capture. They are the ultimate lenses for zooming in on sporting events, beautiful wildlife and faces from a distance, and because they make barely a whisper when focusing, they won’t call attention to photographer or add unwanted noise to movie recordings. Look what you can do.
Strong Zooms

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 with a 35 mm equivalent of 150-600mm is the world’s smallest and lightest 600mm super telephoto lens. Weighing merely 15.17 ounces and measuring 2.76 by 4.57 inches, this lightweight lens delivers excellent portability and outstanding image quality when paired with the award-winning Olympus PEN® cameras. Previous lenses offering 600mm or more have been too large and heavy for most users to enjoy super telephoto shooting. This lens is smaller and lighter than the comparable ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm f4.8-6.7.

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 is extremely light, weighing only 6.7 ounces. With a wide zoom range with a 35mm equivalent to 80-300mm, this lens offers versatility and portability. It’s an affordable complement to the powerfully simple 3x wide-angle zoom lens (M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42 f3.5-5.6) that comes standard with the PEN kit.

Olympus’ M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 lens. Photo provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Click for a bigger picture! Olympus’ M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 lens mounted on an E-PL1 camera body. Photo provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Olympus’ M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 lens.

Silent Operation
The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7′s rear focusing mechanism is comprised of a single-element unit, to enable remarkably fast and nearly silent HD movie recordings with sound. The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 has two lens elements in the rear focusing mechanism. The manual focusing mechanism is designed to deliver quiet and precise auto focus operation, for an affordable, high quality means to capture your life in still images or HD videos.

The new lenses are made with ED (extra-low dispersion) glass to maximize the performance of the Micro Four Thirds System. The Micro Four Thirds System standard meets the telecentric requirements of dedicated digital design. Light rays strike the imaging element nearly head-on for optimum edge-to-edge image reproduction. It also enables much more compact design than the Four Thirds System standard (or other interchangeable lens systems) because it reduces the outer diameter of the lens mount by 6mm, and the distance from the lens mount to the sensor (the flange back distance) by approximately half. As a result, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL Micro Four Thirds System lenses offer uncompromising professional quality for capturing both still images and HD videos, and the lenses are exceptionally compact to make capturing life more fun.

The Micro Four Thirds System’s design, compact size, low weight and amazing image quality with the new lenses extend the photographic potential of the system by adding more options. The new lenses are compatible with all Micro Four Thirds System Olympus PEN cameras, and all other current and future cameras that comply with the Micro Four Thirds System standard. When mounted on an Olympus PEN camera, the lenses are stabilized thanks to the camera’s in-body Image Stabilization system and offer effective shake compensation at all focal lengths.

Olympus’ M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens. Photo provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Click for a bigger picture! Olympus’ M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens mounted on an E-PL1 camera body. Photo provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Olympus’ M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens.

AVAILABILITY
The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 will be available in December 2010, while the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 will be available in November 2010. Both lenses will be available in black and silver.

U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 Estimated Street Price: $899.99
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 Estimated Street Price: $299.99

Unfortunately, as great as all that is, you do lose one key feature: autofocus. You obviously get autofocus is you stick to the standard Sony lens, but the moment you pop on that adapter and shove, say, that Leica lens on, you’ll just have to deal without it.

As for pricing, you’re looking at spending between ¥19,950 and ¥25,200, depending on the lens adapter of your choice. That breaks down to between $220 and $275. You could be spending a lot more on a camera, sure, and if you like the body of the Sony NEX-3 or NEX-5, but you want a better lens, then this is probably a small price to pay to make that happen.

[via Wired Gadget Lab]

Carl Zeiss has unveiled a new compact Prime CP.2 lens system for HDDSLR cameras that are claimed to be the world’s first cine lenses for the category. The lenses will work on high-end DSLRs for Canon and Nikon cameras like the 5D Mark II. The lenses have interchangeable mounts for current and future upgrades and will be offered in focal lengths from 18mm to 85mm.

Zeiss also has unveiled new lightweight zoom lenses with interchangeable PL, EF, and F mounts that cover DSLRs from Nikon and Canon with HD recording capability. Pricing on the lenses is unknown, but they will not be cheap.