Lens News

Nikon announced what is being called the world’s fastest 105mm prime lens today: the AF-S Nikkor 105mm F/1.4E. Nikon’s launch of the 105mm f/1.4 lens is timed to commemorate a particular achievement for the company, 100 million Nikkor lens units produced worldwide.

Last month we wrote about a patent filed by Canon for a “smaller and lighter” 1000mm f/5.6 DO super telephoto lens. Well, now they’re at it again—this time with a crazy EF 40-800mm f/4.5-5.6 wide-range zoom for full-frame cameras. 

“Date your cameras and marry your lenses,” a Sony staffer professed after I arrived in San Diego last week for the unveiling of two new lenses; the 50mm f/1.4 ZA prime and 70-200mm f/2.8 GM zoom. Our select group of journalists were repeatedly told, “Do not leak this launch.” Considering the leaks of cameras introductions from their competitors this summer, the firm request was understandable and we obliged.

When people asked legendary editor Herbert Keppler why he sometimes wrote about cameras costing more than the average photographer could afford, he told me it was because of the Maserati factor. “Most people,” he said, “can’t afford a Maserati but like reading about them.” And I get that. My personal dream car is a 1961 Maserati 3500 GT, which sells for north of $450,000. Fortunately, medium format cameras, while expensive, cost less than that.

We love covering stories about big lenses and judging by reader reaction, you love reading about them as well. So here’s another interesting piece of big lens news that popped up today: a massive, three-foot long Nikon 1200mm lens set-up has been listed on eBay for $5,750.

The big news about the Leica M-D (Typ 262) is what it doesn’t have. It does not have autofocus. It does not provide through-the-lens viewing. And it’s not compatible with any zoom lens. 

If a patent published by Canon last week is any indication, the company is exploring the possibility of using diffractive optics to create an EF 1000mm f/5.6 DO super telephoto lens that may be smaller and lighter than could be created otherwise.