Last year, Samyang1 released the AF 85mm F1.4 FE prime lens for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. Now, the lens has been updated with a Canon RF mount to work with Canon’s line of full-frame mirrorless cameras, too.
Aside from the new mount, the lens remains unchanged from its Sony FE predecessor. The lens is constructed of 11 elements in 8 groups, including one Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) element and four High Refractive Index (HRI) elements to help minimize chromatic aberration. The optical elements also use Samyang’s Ultra Multi Coating (UMC) to keep flares and ghosting under control.
Autofocus is driven by Samyang’s Dual Linear Sonic Motor (DLSM) and the sole button on the lens is the AF/MF button for switching between auto and manual focus. The lens features weather-sealing, a nine-blade aperture diaphragm and a 77mm front filter thread. Below is a sample photo, provided by Samyang:
The Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 RF is expected to ship in June for $ 800, with pre-orders opening up before then. The RF version comes in at $ 100 more than the Sony FE version was launched at and $ 200 more than what the Sony FE is currently selling for. We will update this page when pre-orders become available.
1Samyang is also sold under the Rokinon and Bowens brand names, depending on your region and the retailer you purchase from.
Just two weeks after Ricoh revealed more details of its long-teased portrait prime, the HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm F1.4 ED SDM AW has officially been released. The new lens offers numerous special elements, a new AF motor and the build quality we’ve come to expect from high-end Pentax lenses.
The 85mm F1.4 contains a total of 12 elements, including ‘Super ED’ and aspherical glass. An HD coating is used to reduce flare and ghosting. The lens has a new ring-type SDM lens motor to drive the focusing elements, which delivers 1.3x more torque than the motor on the 50mm F1.4, according to Ricoh. The lens has a nine-blade aperture that is electronically controlled.
Minimum focus distance is 0.85m (2.8ft) and the maximum magnification is 0.12x. It’s sealed against dust and moisture in eight places (that’s the ‘AW’ designation – standing for ‘All Weather’) and can be used in tough conditions when paired with a weather-resistant Pentax camera.
The FA* 85mm F1.4 will be available in mid-June for $ 1899.
Press release:
Ricoh announces HD PENTAX-D FA?85mm F1.4ED SDM AW for K-mount digital SLR cameras
Second fixed focal-length model added to next-generation, high-performance Star lens series
PARSIPPANY, NJ, May 27, 2020 ? Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the HD PENTAX-D FA?85mm F1.4ED SDM AW lens, the second fixed focal-length lens in the new-generation PENTAX Star (?) lens series. Designed for use with PENTAX K-mount digital SLR cameras, Star-series lenses boast the highest imaging performance of all PENTAX lens lineups.
PENTAX developed a new, ring-type SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor) exclusively for this new lens to enable flawless, high-speed autofocus operation, with an exterior design that assures a firm grip for manual-focus operation. The HD PENTAX-D FA?85mm F1.4ED SDM AW lens is designed not only to assure the highest imaging power currently possible, but also to optimize the joy of picture-taking.
The new lens incorporates three Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements to effectively minimize chromatic aberration, and a glass-molded aspherical optical element to effectively compensate for spherical and chromatic aberrations and field curvature to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness, even at open aperture. This design also reduces distortion to nearly zero at a focusing distance of four meters to deliver well-defined, distortion-free images over the entire focusing range, from the minimum focusing distance to infinity.
The HD PENTAX-D FA?85mm F1.4ED SDM AW lens boasts an F1.4 maximum aperture, useful with many different subjects in a range of applications, including portraiture with an effectively defocused background, handheld shooting of indoor scenes and scenic photography. The extra-large aperture produces a bright, clear viewfinder image that will surely inspire photographic creativity and imagination.
Developed as an AW (All Weather) model, the new lens features dustproof, weather-resistant construction with eight special seals to prevent the intrusion of water into the lens barrel. When paired with a dustproof, weather-resistant PENTAX digital SLR camera body, it assures a durable, reliable digital imaging system that performs superbly in demanding shooting settings — even in rain or mist, or at locations prone to water splashes or spray.
| Pricing and Availability |
The HD PENTAX-D FA?85mm F1.4ED SDM AW lens will be available in mid-June at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com as well as at Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $ 1899.95.
Main Features of the new HD PENTAX-D FA?85mm F1.4ED SDM AW
1. New-generation, high-performance Star-series lens to deliver ideal image quality
Anticipating the further advancement of SLR camera bodies in the future, PENTAX has designed this lens to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness by compensating various aberrations to a minimum, while greatly enhancing resolving power — two factors absolutely essential in the next-generation Star series. It provides exceptionally high imaging performance even at open aperture, a beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect and outstanding image rendition at close ranges — all reasons why it produces high-quality, well-defined images. It also boasts an extra-large F1.4 maximum aperture, useful with many different subjects in a range of applications, including portraiture with an effectively defocused background, handheld shooting of indoor scenes and scenic photography. It helps the camera to produce a bright, clear viewfinder image that will inspire the photographer’s creativity and imagination.
2. State-of-the-art optical technology
This lens incorporates three Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements to effectively minimize chromatic aberration, and a glass-molded aspherical optical element to effectively compensate for spherical and chromatic aberrations and field curvature to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness, even at open aperture. It also reduces distortion to nearly zero at a focusing distance of four meters to deliver well-defined, distortion-free images over the entire focusing range, from the minimum focusing distance to infinity. This lens is also treated with high-grade, multi-layer High-Definition (HD) Coating, which reduces average reflectance in the visible ray spectrum to less than 50% of conventional multi-layer coatings, effectively reducing flare and ghost images to a minimum even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting.
3. Newly designed, large ring-type SDM
To deliver the highest image quality possible over the entire focusing range — from the minimum focusing distance to infinity — this lens features a newly designed, large ring-type SDM to efficiently drive the focusing mechanism, which consists of a larger number of optical elements than ordinary lenses, and is required to shift heavy rear-optical-element groups in unison. Generating a torque approximately 1.3 times that of the unit installed in the HD PENTAX-D FA?50mm f1.4 SDM AW, this new SDM assures flawless, high-speed autofocus operation.
4. Dustproof, weather-resistant construction
Developed as an AW (All Weather) model, this lens features a dependable dustproof, weather-resistant construction with eight special seals to prevent the intrusion of water into the lens barrel. When paired with a dustproof, weather-resistant PENTAX digital SLR camera body, it assures a durable, reliable digital imaging system that performs superbly in demanding shooting conditions — even in rain or mist, or at locations prone to water splashes or spray.
5. Other features
Nine-blade, round-shaped diaphragm to produce a natural, beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect up to the F2.8 aperture setting, while minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources
Exterior design that facilitates focus-ring operation in manual-focus shooting and provides a firm hold
Electromagnetic diaphragm-control mechanism** for flawless, high-precision exposure control during video recording
SP (Super Protect) coating to keep the front surface free of dust and spots
** This mechanism is available when the lens is mounted on a K-1 Mark II, K-1, K-3 II, K-3, KP, K-70, K-50, K-S2 or K-S1 camera body.
HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm F1.4 ED SDM AW specifications
Samyang, which is also sold under the brand name Rokinon, has released updated versions of two of its best-selling lenses: the MF 14mm F2.8 MK2 and the MF 85mm F1.4 MK2.
The updated manual focus lenses feature the same optical designs as their respective predecessors but add new features to provide a more seamless and robust user experience. In particular, both lenses now have weather-sealing, an updated focus ring for better grip and a switch for de-clicking the aperture without the need to tear it apart. The 14mm F2.8 MK2 also has a new focus lock switch for ensuring the focus doesn’t get bumped out of place during operation.
Both lenses are available for Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon M and MFT mount camera systems. As of writing this article, no pricing information is available for the lenses and no online retailer appears to have a product page up. We have contacted Samyang for additional information and will update accordingly when we receive a response.
Ricoh has published a video setting out its development plans for three new lenses, including a constant F2.8 standard zoom for APS-C, a 21mm lens in its much-loved ‘Limited’ prime lens series and gave more details of the FA*85mm F1.4.
The company says its announcements were originally planned for the cancelled CP+ trade show, that was supposed to take place in February 2020 in Yokohama, Japan.
The company gave more details of the HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm F1.4ED SDM AW first announced in March 2020. This is the first 85mm Pentax lens designed specifically for digital cameras. The lens will include three super ED lenses, which behave similarly to fluorite elements, to minimize chromatic aberration. They say this should avoid the purple or green edges that can be distracting in wide aperture portraits.
The design also utilizes a concave front element, which the company says reduces some aberrations. The spherical aberration has been optimized to provide attractive bokeh, rather than solely prioritizing sharpness. They claim this will result in ‘the finest lens in its class.’
The lens will be launched later in 2020, with a more definitive announcement soon.
Alongside the 85mm, the company showed the forthcoming D FA 21mm Limited lens as an addition its range of prime lenses. Like the other ‘Limited’ lenses, it will feature metal construction and will be available in black or silver. The focal length was chosen as one that’s not currently available in the lineup. The maximum aperture was not disclosed.
Unlike the current Limited series lenses, the D FA 21mm will have a built-in DC focus motor, rather than being driven by the camera body. It will also be weather sealed. The lens will be available in 2021.
For APS-C users, there will be a lens current called the HD Pentax DA* 16-50mm F2.8ED PLM AW, a completely new constant F2.8 standard zoom for APS-C. This, like the 85mm, will be part of the ‘new-generation’ star range.
It will be powered by a PLM ‘Pulse’ motor, which has meant a complete optical redesign with a light focus element to suit the fast, quiet motor. The company is aiming to have the lens ready in the first half of 2021, to more closely coincide with a promised APS-C flagship camera.
The company’s manager of product planning, Tetsuya Iwasaki also promised that the company will also develop some smaller and reasonably priced lenses in future.
The ‘Defocus Smoothing’ or DS variant of Canon’s RF 85mm F1.2L uses a special coating to two of the lens’ 13 elements to give out-of-focus highlights a smoother appearance. And like its non-DS counterpart, it’s an outstanding portrait lens. We took advantage of a little time outdoors and some springtime scenery to put together a collection of preliminary samples – take a look.
The post Review – Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Fujifilm appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Suzi Pratt.
It used to be that photographers were wary of third-party camera lens makers because they often sacrificed quality for a cheaper price. However, that’s no longer the case today. In fact, third-party lens makers such as Tamron and Sigma are now creating viable lens alternatives that even professional photographers are turning to. Relatively new to the game is Viltrox, a Chinese camera accessory manufacturer. They recently put out the Viltrox PFU RBMH 85mm f/1.8 STM and I tested it out with my Fujifilm X-T3. Here are my thoughts.
Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 lens for Fujifilm
Lens specs
The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 lens is a fixed autofocus lens available for both Fujifilm X-Mount and Sony E-Mount cameras. It’s interesting to note that this is a full-frame lens as it works with both Sony FE and crop-sensor camera bodies; if Fujifilm made a full-frame mount, it would likely work with that as well.
This is a hefty lens, weighing in at 1.4 lbs (636 grams). It is an all-metal body that, unfortunately, is not weather-sealed. However, it would likely be able to hold up well over time, given its hard exterior.
The lens is simple with no buttons or controls on the body, which made for an interesting usability experience (more on that below). It comes with both a lens hood and front and rear caps.
Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 for Fujifilm with the included lens cap and lens hood.
Filter size: 72mm
Focal length: 85mm (roughly 127.5 mm on a crop-sensor)
Aperture range: F1.8-F16
Optical structure: 10 Elements in 7 Groups
Aperture Blades: 9
Focusing distance: 0.8m~?
Flange distance: 17.7mm
Object distance image ratio: 1:8
Image stabilization (IS): No IS or vibration reduction
Weight: 636g (1.4lb)
Price: $ 399 USD
Comparable lenses
One of the biggest selling points of this lens is its price: US$ 399 for an f/1.8 short prime lens is a pretty good deal.
Looking at Fujifilm’s native lens library, your closest other choices are the XF80mm f/2.8 for US$ 1,199.00 and XF90mm f/2 for US$ 729.99.
When compared to these two lenses, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 seems like a steal at its price point, plus it is the fastest lens of the bunch.
Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 for Fujifilm compared in size to the Fuji 18-55mm.
Usability
Part of the joy of shooting with a Fujifilm camera is the experience. Most cameras, including the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-H1 that I use, have dedicated buttons and dials for setting details such as shutter speed and ISO.
All official Fujifilm lenses are built to integrate well with this shooting experience as they include a dedicated aperture ring used to control your F-stop. This little tidbit is where shooting with the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 took some getting used to.
The Viltrox lens has no buttons or dials on it, and no aperture ring for adjusting the aperture. Instead, the front dial on your Fujifilm camera becomes the default way of changing your aperture. For long-time Fujifilm shooters, this is a strange thing to get used to.
Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 for Fujifilm on the Fuji X-H1.
Camera lens balance
Another thing to get used to is the weight of this lens.
Fujifilm mirrorless cameras are typically quite lightweight and compact compared to many of their full-frame competitors. As a result, which camera body you choose to pair with this lens can make a big difference in how you shoot with it.
When attached to my Fujifilm X-T3, the camera was harder to hold due to the shallow grip on the X-T3. In comparison, the Viltrox felt better balanced when paired with the Fujifilm X-H1, which has a more solid body with a deeper handgrip.
However, don’t forget that you can enhance the grip of most cameras like the X-T3 by using the optional battery grips or adding an L-bracket.
Autofocus
The autofocus is a mixed bag. While the autofocus mechanism is accurate once you secure focus, it does quite a bit of hunting when you first begin framing your subject. This is also not a very quiet lens, and you can hear the focus mechanism as it works to find focus. It’s not necessarily a dealbreaker unless you shoot a lot of fast-moving subjects, or really need dependable autofocus. But you get what you pay for.
Image quality
Image quality is spot on and in line with what you would expect from a Fujifilm camera. Sharpness, color, and contrast are all great at various apertures, but the best feature is the bokeh. When shooting wide open at f/1.8, you get bokeh that is insanely smooth and gorgeous.
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/12 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200
In conclusion
Is the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 lens worth it? It depends on your budget and expectations for quality.
Many features from solid build quality, respectable integration with the Fujifilm system, and overall image quality are on-point. However, autofocus is not as reliable as it would be on a native Fujifilm lens.
Then again, you’ll be paying a lot more money for a similar Fujifilm lens, so if the cost is an issue, you really can’t go wrong with this lens given its price point.
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/5000 sec, f/1.8, ISO 1000
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/4000 sec, f/1.8, ISO 1600
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/2200 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/60 sec, f/5, ISO 200
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/5000 sec, f/1.8, ISO 3200
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/4000 sec, f/1.8, ISO 400
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/4000 sec, f/1.8, ISO 800
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/4000 sec, f/1.8, ISO 1600
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/950 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/2200 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/300 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200
Fujifilm X-H1 with Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 – 1/800 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200
The post Review – Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Fujifilm appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Suzi Pratt.
Ricoh has announced it will release a new wide-aperture portrait lens for its full-frame cameras late this year, and that it will use the company’s Supersonic Direct-drive Motor to power the focusing system. The HD Pentax -D FA* 85mm F1.4 SDM AW with join the existing HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW and HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8ED DC AW in a line-up of three models in the FA* range. Like the DA* lenses designed for APS-C cameras, these FA* models are intended to be premium quality and to represent a step-up from the standard lens series.
Pentax says that the new portrait lens uses three Super ED lenses to suppress chromatic errors while boosting contrast, and a single aspherical element to retain high resolution and focus across the frame. The aperture will be made from nine blades and the closest focusing distance will be 2.8ft. Although designed for the full-frame K-1 cameras, the KAF4 lens will also work on the company’s APS-C sensor cameras – due to the smaller sensor area it will offer the view that a 130mm focal length would on a full-frame model.
Pentax has yet to release the pricing of this new lens, but to give you an idea, the 50mm F1.4 FA* lens costs $ 1100/£1050 compared to $ 350/£400 for the standard SMC FA version. For more information see the Pentax website.
Press release
Development of the new-generation D FA* high-performance single focus lens for digital SLR cameras
HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mmF1.4 SDM AW
RICOH COMPANY, LTD. and RICOH IMAGING EUROPE, SAS. are pleased to announce the development of the new-generation high-performance Star-series lens, the HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mmF1.4 SDM AW.
This product is the second “new generation D FA*” single focus lens following the “HD PENTAX-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW” which we presented as the first lens with a fixed focal length of the “New Generation D FA*”. This series is known for the perfect image quality and the lenses are characterized by the following parameters:
Best possible image quality with uniform sharpness from the center to the edges of the image.
Large aperture with a particularly expressive image effect.
High quality workmanship and materials with high robustness and easy handling
The D FA* 50mm quickly became one of the most popular lenses for the PENTAX 35mm system. Therefore many PENTAX photographers have demanded for an extension of this range of prime lenses. We are therefore pleased to announce the development of another lens in this series of high-performance lenses. With the HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mmF1.4 SDM AW, we follow the conquest of particularly high image quality without compromise.
Overview of the product under development
Model name: HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mmF1.4 SDM AW Launch date: Scheduled to be launched in late, 2020
By incorporating three Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements, it effectively compensates chromatic aberrations and produces brilliant, high-contrast images even from open aperture.
Adopts one aspherical lens and achieves high delineation performance with good correction of spherical aberration, coma and field curvature.
High speed and smooth operation with newly developed SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor) equipped with high torque ring type ultrasonic motor
Developing as an AW (All Weather model) this lens features a dependable dustproof, weather-resistant structure to prevent the intrusion of water and dust into the lens interior.
Since the launch of the EOS R line in 2018, Canon has mostly concentrated its attentions on high-end RF lenses. And the lens we’re looking at here is likely to be one of the most coveted RF-mount optics, partly because of its classic portrait-friendly focal length and super-wide aperture, but also because Canon bills it as having the finest optical performance of any autofocus-enabled 85mm lens the company has ever released. Quite a claim.
Naturally, all of this goes some way to explain why the RF 85mm F1.2L USM is among the costliest lenses in the RF lineup. It’s considerably pricier than the EF 85mm f1.2 L II USM, which can also be used with EOS R-series bodies via an adapter, and if you’re happy to slum it with an F1.4 option then you’ll find many more cost-effective options from other manufacturers to choose from. Nevertheless, the RF 85mm should prove a tempting option for early EOS R-series adopters with an appetite for fast glass and pockets deep enough to satisfy it.
Key specifications:
Focal length: 85mm
Aperture range: F1.2-16 (In 1/3 EV stops)
Filter thread: 82mm
Close focus: 0.85m (2.79 ft.)
Maximum magnification: 0.12x
Diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm)
Hood: ET-89 round-shaped hood (supplied)
Length / Diameter: approx. 103.2 x 117.3 (4.06 in. x 4.62in)
Weight: approx. 1,195g (approx. 2.63lbs)
Optical construction: 13 elements in nine groups
Features
Aimed primarily at portrait, fashion, wedding and event photographers, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM brings together a handful of RF-specific technologies with those seen previously in the EF line.
Despite its size and weight, the lens has been designed with just 13 elements in nine groups, although some of these are necessarily quite large. They include a single ground aspherical element to keep spherical aberration and corner softness from being a problem, and an Ultra Low Dispersion element positioned just ahead of it to help combat chromatic aberration.
Canon’s Blue Spectrum Refractive (BR) element greatly refracts shorter wavelengths, ensuring blue wavelengths focus at the same plane as longer wavelengths like red and green. This increases sharpness and reduces longitudinal spherical aberration, commonly seen as color fringing.
Longitudinal chromatic aberration (LoCA), typically seen as purple and green fringing in front of and behind the focal plane, respectively, is further controlled through the use of a Blue Spectrum Refractive (BR) element, something we first saw three years ago inside the EF 35mm F1.4L II USM. Its purpose is to refract blue light – or rather, short wavelengths that correspond with what we see as blue – to a greater degree than conventional optics would manage. By doing so, it’s better able to focus all wavelengths to the same point, which in turn helps to quash longitudinal chromatic aberration and increase sharpness at the focal plane. Quite how well it can do so is something we’ll be digging into later on in this review.
Helping to keep flare and ghosting down are Canon’s conventional multi-coatings, while a single application of the more advanced Air Sphere Coating (ASC) deals with ill effects from light passing either parallel or near parallel to the optical axis. Nine diaphragm blades, meanwhile, promise to keep the diaphragm round for nicer out-of-focus highlights.
The lens accepts 82mm filters at its front and can focus as close as 85cm (2.8 ft) away from the subject, which is a 10cm reduction on the previous EF 85mm f1.2 L II USM. Helping to make its price tag a little easier to swallow, Canon has thrown a deep round lens hood into the box, as well as a pouch to keep it all protected when not in use.
What about the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS?
The lens on test is joined by a slightly more costly (+$ 300) ‘DS’ variant, and while the it adheres to the same basic formula and optical design as the non-DS version, the ‘DS’ suffix denotes the presence of Defocus Smoothing technology. This is a new coating on two of its elements that’s said to help smooth out the edges of out-of-focus areas, which the company claims is more necessary here given the more severe correction for chromatic aberration. The effect is similar to some specialized lenses from Fujifilm and Sony that contain comparable apodization elements.
While potentially very useful to dedicated portrait photographers, the fact that the DS technology comes at the cost of up to 1.5EV stops of light transmission, and also produces images with slightly deeper depth of field than the non-DS version explains why Canon has decided to give the photographer the choice of both options.
Tokina has announced the release of its new atx-m 85mm F1.8 FE lens for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless camera systems. This lens marks the debut of Tokina’s new ‘atx-m’ mirrorless lens series, which will offer various lens designs for different mounts and sensor formats.
The 85mm F1.8 FE lens is constructed of ten elements in seven groups and features one low-dispersion (SD) element. Tokina has also used its Super Low Reflection Multi-coating throughout the lens, which Tokina claims ‘provides natural color and excellent contrast along with superior water, oil and dust repellant properties.’
Autofocus is driven by Tokina’s ST-M motor technology and the lens was designed in accordance with Sony’s licensed specifications, meaning it’ll work with in-body image stabilization, as well as all of Sony’s AF modes.
Below is a gallery of sample images, provided by Tokina:
The Tokina atx-m 85mm F1.8 FE lens will hit shelves around the world on February 7, 2020 for an estimated street price of $ 500.
Kenko Tokina announces release of the NEW atx-m 85mm f/1.8 FE
New Series, New optics, New look – The atx-m 85mm f/1.8 FE lens for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras.
Huntington Beach, CA, January 17, 2020: Kenko Tokina, Japan’s leading manufacturer of premium camera accessories, is releasing the Tokina atx-m 85mm f/1.8 FE lens for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras. It is the debut lens for Tokina’s atx-m series of mirrorless lenses that will include lenses for multiple mounts and sensor formats.
The atx-m 85mm f1.8 FE lens features a clean design with high quality optics housed in a beautifully anodized, semi-satin black metal lens barrel. The fast f/1.8 aperture is perfect for portraits, low light shooting and produces beautiful bokeh.
The optical design has 10 glass elements in 7 groups including 1 SD (Low Dispersion) lens that offers excellent resolution, sharp edge-to-edge results, and well controlled chromatic aberrations. Tokina’s exclusive Super Low Reflection Multi-coating provides natural color and excellent contrast along with superior water, oil, and dust repellant properties.
The new ST-M auto-focus motor is quiet, fast, and accurate in still and video modes and thanks to an all-metal focus unit and high-quality lubricants; manual focus is tactile, smooth and precise.
The atx-m 85mm FE is developed and manufactured in accordance with Sony-licensed specifications and communicates all required data to the camera to take full advantage of the latest Sony features including 5-axis image stabilization, Face/Eye Priority AF, Real-time Eye AF, MF assist, and electronic distance scale.
“This is a very exciting new lens series for Tokina” says Yuji Matsumoto, President at Kenko Tokina USA. “The mirrorless camera market continues to expand and the atx-m series will address the needs of photographers using different camera mounts and sensor sizes.”
Worldwide sales of the Tokina atx-m 85mm f/1.8 FE lens will begin on February 7, 2020 with authorized Tokina USA retailers taking pre-orders January 17, 2020. Estimated USA Street Price of $ 499.00
Zhong Yi (ZY) Optics has announced the release of its new Mitakon Creator 85mm F2.8 1-5X Super Macro lens.
The ‘Super Macro’ lens is constructed of 12 elements in 8 groups, has an aperture range of F2.8-F32 and features a minimum focusing distance of 27.2cm (1X) at its 25mm focal length and 10cm (5X) at its 85mm focal length. ZY Optics says the lens was designed ‘to have one of the longest working distance for any super macro lens.’
The lens is entirely manual, features a 58mm front filter thread, uses an eight-blade aperture diaphragm, measures 67mm x 122mm (2.64in x 4.8in) and weighs 750g (1.65lbs). Below are a number of sample images provided by ZY Optics (be forewarned that there are plenty of bugs in the event you don’t like creepy-crawlies):
The Mitakon Creator 85mm F2.8 1-5X Super Macro lens is available on ZY Optics’ website for $ 499 in Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sony E, M43, Fuji X and EOS-M mounts.
Press release:
ZY Optics release the Mitakon 85mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens with extended working distance
Shenyang China, Nov 25, 2019 – Zhongyi Optics (ZY Optics) have released a new Super Macro Lens for full frame cameras, the Zhongyi Mitakon 85mm f/2.8 1-5x Super Macro Lens and it features a wide magnification range and a very long working distance.
Zhongyi Mitakon 85mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens has a wide magnification range (from 1X to 5X) allowing photographers to capture subjects at different sizes. Users no longer need to DIY or use any extension tubes to reach high magnification shooting.
The lens is also designed to have one of the longest working distance for ANY super macro lens. The closest working distance at 5x magnification is 3.93” (10cm) and 10.7” (27.2cm) at 1x magnification. This working distance is so much longer than traditional macro lenses in the market. Photographers can now start shooting macro objects without getting too close and scare them away.
The extended working distance also implies lighting can get to the subjects easier. It is also more friendly to use on video shooting. This new super macro lens also has a near telecentric performance which is a big advantage when it comes to macro image stacking photography or industrial usage.
The new 1x-5x Super Macro lens incorporates a 12 elements in 8 groups structure which delivers impressive resolution from corners to corners. The chromatic aberration is also controlled to the minimum (APO design). Weighing merely 1.65 lbs (750g) and 6.7cm long, it is a perfect companion for both wildlife or indoor lab shooting. It is relatively compact in its class which allows photographers to capture extremely fine subjects or patterns with different sizes.
Greater magnification can also be achieved by stacking extension tubes or bellows. The high magnification is extremely useful for scientific purposes. The lens can only be used in macro distances and cannot focus to infinity. A 58mm filter thread is also available.
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