Last Updated on July-16-2010 2 Commented

Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC HSMLarge aperture telephoto zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras and reveals its strength in close-up photography.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC HSM lens.

This large aperture telephoto zoom lens is designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size sensors and its compact, lightweight body provides freedom of movement and versatility. The minimum focusing distance of 100cm/39.4in. and the high-resolution power layout have improved the strength of the lens in close-up photography. This lens offers a large aperture of F2.8 and its large depth of field offers greater freedom of creative expression. It has a maximum aperture of F2.8. Four SLD glass elements are used for maximum correction of chromatic aberrations. The super multi-layer lens coating reduce flare and ghosting and ensure sharp images throughout the entire zoom range. The lens design incorporates an inner focusing and inner zooming system. As the overall length of the lens does not change during focusing and zooming, convenient handling is ensured. The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) system allows quiet and high-speed auto focusing with full time manual focus override by just rotating the focusing ring. The addition of the optional 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters produce a 70-210mm F4 AF tele-zoom lens and a 100-300mm F5.6 AF ultra-telephoto zoom lens respectively.

Read more at Sigma

Last Updated on January-6-2010 Add Comments
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Credit: DPReview

5th January 2010 – Canon today adds to its acclaimed L-series with the launch of the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM telephoto zoom lens. The lens launches as the successor to the immensely popular EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, offering improved performance in every area.

True to the L-series’ heritage, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM delivers optical excellence in the most challenging situations. As well as a revamp of the internal optical system, the lens has also been structurally re-developed as a direct result of user feedback, making it as robust and reliable as it is optically advanced.

“Reuters’ photographers have used the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM for a number of years and it allows photographers a great level of flexibility,” said Reuters Production Editor Kevin Coombs. “The focal length, fast aperture and Image Stabilizer all contribute to it being a workhorse lens and you’ll find it in many professional photographers’ camera bags. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the improvements offered by the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.”

Premium quality, premium performance

The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features a re-designed optical system, consisting of 23 elements in 19 groups to deliver truly impressive results. A high-performance fluorite element is used at the heart of the lens path, coupled with no fewer than five ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements, drastically reducing chromatic aberration throughout the zoom range to produce high contrast images with edge-to-edge definition.

A high-speed Auto Focus (AF) system perfectly matches the abilities of the recently-launched EOS-1D Mark IV and EOS 7D Digital SLR (DSLR) cameras. The new model also features a ring-type USM AF motor, which combines with a new high-speed CPU and an optimised AF algorithm to make auto focusing both faster and quieter.

A reduced minimum focusing distance of 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) and improved 0.21x magnification will allow photographers to get closer to subjects without needing to swap lenses – greatly benefitting time-pressured news and events photographers who require flexibility. An updated Image Stabilizer mechanism also offers a shutter speed advantage equivalent to four-stops, reducing the effect of image blur resulting from camera shake in busy shooting environments.

Enhanced design, exceptional ease of use

As well as an update to the internal construction, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features an enhanced external appearance to improve lens operation. The thickness of protruding exterior parts and switches has been significantly reduced, guarding against accidental switching and creating an improved overall look. The rubber focusing grip has also been redesigned and widened; with finely-patterned grooves making it easier to manually focus.

Being an L-series lens, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is fully weatherproof, making it ideal for use in all weather conditions. The mount, focus mode switch and focusing ring all feature a completely dust and drip-proof structure, preventing dust or water from getting inside the camera and lens when used with accompanying weatherproof EOS bodies. The lens has been designed to stand up to the daily wear and tear of professional usage, making it a highly durable, reliable lens for use day-to-day by professional photographers.

High quality L-series accessories

The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is supplied with several accessories, including the new ET-87 Lens Hood and the Ring-Type Tripod Collar B (W). A brand new Lens Case LZ1326 is also included as standard, offering quick and easy access when users need to switch lenses in time-pressured situations.

Compatibility with a range of optional Canon accessories also allows users to pair the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM with the Lens Extender EF 1.4x II, Lens Extender EF 2x II, Extension Tube EF 12 II, Extension Tube EF 25 II, and 77mm filters.

Read more / See specifications at DPReview

View the MTF Charts comparisons between Canon 70-200 f/2.8 non-IS, IS and IS II at the-digital-picture.com

Last Updated on April-10-2010 Add Comments

Sigma APO MACRO 180mm F3.5 EX DG IF HSMIt combines sharp close-up performance and excellent mechanics.
A relative bargain (at least for Pros and serious amateurs), this very well-made lens combines sharp closeup performance and excellent mechanics.
Popular Photography, December 2000

Taking picture of small animals and insects can be difficult, because they often run or fly away, or can be dangerous or become aggressive if you approach them. Therefore it is advantageous to have a greater working distance between the camera and such subjects. Longer focal length lens can provide this greater distance, but most long lens do not focus close enough to provide a large image of small subjects. The tele-macro type lens solves this problem by producing a large, high quality image, up to life-size, while maintaining a long working distance. This can enable you to capture on film the world of photomicrography, without disturbing the subjects. The 180mm F3.5 APO MACRO lens has a very narrow field of view, and can allow very narrow depth-of-field for selective focus and less distracting backgrounds. This lens is most desirable for photographers who are serious about producing high quality images both of macro subjects at life-size reproduction, as well as normal telephotography.

Floating Inner Focusing System

The Floating Inner Focus System of the APO MACRO 180mm F3.5 EX HSM provides high quality optical performance and superior handling and stability. This system moves two lens groups within the lens, so the lens’ physical length remains unchanged. This technique also maintains good correction for Spherical Aberration and Astigmatism, and provides extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 Macro.

Full-time Manual Focus with HSM

Macro photography requires precise focus adjustment. The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) feature is ideal for this purpose as it allows quick and precise manual focus, even in auto focus mode. Simply focus with HSM auto focus, then while partially depressing the shutter release, turn the manual focus ring until any desired focus adjustment is made. Then depress the shutter release fully to take the picture. It is not necessary to switch from AF to MF. When the shutter release is next depressed, the AF function will resume. Of course the AF function can be disabled altogether, and only MF used, if desired.

It is possible to use 1.4x or 2x Sigma Apo Tele Converters.

Macro photography can be further enhanced by the 1.4x APO EX tele-converter, which allows the photographer to use the new SIGMA APO 180mm F3.5 MACRO lens as a 252mm F5 lens while maintaining auto focus function from infinity to 1.2m(47.2 in.) with Canon, Nikon and Sigma cameras. At distances closer than 1.2m (47.2 in.) the lens automatically switches to MF mode. When this lens and the 1.4x EX tele-converter are used with Minolta or Pentax cameras the lens must be focused manually. When used with the 2x EX tele-converter, the 180mm F3.5 lens becomes a 360mm F7 lens with manual focus function only, regardless of camera mount.

Use of SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass

Image quality depends in part on color Aberration, which occurs due to differences in the wavelength (color) of light, causing the different colors to focus at different planes. SLD glass in the front optical group helps compensate for this phenomenon, and enables the lens to deliver images of high optical quality, having outstanding crispness and sharpness.

Inner Focus

Inner focusing improves handling and focus operation from infinity to close-up, by keeping the lens’ length constant. It also allows easy handling and use of circular polarizing filters, as the front barrel does not rotate during focusing. The large grippable manual focus control ring is ideal for manual focus photography. This lens also features a Focus Limiter Switch, to provide quicker AF function.

Read more at Sigma

Last Updated on January-5-2010 Add Comments

Sigma MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGSuper Multi Coating reduces flare and ghosting that tends to occur when using digital SLR cameras.
Optimized optical design for digital SLR cameras.

Sigma launched first standard 50mm Macro lens in 1990. This was succeeded by the 50mm F2.8 EX Macro in 1998 which proved even more popular with photographers, benefiting from improved build and optical quality.
The advent of digital SLR’s requires optimum lens performance and therefore the very latest optical technology has been incorporated in the production of the New Macro 50mm F2.8 EX DG. This ideal standard lens sets the benchmark for digital SLR cameras.

Macro lenses require a high imaging performance for photographing objects with digital SLR cameras.

The new advanced lens design corrects various aberrations. This macro lens is specially coated to get the best color balance whilst cutting down ghost caused by reflections from the digital image sensor. This lens provides the utmost correction against lateral chromatic aberration which is a serious problem for digital SLR cameras.

Floating Focusing System

Floating Focusing system that enables this lens to photograph objects precisely in entire focusing range.

Standard 50mm lens for digital SLR cameras.

This standard macro lens enables you to enjoy the communication with subject. When viewing through the camera’s finder, you are able to move your subject, and make precise adjustment. It has a close working distance and it is very convenient for taking close-up pictures of a fossil, or other inanimate things for example. This lens would have an equivalent field of view of an 85mm macro lens on a digital SLR camera (when used with the SD10).

Minimum aperture of F45

Although the depth of field this medium telephoto is shallow, sometimes would be necessary to have greater depth of field, because it is difficult to take a sharp picture of a subject and the background at the maximum aperture. Minimum aperture of F45 (F45 for Sigma, Canon and Konica Minolta mounts) or F32 (F32 for Nikon and Pentax mounts) provides greater depth of field.

A screw-in lens hood

A screw-in hood is included, for convenient use of circular polarizing filters. It is possible to attach a 72mm filter and a cap in front of the lens hood.

Read more at Sigma

Last Updated on July-16-2010 Add Comments

Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSMHigh ratio zoom lens housed in a compact construction and incorporating Sigma’s original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM. This high ratio zoom lens is designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras and will be showcased at PMA, which starts on January 31st, 2008 in Las Vegas, U.S.A.

This compact high zoom ratio lens is designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras and incorporates Sigma’s original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function. This system uses two sensors inside the lens to detect vertical and horizontal movement of the camera and works by moving an optical image stabilizing lens group to effectively compensate for camera shake. It offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower. It is the ideal lens for several type of photography such as wide-angle, telephoto and close-up. SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, a molded glass aspherical lens and two hybrid aspherical lenses provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. The super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 35cm (13.8″) at all focal lengths, and has maximum magnification of 1:3.8, making it ideal for close-up photography. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed autofocus.

Compact Construction

Its compact construction has an overall length of 88.5mm (3.5″), maximum diameter of 74mm (2.9″) and weighting just 450g/15.9oz (Sigma mount).

Close Focusing Capability

This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 35cm (13.8″) at all focal lengths, and has maximum magnification of 1:3.8, making it ideal for close-up photography.

Super Image Quality

SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, a molded glass aspherical lens and two hybrid aspherical lenses provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. The super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range.

HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)

This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed autofocus.

Inner Focusing System

The inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the supplied petal-type lens hood and circular polarizing filters.

Magnification Scale

A magnification scale is displayed on the lens barrel, ensuring ease of use.

Read more at Sigma

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