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Posts Tagged ‘Optics’

Venus Optics’ new $549 7.5mm F2 MFT lens now has electronic aperture control

11 Jun

Venus Optics has announced an updated version of its Laowa 7.5mm F2 Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens that has electronic aperture control and an onboard chip for transferring metadata from the lens to the camera.

The new lens features the same optical construction as its fully-manual predecessor (13 elements in nine groups), but adds an electronically-controlled aperture at the cost of reducing the number of aperture blades to five (there are seven in the manual version).

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As for dimensions, the lens comes in at 3mm (.12”) larger in diameter and 7mm shorter (.28”) than the manual version. Also, despite adding the electronic aperture control and onboard CPU chip, Venus Optics managed to reduce the lens’ weight to 150g (5.3oz), down from the 170g (6oz) weight of the manual version.

Below is a video review of the lens from YouTube channel RED35:

The Laowa 7.5mm F2 lens with electronic aperture control is available to order on Venus Optics’ website for $ 549. You can view a gallery of full-sized sample images on Venus Optics’ Flickr album.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics’ 100mm F2.8 Ultra Macro lens is now available with Pentax K mount, new stepless EF mount version also available

14 Nov

Venus Optics has announced its popular Laowa 100mm F2.8 Ultra Macro APO lens is now available for Pentax K mount cameras and is also available in a stepless aperture version for Canon EF mount.

When the Laowa 100mm F2.8 Ultra Macro APO lens was announced back in 2018, it was supposed to be available for Pentax K mount systems alongside Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony FE mounts. However, the K mount version never came to fruition, with Venus Optics even announcing RF and Z mount versions back in April of this year before any news of the K mount version came out.

A macro shot of the aperture coupling on the new Pentax K mount version of the Laowa 100mm F2.8 Ultra Macro APO.

Now, the wait is over. As with the previous versions of the lens, the Pentax K mount version is constructed of 12 elements in 10 groups, features an aperture range of F2.8-F22, uses a seven-blade aperture diaphragm and has a maximum 2x magnification ratio. The lens features an automatic aperture coupling lever, which allows the lens’ aperture to be controlled through the camera, but if you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can adjust the aperture using the manual aperture ring as well.

In addition to the Pentax K mount model, Venus Optics has also released a variation of its EF mount model that features manual stepless aperture control. This video-oriented version of the lens makes it easier to get just the right exposure and the inclusion of a 13 aperture-blade diaphragm over the seven-blade aperture diaphragm in the automatic aperture EF mount version should make for even smoother bokeh.

Below is a sample gallery of images taken with the Laowa 100mm F2.8 Ultra Macro APO lens by photographer Thomas Shahan, provided by Venus Optics:

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Both the Pentax K mount and Canon EF mount stepless manual focus versions of the Laowa 100mm F2.8 Ultra Macro APO are available on the Venus Optics online shop and through authorized retailers for $ 449.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics unveils Laowa 15mm F4.5 ‘Zero-D’ Shift lens for full-frame cameras

30 Oct

Venus Optics has announced the release of the Laowa 15mm F4.5 Zero-D Shift, a new lens that takes the crown as the widest shift lens for full-frame camera systems.

The lens is constructed of 17 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements and a new lens coating. It has a 110-degree angle of view, offers a 65mm image circle and can shift +/-11mm on full-frame camera systems (+/-8mm when adapted for medium format cameras, such as Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad X1D cameras).

Other specifications include a five-blade aperture diaphragm, a 20cm (7.8”) minimum focusing distance and a 360-degree rotation function with clicks every 15-degrees to offer more flexibility when adjusting the shift of the lens. Venus Optics has also developed a specialized lens support that holds the lens towards the front of the barrel so you can keep the lens’ optical axis stable when making your shift adjustments.

Below are a collection of sample shots, provided by Venus Optics:

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The Laowa 15mm F4.5 Zero-D Shift is available to pre-order today for Canon EF, RF, Nikon F, Nikon Z and full-frame Sony E-mount camera systems for $ 1,199 on Venus Optics’ website. The Canon EF and Nikon F mount versions will be available in late November 2020, while the Canon RF, Nikon Z and full-frame Sony E-mount versions won’t be available until February 2021.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics brings its Laowa 9mm T2.9, 12mm T2.9 and 15mm T2.1 cine primes to Canon RF mount

28 Sep

Venus Optics has announced it’s now adding a Canon RF lens mount option for three of its ultra-wide cinema primes: the 9mm T2.9 ‘Zero-D’ lens, 12mm T2.9 ‘Zero-D’ lens and 15mm T2.1 ‘Zero-D.’

The 12mm T2.9 ‘Zero-D’ lens was released back in January of this year, while the 9mm T2.9 and 15mm T2.1 ‘Zero-D’ lenses were announced back in June of this year. At the time, the lenses were only available for Sony E, Canon EF and PL mount, but owners of Canon’s EOS R series mirrorless cameras can now get native versions of the lenses, negating the need to use the EF version with the EF-RF adapter.

Photo Credit: Photo by Phil Holland, provided by Venus Optics

As part of the Loawa Zero-D’ line, all three lenses offer ‘close-to-zero’ distortion. All three lenses also feature industry standard 0.8 mod pitch gears for controlling both the aperture and focus.

As a quick refresher, below are specification summaries for each of the lenses:

9mm T2.9 ‘Zero-D’ lens

The 9mm T2.9 is constructed of 15 elements in 10 groups, has a minimum focusing distance of 12cm (4.72”), uses a seven-blade aperture diaphragm and weighs 247g (8.71oz).

12mm T2.9 ‘Zero-D’ lens

The 12mm T2.9 is constructed of 16 elements in 10 groups, has a minimum focusing distance of 18cm (7.09”), uses a seven-blade aperture diaphragm and weighs 675g (1.5lbs).

15mm T2.1 ‘Zero-D’ lens

The 15mm T2.1 is constructed of 12 elements in 9 groups, has a minimum focusing distance of 15cm (5.91”), uses a seven-blade aperture diaphragm and weighs 540g (1.19lbs).

All three lenses are available to purchase with the Canon RF mount starting today on Laowa’s online shop. The 9mm T2.9, 12mm T2.9 and 15mm T2.1 retail for $ 600, $ 1,500 and $ 1,200, respectively.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics unveils Laowa 14mm F4 ‘Zero-D’ lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras

18 Sep

Venus Optics has announced the release of its latest lens, the Laowa 14mm F4 FF RL ‘Zero-D’ lens for full-frame mirrorless camera systems.

The compact ultra-wide-angle lens is constructed of 13 elements in 9 groups, including two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements. The lens features a 114º angle of view on a full-frame sensor while maintaining near-zero distortion as the ‘Zero-D’ moniker alludes to.

The lens features an aperture range of F4-F22, uses a five-blade aperture diaphragm, has a minimum focusing distance of 27cm (10.6″) and uses a 52mm front filter thread. It measures in at 58mm in diameter, 59mm long and weighs just 228g (8oz).

Below is a gallery of sample images provided by Venus Optics:

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The Loawa 14mm F4 ‘Zero-D’ lens is available in Leica M, Leica L, Sony FE, Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts on Venus Optics’ website. All versions retail for $ 549, with the exception of the Leica M mount, which retails for $ 649. Shipping will start in late September for all but the Leica M and Canon RF mount versions, which will see the first shipments go out in late October.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics unveils Loawa 14mm F4 ‘Zero-D’ lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras

18 Sep

Venus Optics has announced the release of its latest lens, the Laowa 14mm F4 FF RL ‘Zero-D’ lens for full-frame mirrorless camera systems.

The compact ultra-wide-angle lens is constructed of 13 elements in 9 groups, including two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements. The lens features a 114º angle of view on a full-frame sensor while maintaining near-zero distortion as the ‘Zero-D’ moniker alludes to.

The lens features an aperture range of F4-F22, uses a five-blade aperture diaphragm, has a minimum focusing distance of 27cm (10.6″) and uses a 52mm front filter thread. It measures in at 58mm in diameter, 59mm long and weighs just 228g (8oz).

Below is a gallery of sample images provided by Venus Optics:

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The Loawa 14mm F4 ‘Zero-D’ lens is available in Leica M, Leica L, Sony FE, Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts on Venus Optics’ website. All versions retail for $ 549, with the exception of the Leica M mount, which retails for $ 649. Shipping will start in late September for all but the Leica M and Canon RF mount versions, which will see the first shipments go out in late October.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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ZY Optics unveils $399 17mm F0.95 ‘Speedmaster’ lens for MFT cameras

17 Sep

ZY Optics has announced the release of its latest lens, the Mitakon Speedmaster 17mm F0.95 for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera systems.

The 17mm manual focus lens is constructed of 12 elements in 9 groups and offers a 34mm full-frame equivalent focal length when attached to a MFT camera (63º angle of view). It features an aperture range of F0.95-F16, uses a nine-blade aperture diaphragm, has a 58mm front filter thread and has a minimum focusing distance of 30cm (11.8”). The aperture ring is stepless for quiet adjustment during video shooting.

Below are a selection of sample photos provided by ZY Optics:

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The lens measures in at 72mm (2.95”) diameter, 65.4mm (2.57”) long and weighs 461g (.92lbs).

The Mitakon Speedmaster 17mm F0.95 for MFT camera systems is available to purchase now on the ZY Optics website for $ 399.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Jakumei Optics announces the $735 Dulens APO 85mm F2 for Canon EF, Nikon F mounts

08 Sep

Chinese lens manufacturer Jakumei Optics has announced (translated) the release of the Dulens APO 85mm F2 manual lens for Canon EF- and Nikon F-mount camera systems.

According to the manufacturer, the lens’ apochromatic (APO) design is inspired by ‘Sonnar-style’ lenses, the first of which was created by Dr. Ludwig Bertele in 1929.

The lens is constructed of seven elements in six groups, including two extra-low dispersion elements and one high-refractive index lens. Other features include an aperture range of F2-F16, a nine-blade aperture diaphragm, a 90cm (3ft) minimum focusing distance and a 55mm front filter thread.

The lens is available in black, grey and silver, and is available to purchase on the Shoten Kobo website (translated) for approximately $ 735 (76,950 JPY).

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics unveils an 11mm F4.5 ultra-wide-angle lens for full-frame mirrorless systems

29 Aug

Venus Optics has released its latest lens, the Laowa 11mm F4.5 FF RL lens for full-frame mirrorless camera systems.

The ‘FF’ and ‘RL’ initialisms in the name of the lens refer to the lens’ full-frame (FF) and rectilinear (RL) design. The fully-manual lens is constructed of 14 elements in 10 groups, including two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements, which results in a 126-degree angle of view on full-frame cameras.

Despite its compact size, the lens features a 62mm front filter thread, making it ‘the world’s widest rectilinear lens with a front filter thread for full-frame mirrorless cameras.’ Other features include an aperture range of F4.5-F22, a five-blade aperture diaphragm, a minimum focusing distance of 19cm (7.4”) and rangefinder coupling on Leica M-mount cameras.

The lens measures in at just 63.5mm (2.5”) long, 58mm (2.3”) wide and weighs just 254g (8.9oz). Below is a gallery of sample images, provided by Venus Optics:

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THe Laowa 11mm F4.5 FF RL lens is available to order now from Venus Optic’s website for Leica M, Leica L, Sony FE and Nikon Z mounts. The Leica M version costs $ 799, while the other mounts cost $ 699.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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MS Optics reveals its latest lens, the Elnomaxim 55mm F1.2 for Leica M-mount cameras

31 Jul

Miyazaki san of MS Optics fame has released his latest M-mount lens, the Elnomaxim 55mm F1.2.

Bellamy Hunt over at Japan Camera Hunter is still working to translate the details of the lens, but what is known at this point is that the lens uses a gauss type optical design with an extremely simple formula. Specifically, the lens is Miyazaki san’s take on the Zeiss 50mm F2 Sonnar lens originally designed for the Zeiss Contax I rangefinder.

The entirely manual lens features an aperture range of F1.2 through F16, has a minimum focusing distance of one meter (3.25ft) and has a 49mm front filter thread. The lens measures in at 50mm diameter, 43mm long and weighs 180g (6.35oz).

Japan Camera Hunter has shared a few sample photos captured with the lens:

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As is the case with most MS Optics lenses, this thing isn’t going to win any sharpness contests, but it has character.

The Elnomaxim 55mm F1.2 lens for M-mount is available in black chrome and silver chrome, and is currently available to order from Japan Camera Hunter for $ 1,200. Units are being produced in small batches, so expect stock to come and go.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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