Egami (translated) spotted another patent filed by Canon, this time for new macro lenses with hybrid image stabilization: 180mm f/3.5 IS, 200mm f/3.5 IS, and 300mm f/3.5 IS.
The Sigma 180mm is a highly impressive lens. Not only has Sigma added their 4-stop OS (Optical Stabilization) system to their existing 180mm macro, they managed to pry open to aperture to f/2.8 up from f/3.5 (where most 180mm macro lenses fall). They have also added 3 FLD elements (similar to Fluorite) to the lens to help combat Chromatic Aberrations (commonly referred to as: CA). All of this results in a lens that is exceptionally sharp, capable of true 1:1 macro magnification and able to be hand-held at speeds well below 1/200 (where one would normally have to shoot this focal length for an acceptably sharp exposure).
Pluses
Impressive sharpness
Accurate AF
Excellent macro capabilities
Accurate AF (wait didn’t I already say that? Yeah, it’s that important)
Very usable stabilization system
Minuses
Somewhat heavy
Somewhat specialized (potentially limited uses)
Quite expensive at $1699 (at time of this writing)
The Sigma 180mm f/2.8 APO Macro EX DG OS HSM Lens (for Canon) is a high-speed macro lens offering a magnification ratio of 1:1 and a focal length of 180mm. This lens is compatible with the Canon EF mount for use on full-frame and APS-C DSLRs.
This lens incorporates 3 FLD glass elements for color aberration corrections, as well as a floating inner focusing system to reduce other aberrations such as field curvature and distortion, resulting in accurate scene rendition from 1:1 magnification to infinity. A Super Multi-Layer coating helps to eliminate ghosting and flare as well as produce images with more contrast and sharpness. The rounded 9 blade diaphragm also provides an appealing bokeh, especially when photographing at the maximum aperture or at 1:1 magnification.
The integrated OS (Optical Stabilizer) system permits users to photograph handheld with shutter speeds up to 4 stops lower than usually possible. An HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) is also incorporated into the design, ensuring quiet and quick auto focusing and manual focus capabilities.
B&H has the Sigma 180mm f/2.8 APO Macro EX DG OS HSM Lens (for Canon) in stock and ready to ship for $1,688 (click here), but just a limited quantity. Free shipping in the US.
Japanese site Egami (machine translated) spotted another patent filed by Canon. This time it is about a 135mm f/2.8 and a 180mm f/3.5 lens. The news are an apodization filter that should help provide a more pleasant bokeh.
Voltage is applied, changing the shape of the interface
Obtain the effect of apodization
Varying refractive power, the Abbe number
To reduce the time variable aberrations of shape
By a twist of the material performed, to optimize the absorption coefficient, to suppress the generation of aberration to moderate the curvature of the interface
To reverse the two materials (such as liquid), the amount of chromatic aberration, do the negation
Suppress the two materials (such as liquid), refractive index, the difference between the Abbe number
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