Zeiss Batis 2.8/18 Lens for Sony E-Mount Announced
The ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 expands the Batis range of lenses with a super wide-angle lens. For the Sony α system with E-mount the new lens, which features a diagonal angular field of 99 degrees, is currently the shortest full-frame fixed focal length with autofocus. The new ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 with innovative OLED display to show focus distance and depth of field is also impressive thanks to its high image quality across the entire image field. The lens will be available from May 2016.
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100 - 400mm F/4 - 6.3 lens
Last week at the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife festival I had the opportunity to briefly try out a pre-production unit. The lens was one of the first pre-production units and a lot has changed since it's manufacture. The final units will be way better in image quality, performance and handling. With that said, I will say I was truly impressed with the way the lens performed.The Leica 100-400mm is an f/4-6.3 telephoto zoom lens that gives the equivalent of 200-800mm in 35mm equivalence.The lens has a lockable zoom pull feature, so you can pull the end of the zoom to set the zoom position, or when it is locked, you need to rotate the zoom ring to vary the focal length. The lens has Power Optical Image Stabilization, and high-speed 240fps AF drive, which makes it incredibly fast in focusing performance. It is also, splash and dust proof.A feature I found most useful was the lens collar and foot that also rotates all the lens function switches. This allows you to easily access these in any orientation, landscape or portrait.In thumbnail view, hover over the thumbnail to see the focal length and exposure details. To see a larger rendition of this slide show please click here
Panasonic announces LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power O.I.S. Lens
Press Release:Panasonic announced today at CES 2016 a new telephoto lens for its LUMIX G range of Micro Four Thirds System cameras – the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH. Telephoto-Zoom (H-RS100400) with Power Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.).Small, light and highly durable, the latest addition to Panasonic's range of interchangeable lenses is perfectly suited for photographing birds and other wildlife in all types of environments.The lens is constructed of 20 elements in 13 groups and incorporates a number of aspherical and extra low dispersion elements to assure best quality and avoid flaring. The advanced construction of the new Telephoto-Zoom leads to highest quality standard earning the LEICA Logo for a LUMIX Lens once again.Outstanding image quality and Telephoto-Zoom performanceElegantly designed with a metallic black finish, the new 100mm-400mm LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR lens from Panasonic provides superb image rendering across the entire zoom range. The lens' 200-800mm focal length (35mm equivalent) and 0.5x Magnification capability provide highly detailed shots from distance, as well as stunning close up capability– ideal for subject matter regardless of shape and size.In order to capture steady, vibration free images across the entire zoom range, the lens also incorporates Power O.I.S. to keep unwanted shaking under control and ensure pictures look crisp and clear.The 100mm-400mm lens is also suited to a variety of photographic styles – with nine diaphragm blades providing a circular aperture to produce a smooth and beautiful bokeh.Smaller and lighter than other Telephoto-Zoom lensesWhen compared with conventional super telephoto DSLR lenses, the latest addition the LUMIX G line up offers outstanding mobility – perfect if you're travelling and don't want to pack too much. Similarly, the lens also boasts a durable, gapless construction so you no longer have to worry about unwanted dust or light rain damaging your equipment.In addition to the lens' practical size and weight, a compact, two-part tripod mount has also been incorporated to enable faster conversion between landscape and portrait orientation. While conveniently and speedily turning to the 90 degree angle, the levers for Focus Limiting, Power O.I.S. and the manual focus switch remain right at your fingertips as they do not move when you turn the lens.The lens also incorporates an integrated, hideaway hood to help you capture that perfect shot, without having to worry about sun glare.Stunning 4K video capabilityPanasonic's new LEICA Telephoto-Zoom lens is perfectly suited for 4K video recording with its construction assuring the best contrast and colors. Furthermore the Telephoto-Zoom incorporates Panasonic's high speed and precise 240 fps AF-motor. Due to the modern design, filming can also be conducted silently, so you can get up close to the subject without drawing attention.As well as high resolution video, the lens' 4K capability also enables you to take photos like never before. Panasonic's 4K Photo function – found on LUMIX G cameras including the LUMIX DMC-G7 – lets you extract an 8-megapixel still from 4K video (30fps) easily right on the camera's screen with a simple fingertip touch.Key features:
- Longest focal length for Micro Four Thirds
- Compatible with Dual Image Stabilization
- 240fps AF Drive
- Zoom ring lock
- Weather Sealing
- Integrated Quick Shifting Tripod Mount
- Integrated shift-away lens-hood
The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400mm lens will be available at www.shop.panasonic.com and valued channel partners for $1799.99 in early April.SPECS:Focal Length: 100 - 400mm Comparable 35mm Focal Length: 200 - 800 mmAperture: Maximum: f/4 - 6.3 Minimum: f/22Angle of View: 12° - 3.1°Minimum Focus Distance: 4.27' (1.3 m)Magnification: 0.25xElements/Groups: 20/13Diaphragm Blades: 9, RoundedImage Stabilization YesTripod Collar: Yes Fixed - rotatingFilter Thread Front: 72 mmDimensions: (DxL) Approx. 3.27 x 6.75" (83 x 171.5 mm)Weight: 2.17 lb (985 g)
Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
Received an evaluation unit of this bridge camera this afternoon. The camera has an incredible 24 to 400 mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8 lens that will blow you away. BTW the lens has the Leica designation. More on this camera in a future post but this was the first image shot out my back door. A juvenile male Downy Woodpecker. Not the best lighting conditions but the camera and lens performed really well. The crop represents less than 15% of the original image before being resized for this blog. Click on the image for a larger rendition.
Lumix® G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. Lens
Went out to photograph the marsh wrens at the Great Meadows NWR yesterday. The wrens were there but the windy conditions kept them deep in the reeds. I had taken my Lumix 100-300 lens on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 body. I have a lens collar and at the foot manufactured by Roesch - www.r-roesch.de which really helps with this lens when mounted to a tripod.As there was not much in the vicinity I took a few shots of a Red-wing Blackbird - the bird was a little spec in the frame as you can see from the image below. The full image may be seen by clicking on the image itself.
The next image is a crop from the region where the bird was sitting. Except for RAW conversion and a slight opening of the shadows, no other post processing has been done. Click to open the image at 100%
For the price this is an exceptional lens and hope Panasonic make a G X version of this lens soon.
Testing Affinity from Serif
Have not had a lot time to test the 2nd Beta release of Affinity but gave it a good shot yesterday. Still a lot to learn, but on the whole, I like it a lot. Has some great features built in, the filters are great but not sure I like the fact that it creates an intermediate file. The following is an image processed entirely using Affinity (Sony Raw to a TIFF export).
ZEISS announces 2 Full-Frame Autofocus Lenses for Sony A7 Cameras
ZEISS Batis 2/25 and ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 – Designed for Sony A7 camera series
The ZEISS Batis 2/25 and ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 are the first full-frame autofocus lenses for Sony's E-mount cameras to be exclusively developed and distributed by ZEISS. This new family of lenses is particularly suited for the use with Sony's alpha range of mirrorless full-frame system cameras. The two new lenses will be shipping in July 2015.The new ZEISS Batis 2/25 and 1.8/85 lenses are the first full-frame autofocus lenses with an OLED display for the mirrorless Sony α series and therefore the pioneers of a new era. As professional tools, they enable outstanding image performance, impressive contrast and maximum resolution down to the very last detail.The innovative OLED display shows the distance of the focal plane from the camera system and the depth of field, ideally supporting creative image composition. Of significance is the fact that you will be able to see the readout in low light conditions. The display is powered through the camera. The OLED display is an absolute highlight – an innovation that is currently unparalleled in camera lenses.The Batis 2/25 is a Sonnar lens while the 1.8/85 is a Distagon lens
Available this summer - The ZEISS Batis 2/25 and 1.8/85 lenses will be available for purchase in April and start shipping in July 2015. The recommended retail prices are $1,299 for the ZEISS Batis 2/25 and $1,199 for the ZEISS Batis 1.8/85.Click here for more information
Wine and Cheese
As the cold and snow continues, photographing indoors is always a good choice. This is another image created using light painting. Equipment: Sony A7R, Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8, Maglight (non LED) flashlight, Surefire LED flashlight. Exposure triad f/16, 30 sec, ISO 400. 5 image composite.Please click on the image for a larger rendition.
Light Painting - Still Life
With all the snow and not many places to go, a little light painting seemed to be the thing to do yesterday. This also gave me the opportunity to test out the Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 lens. Mounted on the Sony A7R in crop sensor mode the lens performed flawlessly. There was a fair amount of ambient light at 4:30 in the afternoon so I stopped down the lens to f/16 at ISO 50 that allowed an 8 second exposure. Individual portions were light painted and three images combined to create this final composite.Please click on the image for a larger rendition.
Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH - Review
Introduced in March 2014 the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15 mm f/1.7 lens is beautifully constructed. With a maximum aperture of f/1.7, Nano Surface coatings, a manual aperture ring and an on lens AF/MF switch this is an ideal all purpose lens. It is supplied with a well designed metal lens hood and a lens pouch. Current street price of $498 makes this a very affordable high quality compact lens.On a full frame equivalent basis this lens has an angle of view of a 30mm lens. It is constructed of quality metals and plastics and has a metal lens mount. It is a light lens at a hair over 4 ounces or 115 grams. The lens feels good when held and exudes Leica quality.It is a small diameter lens that works well with the smaller form factor Panasonic MFT bodies. The lens does not extend below the base of the GM series bodies and will not interfere with tripod mounts.A well designed, circular metal lens hood does a great job of preventing flare. As with any lens, the lens hood is added protection for the front element of the lens.
Specifications:
| Focal Length | 15mm - Comparable 35mm Focal Length: 30 mm |
| Aperture | f/1.7 to f/16 |
| Angle of View | 72° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 7.87" (20 cm) |
| Elements/Groups | 9/7 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7, Rounded |
| Filter Thread | 46 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 2.26 x 1.42" (57.5 x 36 mm) |
| Weight | 4.06 oz (115 g) |
The filter thread is 46mm. As the lens has internal focusing there is no rotation of the front section. This keeps any attached filter in the orientation as is was installed. The lens has a switch that is used to switch the lens from autofocus to manual focus. This is a very convenient feature so you do not have to use any switches or buttons on the camera to lock focus or to flip between the two modes. The lens has very fast autofocusing in good light and most acceptable in low light situations. The lens has a manual focusing ring that is well damped and smooth through the focus range. One nit that I have is that the lens has no focus markings. The lens focuses close with a minimum focusing distance of 7.87 inches or 20 centimeters.Another great feature of this lens is the manual aperture ring. It has positive clicks at 1/3 stop increments and is very comfortable to operate. To switch the lens to automatic camera controlled aperture the ring has an “A” setting that is beyond the f/1.7 making. The manual aperture ring does not work on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 body. When using the manual aperture settings, the aperture blades remain stationary when the lens is set to Manual focus. However, if the lens is set to Autofocus the aperture blades do open a fraction and then close down to the set aperture. This is an important consideration for time-lapse photography where aperture blade deviations tend to cause flicker in the sequence.Performance: (This evaluation is based on using a test chart designed for use with ISO 12233 Photography as shown below)
Sharpness is excellent in the central frame at f/1.7 and edge sharpness reaches the best at f/4.0. f/4 is the sweet spot for the lens tested. At f/11 there is a slight loss of sharpness due mainly to diffraction.Chromatic aberrations are minimal and not noticeable through the aperture range. High contrast edge fringing is just visible at f/1.7. There is no fringing visible through the f/2.0 through f/11 range. At f/16 there is slight fringing but that too is minimal and barely discernible until closely scrutinized.The following comments are based on real life tests.Lens flare is very well controlled and not perceptible even when the lens is wide open and shooting into bright light sources. It is preferable to leave the lens hood on as a preventive measure. That Nano Surface Coating does a good job here.Once again, testing the Chromatic aberrations of this lens I found it to be minimal and what little there is can be easily removed in post processing. High contrast edge fringing is visible at f/1.7 and was not tested at f/11 and greater. In the MFT world one would rarely use f/11 and smaller apertures unless extreme depth of field is desired at the expense of refraction.Like most fast wide-angle lenses this lens demonstrates light fall off (vignette) when wide open. The falloff basically disappears at f/2.8.Barrel distortion is not noticed through the range f/1.7 to f/8.0Sample Images for distortion and vignetting:The first set was captured with the camera in portrait orientation.
The second set was captured with the camera in landscape orientation.
Sample Images for edge fringing:
Pros:
- Superior build quality
- Fast autofocusing
- Excellent sharpness
- Low light falloff beyond f/2
- Barely perceptible chromatic aberration
- Manual aperture ring
- Lens body Auto/Manual focus switch
Cons:
- No focus markings
My verdict: I highly recommend this lens and now own one.
Here are some additional sample images.
This first set is a set of straight on images of a store shelving. Images captured using apertures of f/1.7 through f/5.6
This next set is to demonstrate DOF and how well the lens deals with shallow DOF.
This last set of images is to demonstrate that the lens has minimum barrel distortion using real life examples:
