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If you want to save some money but need to buy new lenses, try Tamron’s lenses that are eligible for their rebate program. Their AF18-270mm/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro is one of Tamron’s most powerful, blur-stopping lenses to date. This lens’ vibration compensation works great for those who want to take pictures while in a position where you cannot actually keep your hands steady or if you are on a moving vehicle. There is an $80 rebate for this lens and it is available until April 30^th, 2010.

Other lenses that are eligible for rebates are the fast standard zoom lens with VC image stabilization (SP AF17-50mm/2.8 XR VC Di II LD Aspherical (IF) and the high speed Macro lens SP AF60mm/2 Di II Macro. You can get a rebate of $25 if you buy any of these two.

Tamron, a US-based manufacturer for camera lenses recently announced the development of one of its lenses that features image stabilization along with ultrasonic auto-focus drive. The 70 to 300mm f/4-5.6 zoom lens also boasts Tamron’s Ultrasonic Silent Drive or what they call a USD motor.

The lens has vibration compensation making it an ultimate optical attachment for your camera. Tamron has been producing compatible mounts for bigwigs in the digital camera business such as Canon and Sony.

With the lens’ superior optical performance, you will never go wrong. Even newbies can start producing premium photos in no time with this lens.

Canon developed a “Hybrid Image Stabilizer” around July of last year and has released during the last quarter of the same year, the first macro telephoto lens that will help users improve shots taken at closer distances (also known as macro-shooting).  The Hybrid IS technology optimizes image quality by preventing errors caused by camera shake.  Blurred images are thus minimized.

Canon EF 100mm F2.8L IS USM MACRO, primarily offers the Hybrid IS technology and from the term itself, a 100mm focal length, is ideal for close-up and macro shots.  Its other features are geared on helping photographers take shots in a smaller distance, even without the need of a tripod as the new technology should help minimize the errors caused by the camera shakes.

Reviews regard the Canon EF 100mm F2.8L IS USM MACRO as an optional investment.  While it gives exceptional results for most of the features the lens offer, it does not seem to do justice to the press release about the Hybrid IS Technology.  Seemingly a work in progress, we can only expect the best from the succeeding line of products from Canon.

If you have been planning to buy a new camera, maybe you should research on the instant rebate program from Nikon. The program started last 28^th and you can still go to the store to buy a qualifying Nikon digital camera along with a qualifying lens you will be able to take advantage of an instant rebate.

If you are a Nikon lover and decide to buy a 70-200mm f/28 and a DSLR, you will be able to avail of a $400 rebate. Cool, eh? The program is expected to last the whole month of March so be sure to visit the shop nearest you.

The newest offerings from Sigma will be a tad more different than the usual. The company’s high end lenses will now be using FLD or F Low Dispersion glass instead of traditional grass. The performance is basically the same but as FLD is a fluorite glass it is much much cheaper.

FLD glass, even if it’s cheap is top of the line when it comes to low dispersion glass. Compared to traditional glass, t has a low refractive index and high light transmission. Aside from that, FLD glass can correct residual chromatic aberration –something that cannot be done by traditional optical glass.

The NX10 from Samsung has 5 new NX lenses adding functionality and versatility to the digital camera. With these new releases, the company will be selling a total of 8 lenses used for the NX. The first to be released is a lens with standard zoom (18-55mm / F3.5-5.6, Non OIS) while the second one is a compact zoom lens (20-50mm / F3.5-5.6). A more compact one will be released after the 20-50mm / F3.5-5.6 one, a 20 mm /F2.8.

Out of the 5 there are two lenses that were recently announced by Samsung but there are no official release dates yet but most probably they will come out by the first half of this year.  Now this news should make Samsung NX users rather happy.

Noktor not Nikor, Nikon or Nokton but Noktor, a new lens company will be selling the newest lenses for four-thirds digital cameras. The company has recently shown a prototype for their newest lens and it is shown in their official webpage.

The photos of the new lenses have a rather low resolution though but it could give photography enthusiasts what to expect of what Noktor lenses can do. The first lens to be released is a 50mmf/0.95 lens. It will be hitting the shelves next week and it will be launched together with the launch of the company’s website. The lens has a 23 degree angle and users can focus to as close as 2 feet.

Noktor recently announced this through their Twitter page and no this is not something from the rumor mill, just search on this new lens next week for the full information on its capacity.

The E18 error is a dread among digital camera owners as it means they will be dealing with a lens problem. But what exactly is the lens problem? The lens of the camera is either stuck in the extended position or is unsuccessful when it tries to extend. If this happens, there is no need to be troubled. Provided below are simple steps for your convenience that you can always refer to when such problems arise.

1. If your camera is still within the warranty period, it is best to get in touch directly with your digital camera’s manufacturer instead of going to repair stores. Most repair stores will just send your camera to its manufacturer for repairing then will charge you triple the price. Try the repairing only when your camera is out of the warranty period.

1. If your camera is already outside the bounds of the warranty period, you may consider taking the following steps:

• Make it a point that your camera contains fresh batteries. Place your camera in its recording mode. Turn off the camera, take out the batteries, wait for 2-3 minutes, then place them back on and turn on the camera. When all is set, turn off the camera and try to force the lens of the camera. Place the camera on its back. The lens should be facing up. Look at the lens and its housing closely and see if there is a noticeable gap. If there is a gap, it should be easy to fix since such a problem happens when a camera is accidentally dropped. Carefully push down the lens on the part where the biggest gap is. You will hear a click when the lens gets back into place. Turn on the camera and see if it functions.

• If the abovementioned process does not work, try this method instead. With a very fine end blow off gun and a 20 lbs dry compressed air, place the fine end of the blow off gun between the body of the camera and the lens turret, then turn on the dry compressed air as you move the fine end in the region of the lens. This process will remove the dust and dirt that disables the lens from moving properly.

• Thumping the padded cover part of the USB on a solid surface is another method of fixing the lens. This may sound simple but it works.

• If none of these processes works for you, you can try taking the camera pieces apart and clean the lens. Please refer to search engines or to your camera’s user guide for this process.

Nikon’s newest ultra wide lenses are not only ultra wide they are quite fast as well. The company just announced the details of its newest additions to their lens line. These two lenses from Nikon are accurate, fast and are gaining lots of attention in the lens market.

Nikon’s newest lenses were created specifically for people who use FX-format photography. The F-S Nikkor 24 mm lens has an ultra fast aperture and a 24mm perspective. Photographers with this lens can get an 84 degree angle for their photos along with the capability to put extra light into the pictures. With this lens, shooting in dimly lit place is now possible. If you want to get one for yourself, you should be ready with $2, 199.

The other Nikon lens is a much slower compared to the FS, the AF-S Nikkor has stabilization features along with a 16 to 35mm perspective. According to Nikon’s representative, this lens was designed for those who want a wide zoom and maximum aperture. You will be able to get this lens at the end of the month for $1, 295.

Cleaning your camera can be a difficult feat but cleaning it is important. However, cameras are very sensitive gadgets and without enough knowledge on how to clean your camera you might end up voiding your manufacturer’s warranty. Now that is something we wouldn’t want any photography enthusiast to experience.

When cleaning your own camera, it is advised to build or make your own swab. If you have a Fuji camera or one from Kodak, do not worry because you can just get Eclipse or PecPads to clean the sensors. For those who own Nikon, Pentax, Sigma or Canon cameras, the cleaning is covered by warranty just make sure that the products you are using are recommended for your lenses.

Now for the swab –you have to remember that doing this is at your own risk and should do it only if you want to save some money on the cleaning. The very first thing to consider when making a swab for your lenses is what material you will use. Whatever material you use in the inside, you should wrap the whole thing or at least the swab with a Pec Pad. You can also use lens tissue if you want to save more money but getting the best of the best when it comes to lens tissue is recommended. Now back to the materials, you can choose from wood, rubber, and plastic. The best choice among the three is rubber followed by wood and then plastic.

But where do you get this material? Go to the kitchen section and get a spatula. Most spatulas are made out of rubber. Just cut the sides so you have the right size for your swab. When you are done just cover it with lens tissue and voila you have a lens swab!