Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift With ± 8mm Shift on The Fujifilm GFX


Venus Optics announce the new Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens – World’s Widest Shift Lens for Full Frame Cameras (Preorder From Laowa)
Anhui China, Oct 30, 2020 – Venus Optics, the manufacturer specialized in making unique camera lenses, pioneered Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift, the widest shift lens for full-frame cameras and medium format cameras. Giving credits to a ±11mm shift amount (±8mm on the medium format), this ultra-wide shift lens breaks through the industry level and bringing the wide-angle lens standard to the next level.

Image quality is guaranteed with high image sharpness and nearly no optical distortion (Zero- D). The 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift enriches the diversity of Laowa’s extensive wide-angle lens collection by giving photographers more control on the perspective in their images.

World’s widest shift lens for Full Frame Cameras
15mm f/4.5 Shift is the widest shift lens for a full frame camera. The angle of view is 110°, and it covers a huge ⌀ 65mm image circle. The wider perspective offers great deal of flexibility for photographers to capture architecture and interior shots when space is limited.

±11mm Shift Amount
The maximum possible shift amount of the lens is ±11mm for full frame camera and ±8mm for medium format camera (e.g. Fujifilm GFX / Hasselblad X1D). The shift capability allows photographers to capture straight architecture with ease. 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift straightens the lines that appear to converge in the distance. Crooked images can be corrected by changing the perspective of the lens. Perspective distortion is being eliminated to create the reality-like image.

The ±11mm shift amount also allows photographers to expand the angle of view by stitching multiple images. It gives an extraordinary image perspective and rooms for special compositions.

Ⓒ Richard Wong

Stitching 3 images into a panorama

Large Image Circle
With a huge ⌀65mm image circle, the lens not only works with the full-frame format but also covers the medium format sensors. This makes it currently the World’s Widest lens covering Fujifilm GFX sensor with no vignetting.

+8MM SHIFT
No vignetting up to +/- 8mm shift


Zero Distortion
15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift is composed of 17 elements in 11 groups with 2pcs of aspherical elements. It suppresses the distortion to nearly Zero level from corner to corner. Perfect for architecture photography as any straight lines will be retained.

Impressive Image Quality
15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift is coupled with a new lens coating. A significant improvement on the chromatic aberration, flaring and ghosting control.

Sharpness comparison of the Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift against competitors

Extremely Close Focusing Distance
15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift is an ultra wide shift lens coupled with 20cm closest focusing distance. Macro-like photos can now be created easily. The Functionality of the lens is diverse. Wide angle macro image can be easily captured with this lens.

Stunning 10-point Sunstar
The 5-bladed aperture creates stunning 10-point sunstar rendering.

360° Rotation
The rotation function enables photographers to change the direction of the shift easily by pressing the silver unlock button. This gives photographers more flexibility in composing the image (in both landscape and portrait orientation). The lens barrel can be rotated through 360° and it clicks every 15°.

Shift Lens Support
A lens support is specially designed for 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift. Perfect for panorama stitching as the optic axis remains unchanged..

Multiple Mount options
Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift is available in Canon EF, Nikon F, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony FE mount.
(Canon EF and Nikon F will be available on Late Nov, 2020)
(Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony FE mount will be available on Feb, 2021)

Pricing & Availability
The new Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift is currently available to purchase via Venus Optics official website (http://www.venuslens.net/) and authorized resellers.

The US price for 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift is $1,199 for all mounts. Pricing varies in different countries. The first 100 orders through our webstore will get a lens pouch for FREE.

Shipping starts from late-Nov 2020 for Canon EF and Nikon F mount.
The Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony FE mount will be shipped from Feb 2021.

NameLaowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift
Focal Length15mm
Max. Aperturef/4.5
Angle of View110°
Shift CapabilityFull Frame: ± 11mm of shift
Medium Format: ± 8mm of shift
Format CompatibilityFull Frame
Lens Structure17 elements in 11 groups
Aperture Blades5
Min. Focusing Distance20 cm
Focus ModeManual Focus
Filter Thread– –
Dimensions79 x 103 mm
Weight597g
MountsCanon EF & RF / Nikon F & Z / Sony E

MTF

Optical Structure

Posted in 3rd Party Lens, Fujifilm GFX, Fujifilm GFX 100, Fujifilm GFX 100 Megapixel, Fujifilm GFX 100S, Fujifilm GFX 50R, Fujifilm GFX 50S| Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fujifilm Doubled Its US X-Photographer Program Introducing 16 New Photographers


Fujifilm Proudly Introduces 16 New Photographers to its U.S. X-Photographer Program Lineup, Doubling Current Number
Valhalla, N.Y.F–AThe Electronic Imaging Division of FUJIFILM North America Corporation is pleased to introduce today the newest members of its recently enhanced X-Photographer program in the United States. The 16 new members join the current group of 16 X-Photographers, beginning their 4-year terms on effectively on November 1, 2020. In July, FUJIFILM North America Corporation rolled out several progressive updates to the program, creating more opportunities for photographers to get involved. Read More »

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New Lensbaby Spark 2.0 With Sweet 50 Optic


Lensbaby announced its new Lensbaby Spark 2.0 With Sweet 50 Optic today and you can preorder on B&H Photo

Reminiscent of the very first Lensbaby lens, the Spark 2.0 is a flexible lens body designed for use with FUJIFILM X-mount cameras and to be used in conjunction with the Optic Swap System. This Spark 2.0 is delivered with the Sweet 50 optic, which provides a clear sweet spot of sharp focus that is surrounded by a smooth blur, which can be adjusted depending on how the lens body is positioned. The Spark 2.0’s accordion-like design permits nearly unrestricted tilt range, up to 30° in any direction, and requires the distinct squeeze-to-focus movement to manually adjust focus. The Spark 2.0 and Sweet 50 combination also avails an f/2.5-22 adjustable aperture range, 12-blade diaphragm, and a minimum focusing distance of 1.1′ for working with close-up subjects.

Spark 2.0

  •  FUJIFILM X lens mount.
  •  Flexible, accordion-like body design resembles the Original Lensbaby from 2004 and enables tilting the optic up to ~30° in any direction.
  •  Unique squeeze-to-focus, squeeze-to-tilt design requires a fun “dance-like” process of achieving sharp, selective focus with creative distortions and blur.
  •  Accepts various optics from the Optic Swap System.
  •  Permits focusing as close as 1.1′ away.
  •  Metal lens mount for improved durability and rigidity.

Sweet 50 Optic

  •  Portrait-length 50mm lens provides a 75mm-equivalent focal length that offers a comfortable, slightly narrow field of view.
  •  Unique rendering delivers a precise sweet spot of focus surrounding by a characteristic blur. The quality, sharpness, and size of the in-focus area can be controlled by adjusting the lens body.
  •  Besides adjusting exposure, the f/2.5 to f/22 aperture range can also be used to adjust the size of the sweet spot of focus.
  •  A 12-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth, pleasing bokeh quality.
  •  Doublet lens construction uses two elements in one group, and both elements have a broadband, anti-reflective multi-coating to resist flare and ghosting for increased contrast and color accuracy.

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Fujifilm X-T3 Firmware 4.0 and Fujifilm X-H1 2.11 Firmware Released


Fujifilm X-T3 Firmare Ver.4.00 – Download Here

The firmware update Ver.4.00 from Ver.3.30 incorporates the following issues:

Regarding the detail of the improvements, download the “X-T3 New Features Guide” from our website.

New Features Guide: English, Français, Deutch, Español, Italiano, Nederland, Polski, Svenska, Norsk, Dansk, Pусский, Suomi, 中文简, 中文繁體, 한국어, ภาษาไทย, Arabic

The update will improve the autofocusing performance of the X-T3 to the same level as the “FUJIFILM X-T4”(X-T4).
1) The fastest AF speed has been improved from 0.06 seconds to 0.02 seconds, equivalent to the performance of the X-T4.
2) The algorithm for predicting subject movements has been updated.
3) AF tracking performance has been doubled*. Press the shutter button halfway down when a subject is in the focus area to maintain focus on the subject with a higher level of accuracy.
4) The Face Tracking / Eye AF performance has been upgraded. The algorithm has been re-written to double* the tracking performance of the Eye AF in continuous shooting modes.
5) The update allows the camera AF to work in low light levels down to -7EV**, facilitating fast and highly-accurate phase detection AF even in near darkness.
6) The new firmware adds the “Focus Limiter” function which gives a pre-define specific focus range.

* When compared with the Firmware Ver.3.30.
** When using the FUJINON Lens XF50mmF1.0 R WR.

Other improvements.
1) The size of the Single AF point can be adjusted during video recording.
2) Photo ratings can be read by third-party software, allowing users to find their favorite pictures quickly.
3) The focus point can be changed by the focus lever during AE lock.
4) The default setting of the AF-S PRIORITY SELECTION in the RELEASE/FOCUS PRIORITY of the SHOOTING menu is changed to FOCUS from RELEASE.

Fix of minor bugs.


Fujifilm X-H1 Firmare Ver.2.11 – Download Here

The firmware update Ver.2.11 from Ver.2.10 incorporates the following issue:

Fix of a minor bug during shooting

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Fujifilm GFX Owners Group
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Fujifilm X-T Owners Group
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Fujifilm Launches Instax SQUARE SQ1


Instax SQ1: B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment

Fujifilm launches “instax SQUARE SQ1”
– New entry model compatible with popular square format film
– Simple operation for fun photo-shooting experience
– Square format film “RAINBOW” and “MONOCHROME” is also released

Tokyo, October 28, 2020 — FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) is pleased to announce the launch of “instax SQUARE SQ1” (SQ1) on November 6, 2020 in Japan. It will be a new addition to the instax series of instant cameras compatible with square format film, allowing users to enjoy on-the-spot photo printing. SQ1 is an entry model that sought simple design and operability, and delivers a fun square format instax print experience to a broad range of users.

Also accompanying the launch of SQ1 are two square format film. “RAINBOW,” which features various gradations around its frame in different color for each print, and “MONOCHROME,” a monochrome print which users can enjoy artistic photographic expressions. Square format film “RAINBOW” and “MONOCHROME” will be available on November 6, 2020 in Japan. Read More »

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Laowa Magic Format Converter For Astrophotography on GFX100

With the Milkyway core now setting before Sunrise in Florida another season of Milkyway photography is coming to a close for me and my friends. It was not an easy year to get out and shoot with COVID-19 and lots of cloud cover, but I did manage to test some equipment for pushing the GFX100 further doing Astrophotography.

Laowa’s Magic Format Converter has always interested me for creating faster/wider glass combinations on the GFX for astrophotography. Below you can see some brick wall test shots, which show that the adapter isn’t perfect (which made it difficult to square off and center), but it is significantly better with the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D than the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC. I decided to test Nikon mount lenses due to my partnership with Nikonrumors and I would like to test more Nikon glass in the future on the GFX so let me know if you have any suggestions, but cloud cover has become an issue for us in FL so I will probably only be able to test a few lenses a year.

The MFC is a unique tool that expands the image circle of full-frame glass for Nikon or Canon mount lenses by magnifying the image circle by 1.4x to eliminate or reduce vignetting, but you will lose one stop of light in the process. So the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D performs like the Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D, but a more unique result is the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC, which is like a 34mm f/2, which would be great, but there is some heavy vignetting that can be corrected easily at low ISO but correction becomes more difficult at or above ISO 3200 due to noise.

I did not have any issues with infinity focus and it was very easy to get pinpoint stars with this combination. Surprisingly the distortion didn’t really show up when I was shooting astrophotography, so I was able to jump straight into editing to make the Milkyway pop. Out of the two lenses I tested, my favorite combination was the Laowa Magic Format Converter paired with the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D, but unless you use a Nikon F mount camera regularly the Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D might be a better investment since it is designed for the GFX and works great.

On the other hand, the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC provides a unique fast wide lens for the GFX, but the vignetting is an issue for astrophotography. A Photographer could find applications for this combination, but there are a few fast wide lenses out there that might pair better with the Laowa Magic Format Converter. I will likely try to test some similar lenses to the 24mm f/1.4 in the future with the Magic Format Converter.

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NameMagic Format Converter (MFC)
Lens Structure5 elements in 4 groups
Focal Length MultiplierIncrease by 1.4x
Aperture ImpactReduce by 1-stop
Focus Mode / Aperture ControlManual
Dimensions69.6 x 44.1mm
Weightabout 360g
MountsCanon EF to Fujifilm GFX / Nikon F/G to Fujifilm GFX
Posted in 3rd Party Lens, Accessories, Fujifilm GFX, Fujifilm GFX 100, Fujifilm GFX 100 Megapixel, Fujifilm GFX 100S, Fujifilm GFX 50R, Fujifilm GFX 50S| Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment