Tamron has announced the launch of SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO (Model A001), a lightweight, high-performance and fast tele-zoom lens designed for DSLR cameras with 35mm full-size image sensors. The release date of the lens designed for Sony Mount will be determined later.

SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO

The new SP AF70-200mm Di LD (IF) MACRO (Model A001) is an F/2.8 fast tele-zoom designed for DSLRs with 35mm full-size image sensors, inheriting product concept of the existing SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di (Model A09) that is highly acclaimed as a compact and fast standard zoom lens enabling photographers to enjoy high cost performance characteristics.

While dimensional increases are confined to the absolute minimum, the new SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO zoom lens offers the MFD (minimum focusing distance) of 0.95m over the entire zoom range for the maximum macro magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at f=200mm focal length, for stress-free photography, combined with the advantage of an internal focusing (IF) system.

It enables the user to cover a focal length range of 70mm medium telephoto to 200mm telephoto when mounted on a 35mm full-size DSLR camera and a focal length range from 109mm to 310mm equivalent^* ultra telephoto (35mm equivalent, in an angle of view of 7°59') when mounted on a DSLR camera equipped with an APS-C sized image sensor.

Source from Tamron.

Sony adds two more high performance lens that come with Sony’s Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) technology!

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 30, 2008 – Sony today announced two new high performance zoom lenses that offer a (alpha) digital SLR camera users more options for high picture quality.

Vario Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA

Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G

Sony finally announced the 2 new DSLRs, Sony Alpha 300 and Sony Alpha 350 to join the family of Sony Alpha series. The "300" series will be a step in between Alpha 200 and Alpha 700 with an unique Live View Feature that will only be available in the "300" series for now. Below is the press release from Sony:

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 30, 2008 – Sony is bringing live-view shooting to its digital SLR camera line with today’s introduction of a 14.2-megapixel a (alpha) DSLR-A350 camera and 10.2-megapixel a (alpha) DSLR-A300 model. Both cameras feature new technologies that make picture taking faster, easier, and more familiar for first-time DSLR users.

Quick AF Live View System

They both offer Sony’s new “Quick AF Live View” technology so you can frame photos on the camera’s LCD without sacrificing auto-focusing speed common to other live-view systems.

Sony’s innovative Pentamirror Tilt mechanism directs light to a dedicated live view image sensor, enabling fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, even during live view.

Eliminating the focus delay of other systems, the new models are equally responsive whether using live view or optical viewfinder.

With its two sensor design, Quick AF Live View can even continuously focus-track the subject and provide live view during burst shooting, helping you capture that special moment.

Taking further advantage of Quick AF Live View is the models’ variable angle 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD ™ screen. This makes it easy to frame scenes from high or low positions difficult to reach when using an eye-level viewfinder.

HVL-F42AM has been confirmed to be the next dedicated flash from Sony with a Guide Number of 42 and ability to tilt and swivel from 90 to 180 degrees. This new 42 GN flash could have been produced to replace the old Minolta 3600 HS Flash or Sony HVL-F36AM model that has been in the market for quite some years already. The release of this new flash is yet another measure of Sony to ensure the whole range of Sony Alpha products is able to capture a huge portion of the photography market. This flash is very likely to be released at the same time with Alpha 300/350.  It is possible that another higher end flash will also be introduced to the market possibly with the introduction of Sony Alpha 900.