All of the Latest Can’t-Miss Lens Announcements
In the weeks ahead, Zeiss, DJI, Samyang, and Phase One plan to release some of their most impressive lenses yet. Here’s what we know so far.
Top image via Samyang
Following spring’s wave of lens announcements, prices and release dates for the upcoming lenses have started surfacing over the past few weeks. With prices ranging from $800-$8,000, these lenses offer a wide range of scope and capability and will certainly be useful for all types of videography work. Let’s take a look at some of the details and discover which lens might make a nice addition to your collection.
Zeiss
Earlier in 2016, Sony announced two new lenses from Zeiss: the 50mm F1.4 ZA E Mount and the 70-200 F2.8 GM OSS G Master E. Sony recently spilled the beans on how much you can expect to pay and when you’ll be able to get your hands on these new lenses.
70-200 mm Specs:
- E-Mount Lens for Full-Frame models
- f/2.8 to f/22
- Nano AR Coating and Fluorine Coating
- Linear SSM Focus System
- Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization
- Internal Focus, Focus Range Limiter
- Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
- Eleven-Blade Shutter
- 3.26 lbs
Price for 70-200: $2,500
Availability: Shipping begins July 29th
50 mm Specs:
- E-Mount Lens for Full-Frame Cameras
- f/1.4 to f/16
- One AA Element & One Aspherical Element
- Ring Drive Super Sonic Wave Motor System
- 27.5 Ounces
- AF/MF Switch; Internal Focus
- Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
- Eleven-Blade Shutter
Price for 50mm: $1,500
Availability: Shipping begins July 29th
Phase One Zoom
Phase One promises prime lens quality with the release of two new “Blue Ring”lenses. Keep in mind, however, these lenses are built for medium-format cameras — so the price will be pretty hefty. The 40-80mm LS f/4.0-5.6 and 75-150mm LS f/4.0-5.6 lenses provide full coverage over the 645 medium-format film plane.
40-80mm f/4.0-5.6
- Price: $8,990
- Availability: August 1st
75-150mm f/4.0-5.6
- Price: $5,990
- Availability: August 1st
DJI Zenmuse Z3 (Optical Zoom)
Last week, DJI announced the first inclusion of Optical Zoom in its quadcopter line-up. A drastic improvement over the dreaded digital zoom, this 1/2.3 sensor holds 4K recording capabilities while using the optical zoom. Compatible with the Inspire 1, Matrice 100, and the Matrice 600, this gimbal can be attached to the aircraft and streamed through the DJI GO App.
- Price: $899
- Availability: Available Now
Samyang
The South Korean optics company Samyang recently hinted at the release of five new lenses — the “Five Samyang Blockbuster Series” — via Facebook. The company will release a new lens every Monday for the next four weeks, so stay tuned!
Yesterday, Samyang released info on the first of these “blockbusters,” the XEEN 135 mm T2.2 Prime Lens. No Film School provided a full in-depth rundown on the new 135 mm lens. It’s worth a read!
- Price: $2,495
- Release Date: Sometime in August
Would you consider purchasing one of these lenses in the coming months? Which one are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments!
