SLR Magic has announced a new ultra-wideangle manual-focus lens for Micro Four Thirds. The HyperPrime 12mm f/1.6 has a diagonal angle of view equivalent to that of a 24mm lens on a 35mm camera, and features a traditional aperture ring, an iris diaphragm with 12 rounded blades and a close-focus point of 15cm. The optical formula comprises 12 elements (including 3 ‘Tantalum’ glass elements) in 10 groups. Weiging in at 330 grams the lens, which features a 58mm filter thread and a non-rotating front element, is expected to go on sale for $500 later this month.

Canon has introduced seven new 4K EF Cinema Lenses, an all-new series of video cinematography lenses that, in addition to the company’s current line-up of interchangeable EF lenses for EOS single-lens reflex cameras, form the core of Canon’s new Cinema EOS System. The new lens range includes four top-end zoom lenses covering a zoom range from 14.5 mm to 300 mm — two models each for EF and PL lens mounts — and three single-focal-length lenses for EF mounts. The four new Canon zoom cinema lenses comprise the $45,000 CN-E14.5–60mm T2.6 L S (for EF mounts) and CN-E14.5–60mm T2.6 L SP (for PL mounts) wide-angle cinema zoom lenses, and the $47,000 CN-E30–300mm T2.95–3.7 L S (for EF mounts; pictured) and CN-E30–300mm T2.95–3.7 L SP (for PL mounts) telephoto cinema zoom lenses. Each lens supports 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) resolution, which delivers a pixel count four times that of Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), and offers compatibility with industry-standard Super 35mm-equivalent cameras as well as APS-C models. The three primes - including the CN-E24mm T1.5 L F, CN-E50mm T1.3 L F and CN-E85mm T1.3 L F; priced at $6,800 each - additionally support 35mm full-frame and APS-H sensor sizes.

Canon has launched the Cinema EOS System, a new professional digital cinematography system that spans the lens, digital video camcorder and digital SLR camera product categories. The system currently comprises seven new 4K EF Cinema Lenses — four zoom lenses and three single-focal-length models —, an interchangeable-lens digital video camcorder called the Canon EOS C300 and equipped with a Super 35-mm-equivalent CMOS sensor, and a new digital SLR camera currently under development that features a 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor supporting the recording of 4K video. The Canon EOS C300 will also be available with a PL mount.

Leica has expanded its range of lenses for the Leica S-System with the new Leica Elmarit-S 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH., a wide-angle lens scheduled to be available from December. Equivalent to a 24mm lens in 35mm format, the Leica Elmarit-S 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. has a diagonal angle of view of 84 degrees and features an optical formula that comprises 13 elements in 9 groups. Weighing in at 1060 grams, the lens comes with a rectangular hood and retails for $7,495 in the US, with UK pricing to be announced.

Carl Zeiss has announced the Distagon T* 2/25 lens in Canon (ZE) and Nikon (ZF.2) versions. Constructed of 11 lens elements in 10 groups, this 25mm lens has a maximum aperture of f/2, a diagonal angle-of-view of 81 degrees and a filter thread size of 67mm. Recommended for interiors, architecture and landscape photography, the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/25 will be available end of 2011 at an RRP of €1217+VAT.

Canon has announced the achievement of two milestones: the company has recently manufactured its 50 millionth EOS-series SLR camera, and expects to produce the 70 millionth EF lens by the end of this month. The first-ever Canon EOS camera, the EOS 650, was launched in March 1987. By the 10th anniversary of the series in 1997, the number of EOS cameras sold had reached the 10 million mark. Production propelled to 20 million units in 2003, and by the 20th anniversary they had reached the 30 million mark, due to the continued popularity of the EOS system in the digital age. The 40 millionth EOS camera was manufactured in May 2010, while the current 50 million-unit production milestone was achieved in September 2011.

According to Nikon, the total production of Nikkor interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras reached sixty-five million at the beginning of this month. The first Nikon SLR camera, the professional-grade Nikon F, was launched in 1959 along with the very first F-mount Nikkors such as the Nikkor-S Auto 5cm f/2. In March 2011, total production of Nikkor lenses reached sixty million. Since then, Nikon has continued to expand the product lineup by releasing two new SLR lenses, the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G (read review) and the AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G.

Sigma Corporation of America has announced the price and availability of the new Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM lens. Successor to the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM “Mark I”, Sigma’s newest superzoom lens features FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, and SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements for the correction of colour aberrations. Additionally, the manufacturer’s Super Multi-Layer Coating is also there to reduce flare and ghosting throughout the entire zoom range. An iris diaphragm with seven rounded blades and an Optical Stabiliser promising approximately 4 stops’ worth of image stabilisation round off the features list. The Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM lens is available now in Canon and Nikon mounts for the MSRP of $720. As reported earlier, the UK price will be £499.99.

THK Photo Products have announced the US availability of the new Tokina AT-X Pro FX 17-35mm f/4 wide zoom for Canon and Nikon. Equipped with a quiet, high-precision focus motor, the Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX has an optical formula that comprises 13 elements arranged in 12 groups, and comes with a nine-bladed iris diaphragm. Notable features include an angle-of-view range of 103.96° -64.74°, a rubber seal around the lens mount, and Tokina’s exclusive one-tocuh focus clutch mechanism that allows the photographer to switch between AF and MF simply by snapping the focus ring forward for AF and back toward the camera to focus manually. The Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX is available for $719.

Sigma has announced the release of the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM lens. Successor to the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM “Mark I”, Sigma’s newest superzoom lens features FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, and SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements for the correction of colour aberrations. Additionally, the manufacturer’s Super Multi-Layer Coating is also there to reduce flare and ghosting throughout the entire zoom range. An iris diaphragm with seven rounded blades and an Optical Stabiliser promising approximately 4 stops’ worth of image stabilisation round off the features list. The Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM lens will be available in Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Pentax and Sony fit (the last two do not incorporate optical stabilisation), for an SRP of £499.99.

Lensbaby’s new Movie Maker’s Kit consists of a Lensbaby Composer Pro in PL and Canon EF mount, and a whole range of optics and accessories. “Filmmakers can achieve a wide range of effects in-camera with the Movie Maker’s Kit,” the company says.  “The Sweet 35, Double Glass, Plastic, and Single Glass optics can be used to create different quality selective focus effects, where one area of the image at a given depth of field is in focus, and other areas at the same depth of field fall away into a beautiful blur. The Fisheye, Soft Focus, and Pinhole/Zone plate Optics allow further in-camera creativity.” The Lensbaby Movie Maker’s Kit is available now for $2900.

Want to see what the new Nikon 1 lenses and accessories look like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on images showing off the four new Nikon 1 lenses and various accessories from every angle.

Want to see what the new Nikon 1 J1 and Nikon 1 V1 look like in the flesh? Here’s a gallery of hands-on images showing off the new Nikon 1 V1 and J1 compact system cameras - as well as some of the new Nikon lenses - from every angle.

Phase One and Schneider Kreuznach have announced a series of new leaf shutter lenses. Designed for use with the Phase One 645DF and Mamiya 645DF camera bodies, the four new lenses are now under development, with the first two lenses to reach the market being the 75-150mm LS and 240mm LS.

Panasonic has announced a new firmware update programme for its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lenses, and introduced the “HD Lens” category. The company says “HD Lenses” conform to a new standard of AF performance in terms of tracking speed and quietness, allowing users “to fully enjoy HD video recording”. The new firmware update brings quieter AF operation and enhanced stability for the optical image stabiliser during video capture. Click through / scroll down for a full list of “HD Lenses”.

Samyang has announced the availability and estimated retail price of the Samyang 7.5mm f/3.5 UMC Fish-eye lens for Micro Four Thirds. Directly competing with the Panasonic Lumix G Fish-Eye 8mm f/3.5 (read review), the new Samyang lens is the first model from the new family of lenses developed specifically for the Micro Four Thirds system. Offering a diagonal angle of view of 180 degrees, the Samyang 7.5mm f/3.5 UMC Fish-eye is a tiny manual-focus lens that will be available in two colour versions later this month at an estimated retail price of €299.

In Japan, Panasonic has showed mock-ups of two large-aperture pro zooms for the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system, due for release in 2012. There will be a 12-35mm (24-70mm equivalent) lens with a minimum focus distance of 25cm and a 35-100mm (70-200mm equivalent) telezoom with a close-focus point of 85cm, both with Power O.I.S. (optical image stabiliser) on board. The exact maximum apertures are unknown, but it’s already clear that both lenses will feature the manufacturer’s Nano Surface Coating to combat flare and ghosts. Judging by the pictures posted on the DC Watch website, both lenses will have proper focus and zoom rings. Exact availability, pricing and full specifications to be announced later.

Via DC Watch

Want to see what the new Panasonic X 14-42mm lens looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the Panasonic X 14-42mm professional lens.

Want to see what the new Panasonic X 45-175mm lens looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the Panasonic X 45-175mm professional lens.

Panasonic has unveiled a duo of power zoom lenses for the Micro Four Thirds system, including the tiny Lumix G X PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 standard zoom and the Lumix G X 45-175mm f/4-5.6 telephoto lens.  The new lenses feature Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating, optical image stabilisation and aspherical and ED glass elements; as well as a motorised - yet smooth, quiet and precise - zooming mechanism. The Lumix G X 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens additionally features a collapsible design that allows it to be approximately as small as the 20mm pancake lens when not in use. In comparison to the existing Lumix G Standard 14-42mm kit lens, this lens provides “significantly improved optical performance” while being a lot smaller and 48% lighter. The Lumix GX 45-175mm f/4-5.6 lens has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 90-350mm and features a fast motorised Multi-Actuator Floating Inner Focus System, which ensures that air and dust isn’t sucked into the lens during zooming or focussing. The new lenses will debut this September at the IFA trade show in Berlin. Panasonic Europe will also release a Panasonic GF3X kit including the Panasonic GF3 camera body and the new 14-42mm power zoom. Pricing to be confirmed.