links for 2008-10-17

The reason you want this new 50mm f/1.4 is that you can tweak manual focus simply by touching the ring without needing to move a switch, and that its performance ought to be stellar at f/1.4 compared to all previous 50mm f/1.4 lenses made by anyone. The only gotcha is its weird 58mm (not standard 52mm) filter size, and that after over 30 years, close-focus distance is still no better than 1.5 feet (0.45m).

A nice prime lens with autofocus that can be controlled by the Nikon d40. Ideal for sharp pics — "Headlining the new features is a built-in Silent Wave Motor which enables autofocus with the D60/D40x/D40 DSLRs, but the lens also boasts a brand-new optical system with 8 elements in 7 groups for improved image quality, a circular aperture diaphragm for more attractive background blur, and a barrel design which does not change length on focusing. The lens will be available from December 2008."