UPDATED:The $345 Yongnuo 85mm f/1.8 FE lens outperforms the $3,990 Zeiss Otus lens?

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ThePhoBlographer spotted this surprising result posted by DxOmark. The Yongnuo 85mm f/1.8 FE lens (available at Amazon US, BHphoto, Amazon DE, Amazon UK) outperformed the ten times more expensive Zeiss Otus lens:

UPDATE: The Zeiss was tested on a lower resolution camera, and this surely had a negative influence on the score. Moreover this score is not perfect, it’s a subjective standard of scoring results. So don’t take it as a perfect tool for final judgment. Still, the Yongnuo remains impressive!

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Android OS users can now tune the Tamron lens features in the field via a smartphone

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Press text:

TAMRON announces development of TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile™ for
Android™1 OS; users can tune lens features in the field via a smartphone

August 4, 2022, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Ajisaka; Headquarters: Saitama City), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announced the development of TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile™, a dedicated application for smartphones and tablets running with Android OS that provides convenient use in the field and expands the possibilities of video and still photography.
The application is the mobile version of the TAMRON Lens Utility dedicated PC software that has earned praise from many TAMRON lens users since its release in October 2021 and was developed in-house by TAMRON.

TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile™
Application Name TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile™
DATE OF LAUNCH Planned within 20222 Compatible OS Android 6-123
Compatible Lens 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A063)
35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058)

1 Android is a trademark of Google LLC.
2 Release date is subject to change depending on development conditions.
3 Compatible with Android devices fitted with USB Type-C ports only.

Summary of TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile

October 2021 marked the release of TAMRON Lens Utility, a dedicated PC software that enables the customization of various functions of select TAMRON lenses to match the video and still photography style of the lens user. Since then, we have received feedback regarding improved convenience from customers wishing to make lens function customizations when shooting in the field. As a result, we have developed TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile for Android OS. Using the TAMRON Connection Cable4, an Android smart device can be connected to a lens to easily configure lens customizations without requiring a computer.
A new function that enables lens operations to be controlled from a smartphone has also been added. For example, the A-B Focus function that smoothly shifts the focus from one preselected subject to another can be setup without touching the lens.
Expansion of functions in the future is possible to make users even more comfortable to try out video production.
4 TAMRON Connection Cable (USB Type C to Type C) (Model CC-350) is sold separately.

* Lens firmware updates are not supported with the Mobile version. Performing firmware updates requires the TAMRON Lens Utility for PC and a computer.
* This application is designed for Android OS. Please note that iOS is not supported at this time.

Functions of TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile

  1. ●Tethered remote control

    Dedicated features developed for the smartphone can be configured to perform tethered control.
    (Features that can be configured with the Remote Set Button in the application)
    – A-B Focus: Set 2 focus positions (A and B) and make the focus shift between A and B5
    – Focus Preset: Set your desired focus position and move the focus to the recorded point by a single tap of the Remote Set Button5

  2. ●Customizing the Custom Switch or Focus Set Button (Normal functions available with the PC version)

    – A-B Focus: Set 2 focus positions (A and B) and make the focus shift between A and B5
    – Focus Preset: Set your desired focus position and move the focus to the recorded point by a single
    press of the Focus Set Button5
    – Select AF/MF: Select AF and MF function using the Focus Set Button
    – Switch Focus Ring Function (Focus/Aperture): Switch Focus Ring Function from focus adjustment to aperture adjustment
    – Assign function from the camera: Assign custom functions from the camera body to the Focus Set Button
    5 With the Mobile version, the focus travel time can be specified in 0.1-second increments. With the PC version, there are eight possible speed levels.

    *The function of the Focus Set Button can be cleared.

  3. ●Customizing the Focus Ring

    – MF Ring Rotation: Change the rotation direction of the focus ring
    – MF Method: Choose the method of focus operation when using the focus ring
    * As the application is still under development, the screenshots are subject to change without notice due to design evolution or other factors.

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Sigma 20mm lens will cost 999 Euro

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Sigma will announce the new 20mm and 24mm f/1.4 lenses on August 8, 2022 at 13:00 London time. I have been told yhe Sigma 20mm FE lens will cost 999 Euro!

 

Specs:

  • 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
    Lens configuration: 17 elements in 15 groups (2 SLD glasses, 3 aspherical lenses)
    Number of aperture blades: 11 (circular aperture)
    Minimum shooting distance: 0.23m
    Maximum shooting magnification: 1: 6.1
    Filter Diameter: 82mm
    Size: φ87.8 x 111.2mm (E-mount version 113.2mm)
    Weight: 635g (E-mount version 630g)
    AF assist function
    MFL switch (MF lock)
    rear filter holder
    lens heater retainer
    152,900 yen including tax
  • 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art
    Lens configuration: 17 elements in 14 groups (1 SLD glass, 2 FLD glasses, 4 aspherical lenses)
    Number of aperture blades: 11 (circular aperture)
    Minimum shooting distance: 0.25m
    Maximum shooting magnification : 1: 7.1
    Filter diameter:
    72mm Size: φ75.7 x 95.5mm (E-mount version 97.5mm)
    AF assist function
    MFL switch (MF lock)
    rear filter holder
    lens heater retainer
    Weight: 520g (E-mount version 510g)
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Meike 10mm f/2.0 APS-C lens review at SonyAlphaBlog

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Marc from SonyAlphaBlog tested the new Meike 10mm f/2.0 APS-C lens and concluded:

The Meike 10mm F2 and the Sony 11mm F1.8 are the best among the 4 lenses tested

The Meike is the best in term of sharpness on the entire image has low distortion, low vignetting and good color rendition but very long min focusing distance so not so good bokeh and very little background blur
The Sony is excellent in term of sharpness but corners don’t reach the same level, it has AF, very good color rendition , very short min focusing distance allowing to have very nice bokeh balls and a relatively smooth background blur

As price is quite similar the choice will be more determined by the type of photos you will do with a 10mm

It is now available at Amazon US, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.

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