Tamron Announces New Superzoom Lens For APS-C (16-300mm F/3.5-6.3)

16-300mm
Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO (Model B016)

Tamron announced a new 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 lens for APS-C DSLRs. Price and availability to be announced.

Tamron press release:

Tamron is developing a cutting-edge high-power zoom lens, with expanded focal lengths at both wide-angle and telephoto ends of the zoom range, providing the world’s first* a zoom ratio of approximately 18.8X.

16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO (Model B016)

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.

February 6, 2014, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Morio Ono), a leading manufacturer of precision optics, has announced the development 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. The lens sample will be on display at the Tamron booth at the CP+ 2014, which will be held from February 13 to 16 in Yokohama, Japan.

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.

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Canon Celebrates 70 Million EOS DSLRs

Canon press release:

Canon celebrates production of 70 million EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras

TOKYO, February 6, 2014—Canon Inc. announced today the achievement of a camera-manufacturing milestone as combined production of the company’s film and digital EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras surpassed the 70-million mark on February 5.

Production of Canon EOS SLR cameras began in 1987 at Canon Inc.’s Fukushima Plant (now Fukushima Canon Inc.) with the EOS 650, later moving to such production bases as Oita Canon Inc. and Canon Inc., Taiwan. Following the spread of digital SLR cameras in the early 2000s, production rapidly increased, surpassing the 60-million-unit mark in October 2012 and now, approximately one year and four months later, reaching the 70-million-unit threshold.

EOS, which stands for “Electro Optical System,” also carries the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn. Introduced in March 1987 as a new generation of AF SLR cameras, EOS cameras were the world’s first to incorporate an electronic mount system enabling complete electronic control not only between the lens and body, but throughout the entire camera system.

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Canon Cinema Lenses On Set and Behind the Scenes

Interesting video from Canon Pro’s Vimeo Channel. Description:

Around the world, noted filmmakers choose Canon Cine and EF lenses to bring their work to light. In this compilation of interviews and behind the scenes footage, these directors, cinematographers, documentary and commercial shooters share their experiences with Canon glass, from EFs, high-end zooms, zooms, compact zooms, and now the complete family of prime lenses.

Canon’s Cinema lenses are expensive toys, but deliver outstanding performance.

[via TDP]

Sigma Will Release 2 MTF Charts For Lens Measurement

Sigma press release:

Sigma Corporation of America to Release Two MTF Charts for Measurement of Lenses

Company releases the data of Geometric and Diffraction MTF charts for Global Vision Lenses

RONKONKOMA, N.Y., — February 3, 2014 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced that the company will now release a Geometrical MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) chart in addition to a Diffraction MTF chart when measuring the performance of all new Global Vision lenses.

MTF charts are important because they help photographers better understand the optical quality of lenses. Sigma has traditionally released Diffraction MTF data because it takes the diffraction quality of light into consideration, which can dramatically affect the data outcome. Diffracted light exists at every aperture, giving photographers a more accurate measurement of how the lens will perform in real life. Although Geometric MTF data is easier to measure and calculate since it does not consider the diffraction quality of light, it tends to show higher values in the graph and less defined results.

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Canon Going To Attend The Photography Show in March 2014

Canon UK press release:

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 3rd February 2014 – Canon, world-leader in imaging solutions, will be attending The Photography Show 2014 with an aim to excite everybody with a passion for photography. With talks from special guests, access to Canon experts and a vast interactive display of innovative products, Canon is set to bring photography to life (Stand B10). Hear first-hand and delve into the journeys of seasoned professionals that have been operating in the industry for years. Learn of their experiences and tips with talks from Canon photographers across different areas of the show, including:

  • Jeff Ascough, Wedding Photographer & Canon Ambassador, at The Student Conference
  • Clive Booth, Fashion Photographer & Canon Explorer, at The Catwalk
  • David Noton, Landscape Photographer & Canon Explorer, at The Studio
  • Danny Green, Wildlife Photographer & Canon Explorer, at The Studio
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Inside Look at Canon’s EF Extenders (Canon DLC)

The Canon Digital Learning Center published part 2 of their article series about Canon EF and tele extenders (part 1 is here). Some extender basics from part 1:

  • Tele extenders cause an unavoidable loss in light transmission to the imaging sensor or film. There’s a constant, steady 1-stop light loss with 1.4x Extenders and a 2-stop loss with a 2x. This is consistent, regardless of camera or lens brand.
  • A 1.4x Extender multiplies the effective lens focal length by 1.4x. Thus, a 300mm lens would have the power and field of view of a 420mm lens. And a 2x Extender doubles the effective lens focal length.
  • When using a digital SLR with an image sensor smaller than a full-frame, it’s “crop factor” is added to whatever an extender is to calculate effective lens coverage relative to a full-frame camera. In other words: an EOS Rebel has a 1.6x crop factor. If using a 200mm lens with a 2x Extender (400mm equivalent), putting it on an EOS Rebel would result in a lens that effectively “acts” like a 640mm lens (400mm x 1.6 = 640mm) would on a full-frame or 35mm film camera.
  • Tele extenders do not impact or change a lens’ minimum focus distance. Because extenders do impact effective focal length, at minimum focus distance, a lens with extender provides a noticeably tighter composition of small objects than the lens alone would.
  • Canon EF 1.4x and 2x Extenders are exclusively designed to work with specific, compatible Canon EF lenses. Part of the reason for this is the front element design of Canon extenders, which literally projects forward and into the rear of any lens they’re attached to. This enhances optical performance with those lenses, but prevents their attachment to many lenses that have a rear element flush with the rear lens mount.
  • Canon EF lenses that are extender-compatible:
    • All fixed focal length EF L-series telephoto lenses, 135mm and above (thru 800mm)
    • All white-colored EF 70-200mm f/2.8 and f/4 L-series zoom lenses (all versions)
    • EF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6L IS USM zoom
    • EF 200–400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x zoom (can be used in addition to lens’ built-in 1.4x)