Lens News

Lensbaby recently introduced the latest addition to its unique line of creative lenses. The new Velvet 56 is a 56mm f/1.6 lens for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. It's a classic portrait lens with 1:2 macro capabilities designed to deliver "a velvety, glowing, ethereal look at brighter apertures," according Lensbaby, and sharp (but subtly unique) images as you stop down.

Have you shot some great photos? Well, now’s the time to enter them in our brand new photo contest where you’ll have the chance to win two amazing prizes!

Photokina 2014 in Germany has been covered widely on the Internet already—including our own extensive reporting on the show on Shutterbug.com—so there’s no need for me to rehash the major announcements from the event, such as the latest full-frame cameras from Canon and Nikon and the like. My photo report here is aimed at sharing some wider ranging thoughts and perspectives on this important biennial show and what it told us about photography today and where it might be heading tomorrow.

We recently got some hands-on time with the two newest lenses in Sigma’s arsenal: the Sigma 24mm F/1.4 DG HSM Art lens and 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens. Both lenses, which will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts, go on sale this month at relatively decent prices considering their impressive specs.

Panasonic has announced the new Lumix G 42.5mm/F1.7 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) (equivalent: 85 mm) and the Lumix G Macro 30mm/ F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (equivalent: 60mm) lenses. Both lenses are designed for Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds camera systems.

Fujifilm North America has unveiled a new “roadmap” for its next XF lenses for its X-series cameras. You can see the Fuji lens roadmap above.

Ricoh Imaging just introduced two new HD PENTAX D FA Lenses. Designed for use with the current PENTAX K-mount D-SLR cameras (and future PENTAX sensor technology) these lenses offer ranges not found in previous models, including a star-series telephoto zoom and super-telephoto zoom for capturing clear images of distant subjects and weather resistant for shooting in all conditions.

The HD PENTAX D FA lenses feature a high-grade HD Coating which helps produce extra-sharp, high-contrast images, minimizing flare and ghosting, even under demanding lighting conditions such as backlight situations.