This week, we have new cine lenses and various firmware updates.
Laowa Cine Lenses
Venus Optics has released four new cine lenses for micro four thirds. Three of them are re-housed version of the existing photography lenses, whereas the 6mm T2.1 is brand new. The four lenses are:
- Laowa 6mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine ($700)
- Laowa 10mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine ($550)
- Laowa 17mm T1.9 MFT Cine ($400)
- Laowa 50mm T2.9 Macro APO MFT Cine ($550)
They are small and lightweight, meaning they also suit drone work. The focus and aperture rings include 0.8 mod gears.
Main characteristics of the 6mm T2.1 Cine:
- 13 elements in 3 groups
- 2 aspherical elements
- Min. focus: 9cm
- 58mm filter thread
- 180g
Kamlan 55mm F1.4 for Full Frame Camera
The Chinese brand Kamlan has announced its first lens designed for 35mm format sensors, the 55mm F1.4. It’s a manual focus lens and should be available in March, although the price has yet to be confirmed.
Main characteristics of the 55mm F1.4:
- 8 elements in 6 groups
- 13-blade aperture diaphragm
- Min. focus: 30cm
- Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts
Fujifilm Firmware Update
A few weeks ago, I talked about a series of firmware updates that aimed to fix a bug on Mac computers, where a card containing more than 4,000 images could be easily erased. Fujifilm already issued an update for six cameras: X-T4, X-T3, X-S10, GFX100S, GFX100 and GFX 50S.
Now, the firmware fix arrives for other six products: GFX 50R, GFX50S II, X-Pro3, X-E4, X-T30 I, and X100V.
You can download the new firmware updates from the Fujifilm Support page.
Olympus / OM System and Panasonic Firmware Update
There are new firmware updates for various cameras that improve focus precision when using prime lenses. Some of them also make the new 40-150mm F4 Pro compatible with Focus Stacking. You can download the firmware from the Olympus Japan page.
Panasonic has released various firmwares for its micro four thirds lenses that improve the autofocus in video mode, and / or make the lens compatible with the Focus Ring Control function (which is available on select cameras like the GH5 II and GH6). More details can be found on the Panasonic website.
