The guys at DPReview TV always go above and beyond to produce their videos. This video comparison of Fujifilm’s F1.4 and F2 primes show just how dedicated they are, with Chris powering through the pain after suffering a nasty injury.
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Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Well, that didn’t take long. Less than 12 hours after Nokishita shared some leaked photos and specs of the unreleased lens, Tokina has officially announced its latest piece of Sony E-Mount glass: the FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF.
The new lens is only the second prime lens in the FíRIN series of lenses designed specifically for mirrorless cameras, and it’s actually a followup to the first. The original FíRIN 20mm F2 FE was a manual focus lens, and the new AF version uses an identical optical design. But it doesn’t so much replace the old lens as sit next to it in Tokina’s lineup, giving users “two options … to choose [from] according to the purpose and style of shooting.”
Like its predecessor, the FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF boasts 13 lens elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements and three Super-low Dispersion elements that promise to do away with as much spherical aberration, distortion, and chromatic aberration as possible.
Unlike the manual focus version, this lens features a ring-type ultrasonic motor coupled with a GMR sensor for fast and silent focusing, and Tokina promises full compatibility with Sony’s Fast Hybrid AF system and all AF function settings, “providing the same AF performance as with common E-mount AF lenses.”
The FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF lens is tentatively scheduled to arrive at the end of April for Japanese customers, and end of May worldwide, but if you happen to be at CP+ next week, you can check out a prototype of the new lens at Tokina’s booth.
No pricing info has been released as of yet.
Press Release
February 22nd, 2018 – Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd. is proud to announce the new Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF, the second prime lens in Tokina’s premium lens series “FíRIN” for mirrorless cameras.
Overview
FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF is the long-awaited autofocus version of the existing FíRIN 20mm F2 FE super wide angle lens for full-frame Sony E-mount. Adopting the same optical design as in MF model, now we offer two options for end-users to choose according to the purpose and style of shooting.
Optical performance
Being optimized for full size camera sensors in terms of size and resolving ability, the optical design adopts 2 aspherical elements and 3 lenses molded from Super-low Dispersion glass to significantly reduce any type of aberration including spherical aberration, distortion and chromatic aberration while assuring high resolution and stunning performance even at wideopen aperture.
Functionality
Keeping along with the basic development concept of the previous model FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF is made compatible to autofocus and other functions of the camera providing perfect functionality and usability for the photographer.
Ring-shaped ultrasonic autofocus motor
For AF drive system FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF adopts quick responsive and silent ring-shaped ultrasonic motor. Coupled with GMR sensor AF performs fast and accurate focusing.
Full compatibility to AF system
FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF is fully compatible with Fast Hybrid AF system and all AF function settings, providing the same AF performance as with common E-mount AF lenses. Fine manual focus adjustment is also possible.
MF Assist function
Accurate focusing is supported by compatibility to MF Assist function, when fine focusing adjustment is operated by manual rotation of the focusing ring with the simultaneous interlocking with image enlarging function and bar distance display on the monitor.
Optical correction
Due to the data transmittance ability via electric contacts the camera obtains necessary data from the lens chip to correct shading, distortion and lateral chromatic aberrations. Optical corrections can be done by the camera as well.
Image Stabilization
By transmitting focal length data FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF is able to get maximum use of In-Body Image Stabilization function of the camera.
* When in-built camera flash is used vignetting may occur. Please use external flash.
About sales release:
Sales release in Japan: end of April, 2018 (tentative)
Sales release worldwide: end of May, 2018 (tentative)
A prototype of Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF will be displayed at CP+2018
Kenko Tokina booth location: Exhibition Hall(1F), booth # G-57
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Chinese accessory and optical manufacturer Meike has posted a picture on its website of three lenses it intends to launch in the coming months. Two stills lenses are promised, a 50mm and a 25mm, as well as a 25mm designed for movie shooters.
It is reported that the first will be a 50mm F1.7 for mirrorless systems—including the Canon EOS M mount—which is due in the middle of next month. A 25mm F2 shown in the same graphic is quite a different design to the 50mm, and different also from Meike’s existing mirrorless and APS-C range of lenses, so it isn’t easy to guess what systems this model will be aimed at. The third lens is a 25mm T2.2 Cinema lens, which appears to be the company’s first foray into this video market.
Finally, as for how much these lenses might cost, it’s worth noting that the company’s current 50mm F2 retails for about $ 80… so they tend to be pretty affordable.
For more information, visit the Meike website.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Hot on the heels of yesterday’s Noctilux-M 75mm F1.25 ASPH announcement, Leica has debuted yet another lens this week. This time, it’s a special edition: the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F2 ASPH ‘LHSA’ released in honor of the 50th anniversary of The International Leica Society (LHSA).
What makes this lens special is, basically, that it meshes the styling of the original Summicon 50mm F2 from 1954 with the optics of the current APO-Summicron 50mm F2 ASPH released in May of 2012. Optically, it’s identical to the 2012 lens, but on the outside it features either a black paint or silver chrome finish, a 1950s style lens hood, and red engravings of the distance scale. Other special markings include:
The special serial number is engraved on the aperture ring and is picked out in black on the silver chrome version and is not coloured on the black paint lens. Further engravings are found on the bayonet ring: ‘MADE IN GERMANY’ and the LHSA Logo – both of which are not picked out in colour.
This special edition Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F2 ASPH ‘LHSA’ will be limited to just 500 copies—300 in the black finish and 200 in silver—and each of them will come in ‘high quality packaging’ with a certificate of authenticity.
Both colors will be available starting the 4th of December, and according to our contacts at Leica it will retail for $ 9,595. That’s $ 1,800 more than the non-special edition lens retails for.
To learn more about this lens, visit the Leica website.
Press Release
Wetzlar, 30 November 2017 – For the past 50 years, ‘The International Leica Society’ (LHSA) has dedicated itself to researching the history of Leica and the use of the company’s products. The beginning of the celebration of the 50th anniversary in 2018 will be marked by the launch of a special edition of the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. produced especially for the occasion. The appearance of the lens is reminiscent of the Summicron 50 mm f/2 from 1954. The special edition thus unites the outstanding imaging performance of the current lens—which was the first to be able to fully exploit the contrast and resolution offered by modern digital cameras—with the look of the nineteen-fifties.
Depending on the choice of colour of the ‘LHSA’ special edition, the outer brass elements of the lens are finished either in black paint or in silver chrome. This also applies to the separate lens hood in the style of the nineteen-fifties that is also made of brass. While the engravings of the distance scale in feet are picked out in red on both versions, the other engravings vary in colour depending on the version of the lens selected: these are in white on the black paint version and black in the case of the silver chrome option. The special serial number is engraved on the aperture ring and is picked out in black on the silver chrome version and is not coloured on the black paint lens. Further engravings are found on the bayonet ring: ‘MADE IN GERMANY’ and the LHSA Logo—both of which are not picked out in colour.
The cordial collaboration between Leica and the LHSA has a long tradition and has already been the source of a number of special editions in the past. These include, for example, a set comprising a silver chrome Leica M6 and three Summicron-M lenses of different focal lengths produced in 1993 and a Leica MP from 2003 finished in a special hammertone lacquer.
The LHSA special edition of the APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. is strictly limited to 500 examples, 300 in black paint finish and 200 in silver chrome. Both versions will be supplied together with a certificate of authenticity in particularly high-quality packaging and will be available from 4 December 2017.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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In addition to bringing back the legendary Biotar 75mm F1.5 lens via its new Kickstarter campaign, company Oprema has also announced plans to resurrect the Biotar 58mm F2.0 lens originally made by Carl Zeiss. Though the company doesn’t anticipate launching the Biotar 58 lens until late 2018, the company is offering pre-production models of the 58 in bundles with the Biotar 75mm lens via the latter’s Kickstarter campaign.
Originally reported by PhotoRumors, and later confirmed in an official announcement, the special pre-production Biotar 58 lenses will feature serial numbers ranging from 1 to 58. The two-lens bundle will require a pledge of $ 2,000 USD, which is a whopping $ 2,500 USD lower than the planned retail cost of the two lenses combined. Not bad for a Kickstarter discount.
Assuming everything goes according to plan, Oprema plans to launch the Biotar 75 lens next summer at a retail cost of $ 2,500 USD, whereas the Biotar 58 will arrive a few months later at a lower $ 2,000 USD.
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The Biotar 58mm lens will be offered in Nikon, Canon, Leica M, Fuji X, Sony E, and M42 mounts, and represents Oprema’s second foray into the market of remaking classic lenses.
To find out more or put down a pledge, head over to the Biotar Kickstarter campaign. There are still 49 Biotar bundles left as of this writing.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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| Nikon’s never-released DL18-50. Did Nikon abandon this series of 1-inch sensor compacts in order to focus on creating a full-frame mirrorless camera? |
A new Nikon lens patent is causing quite a stir in the photo world today, but it’s not because of the lens itself. Instead, the patent has people excited because it describes a lens that is made for a curved full-frame sensor, possibly inside a mirrorless camera.
The latter bit is pure speculation—as Nikon Rumors points out, “the patent does not provide sufficient technical information to determine if this is a mirrorless or a DSLR lens,” especially since Nikon has patented curved sensors in the past—but the 35mm F2.0 lens described is definitely made to work with a full-frame curved sensor.
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It’s possible this camera could be a fixed-lens system, bypassing the need to design multiple lenses or figure out how to make zoom lenses work on a curved sensor. For that matter, it’s also possible this design never makes it to market. But the fact that Nikon is dabbling in patents here, spending R&D time and money on some real innovation, is at least mildly heartening.
With multiple curved sensor patents and prototypes out in the wild, the correct question now seems to be “when” rather than “if” this technology will make it to the general public. Well, “when” and “who will get there first?”
You can see more diagrams from this patent here: P2017-125904A. And, of course, feel free to speculate your heart out in the comments.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Tokina has today introduced a new prime lens that is specifically designed for Sony E-mount mirrorless full-frame cameras. The 20mm F2.0 FE MF is the first lens in the new FiRIN mirroless lens series and combines a fast aperture with a wide angle of view and manual focus.
“This is an exciting first step into the mirrorless market for Tokina,” says Kenko Tokina USA President, Yasu Suga. “The all-new design delivers a sharp edge-to-edge image and greatly reduces exposure fall-off for a crisp, clear image. The lens is manual focus with manual aperture control but transmits distance and aperture information to the lens allowing the camera to utilize the 5-axis Image Stabilization, Manual Focus Assist, and other features that require electronic lens communication. I am happy to report that our engineers in Japan are hard at work designing more lenses for the FiRIN mirrorless series; the future is bright.”
The lens comes with a wide focus ring for easy manual focusing and the aperture ring can be “clicked” for stills photography and “de-clicked” for smoother operation when shooting video. Electronic contacts allow for communication with the camera. The lens will officially be unveiled at the Photokina trade show in Cologne, Germany, next week. We expect more information on pricing and availability to be released then as well.
Press release:
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Tokina USA introduces the fast aperture, full-frame 20mm F/2.0 FE MF prime camera lens. This lens marks the initial offering of FiRIN, a new mirrorless lens series. This new lens series from Tokina is designed for a photography market that is rapidly adopting mirrorless camera systems as a standard. The FiRIN 20mm f/2.0 lens is a bright, wide-angle lens that is compatible with Sony E-Mount cameras.
“This is an exciting first step into the mirrorless market for Tokina,” says Kenko Tokina USA President, Yasu Suga. “The all-new design delivers a sharp edge-to-edge image and greatly reduces exposure fall-off for a crisp, clear image. The lens is manual focus with manual aperture control but transmits distance and aperture information to the lens allowing the camera to utilize the 5-axis Image Stabilization, Manual Focus Assist, and other features that require electronic lens communication. I am happy to report that our engineers in Japan are hard at work designing more lenses for the FiRIN mirrorless series; the future is bright.”
The FiRIN 20mm f/2.0 features a wide focus ring for smooth manual control, an aperture ring that can be “clicked” and “de-clicked” on demand for cinema and photo use, and electronic contacts for maximum communication with the camera. The lens will be unveiled at Photokina 2016 in Cologne, Germany. The Kenko Tokina booth is located in Hall 5.2, stand C020.
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 20 mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Lens mount | Sony FE |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F2 |
| Minimum aperture | F22 |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 9 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 11 |
| Special elements / coatings | Multi-layer coatings |
| Focus | |
| Minimum focus | 0.28 m (11.02″) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.1× |
| Autofocus | No |
| Full time manual | Yes |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | Yes |
| DoF scale | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| Diameter | 62 mm (2.44″) |
| Length | 69 mm (2.72″) |
| Sealing | No |
| Colour | Black |
| Filter thread | 62.0 mm |
| Hood supplied | Yes |
| Tripod collar | No |
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Korean lens brand Samyang has released details of a 135mm lens it will bring to market with versions for stills and video photographers. The Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC stills lens will be accompanied by the Samyang 135mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR for cine and videographers. Read more
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Samyang has announced two manual focus lenses for cameras with APS-C or Four Thirds type sensors, a 16mm f/2.0 wideangle for SLRs and mirrorless, and a 300mm f/6.3 for mirrorless. The 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS offers a 24mm-equivalent angle of view with an unusually bright maximum aperture, and comes in a wide range of mounts to fit almost every brand of camera. Its RRP is €395, or €435 for the Nikon mount ‘AE’ version. Meanwhile the Reflex 300mm f/6.3 ED UMC CS is a compact catadioptric or ‘mirror’ lens to fit Micro Four Thirds, Canon, Sony and Fujifilm models, and comes in a choice of silver or black for €259. Both will be available in July.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
A test of a Canon EF 135 mm f/2 L USM lens on a Canon 550D (T2i). These clips are unedited and straight out of the camera using stock settings and the standard color profile. My friend let me borrow this lens for an afternoon and I must say, I’m VERY impressed. Sorry about the shaky movements while focusing, my tripod is terrible. The first thing I noticed was the extremely thin DOF at f/2. As you get closer to MFD, the background simply melts away; something that’s quite desirable among filmmakers. The other thing that struck me was how sharp this lens was at f/2. I didn’t notice any softness wide open. I also didn’t notice and CA. Autofocus on this lens is quick as well. Focusing manually is extremely easy as the focusing ring is large and moves smoothly. It’s tough to find a lens this fast and sharp. At a very reasonable price of around 0 used (0 new), this is a must-buy. Thanks for watching, please let me know how I can improve and what lenses you’d like to see next. Song: soundcloud.com The T2i produces the same video as the T3i. (and similar video and FOV with this lens on the 7D, Ti1, 50D, 60D, and various Nikons and other cameras with 1.5x & 1.6x crop factors.)
Video Rating: 4 / 5
This clip for pro camera, how to use dial as multi-selector.
Video Rating: 1 / 5