Seven new full frame DSLR lenses will start shipping in the next 30 days

Several new and interesting full frame DSLR lenses will start shipping at the end of November/beginning of December:

Zeiss

The new Zeiss Distagon T* 2,8/15 and Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 lenses will be available from December 2012 onwards.

Zeiss Distagon T* 2,8/15 lens technical data:

• Focal length 15 mm
• Aperture range f/2.8 -22
• Number of lens elements/groups 15/12
• Focusing range:  0.25m – infinity
• Field angle (diag./horiz./vert.)  110°/ 100°/ 76°
• Object field 340 x 221 mm (close-up range)
• Imaging scale 1:9
• Filter thread  M 95 x 1.0
• Length with caps 132 mm (ZF.2)
• 135 mm (ZE)
• Diameter 103 mm (ZF.2)
• 103 mm (ZE)
• Weight 730 g (ZF.2)
• 820 g (ZE)
• Connectors ZF.2 (F mount)
• ZE (EF mount)
• Z-M42-I (M42 mount)
• Price: $2,950

Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 lens technical data:

• Focal length  135 mm
• Aperture range  f/2 – f/22
• Number of lens elements/groups 11/8
• Focusing range:  0.80 m – infinity
• Field angle (diag./horiz./vert.)  18.7°/ 15.6°/ 10.5°
• Object field 145 x 96 mm (close-up range)
• Magnification power 1:4 (close-up range)
• Filter thread   M 77 x 0.75
• Length with caps 128 mm (ZF.2)
• 130 mm (ZE)
• Diameter 84 mm
• Weight   920 g (ZF.2)
•  930 g (ZE)
• Connectors ZF.2 (F bayonet)
• ZE (EF bayonet)
• Z-M42-I (M42 mount)
• Price: around $2,000

Press release:

Carl Zeiss Presents Two New Lenses

Industry customers benefit from exceptional image quality with the Distagon T* 2.8/15 and the Apo Sonnar T* 2/135


OBERKOCHEN, GERMANY – 6 November 2012Carl Zeiss has two new lenses in its line: the new Distagon T* 2,8/15 super-wide angle lens is already on the market, and the Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 will be delivered from December onwards. Both lenses are available with F mount (ZF.2), EF mount (ZE) and M42 mount (Z-M42-I) and are designed for use in creative photography as well as industrial applications.

The Distagon T* 2,8/15 features an extra large field angle of 110° and speed of 1:2.8. Through its extremely large field angle, the lens allows either foreground or background emphasis. Because the super wide angle also enables focusing on details close in, the exaggerated graduation of proportions results in additional impression of depth with outstanding definition throughout the picture – from close-in to infinity. With other super-wide angle lenses, aberrations such as distortion can easily occur. The Distagon T* 2,8/15 balances these out and delivers naturally proportioned pictures. "With the high-speed Distagon T* 2,8/15, Carl Zeiss sets the standard in super wide-angle photography," says Dr. Michael Pollmann, Consumer Lenses Program Manager in the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG.

With its 135 millimeter focal length, the Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 is the longest tele lens in the SLR lens range. Anyone who wishes to capture detailed images from long distances is on the right track with the Apo Sonnar T* 2/135. At any aperture, it delivers impressive results – brilliant detail, high contrast and maximum definition. A special, variable arrangement of the lens elements ensures excellent image quality across the entire focusing range from 0.8 m to infinity. As it is an apochromatic lens, chromatic aberrations are corrected by lens elements made of special types of glass with exceptional partial dispersion. Therefore, the chromatic aberrations are far below the limits otherwise defined.

Applications in Photogrammetry

The robust all-metal body of both the Distagon T* 2,8/15 and the Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 is designed for extra-long service life. Thus, both are optimally suitable for industry customers. The German Aerospace Center (DLR), among others, uses an SLR lens from Carl Zeiss in an airborne system for the monitoring of traffic and potential hazards. This allows razor sharp images to be conveyed almost in real-time – in the case of a major event, for example – which benefits security forces and other groups. Due to its resistance and performance, the ZEISS lens also withstands adverse weather conditions. "Carl Zeiss enjoys a very good reputation in the area of photogrammetry. We were well-advised. If we set the lenses to infinity, they focus on infinity. This is exactly what we wanted," says Project Manager Dr. Frank Kurz from the Remote Sensing Technology Institute at the DLR.

Like with all other SLR lenses of the ZE and ZF.2 series, the Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating and the advanced treatment of the lens edges with special dark black lacquers ensure resistance to reflections and stray light.

Sigma

Sigma announced the price and shipping date for their new 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM lens. More info on the lens, including MTF charts and lens design, can be found here.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM lens technical data:

• One “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass lens and four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass lenses to ensure exceptional correction of lateral and axial chromatic aberration, the latter of which cannot be corrected in post production
• A floating inner focus system to provide extremely high optical performance for close-up photos
• Super Multi-Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting and provide sharp and high contrast images even in backlit conditions
• A HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) that ensures high speed, accurate and quiet AF
• Rubber incorporated into the attachment part of the lens hood, and an improved redesign of the lens cap and AF / MF changeover switch have been improved
• Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), which has high affinity to metal parts, that are housed internally, increases overall functionality, lifespan, and quality of the lens
• A rounded 9 blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus areas of the image
• A newly developed USB dock, which will be sold separately and exclusively for new product lines, can be paired with new Sigma Optimization Pro software to update the lens firmware and adjust parameters, such as micro focus adjustment
• Price: $899

Press release:

Sigma Corporation of America’s 35mm F1.4 DG HSM now available
First Global Vision lens arrives in U.S. for $899

Ronkonkoma, NY, November 7, 2012 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world's most impressive lines oflenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce that the first lens of its new Global Vision lineup, the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM, is now available for the street price of $899.

The 35mm F1.4 DG HSM, is designed for photographers who want to achieve creative, dramatic effects in their photographs. As the first lens released under Sigma’s new Art line, it will feature a new matte finish and overall new design concept, which includes a clearly defined category label on every new lens. This 35mm wide-angle lens with a maximum aperture of 1.4 ensures outstanding performance in low light, and a stunning bokeh background effect to emphasize the subject.

“We’re thrilled to break into this category of lenses with a product from our new Global Vision,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “We’re confident that our A1 quality control system, coupled with the industry’s first USB dock, will differentiate our lens in the category. Since it’s so versatile – ideal for scenes including landscapes, portraits, close-ups and studio photography – we think that it will be a hit.”

All of Sigma's manufacturing – right down to molds and parts – is carried out under an integrated production system, based entirely in Japan. Sigma is now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are solely made in Japan. Every 35mm F1.4 DG HSM will be checked using Sigma’s own MTF measuring system, “A1,” as will all new lenses under the Global vision categories. This system uses 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors to pick up previously undetectable high-frequency details for quality control inspections.

The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM will be available in Sigma, Sony (D), Nikon (D), Pentax and Canon mounts.

Tamron

The new Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di VC USD and 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD lenses are expected to start shipping after November 30, 2012.

Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model F004) lens technical data:

• Tamron has updated their legendary 90mm Macro lens with a new, state-of-the-art optical design. The lens, reborn for the age of digital photography, offers VC (Vibration Compensation) and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive).
• Adopting a state-of-the-art optical design and a rounded diaphragm, this lens carries on the long tradition of Tamron's 90mm Macro lens in delivering spectacular blur effects. Two XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) glasses and one LD (Low Dispersion) element reduce chromatic aberrations, yielding sharp images and outstanding resolution.
• Tamron's newly developed eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating delivers a dramatic improvement in antireflection performance—significantly reducing flare and ghosting for clearer, crisper images.
• The VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization mechanism reduces camera shake to deliver sharp images.
• Features USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) to power a speedy AF drive together with a continuous manual focus mechanism.
• Incorporates IF (Internal Focus) system, which focuses by moving only the internal lens group, rather than the front lens elements. The overall length of the lens therefore does not change when focusing, thus ensuring a broad working distance.
• Moisture-resistant construction helps prevent moisture from penetrating the lens.
• Price: $849

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A009) lens technical data:

• One special XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) glass in concert with four LD (Low Dispersion) elements minimize chromatic aberrations. This combined with a new optical design that delivers high contrast and high resolution throughout the zoom range achieves leading-edge image quality.
• Tamron’s advanced multi-layer coating technology dramatically improves lens performance by reducing flare and ghosting for crisper, clearer images.
• The rounded diaphragm affords the photographer spectacular blur effects, delivering the kind of rich expression only achievable with a high-speed telephoto zoom lens.
• The most compact full-size, high-speed telephoto zoom lens with VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) in its class delivers superior mobility, enabling photographers to capture the previously unattainable.
• Features USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) to power a speedy AF drive together with a continuous manual focus mechanism.
• The VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization mechanism reduces camera shake to deliver sharp images.
• Moisture-resistant construction helps prevent moisture from penetrating the lens.
• Price: $1,499

More information, including sample images available on tamron.com.

Nikon

Nikon's latest 70-200mm f/4G ED VR lens will start shipping at the end of November.

Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR lens technical data:

More information, including sample images, is available on nikon.com.

Samyang

The Samyang T 1.5 85mm AS IF UMC lens will start shipping in the next 30 days.

Samyang T 1.5 85mm AS IF UMC lens features:

• Covers Full-Frame Format Sensors
• Very Fast T1.5 Maximum Aperture
• 8 Blade Iris for Attractive Bokeh
• Geared Focus and Aperture Control Rings
• "Declicked" Aperture Control Ring
• Minimum Focus Distance of 3.28'
• Internal Focusing
• Aspheric Lens Element Limits Distortion
• Lens Multi-Coating Improves Transmission
• Price: $349

Press release:

Kraków, 9^th of November, 2012 – Samyang Europe proudly informs about releasing at the turn of November and December brand new video lens Samyang T 1.5 85mm AS IF UMC.

The lens will join Samyang's VDSLR family and will be available with following mounts: Nikon, Canon, or Sony. Optical construction, similarly as in case of classical version, comprises of 9 lenses  divided into 7 optical groups and provides internal focusing function. It should be also noted that one of the lenses is aspherical. Iris diaphragm allows one to produce aesthetic bokeh. All lenses were covered with multilayered, anti-reflective coatings, which add to the very high level of light transmission. As in the case of the rest VDSLR lenses, the aperture and focus rings are featured with gears, allowing to control work of the lens with follow focus system.

Samyang T 1.5 85mm AS IF UMC will be available on sales at the turn of November and December, but for those, who would like to have it earlier, Samyang Europe prepared a special contest. The prize is the brand new 85mm VDSLR itself. To win the lens a short video needs to be made. All necessary information is at distributor's official site: http://www.samyang.pl.