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Sigma opposites attract
Optical specialist Sigma has whipped the covers off an ultra wide-angle and a super telephoto lens, both arriving in mid-March. The Sigma 15mm f/1.4 DG DN is touted as the world’s first full-frame f/1.4 diagonal fisheye lens. Available in both L-Mount and Sony E-mount on launch, the properties of this Art series lens include the bright, fast aperture and a 180° angle of view, allowing capture of large landscapes and star-strewn skies, or images with uniquely exaggerated proportions. A built-in rear filter holder allows for gel-type ND filters to be inserted, a lens heater retainer prevents heat strips used by astrophotographers in cold conditions from slipping over in front of the lens, plus a unique manual focus lock switch disables the focus ring. Naturally, Sigma promises outstanding quality across the whole frame, ensuring bright points of light remain pin-sharp. Included with the lens is a TS-141 tripod socket; because this type of ultra wide-aperture lens is relatively heavy, its maker wants to ensure a more
balanced set-up closer to the centre of gravity when both it and the camera are mounted on a tripod. The 15mm f/1.4 DG DN comes with a suggested retail price of £1859. The second new lens is the Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS, joining its Sports series line- up, and again arrives in L-Mount and E-mount. Despite its reach, this prime lens for full-frame cameras is described as relatively compact and lightweight at 234.6mm in length and 1370g in weight. To achieve the smaller size, we’re told convex low-dispersion elements have been used towards the front of the lens barrel. Professional-grade features include a weather-resistant structure, focus limiter switch, de-clickable and lockable aperture ring, detachable tripod socket and custom mode switch. Sigma sums this one up as ‘the definitive ultra-telephoto prime’ aimed at enthusiasts and pros alike. The 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS comes at a suggested retail price of £2779. sigmauk.com
Hasselblad shows modular marvel
maintaining the unique experience of shooting at waist level. Likewise, a boon to Hasselblad shooters is the 2.36-million-dot, 3.2-inch touchscreen display incorporated within the classic design, which also features a leather-like surface and chrome frame. Its viewfinder can be further tilted upwards from 40 to 90° as desired, achieving a range of perspectives. For image quality, colours are captured precisely as the human eye perceives them, with an impressive 15 stops of dynamic range provided. Its phase detection AF also uses 294 zones spread over the 100-megapixel sensor’s surface, with a generous 1TB of onboard memory. All this technology inevitably requires deep pockets. Expect to pay circa £6729 for the new 907X and CFV 100C. hasselblad.com
Beloved by pros, high-end manufacturer Hasselblad has launched what it’s calling its most compatible 100-megapixel medium format camera to date. The modular design of the 907X and CFV 100C incorporates a new 100-megapixel back-side illuminated sensor, doubling the resolution of its predecessor, the 907X and CFV II 50C, while weighing 120g less. Believing it now has the smallest and most powerful medium format camera in the industry, the 907X and CFV 100C is compatible with all the company’s XCD, HC/HCD and Xpan lenses, enabling users to achieve the best possible image straight out of camera. The CFV 100C will also breathe new life into Hasselblad V System cameras, including the 500 and 200 series. Photographers can use their beloved film cameras with the new sensor to achieve digital-age picture quality, while also
Updated flagship for OM System
There are also two new lenses to go alongside the camera. First up is the M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f/4-5.6 II, providing a 35mm equivalent of 18-36mm when coupled with the Micro Four Thirds system. According to the manufacturer, this is the lightest and most compact option at 49.5mm in length among its current three ultra wide-angle zoom lenses (also including the M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm f/4 Pro and 7-14mm f/2.8 Pro), weighing just 154g. Closest focusing distance is 25cm across its entire range and it features two DSA (Dual Super Aspherical) lenses positioned at the front to capture a sweeping 100° wide angle. Arriving this March, it’s priced at £600. The second new OM System lens is the super telephoto M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm f/5-6.3 IS, giving a 35mm equivalent of a generous 300-1200mm on its own, extendable to 2400mm when paired with an optional MC-20 2x teleconverter. Combined with the new OM-1 Mark II body, up to seven steps of image stabilisation are provided, enabling handheld use for sharply capturing subjects on the fly. Closest focusing distance is 0.56m at the wide end and 2.8m for telephoto. Having arrived late February, the dust- and splash-proof lens is priced at £2400. Its maker has also announced a future firmware update for the original OM-1, though we’ll have to wait until ‘around this autumn’ for this. Planned tweaks include improvement of AF
OM Digital Solutions’ flagship OM-1 mirrorless camera has received an upgrade two years on. While the original sported the Olympus logo, the Mark II swaps it for the OM System re-brand. Differences and improvements over its predecessor include the world’s first live GND (graduated ND) photography function that replicates the effects of a half-ND filter, allowing users to make real-time adjustments to the image via the EVF or LCD. Targeting photographers of nature and landscape, enhanced AI detection AF is also featured, developed using deep-learning technologies and enhancing AF in the process. Likewise, the high-performance, five-axis in-body image stabilisation gives the equivalent of 8.5 steps. At its core is a 20-megapixel stacked BSI Live MOS (CMOS) sensor, plus the latest TruePic X image processor. This core spec can be pushed further with the 50-megapixel Handheld High-Res Shot and the 80-megapixel Tripod High-Res Shot functions. For sequential shots, this one can manage up to 120fps with AF/AE lock or approximately 50fps during AF/AE tracking. With availability from mid-February, the 511g dust- and splash-proof body costs £2200, while a kit adding a 12-40mm lens is £2700. Accessories to piggyback on a sale include the HLD-10 Power Battery Holder and the RM-WR1 Wireless Remote Control.
capabilities including S-AF and C-AF, plus improved operability through the option to assign trash/delete as a menu shortcut. However, we won’t be getting Mark II features such as live GND and AI detection AF for humans, while it’s quick to add that AF performance still won’t match the Mark II’s capabilities overall. om-digitalsolutions.com
Issue 114 | Photography News 5
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