Get Ready for 6mm Madness – AstrHori’s New APS-C Lens Arriving Soon

AstrHori is preparing to launch a new 6mm f/2.8 ultra-wide lens for APS-C cameras, and it looks set to be available in Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and L-mount versions. Like other lenses from the brand, it’s fully manual with no electronic contacts—but thanks to the extremely wide field of view and deep depth of field, focusing should be straightforward.

This upcoming model will complement AstrHori’s recently released 6.5mm f/2 circular fisheye lens, which offers a dramatic 192-degree field of view, extra-low dispersion glass, and a 9-blade aperture. That lens is currently priced at just $129, suggesting the 6mm f/2.8 could also come in at an attractively low price.

While no official release date has been confirmed yet, the lens already appears close to production, so its retail debut likely isn’t far off.

Sigma to Launch Ultra-Fast Primes on August 19 – What to Expect

Exciting news from trusted sources (thank you!): Sigma is preparing to host a new press event on August 19. Here’s what we’re expecting to see unveiled:

  • 200mm f/2.0 Full Frame Sports lens for Sony E and Leica L mounts
  • 35mm f/1.2 Full Frame Art lens for Sony E and Leica L mounts
  • 12mm f/1.4 APS-C lens for E/L/Z/X/RF mount

I’ve already leaked images of two out of these three lenses, and I’m expecting to receive more info — and hopefully photos — of the 200mm f/2.0 very soon.

But that’s not all! Word is Sigma is also working on a unique Full Frame travel zoom and an ultra-fast prime lens to be announced shortly after. Stay tuned!

Ricoh GR4 rumors from China

An account on Weibo reports that today Ricoh managers had a meeting with some chinese press to talk about the new GR4. This is what they claim has been said:

It’s finally here! Ricoh’s new GR4 camera is about to be officially released. On July 25, Ricoh’s new GR4 offline press conference was held. Many cooperative photographers and self-media attended the event, and each person had about 20 minutes of experience time. After that, after waiting for the works of cooperative photographers to pass the review, the new product preheating will begin…

It is reported that Ricoh GR4 is equipped with a 18.3mm F2.8 fixed lens, a 25.74 million pixel image sensor, a built-in 53G storage, 5-axis body image stabilization, and a body size of 109.5*61.2*32.5mm. The whole machine weighs only about 263 grams, including the battery. 226 grams without the battery

These 10 cameras have the BEST straight-out-of-camera JPEGS

If quick easy good results is what you want than check out the Micro Four Nerds list of best cameras for zero editing:

  1. Panasonic Lumix S9 (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama)
  2. Fujifilm X100V / X100VI (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama)
  3. OM System OM-5 (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama)
  4. Olympus PEN-F (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama)
  5. Pentax MX-1 (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama)
  6. Leica X1 / X Typ 701 (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama)
  7. Fujifilm X-A series (e.g., X-A7) (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama)
  8. Sigma fp (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama)
  9. Pentax Q / Q-S1 (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama)
  10. Lumix LX100 (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama)

PetaPixel doesn’t believe DJI will make a Full Frame mirrorless camera…but they think they should

PetaPixel wrote an article about DJI’s possibility of making a new FF mirrorless cameras:

We do not think DJI is developing a full-frame interchangeable lens mirrorless camera that will directly compete with Sony, Canon, or Nikon, which is what most of the rumors suggest.

However, that isn’t to say there isn’t room in the industry for innovation. There certainly is, especially in highly specialized segments of the camera industry. Although rumor sites and excitable photographers are clamoring for a groundbreaking camera to come along and disrupt the entire industry and take on the photo giants, perhaps instead, people should eye the fringes of the camera industry to find an area where fresh blood, whoever it is, could strike gold.

Consider the cinema-specific camera space. While all the major players, including Panasonic in the L-Mount Alliance, make high-end full-frame cameras that are well-suited for hybrid creators and even sometimes video-first users, the video-only space is significantly less crowded. There’s Nikon-owned RED, of course, and Blackmagic Design, but other high-end video camera systems are often large, bulky, and prohibitively expensive. DJI has plenty of excellent stabilization tech, impressive autofocus systems, and computational photography chops to do something interesting. DJI has already been a transformative presence in the cinema space, thanks to its Ronin products and drones. Perhaps the company could find a low-risk entry point into yet another filmmaking product class.

Perhaps. But probably not.

Curiosity: Using the DJI Focus Pro to autofocus with the Mamiya 7II medium format film camera!

Our reader Sune Eskelinen used the DJI Focus Pro to add autofocus on the Mamiya 7II with 80mm lens.

He writes:

Yes, it works. As long as you calibrated the DJI Focus pro properly (it only needs to be done once per lens). Unfortunately, my rangefinder is a bit off (I have time for a service soon), but the scale of the lens is exactly right, so the autofocus is a great help. Otherwise, I think it would be a perfect combo for the 210mm lens, which can be difficult to focus.

Another reader Alexander asked:

I wouldn’t advise it. The optomechanical construction of Mamiya 6 and 7 lenses is not suited for a follow focus motor nor a lidar AF one. Replacement focus assemblies are not available and if you manage to find one they’ll cost as much as the lens. Once the focus ring slips and they do slip the front block will go one way and that’s out and you will tear your flex cable because it will serve as a bungee cord 🙂

Sune answered:

It is not mounted directly against the lens. A ring with threads is mounted first, so the risk of the focus ring slipping is minimal. And it’s calibrated so the motor always stops before the end positions so it not damage the lens. And then it is set to the lowest torx on the motor. During the tests I did, it feels risk-free. I also always have it set to manual focus until the picture is taken. Then I switch to auto. And when the picture is taken I go back to manual.
But I’m not an expert like you, so if you think it’s a stupid idea, I’ll listen to you. The camera will soon be coming to you to calibrate the rangefinder. 😊

The cameras the companies should do according to Photolari

The Photolari team humorously critiques camera brands and proposes imaginative new products that should exist. They jokingly position themselves as barroom “know-it-alls” advising billion-dollar marketing departments. They then suggest product ideas for several brands:

OM System: Make a PEN-style compact or interchangeable-lens camera to complement their outdoor-oriented lineup; leverage Micro Four Thirds strengths for small, high-quality street cameras.
Pentax: Revisit retro-styled DSLRs, revive the quirky Pentax Q mirrorless system, and push forward their film projects or create a film GR camera.
Sony: Design an APS-C flagship (like a rumored A7000) with pro-level controls and ergonomics.
Panasonic: Offer an affordable vlog camera under €1000, modernize the GX9, make an S9 with a viewfinder, and even consider a video-only “FX-style” model targeting hybrid shooters.
Canon: Expand their retro concept (similar to Nikon Zf) into a high-end compact line, reviving the G series spirit with modern sensors and features.
Nikon: Revive the Coolpix A compact APS-C concept, release a low-cost entry-level interchangeable-lens camera for beginners, and create a pro-level APS-C body akin to the D300 or Canon R7.
Fujifilm: Offer a more affordable X100-like camera, perhaps without the hybrid viewfinder, or a refreshed XP series rugged camera; also entertain a cinema camera concept called “Eterna.”
Leica: No major critique, but jokingly suggest a Leica customization service.
DJI: Improve the Pocket line by making it larger, with more battery, better color profiles (like iPhone), dual lenses, and superior usability for vlogging.

What are your thoughts on this list?