Canon Unveils RF100mm f/2.8 L Macro: For Dental Photographers, Finally!
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7Artisans 60 mm f/2.8 APS-C: New, affordable macro lens for mirrorless cameras
7Artisans 60 mm f/2.8: Who should be interested?
If you’re a mirrorless cameras fan looking currently for a low-budget lens, this news is for you. We’ve found a great option for anyone who wants to start a dental photography adventure.
You’ve probably known the Chinese company for its outstanding, low prices. The optical quality might not be the highest, but their products are definitely sufficient for beginners in dental photography.
The cheapest macro on the market: How does it work?
- 7Artisans 60 mm f/2.8 is created for cameras with the APS-C matrix, so it gives the equivalent of 90 mm focal length
- with minimal distance of sharpening (26 cm) it gives us the maximum magnification, 1:1
- the optical system is based on 8 elements in 7 groups and has a diaphragm with 10 aperture blades, which we can close to f/16
- the lens is made of metal with a stepless aperture adjustment ring; it will be helpful for those who like to focus manually while taking photographs of the interior of the mouth and while filming
- the producer provides an extra sleeve to put on the lens: thanks to this, the front element will remain clean
- the lens is quite small: 66 x 55 mm, but also rather heavy: it weighs 550 g
Let’s have a look at some example photographs. The producer didn’t share them in high resolution, but we must say: the quality seems to be just fine.
The exhaustive list of available mounts and corresponding sensor sizes means that the lens will possess a different effective focal length, depending on which system you use:
Canon RF – 60mm
Nikon Z – 60mm
Leica L – 60mm
Sony E – 90mm
Fujifilm X – 90mm
Canon M – 96mm
Micro Four Thirds – 120mm
Price and availability
As said before, the 7Artisans products are usually available at a really good price. This macro lens confirms this opinion: it costs only 179 Euro. Even if it won’t provide the highest image quality, it’s worth to give it a chance.
Laowa 100 mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO: The uncompromising magnification
This new manual Laowa 100 mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO has no equivalent on the market.
The Chinese producer once again is ahead of its competitors with this new lens. Manual, 100 mm focal length might conquer hearts of dental photographers.
Few sample photos provided by Laowa:
The full macro
The lens has – as many others – 100 mm focal length and f/2.8 max. aperture, but its 2:1 magnification ratio (while photographing from a 24.7 cm distance) is the distinctive value. What’s more, its dimensions are 75 x 125 mm and it weighs 683 g, identical as rivals with only 1:1 magnification.
The apochromatic optical system, based on 12 lenses in 10 groups, eliminates the chromatic aberration. The producer promises also an outstanding sharpness and radiopacity.
Depending on the system, the lens will have various numbers of aperture blades: Canon EF – 9, Nikon F – 7, Sony E – 13. Mirrorless users will be able to appreciate a „soapy” blur of sharpness. The most comfortable version is the one for Canon, with an EF bayonet and equipped with contacts, making it possible to control the aperture from the camera and moving full EXIF data.
Key features:
- Focal length: 100 mm
- Open F value: F 2.8
- Filter Size: 67 mm
- Lens construction: 10 groups of 12 elements
- Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (Canon), 7 (Nikon), 13 (Sony FE)
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Maximum aperture: F 2.8
- Minimum photographing distance: 247 mm (2x)
- Maximum magnification: 2:1
- Weight: 638 g
Price and availability
The lens is already available in presale at $450. Shipping is planned for the beginning of June.
Irix 150 mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 – a new special-purpose macro lens?
After delivering two very interesting wide-angle lenses, Irix is releasing a tele-macro model, which may be one of the most perfect designs intended for dental photography.
The Irix 150 mm f /2.8 lens should meet the requirements of even the choosiest users dealing with macro photography. The manufacturer has announced that the lens contains premium optics inside a very robust sealed enclosure. With the focal length of 150 mm and the magnification ratio of 1:1, Irix 150 mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 lens offers exceptionally convenient work. The higher focal length allows you to move away from the subject, so casting a shadow is no longer a problem, and using external lamps has never been more comfortable.
Zero distortion and easy focusing
The optical system is composed of 12 elements in 9 groups, with three of them made of extra-low-dispersion glass and four others of high refractive index glass. The manufacturer promises that the effect achieved by such a design is unnoticeable distortion of 0.1%. We also get an internal focusing system, thanks to which the glass does not change its size during the focusing. What’s more, the 11-blade diaphragm is supposed to give a pleasant bokeh and to make the diffraction appear much later than in other designs when it is closed down to higher values (up to f/32).
The glass will let you focus already at the distance of 34.5 cm, while the wide rubber ring with the rotation angle of 270 degrees should guarantee high precision and improve your work culture. Another useful option available is the possibility to lock the focus ring.
Robust sealed structure
Apart from that, we get a new version of the Dragonfly finish, which combines the advantages of Firefly and Blackstone lenses. As a result, the whole is relatively light and handy (87 x 135 mm, 840 g) but is still robust – the aluminium frame was enclosed inside an outer structure made of aluminium-magnesium alloys and composite elements. There are also sealings in 5 key places (front element, focus lock ring, focus ring and bayonet mount), thanks to which you’ll be able to work in any conditions. You can screw filters with the diameter of 77 mm on the front element.
In addition, the lens is equipped with a processor, which lets you control the lens aperture from the camera level, and with an AE module, which enables semi-automatic modes (PASM). Owing to this solution you’ll get a confirmation of focus from the camera level and record full EXIF data. The set includes a lens with a deep sun hood, a tripod collar according to the Arca Swiss standard and a rigid case for safe transport and storage.
Price and availability
For the time being, the manufacturer has not disclosed the exact date and the price at which the new lens will be launched. The glass will be available in versions with Canon EF, Nikon F and Pentax K mounts.
So we’re waiting for a really interesting piece here.
Key features:
- Focal length: 150mm
- Format: 35mm “full frame”
- Mount: Nikon F, Canon EF, Pentax K
- Max aperture: f/2.8
- Min aperture: f/32
- Field of view: 16° (diagonal)
- Minimum focus distance: 34.5cm
- Focus: Manual
- Focus throw: 270°
- Magnification: 1:1
- Aperture blades: 11
- Optics: 12 elements in 9 groups
- Filter thread: 77mm
- Dimensions: 87 x 135mm (without lens hood or tripod collar)
- Weight: 840g
More information about the lenses by this manufacturer can be found under irixlens.com
Interested in other lenses suitable for dental photography? Visit our Equipment section: https://www.dentalphotomaster.com/equipment/