Nikon announces £650 35mm F1.4 for Z system
Nikon has announced the Nikkor Z 35mm F1.4, a lens that’s usually reserved for those with deep pockets, but it will go on sale for just £650 inc VAT. While not the high-end S-series lens that was on the roadmap (indicated to be a 35mm F1.2), this is still a welcome (if not curious) addition to the range. The lens has internal focusing (IF) and a ‘Multi-Focus’ system moving more than one of the focusing elements, though it’s not clear at this time if more than one STM motor is employed. It weighs just 415g. It has a relatively small 62mm front filter thread. The new lens will be available…
Fujifilm Fujinon GF30mm F5.6 T/S three-shot hand-held panorama at maximum shift (± 15mm)
Handheld three-shot pano with GF30mm F5.6 T/S, totalling 175 MP. As this was shot without a tripod, there’s quite a bit of overlap in the centre, but what’s of interest here is that maximum shift ±15mm has been applied to show the worst case. Focus was confirmed using magnified LV, which is my preferred option of the various focusing aids. This three-shot pano was stitched in Lightroom Classic with an automatic (built-in) lens profile applied, which can’t be turned off. Still, no further ‘manual’ corrections were made to display the vignetting, and it’s no big deal, as it could be cleaned up. Automatic profiles like this don’t show what’s…
Nikon Z6III announced with partially stacked 24.5MP CMOS, promising fast AF and EVF refresh rates
The new Nikon Z6III looks to be targeting Nikon’s traditional press customers, as well as high-end amateur users. As such, it’s a more sensible ‘backup’ camera to the Nikon Z9 than the Z8, offering a smaller file from the 24.5MP sensor and a good mix of video features for hybrid uses. Will also appeal to action and wildlife photographers, given the fast AF and a good range of native mount telephoto lenses in Nikon’s range. Sales start: July 2024 RRPs: Z6III Body – £2,699 (UK) | €3,099.00 (ROI) Pre-order: WEX UK | Amazon | Park Cameras UK B&H Photo US | Adorama | Amazon London, United Kingdom, 17th June…
Fujifilm Fujinon GF30mm F5.6 T/S specs compared with Canon EF 24mm F3.5L TS-E
I realise this isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison but as many architecture photographers adapt the Canon 24mm TS-E to use on their Fujifilm GFX system cameras then the side-by-side contrast makes more sense. It’s surprising how similar the specs are but early testing of the Fujifilm GF30mm T/S with the 100MP Fujifilm GFX100 II (which has an optimised sensor for this lens, apparently) suggests super-impressive optical performance, even when shifted to the maximum. Also, if there was any doubt that the tilt and shift functions can be oriented separately to use in the same ‘direction’ (it wasn’t that clear in the press release), then I can confirm they can. When fully…
Fujifilm Fujinon GF30mm F5.6 T/S specs
Technical Data Manufacturer Fujifilm Model Fujinon GF30mm F5.6 T/S Web www.fujifilm-X.com Elements/construction 16 elements in 11 groups (1x Super ED, 3x ED) Angle of view 84.7° (diagonal) 24mm equivalent Tilt/Shift +/- 8.5° Tilt, +/- 15 mm Shift Max aperture F5.6 (9-blades, rounded) Min aperture F32 Min focus distance 0.3m (11.9 in) Mount GF mount Filter size 105mm (with adapter ring), 72mm front cap* Length 135.8mm (5.5 in.) Diameter 87.1mm (3.4 in.) Weight 1340g (2.95 lb) Price £3,899 inc VAT ($3,999) The Fujinon GF30mm F5.6 T/S will be sold with an RRP of £3899 inc VAT. Read our review here. User manual at: www.fujifilm-x.com Additional coverage/press release. Pre-order: WEX UK |…
Nikon Z6 III teaser released
The formal announcement will be made on June 17th at 8.00 am ET. Besides some form of pre-capture, details remain sketchy (obvs). The new camera is expected to retain a 24 MP CMOS sensor (though I wouldn’t be surprised to see the sensor resolution move to 30 MP), with improvements to the viewfinder, DR, AF, and video.
SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art specs
Technical Data Manufacturer Sigma Model SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art Web www.sigmauk.com Elements/construction 18 elements in 15 groups (5x SLD, 3x Asph) Angle of view 75.4°-51.3° (diagonal) Max aperture F1.8 Min aperture F16 Min focus distance 0.3 m (11.9 in) Mount SL & FE mount Filter size 82mm Length 151.4/153.4 mm (6.0 in.) SL/FE Diameter 87.8mm (3.5 in.) Weight 960/950g (33.9/33.5 oz) Price £1299 inc VAT ($1,349) The SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art will be on sale from the 20th of June with an RRP of £1,299 inc VAT. Pre-order: WEX UK | Amazon | Park Cameras UK B&H Photo US | Adorama | Amazon To…
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,…
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…
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,…
