Lensbaby Sol 45 lens announced (tilt-shift on a budget)

lensbaby sol 45
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Lensbaby Sol 45 at a glance:

  • Canon EF-Mount Lens
  • Metal Body with Tilt from 0-8.5°
  • Fixed f/3.5 Aperture
  • Manual Focus
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 14″
  • Filter Diameter: 46mm
  • 2-Blade, Adjustable Diaphragm

Lensbaby released a new lens made for creative minds on a budget (it’s $199.95), the Lensbaby Sol 45. With an 8.5° of tilt, the Lensbaby Sol 45 lets you easily isolate a subject within the frame and surround it in blur and smooth bokeh. The Lensbaby Sol 45 can be ordered at B&H Photo or directly on Lensbaby’s site.

Photography Blog has a review, DPReview a sample gallery.

Press release (via Photography Blog):

Lensbaby Inspires New Audiences With the Fun and Accessible Sol 45

A tool to inspire. A tool to be bold. A tool to build memories.

Portland, OR (August 7th) – Lensbaby—makers of award-winning creative effects lenses, optics and accessories—announces the launch of their most playful and accessible lens yet, the Sol 45.

“Sol 45 opens up a new creative experience for those who want to dip their toes in the Lensbaby pool,” said Craig Strong Lensbaby Co-Founder and CCO. “Sol inspires visual artists to find new and fun ways to see their world by creating unique images in camera – no filters needed.”

The Sol 45 responds to those curious and insightful individuals who desire intention, imagination, and passion within each experience they live. This fixed aperture lens features an ease-of-use that injects the classic Lensbaby energy into images while creating a fun photography experience that benefits from the creation of unique photos that are representative of the users’ passions.

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Canon EOS M50 firmware update ver. 1.0.1 released (solves smartphone issues)

Canon EOS M50 Mark II
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Canon released firmware ver. 1.0.1 for the Canon EOS M50.

Firmware Version 1.0.1 incorporates the following fixes:

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which some images captured with the Adobe RGB color space may not successfully transfer to a smartphone.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which some JPEG images, that were converted from RAW images may not successfully transfer to a smartphone.

Click here to download the firmware update.

Tamron announces 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD lens for full frame, and it’s just $599

Tamron 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD
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Tamron 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to 22
  • Fluorine and BBAR Coatings
  • Optimized Silent Drive AF Motor
  • TAP-in Console Compatible
  • Leak-Proof Lens Seals
  • Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm

Tamron announced the new Tamron 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD lens. And it has a very affordable price, $599. Pre-order at B&H Photo | Adorama

Tamron press release:

Tamron releases the smallest, lightest ultra-wide-angle zoom lens in its class

A sophisticated balance of outstanding optics and matchless mobility

17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD (Model A037)

August 6, 2018, Saitama, Japan–Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Ajisaka), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of a new ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, the 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD (Model A037), for 35mm full-frame DSLR cameras.

The vision behind the Model A037 is that of an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, which has a separate concept from SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012), with superb image quality and easy portability. At just 90mm (3.5 in) in length and 460g (16.2 oz) in weight, it is the smallest and lightest in its class. The focal length ranges from an ultra-wide 17mm that is suitable for professional landscape photography to a standard 35mm good for snapshot photography. As for F-stops, the wide-angle end is a large aperture F/2.8, and at the telephoto end is a fast F/4. The Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating, help to enhance the user’s photographic experience. For those looking to try out an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for the first time, as well as having a lens that is easily portable, the A037 is the definitive choice.

PRODUCT NAME
17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD （Model A037）

DATE OF LAUNCH
The Nikon mount model: September 4, 2018
The launch date of the Canon mount model will be announced at a later date.

Product Information

1. High-performance imaging for shooting vast landscapes in sharp detail

The optical construction (15 elements in 10 groups) uses four LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements to minimize axial chromatic aberrations that can occur with ultra-wide-angle zoom lenses. With two properly positioned GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lenses, distortion and other aberration can be satisfactorily corrected as well. Being the smallest and lightest in its class* and dedicated to high quality imaging, the engineers have paid particular attention to size. The lens has also been carefully designed to allow peripheral point image reproducibility and thereby facilitate a high degree of sharpness and contrast.
The Minimum Object Distance (MOD) for the entire zoom range is a short 0.28m (11 in), so background blurring is still possible when opening the aperture and approaching the subject close-up with this ultra-wide-angle zoom.
* Among ultra-wide-angle zoom lenses using an F-stop faster than F/4 for 35mm full-frame DSLR cameras. (As of July 2018: Tamron)

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Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II teardown (Lens Rentals)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II
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All images © lensrentals.com and used with permission

Roger Cicala of Lens Rentals posted a teardown of the new Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II lens. Impressive images, and interesting findings too.

Excerpts from Roger’s conclusion:

[…] this is, as we would expect, a very well built lens with robust roller bearings, large brass collars, heavy metal keys, and good weather sealing.

[Lens Rentals has] some hints, and a lot of Roger speculation, about how Canon is getting lenses with such low variance. Here’s what we know: Canon has more optical adjustments than most lenses, not less. So while they may have tighter tolerances (I have no clue), the key seems to be more in a careful optical adjustment of compensating elements than anything else.

It is clear that Canon is going with more, and more straightforward, adjustment of optics than the other manufacturers.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II
Image © lensrentals.com

Be sure to head over to Lens Rentals to see the many pictures of the teardown, and to get the findings.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is getting one positive review after the other. Canon clearly has another winner here. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is in stock at major retailers in the US, price is $1,299: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II world-wide:

[shoplist 51369]

Is a “Mirrorless War” coming? Someone thinks so

full frame mirrorless
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Kevin Raber of Luminous Landscape introduces us to a possible upcoming “mirrorless war”. Is it going to be Canon and Nikon against the rest of the world?

In his own words:

The Mirrorless War is here. In the coming months, things will get real interesting in the mirrorless camera market as Nikon and Canon throw their hats into the ring. Now every major manufacturer will have a mirrorless offering. It’s the camera of the future.

In his video, Kevin Raber discusses today’s situation of the market, and gives some predictions for the future.

Exciting times are ahead. Nikon already officially stated they are developing a full frame mirrorless camera, and that they will announce it to the world on August 23, 2018 (all Nikon full frame mirrorless rumors).

And Canon? Hard to say since Canon started to be very secretive about their agendas. All Canon full frame mirrorless rumors are listed here.

Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art and 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art get Hot One Awards from Professional Photographer

sigma 105mm f1.4
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Sigma press release:

Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art and 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lenses Honored with Hot One Awards from Professional Photographer

Two of Sigma’s Art lenses join this year’s buyers’ guide showcasing the year’s best and most innovative technology products for professional photographers

Ronkonkoma, New York — August 1, 2018 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading camera, DSLR lens, flash and accessories manufacturer, today announced that two of its newest Art lenses, the 70mm F2.8 DG Macro ($569; available in Canon, Sigma and Sony E mounts) and 105mm F1.4 DG HSM, the “Bokeh Master” ($1599; available in Canon, Nikon, Sigma and Sony E mounts), have been honored with Professional Photographer 2018 Hot One Awards. The annual Hot One Awards are given to innovative, exciting and inspiring technology products for photographers. Winners will appear in the August issue of Professional Photographer and also in a featured gallery beginning August 1st on the Professional Photographer website.

Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Professional Photographer is the official magazine of Professional Photographers of America, the largest international non-profit association for professional photographers. For more than 100 years, it has worked to help the pros advance their businesses and careers through editorial content that addresses the artistic, technological and business aspects of their work. This year marks the 19th Hot One Awards, and award recipients are more exciting and groundbreaking than ever before.

To see the full list of Hot One Award winners, please visit www.PPmag.com.

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