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Konica Minolta USA
Konica Minolta now offers the Maxxum 5D digital SLR, a smaller sibling to the Maxxum 7D. Both cameras offer Konica Minolta‘s anti-shake system, which is incorporated into the camera. This means the image stabilizer does not have to be built into each lens.The 5D is available with an 18-70mm zoom, while the 7D kit has a 28-100mm zoom. In addition to these, Konica Minolta offers digital-engineered AF 17-35mm F/2.8-4.0 (D) and a AF 28-75mm F/2.8 (D) lenses.

The company offers a very wide range of high-quality lenses, from a 600mm telephoto all the way down to an 11-18mm zoom. The AF DT ZOOM 11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 (D), was just added to the product line. Also just added are the Konica Minolta AF DT ZOOM 18-70mm F/3.5-5.6(D), and AF DT ZOOM 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 (D) lenses.

Leica Camera
Leica is another legendary lens maker, and the company has an incredible range of lenses. There are currently approximately 30 lenses available for the R-mount, ranging from wide-angle primes to zoom telephotos. Offering interchangeable film and digital backs for its SLR line, Leica is one of the few companies that provide film to digital interchangeability in a single camera platform. And, given the specs on their Digital-Module-R—the world’s first digital 35mm camera back with 10-Megapixel capture—it should be a winning combination.

Lensbabies
Lensbabies offers lenses incorporating one of the most interesting ideas to come along in photography in a long time. The Original Lensbaby looks like a bit of vacuum cleaner hose, and offers photographers a completely flexible, intuitive focusing system for a variety of camera bodies. You simply bend the lens housing forward and back, and at just about any angle, to achieve the creative look you want.

The Original has been improved with the Lensbaby 2.0. It is f/2, so it is brighter and requires less light, the optics are improved and made of glass, and the changeable aperture disks are held in place with a more convenient magnet compared with the original. The company also just introduced a Macro Kit, and other accessories are also available for its lenses.

Mamiya America Corporation
Mamiya has been busy updating their camera line. The company’s most recent project has been the 645 AFD II camera body, which is compatible with film and a number of digital camera backs. Mamiya has long been a leader in the transition from film to digital, and were among the first to update their medium-format camera bodies to achieve electronic communication with digital sensors. Their RZ67 camera bodies and compatible line of RZ lenses are also highly regarded in the world of medium-format film and digital capture.

The 645 AFD II is compatible with the company’s line of Bayonet 645 AF Mount lenses, and the company’s M645 mount lenses can be used with certain limitations. Mamiya states that the new AFD II has an improved autofocus sensor and, unlike its predecessor, which has a single AF point in the center, the new camera body is set up in a much larger “sweet spot,” using “4 CCD line sensors.” If you use autofocus regularly, this should be a big bonus.

Nikon USA
Nikon introduced several new DSLR cameras this year. Among them are the Nikon D70s, D2x, and D200 (all containing DX Format sensors smaller than are smaller than a 35mm frame). The company also introduced several lenses that are intended for use specifically with its DX Format digital sensors. These include the 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor (equivalent to an 18-36mm lens on a 35mm format camera body). In translation: this lens utilizes Nikon’s Silent Wave fast autofocus (AF-S, which is also very quiet), and the lens is intended for use on Nikon-compatible cameras, which have a DX Format size sensor (hence the DX designation).

The 12-24mm f/4G brings wide-angle back to the Nikon digital world. The lens provides a 99-degree angle of view at the short end, and 61 degrees at the long end. This allows for a constant f/4 aperture throughout its range, making it a good resource for architectural and landscape photographers. Autofocus is fast and accurate, given its AF-S designation and Silent Wave motor.

Weighing in at 6.4 pounds, Nikon has also introduced its 200mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR Nikkor. A tripod collar and mount are provided – which also makes this lens ideal for action photography using a monopod. These lenses are set up so you can switch instantly from autofocus, to manual focus, and back again, and specific areas in a scene can be set by pressing buttons on the front of the lens, which is especially powerful for sports photographers. This lens offers Vibration Reduction or “VR,” which Nikon claims can provide up to three additional stops of exposure. The lens’ VR feature can be adjusted for both moderate and intense shooting environments.

Nikon indicates that this lens is fully compatible with Nikon TC-14E II, TC-20E II and New TC-17E II Teleconverters, and all AF-I and AF-S Nikon mount SLR cameras, digital and film.

Olympus America
Olympus is well known for its cameras that incorporate the 4/3 type digital sensor. Overall, these systems are smaller and lighter than their 35mm counterparts. Olympus lenses are also tailored for this size sensor. Cameras compatible with the lenses mentioned below include the EVOLT E-300, EVLT E-500, and the E-1 DSLR.

Olympus groups its lenses into three categories: Platinum, its best and most resistant to harsh environments; the “Standard” category; and the “High-Grade” category, which is weather- and splash- resistant. Other lens manufacturers also offer different levels of lens quality, but few are as clearly distinguished as Olympus.

In the Platinum category, the new Zuiko Digital ED 35-100mm f/2.0 weighs in at 3.5 lbs. This lens offers a constant f/2 aperture across its range and the 35-100mm zoom is equivalent to a 70-200mm lens in 35mm format. This is a high-quality ED lens, which should provide minimal chromatic aberration and high resolution.