Shoten Announces Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III For EOS R and 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro For EOS M

speedmaster f/0.95
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Shoten announced two new lenses, the Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95, for Canon RF, Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, and the 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro for Canon EF-M, Sony E, Fujifilm X and Micro Four Thirds mounts. Machine translated press releases are below.

Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95

Scheduled to be released in April 2019
Manufacturer’s preferred price ¥ 98,000 (excluding tax)

SPEEDMASTER 50 mm F/0.95 III is an ultra large diameter standard lens designed as a mirrorless camera for full size image sensor.
While achieving the phenomenal brightness of aperture opening F value of 0.95, it is also equipped with portability, design has been designed considering balance with the mirrorless machine.
Utilizing the features of the ultra-large aperture lens, it is possible to take handheld photographs in places where there is little light intensity, or to take advantage of beautifully large blur taste.

Improvements from SPEEDMASTER 50 mm F 0.95 M 67 (version 2)
  • Improve image quality by reviewing optical performance.
  • It corresponds to the latest Nikon Z mount · Canon RF mount.

Seven designers 7 Artisans 60 mm F 2.8 Macro (Sony E / Canon EF – M / Fuji Film X / Micro Four Thirds)

Scheduled to be released in May 2019
Manufacturer’s preferred price ¥ 25,000 (excluding tax)

7Artisans 60mm F2.8 Macro is a “60mm macro lens” designed for “APS – C size” mirrorless camera that can shoot from closeup to infinity.
It can be captured without disturbing from remote places such as insects and small animals, so it is suitable for shooting subjects that are difficult to close close-up.
The focus part is sharp, blurred is beautiful, and the whole is depicted richly in gradation.
Ultra close-up shooting up to 5 times magnification is possible by installing an optional extension tube.

[via Mirrorless Rumors]

Industry News: Ricoh GR III Premium APS-C Compact Camera Announced

Ricoh GR III
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Ricoh GR III at a glance:

  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • GR Engine 6
  • 28mm f/2.8 Lens (35mm Equivalent)
  • 3-Axis Shake Reduction System
  • 3.0″ 1.037m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
  • Full HD 1080/60p Video Recording
  • Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi
  • Hybrid AF System, Macro Mode
  • 35mm and 50mm Focal Length Crop Modes
  • USB Type-C Port, 1x SD Card Slot

It took them a lot of time but eventually Ricoh announced the replacement for their much beloved Ricoh GR II compact camera with APS-C sensor and fixed lens. Guess Leica should have a close look at the design of the Ricoh before touting their overpriced toys for “letting you go unnoticed on the streets“. If I want to be unnoticed on the streets I’d go for Ricoh GR III and not for a ridiculously priced Leica camera.

The Ricoh GR III can be pre-ordered for $899.95 at B&H Photo and Adorama

Press release:

Ricoh launches RICOH GR III high-end, compact digital camera

Newest model in the popular RICOH GR series delivers exceptional image quality in a smaller, lightweight body, making it ideal for street photography

WEST CALDWELL, NJ, February 21, 2019 – Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the launch of the highly anticipated RICOH GR III camera. The new camera is the latest model in the RICOH GR series, a lineup of high-end digital cameras providing exceptional image quality in a compact, lightweight body ideal for street photography, travel and capturing candid images.

The RICOH GR III features a newly designed lens, image sensor and imaging engine that further upgrade image quality, enhance functionality and improve usability. The 18.3mm F2.8 lens delivers exceptional imaging performance with a slim design, consisting of six optical elements in four groups, while retaining the 28mm angle of view. It produces the clearest, sharpest images in GR-series history while reducing distortion and chromatic aberration. It also comes equipped with a macro shooting capability with a minimum focusing distance of six centimeters.

Click here to open the rest of the article

The Evolution Of Autofocus By Comparing Canon EOS R, Sony a7 III and Panasonic G9 Technology

Autofocus
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We all know Canon has the best on sensor AF, Dual Pixel AF. But there are other AF technologies.

The video below by Gerald Undone compares the technology behind autofocus systems like Canon’s Dual Pixel AF in the new EOS R, the hybrid phase-detection in the Sony a7 III, and the Depth from Defocus Contrast Detection found in the Panasonic Lumix G9. Enjoy.

Tokina Announces New opera 16-28mm F2.8 Lens For Full Frame Cameras

Tokina opera 16-28mm
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Tokina opera 16-28mm F2.8 at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Three Aspherical Elements
  • Three Low Dispersion Elements
  • Multi-Coating
  • Silent Drive DC Motor Autofocus System
  • 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Built-In Lens Hood

The Tokina opera 16-28mm F2.8 can be pre-ordered for $699 at B&H Photo | Adorama

Press release:

New Tokina opera 16-28mm F2.8 FF

Inspired by the focal length and aperture of the widely acknowledged Tokina AT-X 16-28mm F2.8 PRO FX lens, Tokina opera 16-28mm F2.8 FF has been developed with the same concept as the already released opera 50mm F1.4 FF, to offer the photographers another contemporary tool for professional photography. Super wide angle, superior resolving ability coupled with high contrast and beautiful bokeh rendering, fast f/2.8 constant aperture throughout the zoom range and accurate AF drive system make this lens attractive for photographers who specialize in landscape, interior architect, documentary, environmental style portrait and night sky/time lapse photography genres.

Sales start date worldwide: March 15th, 2019

EAN code: 4961607 634660 (for Canon EF mount full frame)
EAN code: 4961607 634677 (for Nikon F mount full frame)

This Prototype Fisheye Lens Can See Behind Itself

fisheye
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Roger Cicala of Lens Rentals is best known for the teardown of lenses and cameras. But Roger Cicala isn’t good just in dismantling lenses, he’s good also in building them.

Together with friends he made a prototype 4.9mm f/3.5 “hyperfisheye” lens.

[the] prototype C-4 Optics 4.9mm f/3.5 circular fisheye [is] a massive lens giving a 270-degree field of view, meant for immersive video and specialty shots. To give you an idea of what 270 degrees means, the lens sees behind itself. An ultra-wide 15mm fisheye lens gives a 180-degree field of view while an 11mm rectilinear lens is less than 120 degrees.

The picture below exemplifies what is said above.

Head over to Lens Rentals to see all steps of the assembly, along with a large set of images. Or just watch the video below.