Buyers’ guide
Kase Filters › kasefilters.com
Irix › swains.co.uk
Irix is a relative newcomer to the lens scene, and its range isn’t big just yet, with six manual focus, full-frame lenses in total for stills. That’s five for the 35mm format – 11, 15, 30, 45 and 150mm macro – in Canon EF, Nikon F and Pentax K DSLR mounts, plus a 45mm f/1.4 for Fujifilm GFX. A rugged, weather-sealed build, exquisite handling and solid optical performance are common to all Irix lenses. The 11mm f/4 and 15mm f/2.4 are available in Blackstone and Firefly variants, with the former boasting full- metal construction and engraved lens markings. The other optics conform to what Irix describes as Dragonfly finish, with features including scratch-resistant coating and anti-slip focusing ring.
a holder as such; filters in round magnetic mounts just clip to lens adapter rings. Having a ring on each lens means you can swap filters around very swiftly. Kase uses tough, optical-quality Wolverine glass across its range, so you can be assured of sublime performance – whichever system you choose.
Filter specialist Kase has a variety of solutions for the photographer. Its latest release is the Armour 100mm system. Find an extensive review in our first tests this issue (see page 33). Kase’s precursor to Armour is its Circular Magnetic range. This filter system is compact, lightweight and doesn’t require
Nikon › nikon.co.uk
Nikon’s biggest news so far in 2022 is the Z 9, tested this issue (page 26). But it has also devoted much of its research-and-design energy building a crop of native Z mount lenses – this now numbers 26, plus two teleconverters. The Z series has a mix of primes and zooms covering a wide price range, from the pocketable Z 28mm f/2.8 and Z 40mm f/2, both £259, to the latest arrival: the Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S at £13,499. Between the two extremes sit a selection of lenses covering key needs. A recent arrival is the Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S long telezoom, also tested this issue (page 36). And in issue 96 of PN , the Z 24-120mm f/4 S was featured. Both optics acquitted themselves with great credit.
Tamron › tamron.eu
Recent E-mount arrivals include a 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD and the 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD, currently priced at £1199 and £1599, respectively. Tamron has just introduced its first lens available in the Fujifilm X Mount, the 18-300mm f/3.5- 6.3 Di III-A VC VXD – a high-spec superzoom. This comes in Sony E-mount, too, used in cropped mode on full-frame Sony cameras.
Long established as a leading independent supplier, Tamron’s extensive collection features ten models for Canon and Nikon DSLRs (usable on mirrorless models via a compatible mount adapter), and 13 for Sony E-mount. Tamron has recently upped its offerings for this fitting, including the 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD, the world’s first all-in-one lens with f/2.8 at 28mm.
Lee Filters › leefilters.com
Lee has 85, 100 and 150mm filter systems in its range. For full-frame and medium format shooters, the 100mm system is the best option for all-round use. If you employ a fast-aperture, ultra-wide lens with filters, you may have to invest in the SW150 system. This has custom adapters to fit a range of popular lenses that avoid any vignetting issues.
20 Photography News | Issue 97
photographynews.co.uk
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