Innovative lens manufacturer Irix is launching its third prime lens at Photokina 2018... and it is going to be the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro.
Following its 11mm and 15mm super-wide lenses that this new optical company has released so far, Irix has been teasing about the announcement about Dragonfly over the last couple of days – but now the full details of the lens have now been finally revealed.
The lens uses three super-low dispersion glass (ED) elements, plus a further four high-refraction-index (HR) elements. Irix claims that this provides images with near-zero distortion (at a level of 0.1%, we are told).
Focus is manual only, but precise control is offered with a wide focusing ring that rotates through a full 270°. The lens is supplied with a detachable tripod ring for stable shooting from a support. A deep lens hood is also provided.
Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro – full specs
Lens mounts: Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K
Focal length: 150mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum aperture: f/32
Field of view: 16⁰ (diagonal)
Minimum focus: 0.345 m
Focus ring rotation: 270 degrees
Magnification ratio: 1:1
Number of diaphragm blades: 11
Lens construction: 12 elements in 9 groups
Weather seals: yes
Lens hood: supplied
Tripod collar: supplied
Filter size: 77 mm
Weight: 840g
Dimensions: 87 x 135 mm (without tripod collar and lens hood)
The 150mm focal length is longer than usual for a macro lens, but perfect for photographing outdoor subjects such as dragonflies, butterflies and insects – as it allows to photograph them at up to 1:1 magnification from a distance that is less likely to scare off the subject, or cast a shadow over it. Sigma already a 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro lens.
The lens is the first lens to come with what a new finish it has developed, that it has appropriately called Dragonfly. For this, the aluminium frame of the lens has been enclosed in an external structure made of aluminium-magnesium alloys and composite elements. This is said to combine the the features of the Firefly and Blackstone finishes offered on its previous two lenses.
Pricing and availability have yet to be announced.
Read more:
What new cameras are coming out in 2018? Rumors and predictions
