
From cheap pancakes to pricey Loxia, we're treated to a buffet of new lenses from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Panasonic, and Zeiss and more.
Canon
This is the second generation of its 400mm DO lens -- that version came out in 2001, though -- and features significantly updated image stabilization and coatings and a relocated diffractive optical element to reduce flare. It's slated to ship in November 2014 for $6,900.
EF 24-105mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM
This slow but relatively inexpensive lens was designed for full-frame cameras; the pro f4 "L" version costs $1,150 compared to this model's $600 price tag. It's the first of Canon's full-frame lenses to incorporate a quieter stepping motor (STM). We expect to see this one in December 2014.
Canon EF-S 24mm f2.8 STM
This cheap ($150) pancake prime designed for APS-C cameras has an effective focal length of about 38mm, a nice angle of view for street photography. There's no image stabilization, though. It will be available in November 2014.
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO
This fast, weather sealed Micro Four Thirds-mount lens incorporates two voice-coil motors that Olympus claims makes it fast and quiet. It also uses internal focus. It will run $1,500 and be available in November 2014.
Panasonic 35-100mm f4-5.6 OIS
This slow, collapsible general-purpose Micro Four Thirds lens, with a 35mm-equivalent focal range of 70-200mm, provides an inexpensive ($400) alternative for those who can't afford $1,500 for the f2.8 version or want something more compact to go with their GM series camera. Availability is yet to be announced.
Samsung 50-150mm f2.8 S ED OIS
The second in its line of premium lenses, the NX-mount 50-150mm f2.8 offers a dust-and-splashproof build with a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 77-231mm. It'll run you $1,600 when it ships. Availability has not yet been announced.
150-600mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM/Sports
Sigma's 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM supertelephoto zoom will come in two flavors: a ready-for-anything $2,000 Sports edition and a slightly more compact standard edition (price TBD). They'll come in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts. Sigma hasn't announced availability yet.
Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f4 ZA OSS
Rounding out its Zeiss line of full-frame E-mount lenses, Sony introduces a dust-and-moisture resistant wide-angle zoom. Note that the FE-mount lens line still doesn't have a fast zoom; they're all f4. And -- yay! -- someone realizes that you still need stabilization at wide angles. It will run $1,350 and ship this November.
Tamron SP 15-30mm f2.8 DI VC USD
The Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD (model A012) is geared for full-frame shooters who appreciate a fast aperture and image stabilization. It will come in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced.
Zeiss Otus 1.4/85
Following on its technical success with a 55mm f1.4, Zeiss announced the Otus 1.4/85 (shown here with and without its lens hood). It will cost a for-pros-only $4,490 and come in versions for Canon and Nikon cameras.
Zeiss Loxia 2/35 and Loxia 2/50
Sony's FE mount gets another pair of fast Zeiss primes, this time manual-focus only. The $950 Loxia 2/50 will be available in October 2014, and the $1,300 Loxia 2/35 near the end of the year.