Ref.: https://www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-17mm-f-4-zero-d-tilt-shift-shift/ SpecificationsOptical construction18 elements in 12 groups (4x ELD, 5x HR, 2x aspherical)Number of aperture blades14min. focus distance0.25m (max. magnification 0.131x)Dimensionsφ 93 x 111mmWeight810g (770g without caps)Filter sizeφ 86mmHood-Available MountsE / Z / RF / L / GFX / XCDOther featuresAperture ring (manual only)Tilt ±12mm Shift: ±10mm (Tilt-Shift model only)360° rotationPrice1000 USD (Tilt only) to 1250 USD (Tilt-Shift)
Author: Klaus
Introduction The Canon FD 50 mm f/1.4 S.S.C. is a classic standard-prime lens from Canon’s FD series of manual-focus optics for 35mm SLRs, introduced during the early phase of the FD system in the 1970s. Following the original FD 50 mm f/1.4 from 1971, it was released in March 1973 with Canon’s S.S.C. (Super Spectra Coating) to improve contrast and control flare compared with earlier single coatings (S.C). As an FD-mount lens, the 50 mm f/1.4 S.S.C. used Canon’s breech-lock mounting system, which allowed open-aperture metering and automatic exposure communication with compatible bodies like the Canon F-1 and AE-1.The breech-lock…
Ref.: https://ttartisan.com/?full-frame-lenses/345.html SpecificationsOptical construction17 Elements in 11 Groups (6x HR, 2x aspherical)Number of aperture blades10min. focus distance0.3m (max. magnification 1:?)Dimensionsφ 88 x 107mm (length depends on mount)Weight1051gFilter size-Hood-Available MountsE / GFX / Z / RF / LOther featuresAperture ring (manual only)Tilt ±8°Shift ±8mmE-mount only: 360° rotationPrice550 USD
Introduction The Helios 44M-4 58 mm f/2 is a classic Soviet-era standard-prime lens that sits within the long-running Helios-44 family—one of the most mass-produced and recognizable vintage optics ever made. The Helios-44 line originated in 1958 as a Soviet copy of the German Carl Zeiss Biotar 58 mm f/2 design, produced initially by the Krasnogorskiy Mechanical Factory (KMZ) and later by other manufacturers such as MMZ and Jupiter—a production span that stretched to 1999 (!!!) across all variants. The 44M-4 variant itself emerged in the late 1970s as part of a generational update to the original Helios-44 and 44M designs.…
Introduction The Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 58mm f/1.4 is a “legendary” piece of glass among vintage lens enthusiasts. It is sometimes referred to as the “bokeh king” of its era. Some love its “dreamy” wide-open rendering and its transition into a (fairly) sharp performer once stopped down. There are two versions of the MC 58mm f/1.4. The tested sample is an “MC I” first released in 1966 with a flatter, more traditional metal knurled focus grip. This was followed by the MC II, released in 1969, which has a “hills and valleys” focus grip. Just like most other vintage lenses that…
Ref.: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/news/2026/02/26/012003/ PRESS RELEASE By Sigma Photo Japan The Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art is a large-aperture medium-telephoto lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras. With the latest optical design, the lens delivers exceptional resolution even at maximum aperture, enabling striking portrait photography with the distinctive depth of field unique to F1.2.Featuring a compact, lightweight design and fast, precise autofocus driven by dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) system, the lens offers reliable performance for professional applications. With the addition of this lens, Sigma’s lineup of F1.2 prime lenses is now complete, joining the Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art…
15mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary Ref.: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/news/2026/02/24/011998/ SpecificationsOptical construction13 elements in 11 groups (1x FLD, 3x SLD, 3x aspherical)Number of aperture blades9 (rounded)min. focus distance0.177m (max. magnification 1:7.9)Dimensionsφ 64 x 64.8mmWeight220g (-240g)Filter sizeφ 58mmHoodFlower-shaped hood, providedAvailable MountsE/X/RF-mountOther featuresAperture ringPrice$580 35mm f/1.4 DG II ART Ref.: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/news/2026/02/24/011999/ SpecificationsOptical construction15 elements in 12 groups (2x SLD, 4x aspherical)Number of aperture blades11 (rounded)min. focus distance0.28m (max. magnification 1:5.4)Dimensionsφ 73mm x 96mmWeight525g ( L: 530g )Filter sizeφ 67mmHoodFlower-shaped hood, providedAvailable MountsE/L-mountOther featuresDual HLA high-speed motorAperture ringPrice$1060 USD
Press Release Oberkochen, Germany | 24 February 2026 | ZEISS Photonics & Optics ZEISS is expanding its Otus ML lens family with the introduction of the new ZEISS Otus ML 1.4/35. This manual-focus lens is designed for photographers who live to tell visual stories with deliberate narratives, from street and travel to documentary work. Inspired by the legendary Otus lineage, the ML generation brings ZEISS’ renowned optical excellence and mechanical precision to the latest mirrorless systems, with mounts available for Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z.The ZEISS Otus ML series continues to deliver natural color rendition, exceptional sharpness, and signatured micro contrast. A fast…
Ref.: https://www.nikon.com/company/news/2026/0224_imaging_01.html PRESS RELEASE TOKYO – Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the release of the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II, a fast telephoto zoom lens compatible with full-frame/FX-format mirrorless cameras. As part of the S-Line*1 series of NIKKOR Z lenses, the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II is a telephoto zoom lens, the lightest in its class*2 with a weight of just 998 g*3, that covers the 70 mm to 200 mm range of focal lengths with a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout that range. Moving components of both the optics and internal mechanisms have been…
Ref. https://www.tamron.com/global/consumer/lenses/a078/ PRESS RELEASE February 19, 2026 – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shogo Sakuraba; Headquarters: Saitama City, Japan; “TAMRON”), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of the 35-100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A078), a fast-aperture standard zoom lens, compatible with Sony E-mount and Nikon Z mount full-frame mirrorless cameras, on March 26, 2026. The 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058), launched in 2021, has earned strong praise as a high-end portrait zoom. While highly acclaimed for its imaging performance, some users have wished for a lighter, more compact option. Developed in…