Here are some of the new Laowa lenses Venus Optics will announce next year (2026)


Here are some of the new Laowa lenses Venus Optics will announce next year (2026):

  • Laowa FF 45mm f/2.8 ultra macro full-frame 1-5X APO (11 elements in 9 groups)
  • Laowa FF 17.5mm f/1.7 ultra macro full-frame 5-10X APO (17 elements in 12 groups)


Specifications:

  • Full-range parfocal design throughout zooming (means the focus will not change as you increase magnification)
  • Coaxial illumination (means light goes through the lens, hits the surface, and comes back; the lens acts as a condenser and an objective – suitable for inspection)
  • Covers high magnification zoom from 1:1 to 10:1, filling the gap between a traditional macro lens and a microscope
  • Longer working distance (40.35mm/22.5mm) facilitates lighting setup
  • Adopts apochromatic (APO) optical design to effectively eliminate chromatic aberration, resulting in sharp images and accurate colors
  • Full-frame lenses compatible with multiple mounts (E/Z/L/F/RF/EF)
  • Meets the image needs of scientific research and commercial applications

Laowa FF 14-60mm T3.6 stereo zoom lens:

 

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7Artisans is teasing a new line of LITE APS-C autofocus lenses


7Artisans is teasing a new line of APS-C LITE autofocus lenses. Three different focal lengths are expected. The weight of each lens will be around 180g.

The latest lens releases from 7Artisans can be found here.

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Weird: Meike to announce a new AF 85mm f/1.8 SE II lens for Canon EF mount


Meike is rumored to announce a new AF 85mm f/1.8 SE II lens for the Canon EF mount. This is a strange move when third-party lens manufacturers are trying really hard to get approval to produce mirrorless lenses for the Canon RF mount:

Viltrox is rumored to release new lenses for Canon RF mount

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DJI drone ban now in effect in the US: here is the list of DJI drones that can still be legally purchased in the US


As previously reported, today the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented a rule adding foreign-made drones and critical components to its “Covered List” due to national security concerns. This effectively prevents the import and sale of new DJI drone models (and those from other foreign manufacturers like Autel) that require new FCC authorization. However, the rule is forward-looking and does not ban or ground existing drones: all previously FCC-authorized DJI drone models remain fully legal to own, fly, buy (from existing stock), sell, and use in the United States.
There are no recalls, remote disables, or restrictions on operating drones you already own or purchase from current inventory. Retailers can continue selling stock of previously approved models until it’s depleted.

Essentially, all current and past DJI consumer and enterprise drone models are not affected by this rule regarding ownership or use. Popular examples include – as you can see, most of these models are no longer available for sale (check also B&H Photo DJI store):

Future unreleased or newly designed DJI models (or major new components) will not receive FCC approval for U.S. sale unless explicitly exempted by agencies such as the Department of Defense or Homeland Security.

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What else is new?


Here is what else is new:

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Canon is considering outsourcing the production of lower-end (entry-level) products to external partners


In a recent interview with Nikkei, Canon’s Chief Financial Officer stated that the company is considering outsourcing the production of lower-end (entry-level) product models to external partners. Cameras and printers could be among the products affected. This is part of a broader review of manufacturing and sales structures aimed at improving efficiency and profitability. The ultimate goal is to raise the company’s Return on Equity (ROE) to 12%. This represents a notable shift from Canon’s traditional emphasis on in-house production in Japan. As of late 2025, it’s still in the consideration phase, with no specific partners, timelines, or affected models announced.

Further reports, primarily stemming from a January 2025 Nikkei Asia interview with Canon Chairman and CEO Fujio Mitarai, provide more context and confirm this strategic shift:

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Getting closer to the DJI drone ban in the US


The United States is just days away from a DJI drone ban, driven by a provision in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Section 1709 mandates that the US National Security Agency conduct a formal risk assessment of DJI (and Autel Robotics) by December 23, 2025. Despite DJI’s repeated requests for the audit, including formal letters to multiple agencies since early 2025, no agency has initiated or completed the review. If the deadline passes without action, DJI will automatically be added to the FCC’s “Covered List,” effectively blocking FCC authorization for new DJI products and halting their import and sale in the U.S.

This could be your last chance to get a DJI drone in the US:  check Amazon and B&H Photo for their current availability and pricing.

Existing DJI drones already in the U.S. will remain legal to own, fly, and use, with no immediate grounding. However, future access to new models, official parts, repairs, and firmware updates could become limited or unavailable.

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TTAr­ti­san released a new silver version of their AF 40mm f/2 lens (E/Z/L)



TTAr­ti­san released a new silver version of their AF 40mm f/2 full-frame lens for E/Z/L Mount:

Additional information:

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Viltrox is rumored to release new lenses for Canon RF mount


Viltrox is rumored to release new lenses for Canon RF mount. I contacted Viltrox directly, and they responded that they recently officially launched new 1.33x anamorphic lenses for Canon RF-mount with an authorized approval. However, licensing for other RF-mount lenses has not yet been officially approved, but they are still working on it. Stay tuned for updates.

Here is an updated list of photo gear promo codes you can use during this holiday shopping season

What’s coming next from Viltrox?

Via CanonAddict

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What else is new?


Here is what else is new:

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