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Aperture values for comparison of lens speed
Comparing maximum aperture values in third- and half-stops can be challenging, so I’ve created a table to facilitate this comparison. Below F1.0, the differences become even more complex, so please consider this information as a guideline rather than definitive (and it may be subject to updates). However, you’re unlikely to encounter many lenses in regular production with such apertures. For instance, both the Nikon Noct Nikkor and the Leica Noctilux have a maximum aperture of F0.95, which is 1/3 stop “faster” than F1.0, nearly 1 stop faster than F1.2 and 1 1/3 stops faster than F1.4, making them a significant benefit for low-light photography. Interestingly, if you’re a film buff,…
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Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM specs compared with predecessor, Canon EF 35mm F1.4L USM II
Canon has introduced the mirrorless successor to the much-vaunted EF 35mm F1.4L USM II, only it’s not quite what we were expecting. Like the recently announced Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L, this new lens is a hybrid model, appealing to filmmakers and still photographers. As such, it features a new voice-coil motor (VCM) for AF, a type of linear motor noted for its smooth focusing, supplemented with a second Nano USM to control the ‘floating’ (independently moved) element used in close-range correction. It also relies quite heavily on digital correction, though it’s not alone these days. A new step-less manual aperture ring is included, but only for video; apparently, it’s not…
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Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM specs
Technical Data Manufacturer Canon Model RF 35mm F1.4L VCM Web www.canon.co.uk Elements/construction 14 elements in 11 groups (2x UD, 2x Asph) Angle of view 63° (diagonal) Max aperture F1.4 Min aperture F16 Min focus distance 0.28 m (11.02 in) Mount RF mount Filter size 67mm Length 99.3 mm (3.9 in.) Diameter 76.5 mm (3 in.) Weight 555 g (1.2 lb) Price £1699 inc VAT ($1,599) Read our review here. Check specs against the Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM here. Specs compared with the Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm F1.4 here. This is a much more affordable offering, so it’s not necessarily a fair comparison (made by a third party,…
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What I would like to see released in 2024
Manufacturers are often accused of not listening to customers when it comes to introducing new features but I’m sure it’s complicated to strike a balance between what’s achievable and their users’ wishes. Nevertheless, it’s still odd that we haven’t seen some features that would appear to be easy to add, such as those via software or firmware updates. So, here’s a list of some firmware or software (via the maker’s app) features that I would like to see added to cameras this year: Auto aperture series selection, where the photographer can program the camera to select and capture a series across a range of aperture settings. The camera must alter…
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Sigma announces world’s first F1.8 zoom for full-frame 35mm cameras: SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art
Lens maker Sigma has announced the SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art, the world’s first F1.8 high-speed zoom lens for full-frame 35mm mirrorless cameras (narrowly beating the much more expensive Canon RF 28-70mm F2.0L USM for the EOS R series). The new top-of-the-range Art series lens will be available in two versions to fit Sony E-mount and Leica SL-mount cameras. The new lens weighs 960g and features 18 elements in 15 groups (5 SLD, 3 aspherical elements). It adopts both inner zooming and internal focusing. There are many benefits to this, but one that’s not often mentioned in marketing material is that the design makes it more durable than lenses…
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Fujifilm Fujinon GF20-35mm F4 R WR specs
Technical Data Manufacturer Fujifilm – Fujinon Model Fujinon GF20-35mm F4 R WR (equivalent to 16-28mm in 35mm format) Web www.fujifilm-x.com Elements/construction 14 elements in 10 groups Angle of view 108° to 76° (diagonal) Max aperture F4 Min aperture F22 Min focus distance 0.35 m (13.8″) Mount G mount Filter size 82mm Length 112.5 mm (4 in.) Diameter 88.5 mm (3.5 in.) Weight 725 g (25.6 oz) Price £2349 inc VAT ($2,499) Read our review here. Check stock and prices of the Fujifilm Fujinon GF20-35mm F4 R WR at the following retailers: WEX Photo (UK)| Park Cameras (UK) | MPB Used (UK) B&H Photo (US) | Adorama (US) | KEH…
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Review: Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2
Samsung’s highly portable T7 Shield SSD with USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) promises high transfer speeds in a robust housing, Kevin Carter takes a look. What is it? This small, highly portable bus-powered NVMe SSD with a USB-C 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) with read/write speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s and 1,000 MB/s respectively, is almost twice as fast as SATA-based SSDs (and 10x that of HDDs). As such it is ideal for photographers and occasional videographers. It’s also a rugged (IP65 rated) drive that’s ideal for replacing any old hard-disk drive for sharing across multiple devices, such as direct-to cameras (mainly but not limited to the newer Panasonic, Sony and…
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Fujifilm GFX100S II announced with several important features from flagship GFX100 II
Fujifilm has announced the FUJIFILM GFX100S II, the update to the 100MP GFX100S and has several features from the ‘flagship’ GFX100 II, including I believe the same microlens structure. This is said to improve image quality at the periphery and AF accuracy out towards the edges of the frame. The redesigned sensor has a new IOS 80 base, which is claimed to offer lower noise and a wider dynamic range than the GFX100S. The FUJIFILM GFX100S II will be available in the UK from 17 June 2024 from authorised Fujifilm retailers, the FUJIFILM House of Photography in London or the Fujifilm online store at https://eshop.fujifilm-x.com/uk at a suggested retail price…
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Canon announces development of the EOS R1 flagship with deep learning technology promising improved image quality
Canon has announced that the ‘flagship’ Canon EOS R1 is under development. While that’s not surprising, what is telling from the rather scant details is that AI will feature heavily. Reading between the lines I expect to see noise reduction improved over the camera’s internal processing by the bundled DPP software, in effect locking out other parametric editors such as Capture One and Lightroom from accessing the data and ultimately the promised noise reduction improvements. Not only is this to add value to the camera and system by leveraging the software side, but we will likely be choosing our camera systems based on software enhancements in the future. I wouldn’t…
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Hasselblad announces wide angle Hasselblad XCD 25mm f/2.5 V lens
Hasselblad has announced a new ultra-wide (20mm equivalent) lens, the Hasselblad XCD 25mm f/2.5 V for the mirrorless X system cameras. The XCD 2,5/25V features IF (internal focusing) using a linear stepping motor and adopts an optical construction of thirteen elements in ten groups, including four aspherical elements and three ED elements. Hasselblad say it has been designed to meet the requirements of 100-megapixel sensors. The filter size is 72mm. The new XCD 2,5/25V lens is priced at £3,559.00 / $3,699 USD / 4,199 EUR and is available online and at selected retail stores worldwide. More information can be found on their website. Check price and availability at the…
