Today Cosina Japan has announced these three new lenses and six new adapters. Only the 50mm f/1.2 FE got a pricing and shipment info (April and 150.000 YEN). The rest of the new gear is in development and more details will be shared later this year.
As you know Meyer Optik has been aquired by OPC Optics. And today they honestly disclosed this:
We became aware that internally the Somnium was actually a modified Russian lens and the Nocturnus was a modified Chinese lens.
As a consequence those lines have been cut from the portfolio. They write:
“That is an absolute no go. As a German manufacturer using the ‘Made in Germany’ quality seal, this is a shameful indictment. These lenses may be perfectly good in their own right, but their production methods and marketing goes against all our principles,” states Heinze. “With us, nothing of this nature will occur”
Well that’s a good start!
Press text:
• Previous portfolio fully analyzed
• Plans for product refinements and new developments
• Collaborations with partners in Germany secured
• Launch of new website
• Sale of acquired lens stock
Bad Kreuznach – 27 February 2019 – Following the takeover by OPC Optics, Meyer Optik is taking its first steps back into the public eye by launching a completely new website. It has been a while since the press release in December 2018 announcing the takeover of the brand, but this time has been used intensively to analyze the existing products, identify improvements and carefully plan and implement the company’s next steps. MirrorlessRumors
“Once all the information about the portfolio, the technical designs etc. had been handed over to us, we realized relatively quickly that we would need to invest considerable time and effort to establish a professional infrastructure. Meyer Optik is now benefiting from the combined experience I have gained during my many years working in the optics industry and the various positions I have held in large companies in this field,” explains Timo Heinze, Managing Director of OPC Optics. “It’s fair to say that the previous organization and processes shocked us on occasions. A range of new systems was absolutely necessary to establish a professional standard of production. Seamless documentation and control is essential, be it in development, for external and internal communication or for production planning, for example.”
New range of lenses has been streamlined
After analyzing the portfolio of products most recently sold and advertised by the previous supplier, a decision was made to discontinue the Somnium and Nocturnus ranges for the time being. In line with comments in the past on various online platforms, forums etc., the current Meyer Optik staff also soon became aware that internally the Somnium was actually a modified Russian lens and the Nocturnus was a modified Chinese lens.
“That is an absolute no go. As a German manufacturer using the ‘Made in Germany’ quality seal, this is a shameful indictment. These lenses may be perfectly good in their own right, but their production methods and marketing goes against all our principles,” states Heinze. “With us, nothing of this nature will occur. At the same time, we are not ruling out launching lenses with similar characteristics in the future. But if we did decide to do so, they would, of course, be our own designs and produced by us, in order to genuinely earn the ‘Made in Germany’ label.”
A sale of stock from the takeover
As part of the takeover of the brand, OPC Optics also acquired the previous manufacturer’s stock of finished goods. These lenses have been checked by OPC and will be for sale at greatly reduced prices, for as long as stocks last. OPC Optics will, of course, honor guarantees and warranties for 2 years from the date of purchase. Any subsequent production of these lens designs or their components is not envisaged in the current development plan.
Today you save $$$ on Sandisk products sold on Amazon US (Click here).
If you buy the Capture One for Sony or Fuji Perpetual license (Click here) you save nearly 50% when using the checkout code “ivy50“. Note the code works only on the perpetual code without the styles bundle!
As expected Sony announced the new 135mm f/1.8 GM lens (preorder at BHphoto and Adorama).
What’s really surprising so far is to see that Sony did not react in any way to the new Canon, Panasonic and Nikon Full Frame mirrorless camera announcement. Six months passed and we got no new A7sIII or A7rIII or A9r or A5 or whatever….something that could grab some headlines.
I am wondering if Sony either isn’t worried or if they changed their roadmap and are developing something more “advanced” to outperform the competition. Even in the APS-C segment the Fuji X-T3 is way more popular than their A6500 or A6400.
So what’s up with Sony?
As expected today Sigma announced the release of the L-mount version of their 11 primes:
SIGMA Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the Art line prime lens lineup for full-frame cameras in L-Mount. These L-Mount series lenses have achieved high-speed AF and are fully compatible with AF-C mode, in-camera image stabilization, and in-camera aberration correction. The lineup will consist of 11 prime lenses for full-frame cameras from SIGMA’s Art line covering from 14mm to 135mm currently available in other mounts, allowing the Art line, which pursues the highest performance, to be enjoyed on L-Mount cameras.
[Features] 1.?Optimized AF for L-Mount??2.?Compatible with in-camera image stabilization??
Compatible with in-camera image stabilization, the camera automatically detects the focal length of each lens and optimizes image stabilization performance.
3.?Data pre-loaded for compatibility with in-camera aberration correction??
Fully compatible with in-camera aberration correction (corrections for peripheral illumination, chromatic aberrations, and distortion). By matching corrections to the optical characteristics of the lens, this function takes image quality to an even higher level.
4.?Native mount for a more rigid and stable feel
Making the lens mount native provides a much more rigid and stable feel to the lens than using an adapter. Featuring a surface treatment to enhance strength, the brass bayonet mount offers a high-precision fit and exceptional durability. The mount connection area incorporates rubber sealing for dust- and splash-proof construction.
5.?Available SIGMA Mount Conversion Service??
This service converts specifications of the mount of SIGMA lenses to that of a different camera body. Users can “tailor” their favorite lenses to the camera body if they plan to get a new one in the future. This allows continued use of their favorite lenses over the long term regardless of the camera system.
?1 Compatibility with each function depends on the functions available on each camera.
?2 The SIGMA Mount Conversion Service (chargeable) is different from a normal repair service. It is not available at stores. In order to apply for the service, please contact your nearest authorized SIGMA subsidiary or distributor.
SIGMA 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case supplied
SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case supplied
SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied
SIGMA 28mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied
SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied
SIGMA 40mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied
SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied
SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied
SIGMA 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied
SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case, Hood, Tripod Socket, and Protective Cover PT-21 supplied
SIGMA 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied
The SIGMA Corporation is pleased to announce the new mount converter enhancing the extensibility of the L-Mount system.
Launch: TBD
Available AF mounts: SIGMA SA-L, CANON EF-L
Appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Information
The SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-21 allows SIGMA SA mount and SIGMA’s CANON EF mount interchangeable lens owners to use their lens investment on L-Mount camera bodies. The converter allows more freedom of choice for L-Mount cameras from SIGMA, Leica Camera and Panasonic, enhancing the extensibility of the L-Mount system.
1. Effective use of lens investment
Attaching the MC-21 to your collection of SIGMA SA mount and SIGMA’s CANON EF mount compatible lenses? allows them to be used as L-Mount system lenses, promoting the effective use of valuable lenses already owned.
?See the list of compatible lenses below.
2. 29 interchangeable lenses available to be used for L-Mount cameras
The MC-21 increases the number of interchangeable lenses manufactured by SIGMA that can be used with the L-Mount system by 29 lenses. Compatible with the autocrop function, mounting APS-C size image circle DC lenses to a camera body equipped with a 35mm full size sensor still allows immediate use for shooting.
3. Fast and accurate auto focus
High precision AF photography in AF-S mode is achieved.
* Not compatible with AF-C mode.
4. Simple interface
Whether the mounted lens is compatible or not is instantly visible from the color and the on/off of the MC-21’s built-in LED. The LED also notifies the user when a lens firmware update is available.
5. Lens data is pre-loaded
Running the data pre-loaded in the MC-21 for each lens by the special control program, autofocus and aperture control have been optimized. Regarding lenses to be released in the future, data for operating these lenses via the MC-21 will be stored in the lens. It means no firmware updates of the MC-21 will be required to use those new lenses. In addition, the MC-21 also supports correction functions of camera such as peripheral illumination, chromatic aberration of magnification, and distortion.
? Comes with a tripod socket
Equipped with a socket for attaching the tripod?. Lenses not equipped with a tripod socket can be used by mounting the tripod to the MC-21.
? The tool supplied makes attaching/detaching possible.
? The inside surface of the barrel is covered with flocking to eliminate internal reflections.
To prevent a reduction in lens performance due to internal reflections, the inside surface of the barrel is covered with flocking.
? Inclusion in Exif data
Information such as lens type, focal length, F number, and other tags are embedded as Exif data in each image file.
