The release of additional manual focus lenses continues. This week we focus on two lenses from Zenit, new products from 7artisans, and a firmware update for the Zeiss ZX1. We also have an official date for the launch of the next Panasonic GH cameras (yes, plural) which will happen on Tuesday 25th of May.
Zenitar 35mm F2 and 50mm F1.5
The Russian brand released two compact lenses for Sony E-mount. These manual focus lenses have a silver metal barrel and should cost around $730/750 (after conversion), although keep in mind that there isn’t an official American or European price yet at the time of publishing this article.
Zenitar 35mm F2 main characteristics:
- 7 elements in 5 groups
- 9 blade aperture diaphragm
- Min. focus: 50cm
- Weight: 300g
Zenitar 50mm F1.5 main characteristics include:
- 7 elements in 3 groups
- 13 blade aperture diaphragm
- Min. focus: 70cm
- Weight: 287g
(via Dpreview)
7artisans 10mm F2.8 Fisheye, 55mm F1.4 II and 60mm F2.8 II
7artisans has unveiled three new lenses. The 10mm Fisheye is designed for full frame sensors, whereas the 55mm and 60mm are made for APS-C and are the mark II versions of the original lenses released a few years ago. (We tested the 55mm mk1 on a Fuji camera). Once again, we’re talking manual focus with no electronic contacts.
7artisans 10mm F2.8 Fisheye:
- 11 elements in 8 groups
- Min. focus: 17cm
- de-clicked aperture ring
- 8 blade aperture diaphragm
- Angle of View: 178˚
- Weight: 570g
- Available for Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z and Panasonic/Leica/Sigma L-mount
- $270
7artisans 55mm F1.4 II:
- 6 elements in 5 groups
- Min. focus: 42cm
- de-clicked aperture ring
- 9 blade aperture diaphragm
- Weight: 358g
- Available for Sony E, Canon Eos-M, Nikon Z Fujifilm X and M4/3
- 82.5mm equivalent on APS-C, 110mm equivalent on micro four thirds
- $130
The new lens maintains the same optical design but the 55mm II should be sharper according to the company. It has a longer minimum focus distance (42cm vs 35cm), a larger filter thread (52mm vs 49mm) and fewer aperture blades (9 vs 14 on the first model). The build quality has also been improved, as well as the sunstar flare rendering.
7artisans 60mm F2.8 Macro II:
- 11 elements in 8 groups
- 1 ultra low-dispersion element
- Min. focus: 17.5cm (1:1 magnification)
- de-clicked aperture ring
- 9 blade aperture diaphragm
- Weight: 339g
- Available for Sony E, Canon Eos-M, Nikon Z Fujifilm X and M4/3
- 90mm equivalent on APS-C, 120mm equivalent on micro four thirds
- $180
The 60mm II has a new lens design (more elements) in comparison to the first model, and has a shorter min. focus distance (17.5cm vs 26cm). It is also lighter (339g vs 550g)
(Via PhotoRumors)
Zeiss ZX1 Firmware 1.4
I’m not sure how many people have bought the $6000 fixed lens camera powered by Android and with Lightroom Mobile integrated, but if you’re one of the lucky photographers, there is a firmware update that ads face detection autofocus, an updated version of Lightroom as well as tweaks to improve the AF performance and the battery life. The firmware can be downloaded directly from the camera.
Next Panasonic GH camera
In the previous news roundup, I briefly talked about the rumours surrounding the new Panasonic camera. Now there is an official presentation date, May 25th, and it looks like there will be more than one! (GH5 II and GH6 in development phase according to rumours).
