lenses

In the first significant improvement Canon's made in its optical stabilization technology in a few years--I think the last major update was the SuperRange OIS in its camcorders--the company announced a new Hybrid IS technology that adds angular velocity sensing to its current bag of OIS tricks. While its IS system already has a sensor to detect rotation, the new velocity sensor is intended to detect the speed of rotation and thereby compensate more precisely. (Here's a simulation of how the current lenses work, and here's a nice PDF white paper on how angular velocity sensors work, … Read more

You can find plenty of iPhone applications that use software to create effects for the built-in camera, but the Quattro iPhone 3G Case, made by Japanese company Factron, is one of the first hardware add-ons to actually mount an aftermarket lens onto the front of the phone.

The case itself is made of aircraft grade duralumin for durability and a sexy polished-silver finish. The backside of the case is covered with supple calf leather for the highest in dead-animal quality, but the external lenses are the real stars and include fish-eyes, macros, wide angles, superwide conversions, and more. Put them … Read more

I'm really glad all the cameras I have are still functional, but I'm sure there will come a day when one of them refuses to fire the shutter, or worse, has a damaged circuit. When that day comes, I'll refer back to this article.

Photoblog Photojojo has a nice writeup on what you can do with your spoiled cameras, though most of it applies only to film-based shooters. The Web site suggests you turn these defunct gizmos into a flowerpot and grow plants in them. From lenses to camera bodies, it seems almost anything can be converted … Read more

Canon has recently launched an instant rebate promotion for a few of its DSLR products. You can save up to $500 on lenses, up to $300 on a new camera, and up to $70 on Speedlites and accessories. Of course, only a select few products qualify for the rebate, and you might be saving only 10 percent off the original price. Still, the lenses eligible for the rebate are very good (for example, the highly praised 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM), and if you've been lamenting the high cost of lenses, now may be the time to jump … Read more

Carl Zeiss' camera lens division renewed a partnership with Sony for another five years, the companies announced Wednesday.

The partnership began in 1996 with a Sony camcorder using a Zeiss lens, then extended to compact cameras. More recently, with Sony's entry into the SLR market, Zeiss-branded lenses are available on those high-end cameras, too.

Another electronics giant making its way into the camera market, Panasonic, has adopted a similar strategy with another German camera company renowned for its engineering, Leica.

With large lens barrels, dSLR optics look professional and intimidating. This is why it can be difficult to take candid street shots with them. But Photojojo has a solution--the Super-Secret Spy Lens.

This attachment fits onto most lenses via adapters, and the opening along the side shows a precision mirror that reflects light into the optics. The swivel barrel lets shutterbugs take discreet shots in any direction without having to point the lens at the subject.

Photojojo's Web site lists the price for the Super-Secret Spy Lens from $50 to $85, depending on which combination of adapters you require. … Read more

Lensbaby is bringing a wider look to its line of selective-focus lenses, announcing the 0.42x Super Wide lens that expands its products' 50mm field of view to 21mm. … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Sony showed off models of a forthcoming supertelephoto and five other lenses Monday at the Photo Marketing Association trade show, a new sign the electronics giant is holding tight to its ambition to be a major player in the digital SLR market

"Sony is passionate in proving better lens development," said Shigeki Ishizuka, president of Sony's digital imaging business group, at a news conference held here in conjunction with PMA. He said Sony now ranks third in the SLR market. … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Offering some higher-end alternatives and expanding image stabilization more broadly, Sigma announced a trio of lenses for digital SLRs Monday at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show.

The three new models, which will work on Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, and Sigma cameras, are a higher-end 10-20mm ultrawide-angle zoom, and 18-50mm and 50-200mm zooms that unlike earlier models come with optical stabilization. The lenses are due to ship this spring, but pricing isn't yet announced, said Christine Moossmann of the company's marketing department. … Read more