Photography News Issue 70

Lenses

Buyers’ guide

Looking for a lens? If you’ve been thinking of investing in some new glass there is a wide variety of great manufacturers – here are a few to consider…

SIGMA

Designed for combination with relatively small full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens seeks easy operability as a regular prime lens by balancing its easy-to-carry size and high optical performance. This embodies the Contemporary line development concept of 'pursuing optimum balance', as the lens takes its place as the first in Sigma’s new line-up dedicated to full-frame mirrorless cameras. Withmirrorless cameras coming tomarket at an ever- growing pace, expectations surrounding lenses suited to high-performance, full-frame mirrorless cameras are also increasing. Unfortunately, many photographers may feel that they have little choice when it comes to mirrorless lens systems in terms of performance, size, extensive line-

up, and due to the burden of having to use multiple systems. Sigma has thus developed this new full- frame mirrorless lens series as the optimal solution to the challenge. Using the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary, you will find that bokeh expressions are particularly well-rendered. Spherical aberration has been controlled to ensure not only large bokeh in the front and rear of the subject but also rear bokeh near the area in focus, which creates a gradient to a soft blur. This lens softens the periphery of blurred images, suppressing the double-line bokeh, and enhances the three-dimensional impression of the subject with smooth expressions in the foreground and the background. In addition, its minimum focusing distance of 24cmmakes it possible to enjoy taking snapshots and table-top photos, taking advantage of the angle of view. The design gives consideration to vignetting, achieving beautiful, round bokeh and subduing swirly bokeh. While this lens produces smooth bokeh effects – which one might describe as 'classical' – when the aperture is wide open, it also realises modern, sharp rendering when it is stopped down. It is reassuring to hold, and would make a great regular lens for everyday use. sigma-imaging-uk.com

VOIGTLÄNDER

With over 250 years of experience, Voigtländer provides an extensive range of great lenses for many cameras, including Mmount for rangefinder andmany mirrorless cameras, Sony E-mount with full electronic coupling, Micro Four Thirds lenses with an amazing f/0.95 aperture, and SLR, Nikon mounts in perfect retro styling. Because of the particular aperture blade construction – ten blades for most – these lenses are famous and desired for their unique bokeh. Voigtländer was founded by Johann Christoph Voigtländer in Vienna, Austria, in 1756 and is one of the oldest names in the

photographic industry. It produced the Petzval lens in 1840 and the world’s first all-metal Daguerrotype camera in 1841. The company made a move to Braunschweig, Germany, in 1849. Over the next three decades, Voigtländer became a technology leader and the first manufacturer to introduce several new kinds of product that would later become commonplace. These included the first zoom lens (36-82mm f/2.8 Zoomar) in 1960 and the first 35mm compact camera with built- in electronic flash (Vitrona) in 1965. Shares in the company were eventually sold to the Carl Zeiss

Foundation in 1956; Zeiss and Voigtländer integrated in 1965. In 1972, Zeiss/Voigtländer stopped producing cameras, and a year later Zeiss soldVoigtländer to Rollei. On the collapse of Rollei in 1982, Plusfoto took over the name, selling it in 1997 to the firm's current owners, Ringfoto. Since 1999, Voigtländer-branded products have beenmanufactured by Cosina in Japan. To find out more about Voigtländer lenses and to find your nearest Voigtländer retailer, get in touch with the Flaghead team via email, at info@flaghead.co.uk flaghead.co.uk

SAMYANG

IRIX

Samyang Optics is a South Korean specialist manufacturer of camera lenses for stills photography, and the video and cinema markets. The company was founded in 1972, originally as an OEM lens manufacturer, but has grown as a leading producer of world-class optics, offering a diverse range of lenses under the Samyang brand, to fit most interchangeable lens cameras. All Samyang lenses are primes (no zooms in the range) and offer fast maximum apertures, along with ultimate image quality. They are superbly built, with robust and stylish designs, and they offer superb value for money. Various new manual focus models are already available to fit the mirrorless Nikon Z system and Canon EOS R cameras. Other notable models include the distortion-free, ultra-wide-angle XP 10mm, and the ultra-compact 7.5mm fisheye.

Irix lenses are designed by photographers for photographers. The Irix design pays particular attention to detail, to create lenses that combine classical design withmaximum functionality. The company uses the latest

mechanism allow you tomake the very best of your photography. The Irix photo lens range consists of the 11mm f/4, 15mm f/2.4, and the 150mm f/2.8macro lens – recently double-awarded, having received an iFDesignAward in 2019, and being named a reddot award 2019 winner. According to Irix, the 150mm f/2.8macro

technology to ensure exceptional precision whilst maintaining the intuitive manual advantages that analogue photography can bring – Swiss precision and Korean

was a result of months spent outlining the most attractive features and functionalities, striving to design something 'exquisite, yet very functional and user- friendly', with the ability to provide impeccable details for images over 50megapixels, as well as delicate, out-of-focus areas, creating pastel bokeh. swains.co.uk

ingenious solutions make a powerful mix. Irix lenses are designed to deliver top optical performance and match the demands of full- frame cameras. Irix lenses offer a large

As well as manual focus lenses, Samyang has a growing range of AF lenses to fit Sony full-frame E-mount, Canon EOS and Nikon F-mount cameras. Samyang lenses are available in the UK and Ireland from a wide range of approved stockists. Try one and you’ll be convinced how good they really are. intro2020.co.uk

aperture whilst maintaining the best image quality, regardless of focal length. Supreme optical performance and the high-precision

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