Learningcameras reviewed the new Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM (price & specs) to see how it performs. How will this lens compare to the awesome Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM(price & specs) and is Sigma now competing at a higher level than Canon & Nikon?
Download the full resolution files here.

Core specs:

• Standard Focal Length Prime Lens
• Aperture Range: f/1.4 – 16
• Minimum Focus Distance: 11.8″ (30 cm)
• Hyper Sonic Motor for Smooth Autofocus
• Brass Bayonet Mount
• For APS-C Format Cameras
• Fits Canon EF-S Mount Cameras

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

B&H is offering Double Dipping Discounts on seven selected Canon lenses in addition to the discounts already offered with the ongoing Canon Rebates Program. Moreover, there is a 2% reward and free shipping. These discounts will last for limited time!

• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is $2,099 instead of $2,499 (click here)
• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is $869 instead of $1049 (click here)
• Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM is $1499 instead of $1699 (click here)
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is $1369 instead of $1619 (click here)
• Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM is $1949 instead of $2199 (click here)
• Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is $1279 instead of $1499 (click here)
• Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM is $1,329 instead of $1479 (click here)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is $2,099 instead of $2,499 (click here)

 

anon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is $2,099 instead of $2,499 (click here)

 

 

Top rated plus eBay seller getitdigital (>41000 ratings, 99.6% positive) has the Canon EOS 6D body only option bundled with the items below for .

• Two 16GB SD Memory Cards
• USB SecureDigital™ Card Reader
• LPE-6 charger
• High Capacity Rechargable Battery
• Holster – Light Travel Case

 

 

Top rated plus eBay seller getitdigital (>41000 ratings, 99.6% positive) has the Canon EOS 5D Mark III body only option on sale for . Free shipping, USA warranty, and limited supply. Very good price.

Image credit: ephotozine.com

New tidbits about the still not released Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS 1.4x.

Canon Rumors reports:

I spoke to someone at NAB last week about the yet-to-be-officiall-announced EF 200-400mm f/4L IS 1.4x. I was told that the lens is now “expected to arrive in the fall of 2013. The design and functionality of the lens are set, Canon is now waiting for the manufacturing process to be finalized so production can begin”.

I got to hold and play with the 200-400 a bit last week, and I must say the weight of it shocked me. It’s going to be pretty close to the EF 600 f/4L IS II. I’m sure everything else about the lens is top notch, as we’re still being told to expect a price north of $10,000 USD.

Time ago there was a hands-on video about the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS 1.4x, I repost it here.

It has yet to be announced, we are waiting for it since long, but photographer Joshua Holko had the exclusive chance to preview the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 IS with built-in 1.4x teleconverter. The video has been published at Luminous Landscape.

[via CR]

DxOMark reviewed Canon’s EF 400mm f2.8L IS II USM lens. Not much people can afford a lens that costs $10.999 (click here), but professional photogs needing a (super) telephoto with f/2.8, e.g. sport photographers, will be happy with this “completely uncompromising” lens. The lens was tested with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs). DxOMark writes:

The design consists of 16 elements in 12 groups, including some fluorite glass. There is a ‘Subwavelength Structure Coating’ to reduce flare and a fluorine coating on the front and rear elements that makes cleaning easier. There is provision for internally mounted 52mm filters and for Gelatin filters too, this is just as well since the front of the lens is 163mm across, virtually ruling out using front mounted filters. The length is 343mm and the weight is 3850g: about the same as a new born baby!

The lens is incredibly sharp:

The Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS II USM is one of the sharpest Canon lenses scoring 21 P-Mpix when measured on a Canon EOS 5D Mk III. This negligible difference between the sensor Mpix and the perceived sharpness is excellent. All of the measurements are good: the transmission is very slightly slower than stated; there is one tenth of one percent distortion! Too little to see and vignetting at 1.1EV is manageable, easily fixed with DxO Optics Pro. This is a top quality lens.

If your looking out for this baby, then I suggest you have a look at DxOMark’s review. In the conclusion they write:

if you need a wide 400mm lens for your Canon camera and you can afford it – and you can justify it – this lens is one of the sharpest DxOMark has tested on a Canon camera. It is big, it is very heavy, (though lighter than the Nikkor!) and it will require real skill to exploit the amazing effect that an aperture of f/2.8 can give on such a long lens, but it is very unlikely that you will be disappointed.

Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS II USM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS II USM core specs:

• L-Series Optics
• Optical Image Stabilization – 3 Modes
• Fast Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM) Autofocus
• Full-time Manual Focusing Functionality
• High-speed CPU
• Autofocus Stop Feature
• Dust and Water Resistant
• Fluorite Glass for Improved Quality
• Protective Fluorine Lens Coating
• Security Slot for Wire-Type Lock