April 2016 - oldshutterhand.com

New Zenith lenses 50/0.95 50/1.2 and 85mm f/1.2

Apr 252016

New Zenith lenses

On the picture is a very old Zenith camera

Which Zenith lenses are coming ?

Seems Zenit comes back with three lenses, the Zenith 85mm f/1.2 the Zenith 50mm f/1.2 and the Zenith 50mm f/0.95 lenses. Zenith had some very popular lenses like the Jupiter 135mm f/2.8 is still used in Hungary by some or the Zenitar 16mm fisheye lens which was available in the US as well, and had a good reputation.

New Zenitar 50/0.95

This lens is designed for Sony FE mount cameras. Has many aperture blades, 14 if I remember well, in two different depths. The lens has a 72mm filter thread, the lens construction is 9 elements in 8 groups.

New Zenitar 50/1.2

This lens is designed for Full frame cameras. It will be available for both Canon EF and Nikon F mounts. Perhaps this will be the first lens released sometime this year. Currently it is a massive 1200g lens, Zenith is working on to make it smaller.

New Zenitar 85/1.2

It is also designed for Full frame cameras, with a design of 9 elements in 7 groups, has a 82mm filter thread, and metal mount. It will be available for both Canon EF and Nikon F mounts.

Price and release date is not yet known of these lenses (some projected for 2017), but according to some information the lenses will not be more expensive than 600 USD.

If you good at Russian language you can read more about these lenses here at Denis Gavrilov website

Zeiss Batis 18mm f2.8 for FF Sony E mount

Sony, Zeiss No Responses »

Apr 252016

Zeiss Batis 18mm f2.8 for FF Sony E mount

Seems Zeiss actively take part of the Sony E mount lens construction. The widest lens is coming in the form of the Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 lens. The wide 18mm focal length is very popular among landscape photographers.

The other lenses in this family is the Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2 and the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lenses. The other two lenses look very interesting as well. The 85mm is for portraits, the 25mm is also for landscapes and general photography.

All three lenses has wide apertures which makes them more useful in low light or night photography.

These are all autofocusing lenses on the Sony E mount Full frame cameras (most Zeiss lenses are manual on other mounts, like Canon and Nikon).

Zeiss Batis 18mm f2.8

The lens has a floating lens elements usually used in macro optics for providing the best possible close range performance. The lens has many exotic lens element as well ensuring the best optical quality.

Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 specs

Focal length	18 mm
Aperture range	f/2.8 – f/22
Focusing range	0,25 m (9.8 ″) – ∞
Number of elements/groups	11/10
Angular field, diag./horiz./vert.	99° / 90° / 67°
Coverage at close range	227 x 340 mm (8.9 x 13.4″)
Filter thread	M77 x 0,75
Dimensions (with caps)	95 mm (3.7″)
Diameter of focusing ring	78 mm (3.1″)
Weight	330 g (0.74 lbs)
Camera mounts	E-Mount

Ricoh WG-M2

Ricoh No Responses »

Apr 142016

Ricoh WG-M2 action camera

(Action camera, 300 USD, 8MP still, 4K/30 fps, HD/60fps 720/120 fps, 1/2.3″ sensor)

What a miracle is this ? This is Ricoh’s new 4K action camera with an ultrawide angle which can be used underwater without an additional housing. The camera has a 204° lens, waterproof up to 20 meters, shock resistant up to 2 meters, cold proof down to 14 Fahrenheit (-10 degree Celsius). Looks quite cool at first.

The action camera has a built in Wifi as well.

Video resolutions available:

4k at 30 frames per sec, HD at 60 frames per sec
720 at 120 fps, Stills at 8 Megapixel

Ricoh WG-M2 action camera official announcement

Capture all of life’s adventures with this compact, lightweight camera that‘s waterproof, shock resistant and coldproof. Featuring 4K Full HD movie recording and an ultra-wide-angle lens, take your WG-M2 down to depths of up to 20 meters, with no housing required. Other tough features include shock-resistance from a height of two meters, and cold resistant to temperatures as low as 14° Fahrenheit.

With a 204-degree ultra-wide-angle lens, capture dynamic, high-resolution, high-bit-rate videos with exaggerated perspective. A vibration function informs users of the start and end of a movie recording while an LCD orientation function records videos in an upright position regardless of the camera’s orientation.

With 7 Image Effect modes, capture videos with distinctive visual effects, and an array of editing functions. With built-in Wi-Fi capture and share your creations to your favorite social media sites. Capture a bigger world of adventure around you, whether diving the depths of the ocean, carving up the slopes, forging a trail through the wilderness, or enjoying an afternoon at a playground with the family.

Ricoh WG-M2 action camera official specs


Lens	Focal Length: 1.6mm 35mm Equivalent Approx. 9.0mm Max Angle of View: Still: Wide: Approx. 202° Narrow: Approx. 150° Movie: Wide: Approx. 204° Narrow: Approx. 151° Brightness: F2.0 Focus Range: 0.2m-infinity/0.66ft – infinity
Motion Blue Reduction	Electronic image stabilization (Movie SR)
File Format	Still: JPEG (conforms to Exif 2.3), conforms to DCF2, PRINT Image Matching III Movie: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV) Audio: PCM system, Stereo sound
Number of Recorded Pixels	Still: (4:3) 8M: 3264×2448, 5M: 2592×1944 (16:9) 6M: 3264×1840, 4M: 2592×1464 (1:1) 6M: 2448×2448 Movie: 4K: 3840×2160 30fps, Full HD: 1920×1080 60fps/30fps, HD: 1280×720 120fps/60fps/30fps
Quality	Still: Fixed (fine) Movie: Super Fine/ Fine
Number of effective pixels	Approx. 8 Megapixels
Image Sensor	1/2.3 inch CMOS
Sensitivity	Still:ISO AUTO /AUTO-Hi /200 /400 /800 /1600 /3200 /6400 Movie: ISO AUTO /AUTO-Hi
White Balance	Auto, Auto (Outdoor), Manual
Display	1.5 inch LCD, approx 115k dots
Exposure Control	Program AE
Metering System	Multi-segment, Spot metering
EV Compensation	±2EV (1/2EV steps)
Shooting Modes	Still Image: Still Image, Underwater Still Image, Burst Shooting Movie: Underwater Movie, Time-Lapse Movie, Extended Movie Recording, High Speed Movie
Photo Effect Modes	Bright, Natural, Monochrome,
Movie Effect Modes	Bright, Natural, Monochrome, Shading, Bleach Bypass, Bold Monochrome, High Contrast
Edit function	Save as Still Image, Divide Movies, Image Copy
Shutter Speed	1/24000 – ¼ sec.
Storage Media	Built-in memory (Approx. 68MB), microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Power Source	Rechargeable Li-Ion battery D-LI68 Battery Life Still: Approx 450 pictures Battery Life Movie: Approx 80 minutes (4K, fine setting) Playback : Approx 160 minutes
Interfaces	USB 2.0 (micro B), HDMI output terminal (Type D)
Wireless Interface	Standard 802.11b/g/n, Frequency 2.4GHz band, Security WPA2
Waterproof/Dustproof	Equivalent to IPX8, JIS Class 8 waterproof / IP6X, JIS Class 6 dustproof capabilities
Dimensions	Approx. 57.4(W)×34.1(H)×77.8(D)mm / 2.3(W) x 1.3(H) x 3.1(D) inches (excluding operating or protruding parts)
Weight	Approx. 136g / 4.8 oz. (including battery, microSD memory card, and lens protector O-LP1631)
Accessories	Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, power adapter, USB cable, lens protector, underwater lens
High Speed Cont. Shooting	Approx. 8 fps, up to approx. 10 frames,
Charging Time	Approx. 130 min.
Max. Recording Time	The maximum length is 4 minutes for High Speed Movie (720p 120fps). The maximum length is 25 minutes for Movie.
Start-up Time	Approx. 1.4 sec. (Include 0.5 seconds time for press of the button)
Release Time Lag	0.002 sec.
Water Proof	20m (For 2 hours)
Shock Proof	2.0m
Freeze Proof	-10 Celsius
Languages	English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Thai, Korean, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
Colors	Orange or Silver

Sony 70 300mm G OSS

lenses, Sony No Responses »

Apr 092016

Sony 70 300mm G OSS

(1450 EUR, Sony FE mount)

A new telephoto lens from Sony is on its way. This is a tipical, very useful reach in photography, especially for portraits or distant landscapes. Most manufacturers uses these types of lenses as a step up (better than the cheapest, but not really satisfy an advanced amateur), but there are more serious versions as well. The problem with these lenses is the soft 300mm setting. Otherwise who would buy super expensive 300mm primes ? I found the 70 300mm focal length is quite useful, but yet to see a sharp 70-300mm at 300mm. The sharp aperture is another story. I would be interested in an ideal word how these lenses would look like.

I do not say that this Sony is like this. The steep price tag (1450 USD) suggests it is designed to be better. Perhaps it is sharp all the way, wide open. On product images the lens looks really reassuring not like the above mentioned plastic wonders. The lens has an Optical Steady shot stabilizer and sealed against dust and moisture. The lens has a focus hold button can be used to stop the autofocus system when it is required.

Sony 70 300mm f4.5 5.6 G OSS specs

Mount: Sony. FE mount (Full frame)
Filter size: 72mm
Max Aperture: f/4.5
Min aperture: f/29
Aperture blades: 9
Closest focusing distance: 90cm (3′)
Magnification: 0.31x (it is quite good for a telephoto lens)
Optical construction: 16/13 elements
Exotic glass: 2 ED and 4 aspherical glass
Lens weight: 885g (1.88 lbs.)
Dimensions: 84 x 143.5 mm
Stabilizer: yes
Focus limiter: yes at 3m
Coating: Sony Nano AR coating

Sony 70 300mm f4.5 5.6 G OSS price

The initial price of the new lens will be 1450 USD.

Sony 70 300mm f4.5 5.6 G OSS relase date

The lens will be available from May 2016 according to today’s information.

Irix 15mm f2.4 Blackstone and Firefly lens

Irix lens No Responses »

Apr 032016

Irix 15mm f2.4 Blackstone and Firefly lens

(695 and 495 EUR, Full frame, manual focus)

This is the lightweight firefly version of the Irix lens

A new Swiss Korean optics is on the Horizont. The company name is TH Swiss, which seems manufacturing the manual focusing, full frame lens in Korea. That seems quite unusual. According to the specification it can be a very interesting lens. The filter size is 95mm, the lens has 15 elements in 11 groups, the minimum focus distance is 0.28mm (1′). “The photographers dream lens is built by engineers and perfected by designers”

There are to versions: a Firefly and the Blackstone. One of them is built like the Tank the other is the “Lightest in category”. The lens is optimized for 50+ megapixel sensors according to the manufacturer, has neutrínó coating, and clicks at infinity focus. The lens has a focus lock, which allows to fix the focus ring at any point, and the lens has sealing against dust and moisture.

The Firefly version of the lens has a broader focusing ring.

The manufacturer offers several own ND filters as well as a separate accessorie to the lens for extra money.

Irix 15mm f2.4 Blackstone and Firefly lens specification

Available mounts: Canon, Nikon, Pentax
Max aperture: f/2.4
Lens construction: 15 elements in 11 groups
Filter size: 95mm front and gelatine back filter as well
No of aperture blades: 9
Compatibility: Full frame
Focusing method: Manual
Weight: 685 (1.51 lbs.)/653g (1.44 lbs.) Canon / Nikon

Video about the Irix 15mm f2.4 Blackstone and Firefly lens

No price information yet, my guess it won’t be cheap. The blackstone version will be more expensive because of the alu construction. According to some sources the price will be 475 EUR for Firefly and 695 EUR for the Blackstone version.