Digital Camera Blog – Deals, Promos, News and Reviews

There is a number of deals now on Canon Lens and Speedlites, many of the popular lenses have been discounted for the holiday season. Both B&H Photo and Amazon are running the promo deals for the Canon Lens and Speedlites. One of the more popular lenses to be discounted is the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS lens. The price discounts are valid through January 7, 2012.

To see a full list of all the Canon lenses and Speedlites that are currently on sale click on the links below:

• B&H Photo & Video
• Amazon.com

In addition to announcing the new E-P3, E-PL3 & E-PM1 cameras, Olympus has also announced two new lens for the micro four thirds system of cameras. The new Olympus lenses are a 12mm f/2.0 and 45mm f/1.8 portrait lens, both fast primes for Micro-Four-Thirds.

The 12mm F2.0 lens is a metal-bodied 24mm equivalent featuring a unique snap-focus manual focus mode. A snap-back focus ring reveals a traditional depth-of-field scale for focusing and offers improved focus. The 45mm F1.8 is a portrait lens, making Olympus one of the only manufacturers to offer a fast prime at a roughly 100mm equivalent focal length, ideally suited to portraiture. The 12mm lens will be available very soon with a price tag of $799.99 and the 45mm lens will be available early fall with a price tag of $399.99.

Both the 12mm f/2.0 and 45mm f/1.8 lens are now available for pre-order, click below for the links on Amazon.

• Olympus 12mm f/2.0 lens – Pre-Order on Amazon.com – $799.99
• Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens – Pre-Order on Amazon.com – $399.99

Panasonic along with their newly announced GH2 Micro Four Thirds camera has also released a brand new 14mm f/2.5 wide angle prime lens, a 100-300mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S. telephoto zoom and a very interesting 12.5mm 3D interchangeable lens for the Micro Four Thirds system.

The Panasonic 12.5mm 3D lens, demonstrated as a concept earlier this year features a fixed 12.5mm focal length and a fixed f/12 aperture. Two separate optical systems allow for the capture of left and right images simultaneously. Panasonic calls this an advantage over competing Sony and Fujifilm 3D methods, and that the Lumix 3D system can capture moving objects more easily. The new Panasonic GH2 is 3D-ready, and the Panasonic G2 will also be able to accept the 3D lens with an upcoming firmware update. The lens is listing for $249.95 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Also announced are the new Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 ASPH lens and Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S. lens. They both feature seven-blade apertures and lightweight construction. The 14mm lens, equating to 28mm when coupled to a G series camera is comprised of six elements in five groups and measures 20.5mm in total. The 14mm lens is listed at $399.95 and is available now on Amazon.com for pre-order.

The new telephoto zoom lens, Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4.0-5.6 MEGA O.I.S. reaches out to 300mm (35 mm camera equivalent: 600 mm) hand held ultra-telephoto zoom shots with astonishingly compact and light weight profile. The 100-300mm lens is listed at $599.95 and is now available on Amazon.com for pre-order.

The new Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G VR Lens is now in stock and shipping from Amazon.com, click here to order it now.

For more info on this lens and the other new lenses Nikon announced, click here.

Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G VR
$1049

Olympus announces a new Special Edition E-P2 micro four thirds camera available with two exclusive lens kits and featuring a mouth-watering selection of matching accessories, all in elegant black.

In addition to the sleek black version of the E-P2 camera, both kits offer a black edition of the super-slender M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake lens. Available in black exclusively with these kits, this exquisite lens looks destined for must-have status. Both kits also include one of two additional, high-grade accessories.

The Olympus E-P2 Special Black EVF Edition features the sharp lines and flexibility of the detachable V-F2 electronic viewfinder while the E-P2 Special Black Flash Edition offers the slim retro chic of the compact FL-14 external flash, also available in black only in this limited edition kit.

The E-P2 Special Black EVF Edition will be available for €1,079 and the E-P2 Special Black Flash Edition for €1,049 from October 2010.

The E-P2 Special Black EVF Edition contents

• E-P2 camera in black
• M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake lens exclusively in black
• VF-2 electronic viewfinder in black
• Historic lens cap with F logo

The E-P2 Special Black Flash Edition contents

• E-P2 camera in black
• M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake lens exclusively in black
• FL-14 external flash exclusively in black
• Historic lens cap with F logo

The new lenses include the M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm lens which Olympus calls the world’s smallest and lightest 600mm equivalent telephoto lens. Weighing 430 grams, the Micro Four Thirds system lens’ 18 element, 13 group design utilizes two Extraordinary Dispersion (ED) and 3 High Refractive (HR) glass elements to reduce chromatic aberration. It promises fast and silent focusing for recording movies. The lens will be available in black and silver from December 2010 for €899.

The second lens is the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6 zoom lens to its Micro Four Thirds lens series. Similar to the 75-300mm lens announced today, the lens promises fast and quieter focusing optimized for video shooting. It will come supplied along with the 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 in the Pen Double Zoom Kit. The lens will be available in black and silver for €329 from end of October 2010.

All three new products are not available for pre-order yet but will be soon.

Canon today backed up the newly launch of the EOS 60D with a slew of new L series lenses, including one it sees as a record-setter. The 8-15mm f4L Fisheye has what’s believed to be the widest fisheye angle in the world, providing a 180 degree diagonal or (for full frame) 180 degree circular view. Canon likewise gives it and the other new lenses tonight a new fluorine coating that cuts back on smearing over the glass.

The lens is relatively affordable in the L series and costs $1,400.

Other lenses joining the group are all telephotos and start with the 70-300mm f4-5.6L, a low-dispersion zoomable telephoto for $1,500. New generations of the 300mm f2.8L and 400mm f2.8L add new fluorite lens elements to improve quality and reduce purple fringing or other chromatic effects. Both fixed-zoom lenses are tougher than before and should autofocus faster, though their specialized designs give them high prices of $7,000 for the 300mm lens and $11,000 for the 400mm lens.

Two lens extenders, the 1.4X III and 2X III, should focus faster than their ancestors and reduce the visual drawbacks of magnifying the zoom.

Only the 70-300mm lens will arrive relatively soon with an October ship date. The 70-300mm, 300mm and 400mm lenses won’t ship until December. Canon’s extenders are similarly delayed, and the 8-15mm Fisheye won’t be ready until January. None of the lenses are available to pre-order yet on Amazon, stay tuned.

In addition to the new Nikon D3100 DSLR, Nikon has announced four new NIKKOR lenses, all of which will be hitting shelves in September. Two super-zooms, a normal-tele zoom and a super-fast prime round out the list. The lenses include the Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, the Nikon AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, the Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR and the Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.4G ED. These four new lenses bring the total number lenses released by Nikon in 2010 to seven. All four lenses feature Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor technology—while the three zoom lenses all include Nikon’s Vibration Reduction II Image Stabilization system. All of the new lenses are now available for pre-0rder on Amazon.com, see below.

AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
At $399.95, this DX lens is designed to take on the ever-growing number of affordable do-it-all lenses like the recently-announced Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom.

The VR II’s image stablization abilities will come in very handy, especially if you plan on shooting at longer focal lengths without a tripod. Speaking of tripods, the lens includes a nifty “Tripod Detection Mode,” which ensures that image stabilization stays activated and counteracts any small vibrations when mounted.

The lens also includes a High Refractive Index lens element, which helps to ensure high contrast, even at the maximum aperture. Two Extra-low Dispersion elements that help to eliminate chromatic aberration.

Like the other four lenses, the DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 utilizes Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor technology. As it is the cheapest in the line-up of new lenses, Nikon is touting it as a great companion to the D3100. We’ll be happy to test that theory as soon as we get our hands on retail units.

AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
This is Nikon’s first FX-format lens to offer an impressive 10.7x zoom range. Aimed at a more prosumer or even professional crowd than the NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G, this lens promises to be sharp from edge to edge, on both FX- and DX-mount bodies. (42-450mm DX equivalent).

The lens includes two Extra-low Dispersion glass elements to eliminate chromatic aberration, plus three aspherical lens elements meant to eliminate coma and aberrations resulting from wide apertures.

An M/A Focus Mode Switch allows shooter to easily toggle between automatic and manual focusing and Internal Focus provides fast and silent performance. And like the DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6, the FX 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 also includes Nikon’s VR II system and a Silent Wave Motor. This lens is listed for $1049.95 and is available for pre-order now.

AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR
The FX 24-120mm f/4 (36-180mm DX equivalent) lens will quickly become a staple for users looking for a high-quality walking around lens. Another extremely versatile piece of glass, this lens is a perfect companion to Nikon’s 14-24mm f/2.8 wide angle.

Inside the barrel, you’ll find two Extra-low Dispersion glass elements, three aspherical lens elements, and a Silent Wave Motor. On the outside, you’ll find the increasingly popular A/M focus switch that allows full-time manual focus tweaking. Additionally, the FX 24-120mm f/4 utilizes Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coating to cut down on ghosting and flare. Currently listed for $1299.95 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.com now.

AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G ED
A big Nikon lens announcement just wouldn’t be complete without a super-fast prime and this fits the bill nicely. Its extremely low aperture and 85mm focal length (127.5mm DX equivalent), make this an outstanding portrait lens for professionals and advanced shooters alike.

The f/1.4 aperture offers an incredible ability to separate one’s subject from the background, even in low light. Like the FX 24-120mm f/4, this lens features a manual/auto focus toggle switch, Internal Focus, a Silent Wave Motor and of course Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coating. It joins several other 85mm offerings from Nikon, including the affordable ($400) f/1.8, the already-pricy 85mm f/1.4D IF and the 85mm f/3.5G DX Micro ED VR.

Built to last, this rugged lens comes with a $1699.95 price tag, click here to pre-order on Amazon.com. This is a serious piece of glass, for serious photographers.