This week, we have three new lenses from Nikon, Tamron and Laowa respectively. Panasonic also released a new firmware for the Lumix GH6.
Nikkor Z 17-28mm F2.8
The 17-28mm F2.8 is the second F2.8 constant zoom from the brand to be offered at a more affordable price in comparison to the premium trio 14-24mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm.
Like the 28-75mm F2.8 that preceded it, the new 17-28mm appears to be a re-badged version of the Tamron 17-28mm designed for Sony full frame E-mount. The optical design and many other characteristics are the same, with Nikon working on the aesthetics, electronics and, of course, making it Z-mount compatible. It will cost $1200.
- 13 elements in 11 groups
- 3 aspherical elements, 2 extra-low dispersion (ED) elements and 1 Super ED element
- 9-blade aperture
- Stepping AF motor
- Min. focus: 19cm
- 67mm filter thread
- weather sealed
- 450g
Tamron 150-500 F5-6.7 for Fujifilm
Tamron has released its second lens for Fujifilm and here as well, it is the Sony E-mount version adapted for the X-mount. On APS-C, the lens gives you the equivalent of 225-750mm, a great range for wildlife photographers.
What is also interesting is that Tamron kept the three options for the optical stabilisation you find on the Sony version, which are accessible from the switch on the barrel. This means you can prioritise vertical compensation when panning for example, something that users cannot control manually on Fuji lenses such as the XF 100-400mm. The lens will cost $1500, making it a bit more expensive than the E-mount version.
- 25 elements in 16 groups
- 1 XLD, 5 LD and 2 Hybrid Aspherical elements
- VXD linear AF motor
- Min. focus: 60cm at 150mm, 180cm at 500mm
- 1.7kg
I’ve tested the Tamron 150-500mm E-mount version and it proved to be superb value for money for Sony users. I’m confident the same will be said about this X-mount version.
Laowa 58mm F2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO
Another ultra macro lens from Venus Optics, this time a 58mm F2.8 lens with a 2:1 magnification ration. As usual, it is manual focus with no electronic contacts.
- 14 elements in 11 groups
- 3 ED and 3 Ultra-High Refractive Index elements
- 13 blade aperture
- Min. focus: 18.5cm
- 67mm filter thread
- 595g
- $500
- Canon R, Leica L, Nikon Z and Sony E
Panasonic GH6 Firmware Update
Version 2.2 allows you to record video to a SSD drive (max. 2TB) via the USB C port. The maximum frame rate in 4K is 60p. Also, you cannot record on the memory card simultaneously.
The new firmware will be available on the 27th of September from the Panasonic website.
