Digital Camera News and Reviews

Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2.8/21

Carl Zeiss has announced that they are releasing a modern version of their high-end wide angle lens, the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2.8/21. It has a special type of coating that removes flares that often are a problem with super wide angle lenses.
The Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2.8/21 lens will be released for Canon, Nikon and Pentax mounts at the end of 2008. The estimated price is a hefty 1,399 euros.

Press release:
Carl Zeiss Launches New 21mm Super Wide Angle Lens for SLR Cameras

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 16.09.2008.
The legendary Distagon T* 2.8/21 is now being introduced for SLR cameras with EF, F and K bayonets. Thanks to its excellent performance, this modernized version from the former Contax system sets new standards in this focal length class. “The outstanding correction of chromatic aberration enables photos without color fringes even in high-contrast light conditions”, says Martin Klottig, Marketing Manager, Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division. “Even at full aperture, the floating element design ensures optimum edge-to-edge image quality over the entire focusing range. And even in difficult light conditions, the new Distagon provides excellent results thanks to its T* coating, optimum reflection reduction and exceptional chromatic correction.”

The shortest possible distance setting of only 0.22 m makes the lens ideal for impressive perspectives. Typical applications include architectural, journalistic and landscape photography.

The Distagon 2.8/21 is available with an EF bayonet (ZE), F bayonet (ZF) and a K bayonet (ZK). It is suitable for both digital and analog full-format SLR cameras.

Delivery of the Distagon T* 2.8/21 is scheduled to begin by the end of this year with the ZF and ZK version. Its selling price is estimated at 1,399 euros (incl. 19% German VAT).

Zeiss ZA Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8

The excellent German website Photozone has reviewed the Zeiss ZA Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 (Sony SAL-135F18Z) lens. This telephoto lens seems very interesting with its fast f/1.8 aperture.

Photozone ends giving the Sony lens a “Highly Recommended” score as the lens is able to produce excellent pictures without any noticeable distortions, vignetting or chromatic aberrations. The only downsides are the high price (but what to you except from high quality optics) and lack of weather sealing.
Seems like an excellent telephoto lens if you are looking for a fast alternative.

Read the full review of the Zeiss ZA Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 (Sony SAL-135F18Z) lens here.

Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 pancake lens

Dpreview.com has reviewed this exciting new pancake lens from Olympus. The Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 pancake lens were made to fit the small new Olympus E-420 DSLR camera, but fits all cameras using the FourThirds mount.

Dpreview.com ends up giving the Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 pancake lens a “Recommended with resorvations” rating as the lens is able to produce sharp pictures and is very light, but got some vignetting and chromatic aberration. If you are looking for a very small lens to make your DSLR camera pocketable this might be the lens for you.

Read the full review of the Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 pancake lens here.

Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

DIWA Labs has tested the lens Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM with a Pentax K20D DSLR camera. This telephoto zoom seems pretty interesting with the constant f/2.8 throughout the zoom range.
DIWA Labs says that the Pentax lens is produced by Tokina and it is pretty similar to the Tokina AT-X Pro DX 50-135mm f/2.8 lens

Read the tests of the Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM lens here.
The tests done by DIWA Labs are very technical so you need to read their test guide to understand the test results.