Speedy 35s from Fujifilm, Canon, and Leica Part 1: Sharpness and DOF

March 10, 2015 ohm

From left: Canon 35/1,5 LTM; Leica Summilux 35 ASPH; Fujifilm XF35/1,4R

Despite looking dead-sexy on a Leica M240, the 35mm f/1,5 LTM Canon, aka "Japanese Summilux" isn't the Canon I fell in love with. I fell in love with the 35mm f/2 LTM Canon, aka "Japanese Summicron", about which I wrote this ohmage.

Reach: APS-C's biggest advantage over FF

March 3, 2015 ohm

Clockwise from bottom: Leica M (240) + Canon 50/1,4 LTM, Nikon FE + Nikkor 50/2 Ai, Fujifilm X-T1 + 35/1,4 XF

APS-C’s biggest advantage over FF isn’t size. It is reach. An APS-C camea cocked into a 200mm lens frames subjects similar to a FF sensor cocked into a 300mm lens, but it can focus in closer to a subject. Similarly, an APS-C sensor cocked into a 35mm frames subjects similar to a FF sensor cocked into a ~50mm lens, and it nearly halves the minimum focus distance.

Meyer Optik Nocturnus 35mm f/0,95

February 27, 2015 ohm

Another day, another super-speed lens promised for X-mount. This time, however, that lens comes assembled in the fatherland. Thanks to X-mount's APS-C sensor, this hulk of a lens (680g) will achieve the field of view and depth-of-focus similar to that of a FF ~50mm f/1,4 lens on a FF camera.

Small sensor cameras can be small. Equivalent lenses never are.

More information: Nocturnus F 0,95 35mm

This news comes via Fujirumors

Compact & Thin

February 10, 2015 ohm

Today, Fujifilm announced a new 35mm XF R lens, whose f/2 aperture allows it to slim down from the fatty dimensions of its forebear. It looks great. It even more closely matches the rangefinder trappings of the X-Pro 1 and X-E series. This will be a first among the XF lens series. It will also be the first XF prime lens to bear marketing copy re: water resistance.

Funnily, however, Fujifilm X World have billed it as 'Compact & Thin', or alienated a majority of lenses in the XF line, all of which Fujifilm's inexpert advertising copy team bill like so:

“Compact Size, Lightweight, and Overall Feel, All Aimed at Producing Premium Image Quality and Unique Creations”

So which is it? Is it the new lens or the old lens that is compact? Fujifilm's original copy suggests that the two XF R lenses are being pitted, one against the other.

The takeaway: Fujifilm either mis-marketed, or lied re: the original 35mm, which isn't any more compact than its FF analogue.

The good news is that that doesn't matter. With the release of the new XF 35/2 R lens, finally, faux-rangefinder X series cameras will have a fast, fully-featured, and compact, normal lens that does their styling, not to mention, size right. That said, the lighter of the two (they come in silver and black) has that hideous green tinge that all modern 'silver' lenses have.

The new 35mm lens shows up on Fujifilm's lens X Mount Road Map.

Source: Fujifilm X World
via: Fujirumors

DPReview: Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 1,4/35 ZM user review

January 21, 2015 ohm

Here's a tantalising opener if I've read one:

Carl Zeiss ZM lenses is an amazing phenomenon is (sic) photography: despite their excellent quality and ergonomics, most Leica M shooters do not even know about them. The main reason for their relatively low popularity, besides snobbish attitude of “those with the best glass in the world”, is that at any focal length Leica optics surpassed Zeiss ZM lenses in speed. That is until now…

This review, written by DPReview forum member, Irakly Shanidze, is salted with well thought-out images (and the above freakish thing); and though it doesn't prove anything intrinsically different, or better, about the Zeiss, it is a worthwhile read.

Source: Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 1,4/35 ZM user review

Samyang 135/2,0 ZA VS Zeiss 135/1,8 ZA on the Sony A7r

January 20, 2015 ohm

Assuming that tistory nailed focus in this comparo, the Samyang 135mm f/2,0 looks to be pretty damn sharp.

Via: Sony Alpha Rumors

Prophotonut: Fuji X series portrait lenses compared

January 9, 2015 ohm

Damien Lovegrove's latest comparison: of five Fujifilm XF lenses pitted one against another in head/shoulder, close-up, and full-body portraiture battle, is a wonderful tool for dissecting the differences in XF bokeh, OOF rendering, colour, and sharpness.

Source: Fuji X series portrait lenses compared inc. 56 APD and 50-140 zoom

via DPReview: fuji portrait lenses - compared

DPReview: Ever wondered how a Fuji XF lens looks like on an Sony A7R?

January 9, 2015 ohm

DPReview member, jkspepper, plopped an XF lens in front of the A7r sensor to come away with the above shot, which quite well illustrates that XF lenses are unable to cover full frame.

If just for the trolls, the entire thread is worth a read.

Source: Ever wondered how a Fuji XF lens looks like on an Sony A7R?

Nikon 28-80/3,5-5,6 VR full-size mirrorless lens patent

December 16, 2014 ohm

Assuming that the 28-80 range isn't equivalent-speak, this mirrorless lens patent could point to a Nikon full-frame interchangeable lens system. And, assuming that Nikon will make a serious mirrorless camera, many of us would rejoice.

Thanks Mirrorless Rumors