Canon introduced new lens rebates in the US (up to $300 off):
Manual focus phobia by Riccardo Mantero
Now I’d like to add my two-cents worth in debunking those (in)famous doubts that gravitate around manual-focus lenses. To begin with, when I decided to get something wider and sharper for my beloved Nikon 16-35 f/4, I have to admit that I was worried about the prospect. No, change that. Actually, I was really scared. Scared that I had to make some choices.
The first was getting some kind of autofocus zoom, like the Nikon 14-24, or the recently-introduced fisheye; something sharper than my 15mm sigma, or something even sharper, like a prime lens by Zeiss. But hang on a minute! These Zeiss Prime lenses are all manual focus! What’s going on? 4000 and more euros for something that doesn't autofocus? No way, José! And it was at that point, like being in some kind of Zen state, I had an epiphany. I’d asked myself, "why is a company such as Zeiss producing manual focus lenses?" And there was only one answer: "because a manual focus - in several situations, especially where a wide lens is required - is better than autofocus!".
For example, try and ask yourself, as I did, "Now why do I want an extreme wide-angle lens?" The answers will include, for sure, "for landscape photography", or "for night photography", or again "for architectural photography". With three categories you’ve covered a really huge part of the photography universe, and one of those is done, by default, using manual focus!
So my idea was to achieve something really stunning with my landscapes and with my nightime photographs. I would so badly love to give the observer the sensation of jumping directly into the frame, and moreover I surely would if I were an architectural photographer.
Basically I’m a landscape and travel photographer, but I don't dislike some architectural shots, especially when I can play with the perspective. TIP: Just put on focus on the farthest statue at the top.
So, to recap, my research was oriented towards a super-sharp wide-angle, no matter the focus mode or stabilization, just for extreme performances. After checking several brands and being almost resigned to having to spend 4000 euros, I'd found an article on some website (may be dpreview or petapixel, don't remember - sorry) about something new: the Irix 11mm... Hell... 11mm!! ON A FULL FRAME DLSR! What crazy perspectives and absurd vanishing lines I could draw with an 11mm, and for less than a quarter of the price!
There is some kind of conflict in Sweden between Zeiss and Samyang regarding the latest Samyang Premium XP lenses for Canon EF mount:
The distributor in Sweden, Focus Nordic, has contacted all shops in Sweden to stop selling the Samyangs XP lenses and return the existing inventory back to Focus Nordic - it seems that the issue is the similar outside design with the latest Zeiss lenses:
The new Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens is now available for pre-order for $1,599 (£1,500/€1,499) at:
Shipping will begin in late June and its available in Nikon, Canon, Sigma and Sony E mounts. The full press release can be found here. Additional information on the latest Sigma 105mm lens can be found here. Sample photos are available here.
Today Tamron updated their 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD DSLR lens - the world's lightest and smallest 15x zoom lens. It seems that the new version is cheaper at $349 (the previous model is $449). The lens is available for both Nikon and Canon mounts. Shipping is expected to start on May 30th.
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD lens technical specifications::
A quick update on the rumored Samyang 24mm f/2.8 AF pancake lens for Sony FE mount I reported about yesterday: the Chinese website ZOL has already listed the lens without any other additional information which means we are getting close to the official announcement (expected in June).
Samyang currently has four AF mirrorless lenses for Sony FE mount:
The Latest Nikon Rumors
