Canon News: Firmware updates

Hard for me to get too excited about this post as I don't own any of the equipment, but Canon have launched new firmware, helping with compatibility with wireless controllers:

• 1D Mark III Firmware 1.3.0
• 1Ds Mark III Firmware 1.2.0
• 5D Mark II Firmware 1.2.4
• WFT-E2 and WFT E2A Firmware 2.0.0

Pentax News: New weather-resistant 100mm macro lens

Pentax have just announced a weather-resistant 100mm Macro lens, the D-FA 100 mm f/2,8 Macro WR.

Nikon News: New lens and teleconverter

Nikon have updated their 300mm f/2.8 lens, known as AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II. Details are:

• Vibration Reduction (VR II) enables sharper pictures while shooting at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than would otherwise be possible
• Three focus modes are available — A/M mode is added to conventional M/A and M modes
  
• Nano Crystal Coat effectively suppresses ghosting and flare for clear images
  
• Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures smooth and quiet AF operation

Nikon have also introduced a new verion of their 2x teleconverter, the AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III, with an aspherical element. It will double the focal length of a compatible lens, but two stops of light will be lost.