Chinese lens manufacturer Zhong Yi Optics (ZY Optics) announced a new medium format 80mm f/1.6 prime lens. The manual focus optic is meant to pair affordability with exceptional performance and is available for Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD mirrorless mounts.
Recently, I've pushed myself to look at third-party lens brands from China, which offer interesting character at a relatively low price. I wanted to try out the lenses that cost more money but might provide a more compelling user experience and the Voigtlander manual focus primes could be the answer.
Designed to pair with the newly-announced Lumix S9, Panasonic announced the super-compact and lightweight S-series 26mm f/8. Despite fixed focal length and aperture, Panasonic assures it will deliver outstanding image quality and high resolution.
Cosina will release a new Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.2 lens made exclusively for Fujifilm X-mount this September.
There’s something about the passion that exists between a mechanic and a motorcycle. Their hands and tools are their paintbrushes, and their grease-stained nails are their paint. I was fortunate to witness them create their art and document it all while creating my own.
Venus Optics has announced a new Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 prime lens for full-frame cameras. Billed as the fastest 28mm for full-frame on the market, the new lens is available for Leica L, Nikon Z, Sony E, and Canon RF mounts.
Cosina has announced that it will release a Nokton 50mm f/1 Aspherical and a Super Wide-Heliar 15mm f/4.5 Aspherical for Nikon Z-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras.
This lightweight and compact 18mm f/8 shift lens from AstrHori allows photographers plus or minus 6mm of panning shift and a rotation of 360 degrees to better capture cramped spaces or vast landscapes.
AstrHori has announced a new 12mm f/2.8 fisheye lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The $256 optic is available for Nikon Z, Sony E, Leica L, Fujifilm GFX, and Canon RF mounts.
TTArtisan has announced that its 50mm f/1.4 Tilt lens which was originally released for Sony E and Leica L-mounts two months ago is now available for Fujifilm X, Canon RF, and Nikon Z mounts.
Pergear has announced a new $129 35mm f/1.4 full-frame manual focus lens for Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Leica L mounts.
Meike has announced a new 35mm f/0.95 large aperture lens for six different camera mounts: five APS-C and Micro Four Thirds. While fully manual, it boasts solid image quality and a relatively affordable price.
NiSi has announced its second-ever lens, a 9mm f/2.8 for multiple APS-C camera mounts. The company positions the lens as ideal for architecture and astrophotography thanks to its wide angle and the promise of low distortion and consistent sharpness.
TTArtisan has announced a new 25mm f/2 lens for multiple APS-C mounts that costs a measly $55.
When using manual focus, it’s difficult to tell exactly where your plane of focus is. It’s possible to make a guess using your eye, but you can still be slightly off and end up with an image that is out of focus. Similar to how histograms take the guesswork out of exposure, focus peaking uses an algorithm and a simple visual aid to help take the guesswork out of manually focusing your lens.
Meike has introduced a new 10mm f/2 APS-C manual focus prime lens for Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and Micro Four Thirds cameras.
Venus Optics has announced the 12-24mm f/5.6 compact zoom lens for full-frame cameras. The $650 fixed-aperture, manual focus lens is available for Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, and Leica M mounts.
Meike is making a name for itself as the king of low-cost lenses. Its new 50mm f/0.95 lens is fast, comes in five camera mount options, and costs only $250.
Meike has announced a manual focus 7.5mm f/2.8 fisheye lens designed for APS-C cameras and made available for Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, and Canon EF-M mounts.
Tokina has announced the SZ 33mm f/1.2 lens for Fujifilm X and Sony APS-C E-mount. The manual-focus lens is designed to be affordable yet provide what the company calls "superb bokeh" to both photographers and videographers.
The Cosina Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 Aspherical that was originally released for Sony E-Mount cameras (and later released for Leica M-mount) is being made available for Nikon Z-Mount cameras in May.
Venus Optics has announced a new "red ring" version of its Laowa 15mm lens. Called the 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift lens, it more than doubles the number of aperture blades of the "blue ring" version but doesn't raise the price.
Irix has announced a new 21mm f/1.4 lens for Canon, Nikon, and Pentax DSLRs. The lens is based on the 21mm T1.5 cinema lens the company announced in February.
KamLan has announced a new 55mm f/1.4 full-frame lens for Sony E-mount, Nikon Z-mount, and Canon RF-mount. While pricing has not been made available, given KamLan's history it should be affordable.
Kenko Tokina has announced that the 500mm f/8 mirror lens that it teased last year is finally available and will be available for Canon EF, Sony E, Nikon F, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, T-mount, and Micro Four Thirds.
Chinese manufacturer Rockstar has released a set of incredibly affordable prime lenses that are both under $80. The manual focus 10mm f/8 Fisheye and 27mm f/2.8 pancake lenses are available for Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, and Canon APS-C cameras as well as Micro Four Thirds.
Cosina has announced the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1 Aspherical lens for VM-mount, which is the fastest lens it has ever produced for full-frame.
Zhong Yi Optics has announced the Mitakon Speedmaster 90mm f/1.5 manual focus portrait lens for full-frame Leica M, Canon RF, Sony FE, and Nikon Z mounts.
Cosina has launched the Voigtlander APO-Skopar 90mm f/2.8 for Nikon's F-mount. Cosina says that the lens has been designed to bring the appearance of chromatic aberration to as close to zero as possible.
Irix has announced a new 30mm f/1.4 lens that it says uses the same optical design found in its 30mm cine model, but has been rehoused to work for still photographers. The new DSLR lens is available in Nikon F, Canon EF, and Pentax K mounts.