The Laowa 24mm f/14 Relay isn’t a rifle, it’s a lens

laowa 24mm f/14 relay

Laowa is set to start shipping soon a pretty weird lens, the Laowa 24mm f/14 Relay lens.

The new Laowa lens is basically a 2:1 macro lens build so that it can go into places that are impossible to ordinary lenses. As you can easily figure out from the videos, a Canon mount version will be announced for sure. So far they teased the Laowa 24mm f/14 Relay lens on FaceBook.

DigitalRev posted a pre-production model hands-on review:

[…] the lens was very light and constructed decently well, although it’s worth noting this is a pre-production model. I wouldn’t say that it’s as solid as other Laowa lenses, which use quite a lot of metal in their designs. This is probably to keep the long tip flexible and easy to maneuver, even though it doesn’t look very rugged. Regardless, it’s not a lens you’ll be using excessively – more like something you’d keep in a case and bring out just for a specific shot or two.

As soon as the Laowa 24mm starts shipping I will post it. Stay tuned!

Below: The Laowa lens at CP+


Below: Testing footage (On land)


Below: Testing footage (underwater)

[via Mirrorless Rumors]

Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine ED AS IF UMC (Canon mount) deal – $449 (reg. $649, B&H)

Rokinon 24mm

Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine ED AS IF UMC at a glance:

  • Canon EF Mount Lens
  • Aperture Range: T1.5 to T22
  • Four ED and Two Aspherical Elements
  • UMC Coating
  • Geared Focus and Aperture Control Rings
  • De-Clicked Aperture Ring

B&H Photo’s DealZone deal of today is the Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine ED AS IF UMC, on sale at $449. Compare at $649. Free shipping.

Today’s Gold Box and one day only deals at Amazon USAmazon DEAmazon UKB&H Photo, eBay and Adorama

These are the best primes and zooms for the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, according to DxOMark

Eos-1dx Mark Ii

DxOmark posted a list of what they consider the best prime and zoom lenses to be used with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II.

Surprisingly (or maybe not), the zoom lenses ranked first and second are not Canon.

  1. Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM ART
  2. Tamron SP 15-30 mm F2.8 Di VC USD.
  3. Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM

The three best ranked prime lenses (recommended for photojournalists):

  1. Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM
  2. Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM
  3. Canon EF 24mm F1.4L II

What does it mean that third party manufacturers build lenses that are considered the best for Canon’s flagship, the EOS-1D X Mark II? It means that both Sigma ad Tamron made some significant advances in the last years and are now able to build lenses with outstanding optical performance and to sell them at a price that’s usually lower as the Canon counterparts.

eos-1d x mark ii

[via DxOMark: prime lenses | zoom lenses]

Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens review (a small and deadly lens)

EF-S 24mm F/2.8 STM

Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM at a glance:

  • EF-S Mount Lens/APS-C Format
  • 38mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Optimized Lens Coatings
  • STM AF Motor Supports Movie Servo AF
  • Micro-Stepping Drive Aperture Mechanism
  • Full-Time Manual Focus Override
  • Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
  • Slim Design Measures Less Than 1″-Thick

Photographer and reviewer Dustin Abbott posted a comprehensive video review (12 minutes) about one of Canon’s newer pancake lenses for APS-C DSLRs, the EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM. You can also check a gallery of sample pictures here. The EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM was tested on a Canon EOS 80D (see DPReview’s impression here). The EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM delivers a lot of bang for the bucks, selling at $149.

Says Dustin Abbott:

Canon’s little EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is an incredible little weapon for your APS-C (crop sensor) arsenal.  It is less than inch long but is one of Canon’s sharpest EF-S lenses (second only to the excellent EF-S 60mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro lens).  Highly portable, fast and accurately focusing, and with a reasonable price tag.  This lens is pretty much a no-brainer if you are a Canon crop sensor shooter. Read the review…

EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
It’s thin, isn’t it?
[via Dustin Abbott]

Samyang/Rokinon XEEN 24mm, 50mm and 85mm cine lenses available for pre-order ($2,495)

XEEN 24mm

Samyang/Rokinon’s new XEEN cine lenses are available for pre-order at $2,495.

XEEN 24mm T1.5 lens, pre-order at Adorama | B&H Photo

  • 24mm Lens Covers Full-Frame Sensors
  • Internal Focus Design
  • Multi-Coating for Color Consistency
  • Dual Side Focus and T-Stop Scales
  • 11 Blade Iris
  • Cinema Gearing for Focus and Iris
  • 200° Focus Rotation
  • 114mm Front Diameter
XEEN 50mm T1.5
XEEN 50mm T1.5

XEEN 50mm T1.5 lens, pre-order ta Adorama | B&H Photo

  • 50mm Lens Covers Full-Frame Sensors
  • Internal Focus Design
  • Multi-Coating for Color Consistency
  • Dual Side Focus and T-Stop Scales
  • 11 Blade Iris
  • Cinema Gearing for Focus and Iris
  • 200° Focus Rotation
  • 114mm Front Diameter
XEEN 85mm T1.5
XEEN 85mm T1.5

XEEN 85mm T1.5 lens, pre-order at Adorama | B&H Photo

  • 85mm Lens Covers Full-Frame Sensors
  • Internal Focus Design
  • Multi-Coating for Color Consistency
  • Dual Side Focus and T-Stop Scales
  • 11 Blade Iris
  • Cinema Gearing for Focus and Iris
  • Manual Focus & Iris
  • 200° Focus Rotation
  • 114mm Front Diameter

Canon deals of the day: EOS 7D Mark II ($1,150), EOS 5D Mark III ($1,999), Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART ($740)

EOS 7D Mark II

I found some very good deals on eBay.

Top Rated Plus seller GetItDigital on eBay (99.7% positive ratings) has the Canon EOS 7D Mark II . Compare at $1,499. Free shipping in the USA. Please note: this is likely a grey import item.

Same seller also has the Canon EOS 5D Mark III . Compare at $2,499. Here too: most likely a grey import item, free shipping in the USA.

Authorised Canon dealer Camera Land on eBay (100% positive ratings) has the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART lens . Compare at $849. Free shipping in the US. This is an in store demo unit.

More Canon deals on eBay.

Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM