Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly Lens Review

Irix 150mm F/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly
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Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32
  • Neutrino Coating
  • 1:1 Magnification, 1.1′ Minimum Focus
  • Manual Focus Design with Focus Lock
  • Depth of Field and Focus Distance Scales
  • Dragonfly Weather-Sealed Construction
  • Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm

ePhotozine reviewed the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly, a specialised lens for macro photography.

From their conclusion:

There is no doubt that there will be many photographers who will be delighted by the arrival of the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro lens. The greater reach of 150mm will be welcomed, and indeed is highly sought after already as photographers search for legendary long macro lenses from the days of film.

Manual focus can often be the method of choice for macro work, depending upon the techniques needed, but at least can be regarded as a little impediment. This is an excellent addition to the options available, especially perhaps for Pentax users who have had no option at all before this.

A specialised lens to some degree, but one that can be Highly Recommended.

Among other things they praise the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly for the excellent sharpness, very well controlled CA, no distortion, no flare, weather sealed, and the bokeh.

Read the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly review at ePhotozine.

Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Here Are 5 Reasons To Get The Canon EOS R, And A First Look On The Kipon ELEGANT 75mm f/2.4 Lens

Canon Eos R Firmware Update
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Mattias Burling posted a short video where he explains why the Canon EOS R does well for his professional work. And he had a chance to use the new Kipon ELEGANT 75mm f/2.4 lens for EOS R mount.

He says:

[…] there is much more to like about the camera than I list in this video. For example in camera video color, highlight roll off, audio, etc, etc. Another negative is that its a bit too feature rich, capable and easy to use for it to challenge […] creatively on the streets. For recreational shooting I prefer something more limiting.

And I know there will be 4K crusaders commenting on me liking HD. […] I started shooting 4K Raw video before most you even left 720p. So I know all about it. The fact is that I have use had the HD from the EOS-R projected together with FS7 4K on huge screen and no one notices any difference. Law of diminishing return and the right tool for the job.


Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 OS Sport Review (great achievement, D. Abbott)

Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3
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Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 OS Sport at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4.5 to f/32
  • Three FLD Elements, One SLD Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor
  • Intelligent OS Image Stabilization
  • Removable Arca-Type Tripod Foot
  • TSC Material, Dust- and Moisture-Sealed
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Compatible with Sigma Teleconverters

Photographer Dustin Abbott reviewed the Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 OS Sport lens.

He tested the Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 OS Sport on various cameras, including a Sony a7 III and a Canon EOS R.

From his conclusion:

The Sigma 60-600mm F/.4.5-6.3 OS HSM Sport is a great achievement.  While I didn’t find it as compelling at 600mm as the 150-600mm Sport lens from Sigma, the 60-600 Sport is capable of producing excellent images across its focal range.  It’s the perfect lens for the individual that feels constricted at times by the 150mm limitation on the wide of the 150-600mm (which I certainly have myself, at times), allowing one to frame a number of wider scenes along with dialing in a tremendous amount of reach on the telephoto end.  While this is unmistakably a very large, very heavy lens, it is commendable that Sigma has managed shave off some weight and noticeably improve the balance of the lens by clever use of advanced materials in the construction.  The 60-600 Sport has a heavy duty, thoroughly weather sealed design.  It also has effective focus and optical stabilization systems, so the complete package is highly functional.

Dustin Abbott’s review comes with a large set of sample photos, all kind of analysis and insights. The video below is the full review to watch.

Sigma 60-600mm F/.4.5-6.3 OS HSM Sport:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS First Look And Hands On Video

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS Review Canon EOS R
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Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS at a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
  • Super Spectra Coating
  • Nano USM AF System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

In anticipation of the full review of the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens, photographer Dustin Abbott posted an 11 minutes first look and hands on video. Sample pictures are here.

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS is the kit lens for the EOS R, and got very good reviews so far.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L vs EF 50mm f/1.2L vs Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art (RF 50mm reigns supreme)

Canon Rf 50mm
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The folks at Mirrorless Comparisons compared the new Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L lens for the EOS R system with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L and Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lenses.

Needless to say it again, likely, but Canon made a highly regarded optical masterpiece with the RF 50mm f/1.2L. A lens that has a serious price but might even been underpriced for what it delivers.

It’ impressing to see how weak the EF 50mm f/1.2L performance is when compared to the RF 50mm f/1.2L (and also to the Sigma). The image below tells a long story about the optical performance of the RF 50mm f/1.2L. At f/1.8 the RF 50mm f/1.2L s already tack sharp.

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L is the sharpest lens wide open (Image © mirrorlesscomparison.com)

From the reviewer’s conclusion:

[…] it should be quite clear which of the three 50mm primes reigns supreme. With its extraordinary sharpness across the frame at all apertures and beautiful bokeh, the new Canon RF 50mm 1.2 is the kind of lens for which portrait or wedding photographers would literally switch camera systems.

[…] A good example is the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art, which is a third of the price of the RF lens. Although it is 1/3 of a stop slower and doesn’t offer quite the same level of edge-to-edge sharpness, it can still produce very satisfying results even at the fastest apertures.

Personally I believe the RF lens only makes sense if you feel you’ll get a significant “return” on the investment, be that the intangible satisfaction with the images you create (an emotional return) or the money you make as a result of professional work (a tangible financial return). Otherwise you might as well go with something less expensive and use your remaining budget to invest in additional equipment.

Mirrorless Comparison’s review comes with a lot of optical tests and sample photos, and you’ll see that the RF 50mm f/1.2L beats the other lenses in all tests. Except for the price. More information, reviews and more about the RF 50mm f/1.2L is listed here.

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Review (incredible lens, incredible price – Photography Blog)

Canon RF 50mm
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Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L at a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
  • One UD Element, One Aspherical Element
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Rounded 10-Blade Diaphragm

Photography Blog reviewed the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L, a spectacular lens Canon made to show what you can achieve with the RF mount.

From the conclusion:

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is an incredible lens with a pretty incredible price-tag. It’s easily one of the best 50mm lenses that we’ve ever reviewed, from any brand, but it’s also one of the biggest and most expensive too. If you really love the combination of the 50mm focal length and f/1.2 aperture (and who wouldn’t), then you need this lens in your life, but more casual users may prefer to use an adapted Canon EF 50mm lens instead

Image quality is simply incredible, as you’d expect for a lens of this caliber. Sharpness is simply superb throughout the aperture range and at both the centre and edges of the frame, distortion is negligible, and chromatic aberrations very hard to find. The only blot on the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM’s copybook is obvious vignetting at f/1.2, requiring you to stop down to f/4 to completely remove it. Otherwise, the ability to shoot wide-open at f/1.2 and create some wonderful bokeh effects thanks to the 10-bladed aperture quickly becomes intoxicating, especially as you can successfully shoot in near darkness with the EOS R camera. Read the review here…

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L sets you back $2,299 and most likely it isn’t in every EOS R shooter’s bag.

More information, reviews and more about the RF 50mm f/1.2L is listed here.