Digicaminfo posted the first images of the upcoming Sony a58 camera and three new lenses: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM II, 70-400mm f/4-5.6G SSM II and new Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM lens for Sony A-mount that was first displayed during the CP+ show:
In the above video, Carl Zeiss representative confirmed the company's plans for new high-end 85mm and a wide angle f/1.4 lenses similar to the Distagon T* 1,4/55 (fast forward to the 1:15 mark). This is how the new product line was described few months ago:
"This is about lenses for full-frame (36x24mm) SLR cameras with manual focusing capability. This family of lenses is geared towards delivering uncompromising image quality for demanding users. The lenses are perfect for high-resolution, full-format digital cameras with more than 30 megapixels such as D800. The combined performance approaches that of medium format systems. If you shoot with the largest aperture, cameras with smaller number of pixels also benefit from much better image contrast."
Here is another related video interview with Carl Zeiss:
Carl Zeiss published a new interesting video on their upcoming Zeiss Distagon T* 1,4/55 lens which is supposed to be "the best fast 50mm ever". The lens is specially designed for high resolution, full frame DSLR cameras and is expected to costs around 3,000 EUR. The new Distagon will be available in both Nikon and Canon mounts. Some more images of the lens are available here, few sample images are available on NikonRumors.
After several Japanese websites reported that Olympus will be scaling back their investments in future DSLR cameras and concentrate on mirrorless products, Olympus Japan published a statement denying the withdrawal from the DSLRs market. The truth is that the Olympus E-5 DSLR camera was announced in 2010 and has not been refreshed yet. Olympus have indicated on several occasions that the E-5 replacement will be some kind of a Micro Four Thirds and Four Thirds hybrid solution.
For the 2013 NAB show, Leica is expected to announce new line of Summicron-C cinema prime lenses which will be priced under the current Summilux-C series.
Canon is rumored to announce a new cinema camera that will be placed between the EOS C100 and EOS C300 models and it will be available with both PL and EF mounts. There will probably be also a new zoom and a prime cinema lens.
Few weeks ago Samyang confirmed that they are working on a new 50mm lens. In a recent post on their Facebook page Samyang Asia mentioned that a new 50mm f/1.2 lens is on their roadmap for 2014. The lens will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sony mount.
Those are the latest savings on Fujifilm camera and lenses from B&H.
The Bower 24mm f/1.4 wide angle lens for all mounts is now $200 off: $499 vs. the regular $699.
New book from White Knight Press: Photographer's Guide to the Panasonic Lumix LX7 (available also for Kindle).
Nauticam announced NA-NEX6 underwater housing for the Sony NEX-6 camera. Specifications:
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