Irix 45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly review

Irix 45mm f/1.4 delivers a new ‘standard’ in prime lenses for Canon, Nikon and Pentax DSLRs

Irix 45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly review
(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

You might think that the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens is big and heavy for a standard prime (because it is) but this new 45mm Dragonfly lens from Irix is even larger and weightier. Unlike the popular competing Sigma, the Irix is a manual-focus lens, which you’ll either love or hate. Either way, it has a really solid, weather-sealed construction and delivers mostly gorgeous image quality.

Pros

  • +

    Premium, weather-sealed construction

  • +

    Very good image quality

  • +

    Focus locking ring

Cons

  • -

    No depth of field markings

  • -

    Some exposure inconsistency

  • -

    Big and heavy

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New lenses for SLRs rather than mirrorless cameras have been thin on the ground lately, especially in the manual-focus camp. Available in Canon EF, Nikon F and Pentax K mount options, the Irix 45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly is a full-frame compatible standard prime that gives an entirely natural perspective, with a viewing angle of 51.4 degrees. That’s a little less restrictive than the 47 degrees (or thereabouts) of a 50mm lens on a full-frame body. Naturally, the Irix has a narrower angle of view on an APS-C format camera due to the crop factor, with an ‘effective’ focal length of 67.5mm (72mm for Canon). It’s the latest in a line of Irix manual-focus photo lenses that include 11mm and 15mm wide-angle primes, and a 150mm macro lens.

Specifications

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.