B&H started a discount program on selected Sigma lenses. The offer expires on June 17th. The lenses on rebate are:

• Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Autofocus Lens is $50 (10%) off, plus 2% reward and free shipping – $429 (click here) - for other mount types click here
  
• Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Lens is $100 off (28%), plus 2% reward and free shipping – $259 (click here) - for other mount types click here
• Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens is $100 off (20%), plus 2% reward and free shipping – $399 (click here) - for other mount types click here

Adorama has a couple of good deals running. Check the list below:

• Get a gift card up to $30 when buying on of these Canon Point&Shoot cameras (click here)
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM after discounts and 6% reward is yours for $292 (click here)

• Canon EOS 6D with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens and Canon PIXMA PRO-1 printer and Canon Photo Paper Plus Semi-Gloss

   - final price after discounts and rewards $2609 (click here)

• Canon EOS 6D  with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens the following items bundled for free (you must select the Buy Together and Save option and scroll to the correct package and add it to the cart) – final price after discounts and rewards is $2342.84 (click here):

  • Lexar 16GB Professional 400x SDHC UHS-I Memory Card for Cameras

  • Canon 100-EG Custom Gadget Bag

  • C

    anon Monopod 500, 5 Section Leg with Mini Ball Head, Height: 21.9″ to 64.5″ – Supports up to 8.5 lbs

  • Flashpoint Zoom Lever Gear Ring

  • Flashpoint Swivi HD DSLR LCD Universal Foldable Viewfinder Version II with 3.0X Magnification

  • Flashpoint VL-35, Camera & Video 35 LED Light with Bracket

• Canon EOS 5D Mark III with Canon EF 24-105 f/4L IS after discounts and rewards is on sale for $3572 (click here)

• Canon EOS Rebel T4i bundled with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II and Red Giant Adorama Production Bundle (Win/Mac) on sale for $657 (click here) - you must select the Buy Together and Save option and scroll to the correct package and add it to the cart

B&H has imported Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II prime lenses for $94 (click here). Price shows up after having added the item to the cart.

Samyang working on a 50mm f/1.2 Lens? The question above has been posted on Samyang Asia’s Facebook page.

And the answer was, yes, Samyang (aka Rokinon) is working on a new 50mm f/1.2 lens, Canon mount among other mount types. This fits with a rumor I reported in the past (click here), but then the talk was about a 50mm f/1.4. It will not be an imminent release: As Samyang Asia writes on Facebook, the lens will be here “perhaps 2014″.

Samyang/Rokinon is known to build lenses with high optical performance, and that have to be manually operated. Their latest product is the brand new 35mm f/1.4 Aspherical Lens ($479) pictured below.

Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 price check: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Canon USA, J&R, Digitalrev, eBay, rent it at Borrow Lenses

The question was asked on Facebook. The answer (see above) suggests that Samyang (see their lenses clicking here), or Rokinon (it’s the same), is working on a 50mm f/1.4. Good news!

[via Photo Rumors]

I featured the rare Canon 50mm f/1L lens in the past. Now, photographer Jim Goldstein has more to tell and show about this lens.

As of late I’ve been having fun with the 50mm focal length and I’ve been going out of my way to experiment with it. In the process I’ve rediscovered making use of much shallower depth of field in my images. [...] Breaking out of my deep depth of field rut I’ve become increasingly fascinated with learning about the varying qualities of bokeh and it’s led me to purchase a rather rare lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.0L USM. I have to admit this particular lens has two qualities that piqued my interest: 1. The extreme bokeh created by the ultra-shallow depth of field it is subject to and 2. It’s ability to gather more light for faster shutter speeds in low light situations (ideal for night photography).

There are plenty of sample pics to study. The lens is rather difficult to find. If you’re able to find one be prepared to pay $3000 or more.