Sigma To Ship 50mm F1.4 Lens
RONKONKOMA, N.Y. — Camera lens and accessories manufacturer Sigma of America introduced a new 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art fixed-focal-length lens to its Global Vision Art lineup. The 50mm F1.4 lens will be available later this month at $949 expected street price.
Sigma called the lens a pro-level performer for full-frame DSLRs that is ideal for video, portraits, landscapes, studio work and still life. The company said it redesigned the 50mm F1.4 lens with SLD glass optimized for rich peripheral brightness, with improved large aperture performance by positioning wide elements into the front groups.
Other updates include an improved autofocus algorithm for smoother focusing and a floating focusing system to reduce lens movement while focusing. It has 13 elements in eight groups, compared with the previous eight elements in six groups, and it also has improved close focusing at 15.7 inches and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5.6, the company said.
Tamron Adds 16-300mm APS-C Lens
COMMACK, N.Y. – Tamron USA said it will begin shipping its new 18.8x zoom lens for DSLRs with APS-C sized image sensors on May 15 at a $629 suggested retail.
Tamron said the advanced 16-300mm F3.5-6.3 All-In-One zoom lens will be available in Canon and Nikon mounts at launch. A Sony mount version will be announced later, the company said.
The 35mm film equivalent focal range is 24.8-465mm. The lens offers a very wide angle option for a zoom lens. It is constructed of 16 elements in 12 groups, and uses three Molded-Glass Aspherical elements, one Hybrid Aspherical element, two LD (Low Dispersion) elements, one XR (Extra Refractive index) glass element, and one element of UXR (Ultra-Extra Refractive Index) glass, which has a greater refractive index than XR. A new construction technique was used to extend the lens’ zoom range while keeping the size small.
It has a minimum focusing distance of 15.3 inches, supporting macro photography. Other features include a Piezo Drive autofocus system, vibration compensation and moisture-resistant construction.
