Laowa Argus 35mm f/0.95 is the ‘World’s Fastest’ Full-Frame Lens
Venus Optics has announced the Laowa Argus 35mm f/0.95, a lens it claims is the fastest ever designed for full-frame cameras. It is available for Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts.
Cosina Launches the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 for Fuji X-Mount
Cosina has launched the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 for Fujifilm X-mount that it describes as a double-Gauss type configuration with a symmetrical optical arrangement that provides smooth, large bokeh.
Petzval 55mm f/1.7 Review: A Lovely Lens For Pro or Creative Use
The $449 Petzval 55mm f/1.7 Mark II Bokeh Control Art Lens from Lomography is the first Petzval lens designed specifically for full-frame mirrorless camera systems like the Nikon Z, Canon RF, and Sony E. It's also fantastic.
Vazen Launches 50mm T2.1 Anamorphic Lens for Full-Frame EF and PL
Vazen has announced its latest anamorphic lens in the 50mm T2.1 1.8x, which adds what the company calls an "ultra-wide-angle option." It is available in either Canon EF or PL mounts.
Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Review: So. Much. Bokeh.
Venus Optics' Laowa lenses have been growing in both notoriety and popularity over the last few years thanks to their nearly constant stream of new and interesting optics for a wide variety of mounts. The company's latest is backed by the high-quality promise of its new Argus line: the Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO for APS-C systems.
Hasselblad 907X Review: Beautiful Photos, Frustrating Experience
Despite lots of gorgeous resolution and a beautiful solid metal design, the $6,400 Hasselblad 907X 50c is not without its problems. It lacks a traditional viewfinder and has noticeably slow autofocus.
Tokina’s 400mm f/8 Reflex Lens Now Available for Canon RF and Nikon Z
Tokina has announced that its SZX Super Tele 400mm F8 Reflex MF lens that was originally announced in July of 2020 for Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Fuji X, and Micro 4/3 mounts is now available for Canon RF and Nikon Z.
Canon Patents a Lens That Replaces the Focus Ring with a Touchpad
Canon has recently been thinking out of the box with its experimental camera lines, but a new patent filed in Japan shows the company isn't afraid to try new things with more conventional camera equipment either. The designs show an interchangeable lens with a large, circular touchpad.
KamLan Unveils 32mm f/1.1 Manual-Focus Lens for Crop-Sensor Cameras
KamLan, a Chinese lens manufacturer, has announced the release of the KL 32mm f/1.1 lens. The optic will be available for multiple APS-C mounts and Micro Four Thirds on February 12. It will retail for about $300.
TTArtisan Unveils 50mm f/1.2 APS-C Lens, a $98 Optic for Multiple Mounts
TTArtisan has announced a manual-focus, clicked-aperture 50mm f/1.2 APS-C lens for Sony E-Mount, Canon M-Mount, Fuji X-Mount, and Micro Four Thirds. While fully manual, it's $98 price makes it extremely affordable.
The Lensbaby Spark 2.0 is a Bendy, Hose-Like Manual Focus Lens
Lensbaby is known for making unconventional lenses that create unusual defocused areas, and the Spark is no exception. The Spark 2.0 adds support for eight mounts, both DSLR and mirrorless, as well as 15 optics introduced since 2008.
Using LiDAR to Add Autofocus to an f/0.95 Manual Focus Lens
Filmmaker Josh Yeo of MAKE.ART.NOW. recently tested DJI's LiDAR Focus module for the new RS 2 gimbal to see if it could accurately focus his manual Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III lens. If it can handle this, that means you can pretty much add autofocus to any camera and manual lens combination you want... and the results look VERY promising.
ZY Optics Unveils Speedmaster 17mm f/0.95 III Lens for Micro Four Thirds
ZY Optics has unleashed its latest "Speedmaster" lens. Designed for the Micro Four Thirds system, the new Mitakon Speedmaster 17mm f/0.95 III combines ultra-fast optics with a 34mm equivalent field of view and packs it inside a lens that costs just $400.
Meike Unveils Compact 25mm f/1.8 Lens for Nikon Z-Mount for Just $75
Meike is on a budget lens tear. After releasing a fully manual 50mm f/1.2 for under $400, and an autofocus 85mm f/1.8 for less than $200, they just today unveiled an even cheaper lens. The new Meike 25mm f/1.8 APS-C lens for the Nikon Z-Mount is just $75.
Meike Unveils a 50mm f/1.2 Lens for Canon, Nikon, and Sony for Just $360
If you're looking for a cheap lens for capturing ultra-shallow depth of field, Hong Kong-based lens maker Meike has got you covered. They just unveiled a manual focus 50mm f/1.2 lens for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and Canon EF mounts that will run you just $360.
Tokina Unveils Ultra-Compact 400mm f/8 Mirror Lens for Modern Cameras
In a surprising turn of events, Tokina has just unveiled the SZX Super Tele 400mm f/8 Reflex MF: a reflex/mirror lens for modern cameras that uses a catadioptric design to achieve a super-compact, super-light, super-telephoto.
Samyang Unveils Redesigned 14mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/1.4 ‘MK2’ Lenses
Samyang/Rokinon have released "MK2" (AKA "Series II") versions of their popular manual focus 14mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/1.4 lenses. These tried and true lenses—which are available for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fuji, and MFT cameras—now sport "a host of new and useful features" like weather sealing, an aperture click switch and more.
A Beginner’s Guide to Focus for Landscape Photography
Landscape photographer and educator Mads Peter Iversen has put together a helpful focus 'primer' for the aspiring landscape photographers out there. In the video, he goes over auto and manual focus technique, his personal workflow, and a few basic tips and tricks that work well for him.
An Ode to Vintage Lenses and How I Stopped Giving a Damn About Sharpness
As with a majority of newbies to photography, the obsession with gear and chasing the newest toys proved to be irresistible to me. I spent far more time reading reviews, comparing charts, watching youtube videos, and looking for deals than actually going out and shooting.
NiSi Working On 75mm f/0.95 ‘NOCT-Master’ Lens, Will Nikon Sue?
One year ago, cine lens and photo accessory brand NiSi revealed that it was working on a 75mm f/0.95 manual focus lens for stills shooters. Now, recently leaked images of the lens reveal that it may be called the "NOCT-master," potentially setting up a trademark dispute between NiSi and Nikon. [Update: NiSi is refuting this report. See update below.]
Kamlan 50mm f/1.1 II is a $250 ‘Bokeh Beast’ for APS-C Mirrorless
The Taiwanese lens maker Machang Optics has announced the Kamlan 50mm f/1.1 Mark II lens, a followup to the popular first version of the lens that provided photographers with an affordable option for achieving an ultra shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh.
Meike Unveils the 85mm f/1.8 MF Lens for Sony FE
The Hong Kong-based gear manufacturer Meike has unveiled its new 85mm f/1.8 lens for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras.
Meike Launches a Cheap 50mm f/1.7 Lens for Canon RF and Nikon Z
The Hong Kong-based camera equipment company Meike has launched an affordable 50mm f/1.7 manual-focus prime lens for Canon and Nikon's full-frame mirrorless camera systems.
How Manual Focus and Vintage Lenses Made Me a Better Photographer
I have been a commercial and wedding photographer for over 13 years. And from the beginning, I have been using Canon DSLR cameras and a variety of auto-focus lenses for the Canon EF system.
Samyang Unveils the XP 50mm f/1.2 for 50MP Photos and 8K Video
Samyang has just announced a new premium lens, the XP 50mm f/1.2 for Canon EF full frame cameras. It's a manual focus lens that's designed for shooting 50-megapixel photos and 8K videos.
Shooting Portraits of the Same Model with 3 Vintage Lenses
Photographer Mathieu Stern recently put 3 vintage lenses to the test in a portrait shootout at 4 different locations. The 5-minute video above compares the Soligor 21mm f/3.8, Canon FD S.S.C. 50mm f/1.4, and Helios 103 53mm f/1.8 with a tilt adapter.
6 Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Shooting Sharper Manual Focus Photos
This article aims to provide you with key tips, techniques, and hacks that, if followed correctly, should practically guarantee nailing pin-sharp manual focus shots in no time.
Samyang Debuts ‘Premium’ Lens Line with 85mm f/1.2 and 14mm f/2.4
As camera sensors get more powerful, third party lens manufacturers are scrambling to prove they're ready to handle whatever resolution your camera can throw at them. Case in point: say hello to Samyang's first 'Premium' lens lineup.
Lens Review: The Nokton 35mm f/1.4 MC is a Tiny Bokeh Monster
If you've in the market for a tiny, fun, manual focus bokeh monster to carry around with you, photographer Nitsan Simantov would like to introduce you to his "favorite lens ever": The Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4 MC.
A Guide to Mastering Manual Focus
Have you ever cursed your camera for missing that special moment in the streets? Do you ever struggle to get the subject quickly in focus before the fleeting moment is lost forever in the aether? Well then why not try manual focus?