Tag: slr

New Horseman SLR conversion lenses

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Horseman press release:

Direct Source Marketing (DSM), the sole U.S. distributor of Horseman photo products for professionals and high-end consumers, today announced unique multi-coated conversion lenses for DSLR cameras. [Of course they should work on any film body, too. — ed]

"What makes the Horseman lenses unique is that they provide wide-angle and macro photography easily and comfortably, without changing lenses," said Richard Dischler, DSM President. "They are easily and quickly attached in front of the taking lens, much like attaching a filter. The lenses are also very portable and offer an affordable solution for the end user who is looking to extend the use-function of their DSLR."

Street pricing is expected to range from $60-$120, depending on the model, of which there are seven.

Among the numerous models is the Horseman 0.7 Wide, which is designed exclusively for 18-55mm zoom lenses. The 0.7x wide conversion lens is thin, lightweight and can be attached in front of the taking lens of your camera, quickly and easily.

Another is the Horseman 0.6 Wide/Macro, a 0.6x wide conversion lens that also serves as a macro lens. The lens delivers crisp images without chromatic aberration in the periphery of images, enabling you to enjoy wide-angle photography over the entire focal length range of your DSLR zoom lens.

The Wide Macro lens is particularly effective in shooting wide angles from confined spaces or when you’re in a tight spot and can’t step back. Other examples would be shooting scenic vistas or towering buildings. The lens gives you perspective and allows you to capture near-by objects larger and distant subjects smaller.

The Horseman 0.25x Superwide/Macro is a 0.25x super-wide conversion lens that enables you to enjoy super-wide-angle photography just like a fish-eye lens. In addition, the lens incorporates a macro lens so you can get real close to your subjects for frame-filling impressive macro shots.

Both the Horseman 0.6x Wide and the 0.25x Superwide conversion lens turn into a macro lens when its front part is removed. Macro photography lets you take close-up shots and bring out the minutest details of the smallest subjects.

The Horseman 0.45x WIDE conversion lens serves as a wide lens when it’s used as is, but it turns into a macro lens when you remove the front portion. It’s a uniquely versatile conversion lens that enables you to enjoy wide-angle and macro photography with just one lens.

Other models include the Horseman 08x SUPERWIDE conversion lens, which lets you make the most of a fish-eye lens’ barrel distortion; the Horseman 4.0x Macro, which is designed primarily for medical applications, and the MiniDigi AF5.0, which allows you to have super-wide and macro photography on the Rollei MiniDigi AF5.0.

Horseman products are manufactured in Japan by Komamura Corporation.

The Horseman conversion lenses will be available at professional photo dealers. MSRP is expected to be in the [USD] $60-$120 range.

For more information visit http://www.komamura.co.jp/e/CVL/index.html

Via ArtBistro

New Zeiss lenses for Canon

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Zeiss are [finally] releasing Canon EF mount versions of their Z series manual focus 35mm/digital SLR lenses! First out will be the Planar T* f/1.4 50mm (SRP of 579 euros) and the Planar T* f/1.4 85mm (SRP of 999 euros (both prices include 19% German VAT)).

From the current "issue" of Carl Zeiss Camera Lens News:

Carl Zeiss is expanding its successful line of SLR lenses: ZE lenses with EF bayonet for all analog and digital EOS camera models. As with all EF lenses, the new ZE lenses from Carl Zeiss transfer all information exclusively via electronic contacts. This means that all exposure modes such as programmed auto exposure, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual setting are supported. The camera’s automatic focus confirmation also remains available to an unlimited extent with these manual focus lenses. With digital SLRs, the lens data and all exposure data can also be accessed via the camera’s EXIF file. Even E-TTL flash metering is supported. The first lenses to be available will be the Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE and the Planar T* 1,4/85 ZE in the last quarter of this year. Further focal lengths will be added to the line within the next few months.

DIY Canon SLR remote timer

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Check out Rob‘s DIY 555-based remote timer for Canon SLRs! He says:

Canon makes a SLR camera remote timer that sells for a couple hundred dollars. Using inspiration from various web sites I built one for myself using about $15 worth of parts from RadioShack.

First, it is a simple wired camera remote control. Just plug the cable into the remote jack on the Canon SLR camera and the black button on top will trigger the camera auto focus, while the red button will focus then take a picture.

Second, it is a timer than can be used for time lapse photography…

Continue reading the plans at his blog, My Name Is Rob.

Via MAKE Blog

Razzledog’s prototype 4×5 SLR

Nicolai Grossman 3 Comments

Australian Polaroid-to-4×5-rangefinder camera modifier Razzledog built a prototype 4×5 SLR! He says:

I have long had dreams of building a 4×5 SLR……so this prototype is currently under review. The advantages are finally the image is right side up, so I no longer have to stand on my head….. I don’t have to worry about any parallax issues so I get perfect framing without fear of any cropping……and interchangable lenses are no problem. It has bellows so awesome macro is also permissible…

Continue reading and check out photos at Razzledog’s site.

Canon to halt development of film cameras

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Canon Inc. said on Thursday that it would halt development of new film cameras to focus resources on digital models, the latest sign of the rapidly fading role of film in photography.

A spokesman at Canon, the world’s largest maker of digital cameras, said it made the decision to freeze development of both compact and single lens reflex (SLR) film models because the markets for both are shrinking.

Canon said it would continue to produce and sell existing models and make a final judgment on the business in the future while monitoring market demand.

Continue reading at Reuters

This is becoming a familiar story. It sucks, but I can’t say I’m surprised. At least they’re keeping the current models around, which IMO is a very good thing. If you’ve already got money in Canon EOS glass for digital, US $300 for an Elan 7N body is one hell of a value if you want to shoot film.

Via Plaid Jello

Another quasi-update on the new Zeiss lenses

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Zeiss’ Camera/Cine Lenses page says that they’re releasing new lenses for SLRs (see previous posts 1 and 2). After a few hints over the last few weeks, it now says, "The solution will be revealed on 01/18/06. Until then, you will find out a little more each week from our images.".

So far, they’ve said "ZF", so they’re likely in Nikon F mount, and there’s now a picture of a lens labeled "Planar 1.4/50".

Quasi-update: Zeiss lenses in new SLR mounts? Lookin’ like Nikon!

Nicolai Grossman 2 Comments

Zeiss promised “More” today about the “Millions of SLR Photographers Will Soon Discover a New Dimension in Photography” hint on their Camera/Cine Lenses page (see previous post). Teases that they are, all they’ve done is say “Carl Zeiss Presents ZF!” and cover the previous message with a “Top Secret” folder. Which is to say that they’ve told us a lot: it’s likely a line of Zeiss lenses with Nikon F mounts. Yay for Nikon shooters!

More info is promised for Wednesday, 28 December 2005.

Zeiss lenses in new SLR mounts?

Nicolai Grossman 1 Comment

The main Zeiss Camera/Cine Lenses page has an image that says “Millions of SLR Photographers Will Soon Discover a New Dimension in Photography”. Innnnteresting!

Is the excellent Zeiss 45mm for Contax G too much to hope for in an EF mount with FTM (Full-Time Manual focus)? (Both of Canon’s 50mm offerings exhibit severe barrel distortion are are useless for me in full frame.) While they’re at it, adapt the Contax G 28mm Biogon for use as a normal lens on APS-C digital sensors.

The Zeiss page says that more info will be available tomorrow, 21 December 2005.