DPRTV: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Review

DPRTV posted their Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Review today. Below is a summary of the above video:

  • Competes with Sony G Master which is a big heavy lens
  • The old Sigma 85mm f/1.4 was also big and heavy with an AF adapter built-in
  • Sigma’s new 85mm lens is very compact and lightweight at 625g or about 1/3 a Noct
  • Lots of buttons/dials/knobs on this lens
  • .85m close focus distance which isn’t bad for this kind of lens
  • 77mm filter thread mount
  • Not the fastest AF, but it is very smooth
  • It is faster than Canon’s new 85mm f1.2 lens
  • Almost no chromatic aberration or LoCA, which is better corrected than the Sony 85mm GM
  • Buttery smooth bokeh
  • Cats eye in the corners even down to f/2.8 which might be a compromise to reach this small form factor
  • Center sharpness is slightly sharper than the Sony 85mm G Master
  • Corner sharpness is good too and better than the Sony 85mm G Master
  • Sony 85mm GM has less field curvature
  • Both Sigma and Sony lenses are equally good when stopped down to f/2.8
  • No real ghosting of flare issues
  • Should be very popular with video people looking to melt away the background but there is a lot of focus breathing
  • Sony shooters have great AF, but L-mount not so much so they might want the old lens since it was mechanical
  • Sigma started the large no-compromise lens trend, but this is a departure from that
  • The first thing you will notice about the Sigma 85mm is how light it is followed by how good the image quality is and how inexpensive the lens is
  • The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art makes more sense than the Sony 85mm GM because it is optically superior and affordable

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Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art: B&H Photo / Adorama

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Sony Wins Multiple EISA Awards


The Sony Alpha 7R IV is the first full-frame mirrorless camera to boast an incredible resolution of 61 million pixels. It’s also equipped with one of the industry’s best autofocus systems, including AI-driven Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF. Up to 10fps burst shooting with AF and AE is possible. Furthermore, with its 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, blurred pictures due to camera shake are reduced to a minimum. With its sharp electronic viewfinder and extremely fast BIONZ X processor, this camera is a highly reliable and capable tool that provides the versatility to handle virtually any photographic situation to the highest standard.

Sony a7RIV: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama


This innovative compact camera is aimed at content creators and vloggers, offering great video capabilities such as 4K recording and S-Log gamma. Its high-quality built-in microphone comes with a windshield for outdoor shooting; alternatively an external microphone can be used via the audio input or the multi-interface shoe. The ZV-1 is also a very good photo camera with a fast AF system and versatile vari-angle screen. Together with the optional grip that features a built-in wireless remote control and doubles as a tripod, the ZV-1 is an excellent production tool which lets vloggers easily create and share content.

Sony ZV-1: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama


This large aperture, wideangle zoom for full-frame mirrorless cameras provides excellent quality at a very competitive price. It’s available in both Sony E-mount, and L-mount for Leica, Panasonic and Sigma cameras. By optimising the design for mirrorless, Sigma has made a lens that’s considerably smaller and lighter than its DSLR counterpart, yet provides fantastic optical quality. It also boasts fast and silent autofocus, and is weather-sealed for outdoor shooting. The result is a superb lens that’s perfect for a wide range of subjects including architecture, landscapes and astrophotography.

Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama


This Tamron lens is a classic telephoto zoom for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, with a large aperture of f/2.8. It delivers excellent sharpness and contrast across the frame at all focal lengths, even wide open. It also boasts weather-resistant construction, using lightweight yet durable materials. The optical design exploits several special elements and coatings, while a floating focus system ensures crisp and sharp images, even at close subject distances. With a very quiet but responsive autofocus mechanism, this lens is a bargain in its class, both for photography and video.

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III RXD FE: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama


This all-in-one zoom lens is the first in its class to offer a fast aperture of f/2.8 at the wideangle end, together with compact size and light weight. Thanks to a combination of special lens elements and intelligent software corrections, the Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD achieves an impressive optical performance, giving clean, sharp images. In combination with the fast aperture, a close focus distance of just 19cm allows users to shoot close-ups with nicely blurred backgrounds. The autofocus is fast, accurate and quiet, which is a boon for photographers and video makers alike.

Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD FE:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama


This ultra-telephoto zoom will be appreciated by those who love nature and sports photography but don’t want a heavy lens. It is affordable and lightweight for its class, yet delivers great sharpness even at maximum aperture, which is very important for a lens that will often be used between 400mm and 600mm. Autofocus is very fast, and the large zoom ring moves smoothly from 200mm to 600mm without changing the length or balance of the lens, making it comfortable to use. The range can be extended even further with Sony’s 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, maintaining full autofocus capability.

Sony 200-600mm FE: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama


The compact and lightweight Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G is an exceptional lens that provides really sharp images in all areas of the frame, even at f/1.8. Its optical design features advanced aspherical elements and extra-low dispersion glass to deliver high corner-to-corner image quality with minimal distortion, while suppressing chromatic aberration. The 9-bladed diaphragm allows the photographer to create beautifully blurred backgrounds. Two XD Linear Motors guarantee very fast, precise and silent focusing, while the 18cm minimum focus distance (in manual focus mode) can be used for striking close-ups.

Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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Samyang Enhances Cine Lens Lineup with Updated VDSLR MK2 Range Announced


Samyang Enhances Cine Lens Lineup with Updated VDSLR MK2 Range
August 14th 2020, Seoul, South Korea – Global optics brand Samyang Optics announces its VDSLR MK2 series, an updated entry-point cine lens range, enhanced with new features. The MK2 set comprises 4 of the most-used focal lengths: 24mm T1.5, 35mm T1.5, 50mm T1.5 and 85mm T1.5. As well as delivering the beloved image quality and fast T-stop values of the existing VDSLR series, the new models now have weather sealing, 9 aperture blades and their focal lengths are visible on both sides for more professional use. The range is highly versatile, available in 7 camera mounts (including Sony FE and Canon RF), with full frame coverage. A further model: VDSLR 14mm T3.1 MK2 will also be launched by the first quarter of 2021.

Your First Cine Lens Set
Samyang pioneered the entry-point cine lens lineup by launching its VDSLR range back in 2014. With Samyang’s incredible image quality, this groundbreaking series has helped independent filmmakers and low-budget project directors to broaden their horizons of creativity as their first cine lens set. During those 6 years, Samyang has experienced the market and now introduces the updated VDSLR MK2 series, with useful new features.

Second Cine Lens Set for Professional Cinematographers
Samyang’s VDSLR range is not only loved by film-making beginners, but is widely owned by many professional cinematographers as their second cine lens set, for personal projects or commercial test shoots. The uncompromising image quality, compactness and de-clicked gear rings are able to create the cinematic look anytime, anywhere.

Main Features

Most Popular Focal Lengths – Available in 7 Camera Mounts
The new VDSLR MK2 range is launching with 4 focal lengths: 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm. The 14mm T3.1 will also be ready by the first quarter of 2021. These provide angles which are essential for any creative or commercial projects. All 4 lenses are available and fully compatible with 7 camera mounts: Canon EF, Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon F, Canon M, Fuji X and MFT. They are suitable for both DSLR and mirrorless systems and ready to support all types of filmmakers around the globe.

Compact Professional Cine Lens with Long Focus Throw and De-Clicked Aperture Ring
The compact size of Samyang’s VDSLR lenses makes them perfect for hand-held and gimbal shooting. The VDSLR 50mm T1.5 MK2 is only 7.47cm (2.94″) in length and weighs just 525.8g (1.16lb), but it is fully-featured with de-clicked aperture and focus gear rings. The long focus throw of over 130° enables cinematographers to focus precisely and exactly on their subjects, creating a more professional feel to video footage than with autofocus photo lenses.

Outstanding Image Quality, Covering Full Frame Sensor Size
In contrast to their compact size, the VDSLR MK2 lenses cover full frame sensors (36x24mm) and are ready for the high-quality video making environment. This new series inherits the outstanding image quality of previous series: All 4 lenses have aspherical lens elements to reduce spherical and optical aberration, producing clear and vibrant images. The 50mm model also has a hybrid aspherical lens element to maintain compact size, without compromising performance.

Fast T1.5 for Low-Light Situations
For independent filmmakers, a versatile lens saves time and budget. The Samyang VDSLR MK2 series has fast T1.5 apertures across all 4 models, supporting filmmakers and allowing them to concentrate more on the scene and creativity, without having to concern themselves about image quality, even in low-light situations. Also, the shallow depth of field available blurs out the background and highlights the subject, adding depth to the story.

New: 9 Aperture Blades for Exceptional Bokeh and Starburst Effect
The new VDSLR MK2 series has been updated with 9 aperture blades and is able to deliver the latest image trends. The smooth and circular bokeh adds a three dimensional quality and pleasing out-of-focus effect. 18-ray starburst highlights can also be created by stopping down to small apertures.

New: Weather Sealing
As ed by many users, the MK2 series now includes a weather-sealing feature. This protects the most vulnerable gap between the lens and camera mount, to prevent dust, light rain and snow from penetrating. It provides the ability to capture stunning images in less than perfect conditions.

New: Updated Design with Side Scales
The Samyang VDSLR MK2 models have a sleek new design; black and matte finish boosts usability and professionalism on the set. They are lightweight but sturdy and fully equipped for numerous projects. The distance scales are readable from both sides, as are the focal lengths. These features support focus pullers and assistant cinematographers to operate more intuitively.

Samyang lenses can be found at B&H Photo / Amazon

via FujiAddict

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6 New Tamron Super Zoom Patents Found


Hi-lows-note found six super zoom patients on j-platpat.inpit.go.jp. These might have been created while Tamron developed their 28-200mm super zoom which is now available.

  • Tamron 18-100mm f/4.0-5.6
  • Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.5
  • Tamron 18-260mm f/3.5-6.5
  • Tamron 18-290mm f/3.5-6.5
  • Tamron 18-390mm f/3.5-6.5
  • Tamron 18-490mm f/3.5-6.5


Embodiment 1
Zoom ratio: 14.097
Image height: 14.200 mm
Focal length: 18.566 70.020 261.733 mm
F number: 3.605 5.550 6.489
Half angle of view: 37.748 10.466 3.048
Lens length: 120.000 133.768 180.000 mm
Back focus: 18.272 16.100 14.646 mm


Embodiment 2
Zoom ratio: 15.668
Image height: 14.200 mm
Focal length: 18.558 70.005 290.760 mm
F number: 3.605 5.550 6.489
Half angle of view: 38.867 10.945 2.825
Lens length: 130.000 162.903 199.994 mm
Back focus: 22.929 17.476 14.750 mm


Embodiment 3
Zoom ratio: 20.894
Image height: 14.200 mm
Focal length: 18.556 85.026 387.712 mm
F number: 3.605 5.550 6.489
Half angle of view: 38.856 9.039 2.136
Lens length: 155.243 186.883 260.000 mm
Back focus: 24.232 17.831 14.746 mm


Embodiment 4
Zoom ratio: 26.125
Image height: 14.200 mm
Focal length: 18.549 95.016 484.592 mm
F number: 3.605 5.550 6.489
Half angle of view: 38.845 8.104 1.727
Lens length: 156.884 208.996 300.000 mm
Back focus: 23.776 19.470 14.746 mm


Embodiment 5
Zoom ratio: 5.610
Image height: 13.323~14.200 mm
Focal length: 18.301 43.535 102.674 mm
F number: 4.080 5.350 5.660
Half angle of view: 39.191 17.680 7.605
Lens length: 87.002 101.835 129.999 mm
Back focus: 14.503 27.315 42.000 mm


Embodiment 6
Zoom ratio: 10.443
Image height: 13.364~14.200 mm
Focal length: 18.554 55.051 193.767 mm
F number: 3.600 5.075 6.450
Half angle of view: 38.673 13.734 4.106
Lens length: 97.735 117.599 180.000 mm
Back focus: 13.815 13.815 13.815 mm

via hi-lows-note

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Samyang Cine 24, 35, 50, 85mm Lenses Leaked


Nokishita leaked the new Samyang Cine lenses.

Samyang’s unreleased cine lens has been published in overseas stores. Mounts are Canon EF, Canon RF, Canon EF-M, Sony E, Nikon F, Fuji X, MFT.

Samyang lenses can be found at B&H Photo / Amazon

via Nokishita, FujiAddict

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DA: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Review

Dustin Abbott recently released his 35 minute Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Review around launch but I didn’t have time to summarize it until now. Below is a summary of the above video:

  • Sigma’s new 85mm design is significantly smaller than their previous revision
  • A great reasonably priced alternative to Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM
  • Designed from the ground up for E-mount
  • Aperture ring at 1/3 stop detents that can be declicked
  • Unique aperture lock
  • The manual aperture ring can be disabled and controlled in camera
  • AF/MF switch
  • Focus hold button that is programable
  • Features match the G Master at a much smaller size
  • Old design 1213g new design is 626g and the Sony GM is 821g
  • The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 is the only lighter lens at 568g
  • Sigma has superior build to the Samyang
  • 77mm new design vs 86mm old design
  • Side by size the new design is crazy small compared to the old coming in about half as long and half the weight
  • Very unique Sigma compact lens
  • 85mm has 11 aperture blades now
  • Nice lens hood with a rubberized area
  • Can focus down to 85cm with a higher magnification than the original because the original was really an 85mm
  • 15 elements in 11 groups
  • Sigma has gone from the largest lenses to the smallest
  • The old lens was spectacular optically but it shouldn’t have been that large
  • Sigma is using stepping motors for AF and so far it works well
  • Good AF speed
  • Some small glitches on the preproduction firmware
  • A little bit of hunting
  • Very fast and very quite unlike lenses like the Sony 85m GM which has a grading sound
  • Faster and smoother than the 85mm GM
  • More consistent than the old 85mm Art
  • The GM is the easiest to do focus pulls with followed by the new 85mm
  • Sigma is right up there with the Sony options
  • Pincushion distortion and vignetting had to be corrected in software to make the lens this small
  • Sigma’s original lens was very well corrected, but too big
  • Performance of the new and old lens are very close and sometimes you might prefer one or the other
  • Compared to the Sony GM the Sigma looks very similar, but sometimes the Sigma outperforms the GM
  • In the corners, the ART lenses look better but in the center, the GM looks a little better
  • Compared to the 85mm Samyang the Sigma is sharper throughout the frame
  • The Sigma is extremely sharp
  • At f/2 the results get even better and there is additional contrast
  • f/2.8 both Art lenses perform fantastic, but the old art has a slight sharpness advantage at times
  • Compared to the GM lens stopped down the Sigma is a little sharper and the GM is not as bright of a lens as the Sigma so its light transmission isn’t as good
  • At f/5.6 things are fantastic and at f/16 there is diffraction
  • Lots of detail so even good for landscape
  • Colors/contrast/details everything looks great
  • Outside of the software corrected distortion this is a fantastic lens
  • The original 85mm frames lose so it was probably an 84mm
  • At minimum focus distance, the new 85mm is superior to Sigma’s old 85mm
  • Very well controlled chromatic aberration
  • Sony GM lens has some strong green fringing
  • A little bit of cat eye in the corner stopping down the new 85mm
  • Stopped down you can see the high aperture blade count which can get a little distorted, but they are more pleasing and round on the new lens
  • Beautiful Bokeh in the background and foreground
  • You’re not going to notice the distortion without straight lines in the frame and most 85mm vignette
  • Sigma’s new ART lens is a superior lens
  • Keeping the old price point where the old lens was at gives you a big value over Sony’s 85mm GM lens

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Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art: B&H Photo / Adorama

 

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