Look what you can do with a hacked Canon A650 & Helios 44M-5 lens

canon a650
Hacked Canon A650 with Helios 44M-5 lens

These are the hacks I love most. Alexey Kljatov took a Canon A650 (2007) and did his own thing mounting a Helios 44M-5 58mm f/2 lens on the camera. To make this hack really fit for macro photography, the lens was attached backwards.

The hack appears to be made quickly and doesn’t look neat. However, it produces amazing images like the snowflake photo below. That’s the real hacker spirit: take gear, modify it following an idea, realise something awesome.

Kudos Alexey Kljatov for the cool hack! Be sure to have a look at his website for more amazing macro shots done with the hacked Canon A650, and to learn the how to of his macro setup plus a ton of information about macro photography.

canon a650
Shot with the hacked Canon A650
[via Mirrorless Rumors]

Zhongyi Mitakon 20mm f/2.0 4.5X Super Macro Lens for FF DSLRs released

Mitakon 20mm

Chinese manufacturer ZY Optics announced the general availability of the Zhongyi Mitakon 20mm f/2.0 4.5X Super Macro Lens. The new Mitakon 20mm will come for Canon mounts (and other types too). Retail price is $199. Sample images can be viewed at ZY Optics’ site.

You can buy ZY Optics Mitakon lenses in the US: B&H Photo | Adorama

Press release:

Shenyang China, Dec 19, 2016 – Zhongyi Optics (ZY Optics) has released a new compact Super Macro Lens for full frame cameras, the Zhongyi Mitakon 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Macro Lens and it features a high reproduction ratio up to 4.5:1.

Zhongyi Mitakon 20mm f/2 4.5X Super Macro Lens is very compact in its class which allows photographers to capture extremely fine details or patterns with ease. The lens is capable of creating unbelievable macro images ranging from 4x to 4.5x magnification. Users no longer need to DIY or use any extension tubes to reach high magnification shooting. It incorporates a 6pcs of elements in 4 groups structure which delivers impressive resolution from corners to corners. Weighing merely 0.5 lbs (230g) and 6cm long, it is a perfect companion for wildlife and outdoor shooting. The wide angle of view and close focusing distance allows you to compose creative images with more information included into the frame. Greater magnification (up to 13:1) can also be achieved by stacking extension tubes or bellows. The high magnification is also extremely useful for scientific purposes.

The enclosure of the lens is made of metal to strengthen its durability. Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, Sony Alpha, Pentax K, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, Fuji X mounts are available.

Pricing & Availability

Zhongyi Mitakon 20mm f/2 4.5X Super Macro Lens is now available to ship and purchase at ZY Optics authorized resellers and at our official website (http://www.zyoptics.net/). The Recommended Retail price is USD 199.

[via TDP]

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 MACRO IS STM sample pictures

EF-M 28mm F/3.5
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Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 MACRO IS STM: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • EF-M Mount Lens/APS-C Format
  • 44.8mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/3.5
  • One UD Element & Two Aspherical Elements
  • STM Stepping AF Motor
  • Hybrid IS Image Stabilization
  • Maximum Magnification: 1.2x
  • Super Macro Setting for 3.7″ Min. Focus
  • Built-In Macro Lite LED
  • Retractable Design for Compact Profile

The Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 MACRO IS STM lens with built-in led lights didn’t get much attention since it was announced. That’s a pity because it’s an interesting lens with an affordable price.

The EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM is a compact prime lens designed for macro photography (44.8mm-equivalent). It has a 1.2x maximum magnification and 3.7″ minimum focusing distance. Moreover, the EF-M 28mm f/3.5 has an integrated Macro Lite LED to provide additional illumination to close-up subjects. Aiding its ability to reproduce small subjects at greater than life size, the optical design incorporates one UD element and two aspherical elements to reduce chromatic and spherical aberrations in order to provide a high degree of sharpness and clarity. And the best thing is, it costs just $299.

Digital Life Innovator posted a small set of pictures taken with the EF-M 28mm f/3.5 MACRO IS STM and a Canon EOS M5.

EF-M 28mm f/3.5
Canon EOS M5 & EF-M 28mm f/3.5 MACRO IS STM, 0.025 sec (1/40), f/3.5, ISO 5000, 0 EV

 

EF-M 28mm f/3.5
Canon EOS M5 & EF-M 28mm f/3.5 MACRO IS STM, 0.017 sec (1/60), f/3.5, ISO 1000, 0 EV,

All pictures © Digital Life Innovator, and used with permission. See all EF-M 28mm Macro sample pictures at Digital Life Innovator

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM hands-on reviews and sample pictures

Ef-m 28mm F/3.5 Is Stm Macro
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Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • EF-M Mount Lens/APS-C Format
  • 44.8mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/3.5
  • One UD Element & Two Aspherical Elements
  • STM Stepping AF Motor
  • Hybrid IS Image Stabilization
  • Maximum Magnification: 1.2x
  • Super Macro Setting for 3.7″ Min. Focus
  • Built-In Macro Lite LED
  • Retractable Design for Compact Profile

The Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM appears to fly a bit under the radar. But what looks like a rather “meh” lens (given a slow f/3.5) may turn out to be much cooler than most people thinks. It’s also the first maco lens for the EOS M system.

The EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM has a retractable design, built-in led lights, it’s image stabilized, and it has a 1:2 super-macro mode. So, it’s not just another 28mm lens with a slow aperture. Last but not least: it comes at an affordable price (under $300).

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM hands-on review at DPReview

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM Real world sample pictures at DPReview

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM sample picture by Dustin Abbott

Below: Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM | First Look and Features

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EF-M 28mm F3.5 Macro IS STM images leaked [CW5]

canon_ef-m28macro_003

So, here is the first macro lens for the EOS M system, the EF-M 28mm F3.5 Macro IS STM with built-in LED lights.

The EF-M 28mm F3.5 Macro IS STM seems to have a compact and retractable design (you can see the switch). The specifications leaked earlier today:

  • The world’s lightest macro lens
  • Image stabilisation (IS)
  • Hybrid IS
  • Standard lens of conversion 45mm corresponding to the flexible for a variety of subject
  • Built-in macro light. It can automatically illuminate when needed
  • Maximum magnification is 1.2 times
  • AF motor stepper motor
  • One UD lens and two aspheric lenses

The EF-M 28mm F3.5 Macro IS STM will be announced very soon. Stay tuned…

[via Digicame-info]

Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD video-review

Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD
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Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD at a glance:

  • Canon EF Mount/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32
  • One LD and Two XLD Glass Elements
  • eBAND, BBAR, and Fluorine Coatings
  • USD AF Motor, Full-Time Manual Focus
  • VC Image Stabilization
  • 1:1 Max. Magnification, 11.8″ Min. Focus
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Compatible with TAP-in Console

Canada based photographer Dustin Abbott posted his 15 minutes video-review about the new Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD. A cool lens at an affordable price.

Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via Dustin Abbott on YouTube]