Hasta La Gadget!

A couple of days back we ran a story about a rumored an upcoming Nikon Lenses rebate plan rumor. Nikon was expected to slash prices of their lenses and give major discounts on a large number of lenses. Well, Nikon has done it and has announced major discounts. The price scheme is supposed to expire on March 2^nd 2013. As reported earlier, consumers do not have to buy a DSLR body in order to qualify for the discounts. They will only need to purchase the lens.

Discounted prices can be checked on Nikon’s website . Lenses that have been discounted are: Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D, Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G VRII, Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VRII,  Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G, Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G,Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G, Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G, Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G, Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G, Nikkor Micro 60mm f/2.8G, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G VR, Nikkor Micro 85mm f/3.5G VR and the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G.

If you were in the market for lenses, we hope that you read our previous post and waited until this was made official. Knowledge is power and it can also save you a buck or two.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Huge Rebate Plan For Nikon Lenses Coming [Rumor], Amazon Announces ‘Amazon Coins’ Virtual Currency,

Sigma has unveiled a handful of new lenses that will join the company’s current lineup of Art lenses, which are designed to be high-quality alternatives of the competition, like Canon and Nikon lenses, but with a slightly lower cost than you would normally see with these companies. The four new lenses that Sigma announce are a 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM, 60mm f/2.8 DN, 30mm f/2.8 DN, and a 19mm f/2.8 DN.

The 30mm f/1.4 lens is designed for large-aperture APS-C format cameras, and the angle of view is equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm camera. The lens promises to deliver the highest level of image quality, thanks to a Hyper Sonic Motor for quiet, high-speed autofocusing, as well as a 9-blade rounded diaphragm that creates a bokeh effect. It also has a brass bayonet mount designed to withstand long-term use. The lens has been specifically optimized to reduce field curvature and improve focusing capabilities.

The 60mm f/2.8 DN lens is designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, as well as Sony E-mount shooters. It has an angle of view equivalent to 120mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The lens contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize chromatic aberration. The lens is specifically created for telephoto shooting and portrait work, and it will be available in both silver and black.

Sigma’s other new 30mm lens is a f/2.8 lens also meant for Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount cameras. This lens is meant for everyday shooting and is engineered as an all-around lens that you can anywhere. It’s also perfect for casual and formal portraiture, and documentary photography. The lens includes a double-sided aspherical lens that improves its optical performance.

Last, but not least, the 19mm f/2.8 DN is yet another Micro Four Thirds and E-mount lens that has an angle of view equivalent to 38mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 28.5mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). This lens is designed for street shooting, as well as landscape, architecture, and studio work.

Pricing and availability on these lenses have yet to be disclosed, but Sigma says that the 30mm f/1.4 lens is expected to arrive in a couple of months, while we have yet to hear a release window for the other three lenses.

Sigma unveils four new Art lenses is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
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One of the most common criticisms circling Sony’s NEX lineup and mirrorless cameras as a whole is limited lens selection, so we’re always happy to see new high-end optics make their debut. Today, Sony’s doing its part to make its products more appealing by adding two new lenses (for a total of 13): a 20mm f/2.8 pancake and a 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS powered-zoom optic, which first made its debut with the VG30 camcorder, but will now be available as a standalone purchase. That first model will ship in April for $350, while the zoom lens will be available in March for $1,200. Photography buffs can catch a few more details in the PR just past the break.

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Nikon clearly wants to make amends for its unspectacular J2 launch late last summer: it’s launching not one but two 1 series models that provide a stronger incentive to go Nikon among lower-end mirrorless cameras. The 14.2-megapixel J3 and 10.1-megapixel S1 mostly receive hand-me-down features from the semi-pro V2, although that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The leftovers give them uncommonly accurate 73-point autofocusing and an upgraded Expeed 3A processor that can handle 15FPS burst photography with continuous focus — three times the frame rate of the J2 in the same conditions. Apart from their resolution, the main separators between the J3 and S1 are the J3’s inclusion of a simple panorama mode and a slightly wider ISO range for the S1, which starts at ISO 100 versus the J3’s 160.

Both new bodies ship in February, when the S1 will lower the 1 system’s entry price to $500 with an 11-27.5mm lens, and the J3 will have a suitably in-between price of $600 with 10-30mm optics. The shooters will soon be joined by new lenses and accessories, as well. A 6.7-13mm (18-35mm equivalent), f/3.5-5.6 wide-angle lens and a 10-100mm (27-270mm equivalent) f/4-5.6 telephoto zoom don’t have definitive release dates, but should respectively cost $500 and $550. Scuba divers who want a J3 or S1 for their excursions will also get a WP-N2 underwater case in February, albeit at a $750 price that’s more expensive than the cameras themselves.

Continue reading Nikon unveils J3 and S1, takes 73-point AF and 15 fps stills to entry mirrorless cameras

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Source: Nikon

Sony NEX-6 kit owners have been shooting with it for weeks, but the company’s 16-50mm retractable zoom lens isn’t quite yet available as a standalone purchase. That’s set to change early next year — reps have told us that the lens should hit stores by mid-February, while the optic’s own product page now lists an estimated ship date of February 3rd. The lens, which ships with the NEX-6 for a $150 premium (compared to the $850 body-only price), delivers a focal range similar to that of Sony’s larger 18-55mm optic, matching that version’s f/3.5-5.6 aperture as well. It’s compatible with E-mount cameras, including select Handycam camcorders and discontinued models like the NEX-C3. It was also slated to ship as part of an NEX-5R kit for $800, but the company has scrapped plans for that particular package. For now, you can hit up Sony’s site at the source link below to hop on the pre-order list.

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Source: Sony