The number of lenses available for mirrorless pro compact snappers is dwarfed by those available for Canon SLRs. But there’s no reason to feel inferior now that Conurus’ Canon EF lens adapter for Sony’s NEX cameras is finally available. As long as you’re not completely reliant on autofocus, which is rendered unusable with this adapter,… Continue reading »
Jan
03
Leica Introduces New S-System Wide-Angle Lens
Leica Camera AG (Solms, Germany, www.leica-camera.com) recently debuted a new wide-angle lens for its medium format S-System camera line. The new Leica Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH wide-angle lens has a field of view corresponding to a 24mm lens in the 35mm format. It features a maximum aperture of f/2.8, extremely low distortion throughout its entire… Continue reading »
Dec
07
Add Telephoto Powers to Your Lens for Cheap
Zoom lenses are expensive. Telephotos lenses are really expensive. But if you want to shove a little extra optical oomph into you camera, this 2x $50 telephoto adapter is a killer deal. Just screw ‘er on and shoot. It’s as easy as it is cheap—each lens adapter is made for whichever lens you’re seating it… Continue reading »
Nov
30
New Lens Designs from Phase One/Schneider-Kreuznach
Phase One (Copenhagen, Denmark, www.phasone.com) and Germany-based precision lens maker Schneider-Kreuznach recently announced they are in the process of developing four new high-end leaf-shutter lenses, including the 75–150mm LS and 240mm LS. Specifically designed for the Phase One 645DF and Mamiya 645DF camera bodies, the professional-quality LS lens feature flash sync speeds up to 1/1600s.… Continue reading »
Nov
28
Lens Skins Protect Your Valuable Lenses
International Supplies (Inglewood, CA, www.lensskins.com) recently introduced Lens Skins, a new line of removable vinyl die-cut protection wraps that make a fashion statement while protecting your lenses. Available in hundreds of different designs and colors, Lens Skins are manufactured using the latest state-of-the-art digital presses and then custom cut to fit the unique contour of… Continue reading »
Nov
01
I Want This Nikon Speaker Lens More Than I Want a Nikon 1
Instead of a silent drive motor that focuses the lens with barely a whisper, this faux Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm lens packs a speaker cone and the requisite electronics to play your music. Like the Nikon and Canon mugs and thermoses that came before it, this lens was purpose built to serve as a speaker, instead… Continue reading »
Sep
27
Xume Magnetic Lens Filters Are Brilliantly Simple
Screwing expensive things into tiny threads is tedious—especially when you’re a photographer depending on speed. So why bother screwing filters on when you can employ the mystical powers of magnets? Snap on, snap off—no more screwing, ever. The Xume system does require some labor up front: you need to install a magnetic adapter for each… Continue reading »
Sep
26
Make Your DSLR Movies Look Real Trippy With This Lens Kit
The advent of video-capable DSLRs has made it possible for more people to produce good looking videos on a tight budget. Lenses have played no small part in accomplishing that feat. Now, there’s an entire kit designed for this purpose. The Lensbaby Movie Maker’s Kit is designed for Canon DSLRs (like the 5D MKII, 60D,… Continue reading »
Sep
19
New Economical DX-format 40mm Micro Nikkor Lens from Nikon
Nikon (Melville, NY, www.nikonusa.com) recently introduced the new lightweight AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lens. Designed to work with Nikon DX-format cameras, the new AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lens has a minimum focusing distance of 6.4 in. for extreme close-up photographs and High Definition (HD) video with a life-size 1:1 reproduction ratio.… Continue reading »
Jul
08
Tamron Entry-Level Lens Wins TIPA Award
The Tamron (Commack, NY, www.tamron.com) SP 70–300mm f/45.6 Di VC USD zoom lens was named the Best Entry Level Lens at the April 9, 2011 TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) Awards in Istanbul, Turkey. While supporting both full-frame and APS-C format digital SLR cameras, the new lens features Tamron’s first application of an Ultrasonic Silent… Continue reading »