Tamron made the 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO lens official, shipping in Japan is expected for the end of April.

Tamron has a dedicated page for the 16-300mm. B&H Photo (click here) and Adorama (click here) have product pages for the Tamron 16-300mm but no pre-order is possible so far. B&H allows you to be notified when the item can be pre-ordered.

Tamron press release:

Tamron introduces the ultimate in high-power zoom lenses, with expanded focal lengths at both wide-angle and telephoto ends of the zoom range, providing the world’s first zoom ratio of approximately 18.8X.

A high-performance, high-power zoom lens that delivers focal lengths extending from an unprecedented 16mm at the wide-angle end up to a long-range telephoto 300mm! 

Incorporates PZD (Piezo Drive)*1 and Tamron’s exclusive VC (Vibration Compensation)*2 system to further enhance the real-world performance of this next-generation “all-round lens”, which makes taking photographs more convenient and enjoyable.

April 10, 2014, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Morio Ono), a leading manufacturer of precision optics, has announced the release of an advanced new all-in-one™ zoom lens exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size image sensors that provides an amazing 18.8x zoom ratio.

Since the launch in 1992 of the 28-200mm (Model 71D) high-power zoom lens – which featured a revolutionary compact, lightweight design – Tamron has been continually expanding its portfolio of world-class optics to benefit consumers.

Tamron previously launched an 18-270mm (Model B008) all-in-one™ zoom lens exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size image sensors that features a 15x zoom ratio, superior image quality, swift, quiet AF, and Tamron’s acclaimed VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism, in an ultra-compact package. This ground-breaking lens has been winning plaudits throughout the world.

Responding to consumers’ demand for expanded focal lengths both at the wide-angle end of the zoom range and the telephoto end, Tamron has now developed a completely new all-in-one™ zoom lens design that provides an impressive focal length range extending from 16mm true wide-angle to 300mm super-telephoto.

More after the break

Lensbaby announced a new 5.8mm Circular Fisheye lens. The manual focus lens is priced $299,95 and can be pre-order at B&H Photo or Adorama.

The 5.8mm f/3.5 Circular Fisheye Lens for Canon EF from Lensbaby is a manual focus lens with a wide 5.8mm focal length that provides a fully circular image optimized for APS-C-format cameras. It is compatible with full frame image sensors by producing a smaller image within the frame. The lens has an aperture range of f/3.5 to f/22 and captures a 185˚ angle of view. It features a close focusing range starting at 0.25″ and going to infinity, all while providing expansive depth of field and image sharpness. This Lensbaby lens doesn’t bend, so the fisheye image is always perfectly centered in the frame.

Focus distance scale and DOF scale on the lens aids in focusing

Polished internal barrel for reflection and creative flare, which fills the border around image circle with colors from bright light sources in the photo

• Full-Circle Image
• Wide 5.8mm Focal Length
• Aperture Range of f/3.5-22
• APS-C & Full Frame Compatibility
• Close Focusing from 0.25″ to Infinity
• 185˚ Angle of View
• Focus Distance & DOF Scale
• Smooth Manual Focusing
• Creative Flare Effect

Sample pictures and more after the break.