The year 2018 has been a banner one for mirrorless cameras, and there has been no shortage of lenses to go along with them. The following is a bevy of new mirrorless lenses introduced over the past year to complement the cameras in this growing category. For the sake of brevity, unless noted otherwise, all the following lenses feature 9-bladed diaphragms for “natural-looking out-of-focus highlights,” i.e., “nice bokeh.”
Canon
To go along with its new Canon EOS R, Canon has introduced four RF-series lenses. The Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM is the world’s fastest 28-70mm zoom to date. Features include Ultra-Low-Dispersion (UD) lens elements for minimizing color fringing and chromatic aberrations, a Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor AF system, and a feature found on each of Canon’s new RF-series lenses—a Customizable Control ring that enables quick and easy adjustment of exposure values, ISO, and exposure compensation.
A slightly wider, slightly longer zoom option is the optically image-stabilized Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM, which features Super Spectra Coating and a Nano USM AF System.
The Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM, which focuses down to 6.7" (1:2 life-size), should prove to be a popular semi-wide. This compact, optically image-stabilized prime lens features Super Spectra Coating and an STM Stepping AF Motor.
Low-light shooters will love the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM, a super-fast L-series normal lens containing UD and aspherical elements for optimal image quality, a Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF system, and a 10-bladed diaphragm.
To complement Canon’s APS-C format EOS-M-series cameras, there’s a new Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM, a 51.2mm-equivalent normal lens containing an aspheric lens element, Super Spectra Coating, a Gear-Type STM Stepping AF Motor, and a rounded 7-blade diaphragm.
Fujifilm
Fujifilm has introduced new XF and GF-series lenses to go along with its APS-C and medium-format cameras. The longest focal length Fujifilm GF-series lens to date is the new Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR, a 197.5mm-equivalent telephoto lens containing a single Super ED element, a Fluorine-coated front element, and dual ED elements along with a Linear AF motor, optical image-stabilization, a Focus Pre-set Function button, and dust- and weatherproof construction.
Fujifilm also introduced a pair of X-mount lenses. The Fujifilm XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR (12-24mm equivalent) is a weather-sealed wide zoom that features 3 ED, 3 Super ED, 4 aspheric elements, and a Field Curvature Correction element. Other features include Nano Gl coatings and a Linear Focus AF motor.
If your focal-length needs for an X-mount lens are on the long side, take note of the Fujifilm XF 200mm f/2 OIS WR Lens with XF 1.4x TC F2 WR Teleconverter Kit, a weather-sealed, fixed 305mm equivalent telephoto lens containing a Super ED and dual ED elements for optimally sharp imagery. Other features include 5-stop image-stabilization, a Focus Preset button, and for pushing the focal range even further—an XF 1.4x TC F2 WR teleconverter for an effective 280mm focal length (or 420mm 35mm equivalent).
Hasselblad
Hasselblad introduced a trio of X-system lenses. Each of these new AF lenses features central lens shutters with top flash sync speeds of 1/200-second, which is a big deal for studio and fill-flash shooters, and internal focusing with full manual override. The widest of the bunch is the Hasselblad XCD 21mm F4, a 17mm equivalent super-wide featuring dual aspheric lens elements, 77mm filter threads, and a minimum focusing distance of 1.05'.
Closer to normal is the Hasselblad XCD 65mm F2.8 , a 50mm equivalent lens with a minimum focusing distance of 1.6' and 67mm filter threads.
The Hasselblad XCD 80mm F1.9 is the fastest lens ever produced by Hasselblad since its inception. A 63mm equivalent lens, the XCD 80mm f/1.9 focuses down to 2.3' and has 77mm filter threads.
Leica
The Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH is a dust- and moisture-resistant L-mount wide zoom containing 3 Low-Dispersion elements, internal focusing, and a floating lens system for optimal edge focus at wider focal lengths. Other features include Multi-Layer and AquaDura coatings and a Stepping AF motor for quick, accurate autofocusing.
Leica’s APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH LHSA, now discontinued, was a limited-run (300 in chrome, 300 in black), manual-focus, Apochromatic normal lens aimed at collectors. Unlike Uncle Bob’s 50mm Summicron, they feature engraved LHSA (Leica Historical Society of America) logos on the bayonet mount, and engraved serial numbers on the aperture ring. Technical features include a single aspheric element, a floating element design, and a minimum focus distance of 2.3'.
The Leica Noctilux-M 75mm f/1.25 ASPH. is Leica’s longest high-speed Noctilux to date. Designed for optimized imaging under low light at maximum aperture, Leica’s speedy, manual-focus 75mm M-mount lens contains dual aspheric elements, anomalous partial-Low-Dispersion glass, floating elements, an 11-blade diaphragm, a retractable lens hood, and a minimum focusing distance of 2.8'. Also included with each lens is a huge dollop of undeniable ego satisfaction.
Lensbaby
Never known as a company satisfied to rest on its laurels, Lensbaby has introduced the Lensbaby Sol 45mm f/3.5, an all-metal, manual-focus lens featuring a fixed f/3.5 aperture with 0-8.5° of tilt control and a minimum focus distance of 14". What sets the Sol 45 apart from other Lensbaby lenses is a pair of front-mounted adjustable blades that enable you to further push the creative limits of fuzzy-cornered picture-taking. The Sol 45 is available in Sony E and Fujifilm X mounts.
If the Sol 45 wets your whistle but you wish it were wider-angle, Lensbaby also offers the Lensbaby Sol 22mm f/3.5, which focus’s down to 3.5" and is available in Sony E, Fujifilm X, and MFT lens mounts.
Nikon
Now that Nikon has entered the full-frame mirrorless camera business, the company has introduced a trio of compact Z-series lenses to go along with the new cameras.
The Nikkor Z 24-70 F4 S zoom features a single aspherical Extra-Low-Dispersion and 3 aspheric lens elements, and a rounded, 7-blade diaphragm. The other lenses include a compact normal lens—a Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S, which contains a pair each of ED and aspheric lens elements, and an equally compact, semi-wide Nikkor Z 35mm F1.8 S , which features dual ED and 3 aspheric lens elements.
Common to each of the new weather-sealed Nikkor Z lenses are Stepping Motor AF systems, programmable control rings for quick, on-the-fly exposure controls, and Nano Crystal and Super Integrated lens coatings.
Panasonic
To go along with its recently announced full-frame cameras, Panasonic also announced a new line of full-frame lenses, including a 50mm f/1.4, a 24-105mm zoom, and a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom, which will make their physical debut when the cameras come to market. Stay tuned.
What is available is the new Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS, a 100-400mm equivalent lens designed for use with Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds System. Splash-, dust-, and freezeproof, Panasonic’s long-reaching zoom features 2 UED, 2 ED, 3 aspheric, and 1 UHR lens element, which together deliver clean, crisp images. Other features include POWER Optical Image-stabilization, Nano surface coatings, and a high-speed 240 fps AF system.
Rokinon
If you’re looking for a compact, inexpensive wide-angle autofocus lens for your Sony E-mount camera, look no further than the Rokinon AF 24mm /2.8 FE. Priced at less than $400, this lightweight prime lens contains 2 HR and 3 aspheric Ultra Multi-coated lens elements, a 7-bladed diaphragm, and manual-focus override. Best part: despite its low price, it focuses fast, and takes surprisingly sharp pictures.
The Samyang AF 24mm F2.8 FE is one and the same as the abovementioned Rokinon 24mm f/2.8 FE. The nametag is the only difference between them.
Also new from Rokinon is the Rokinon 85mm F1.8, which is available in Canon EF-M, Sony E, MFT, and Fujifilm X-mounts. A 136mm equivalent lens (170mm on MFT cameras), Rokinon’s manual focus portrait lens contains Ultra Multi-Coated Extra-Low-Dispersion and High Refractive lens elements for sharp imaging.
Sigma
Sigma has come a long way for a so-called “third-party” lens manufacturer, and nowhere is this clearer than in its newest ART-series lens, the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 ART lens for Sony E-mount cameras. This true normal lens (56.8°AoV) contains 3 FLD, 3 SLD, and a single aspheric element, and all are Super Multi-coated. Other features of this weather-sealed lens include protective front element coatings, and a Hyper Sonic AF motor with manual override.
Equally tempting is the Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens for Sony E-mount cameras. This impressively large-aperture portrait lens features 3 FLD, 2 SLD elements, and a single aspherical element—all with Super multi-coatings. The lens is weather-sealed with special protective coatings on the front element. It also has a Hyper Sonic AF motor, full manual override, and a removable rotating Arca-compatible tripod collar.
Macro enthusiasts have been hot-to-trot over Sigma’s 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art lens for Sony E-mount cameras. Featuring dual Super multi-coated FLD, SLD, and single Low-Dispersion and aspherical elements, Sigma’s weather-sealed 70mm macro focuses down to 10.2" for life-size imaging. It also sports a Coreless DC AF motor and a brass lens mount.
Wide, fast, and “ARTy” describe the Sigma 28mm F1.4 DG HSM ART lens, which sports dual FLD elements and a trio each of FLD and SLD lens elements. As with all ART-series lenses, the new 28mm features weather sealing, front protective coatings, Super multi-coating, and a Hyper Sonic AF motor with manual override.
For Sony E shooters, Sigma has introduced the Sigma 19mm f/2.8 DN Contemporary, a 28.5mm equivalent wide-angle lens with 3 glass-molded aspheric elements, Super Multi-coating, inner-focusing and a minimum focus of 7.9". A 19mm f/2.8 DN Contemporary lens is also available for Micro Four Thirds shooters.
Slightly longer is the Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary (84mm equivalent Sony E, 112mm MFT), a weather-sealed portrait-friendly lens containing an SLD element, dual aspheric elements, Super Multi-coating and a Stepping Motor AF system.
Sony
The Sony 24mm F1.4 GM has long been anticipated by Sony E-mount shooters. Fast and wide, Sony’s full-frame 24mm contains dual XA and 3 ED elements with Nano AR and Fluorine coatings for maximum image quality. Other features include dust and moisture-proof construction, a Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave AF motor, a Focus Hold button, a de-click switch for quiet video capture, and a rounded, 11-blade diaphragm.
On the long side is Sony’s FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS, an image-stabilized, weather- and dustproof, magnesium-alloy super tele containing 3 Fluorite and a single ED element with Nano AR and Fluorine coatings, an XD Linear Motor AF system, a rotating tripod collar and a rounded, 11-bladed diaphragm.
Sony APS-C format shooters have been talking about the Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (27-202.5mm equivalent), an image-stabilized wide-to-long telephoto zoom that focuses down to 1.5'. It features 2 ED and a single aspheric element, a Linear AF system, and a rounded 7-blade diaphragm.
Tamron
Tamron’s 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD is an extremely agreeable wide-to-short telephoto zoom for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras. It’s moisture resistant and contains 1 XLD, 1 LD, and 3 aspheric elements. Other features include BBAR and Fluorine coatings and an RXD Stepping AF Motor.
Tokina
A year after introducing its first FiRIN-series lens for Sony E-mount cameras, the FiRIN 20mm f/2 FE, Tokina has added autofocus to this very able super-wide. The exterior of the new Tokina FiRIN 20mm F2 FE AF differs from its MF counterpart, but it’s optically identical and takes photographs that are as tasty as the original 20mm FiRIN.
Venus Optics
If you shoot with a Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M, or Sony E-mount camera and need an APS-C-format Superwide, check out the Venus Optics Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D, a 14.4mm equivalent, manual-focus rectilinear super wide containing 2 aspheric and 3 Extra-Low-Dispersion elements with Frog Eye dust and water-repellent coatings.
One of the oddest lenses made for Sony E-mount cameras has to be the Venus Laowa 24mm F14 Macro Probe, an odd-looking, manual-focus macro lens that focuses from twice life-size (2:1) to infinity. It features a waterproof lens barrel, a built-in LED ring light, and it can focus down to 0.8" for insane close-ups.
Another Venus Laowa lens for Sony E-mount cameras is the Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus, a manual-focus portrait lens featuring 1 Extra-Refractive Index element, 3 Low-Dispersion elements, and an Apodization element for smooth, pleasing skin renditions. It also dual diaphragms, 8-blades and 14-blades, depending on the look you’re after.
Voigtländer
Voigtländer has introduced three new lenses: one M-mount and two Sony E-mount. The M-mount lens is a manual-focus, super-fast 50, the Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.2 Aspherical Lens, which features 1 Partial dispersion element and dual aspheric elements, a minimum focus distance of 2.3', and a 12-blade diaphragm.
The Voigtländer Color-Skopar 21mm f/3.5 Aspherical Lens for Sony E is a compact, manual-focus wide-angle containing one aspherical element, a minimum-focus distance of 7.9", and a 10-blade diaphragm.
For shooting sharp-as-a-tack close-ups, the company has also introduced the Voigtländer MACRO APO-LANTHAR 110mm f/2.5 Lens for Sony-E, a manual-focus apochromatic optical design with a minimum focus of 13.7" for exceptionally-sharp 1:1 close-ups, and a 10-blade diaphragm.
Zeiss
The ZEISS Batis 40mm f/2 CF Lens for Sony E is another “true normal” lens with a classic Distagon design. Zeiss’s latest Batis-series autofocus lens features 3 aspheric and 4 Low-Dispersion elements with Zeiss T* coatings, dust- and moisture-resistant construction, a Linear AF motor, floating elements for sharper edge detail and, like all Batis lenses, an OLED of focus distance and DoF referencing.
ZEISS’s Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Lens for Sony E Mount is another Distagon lens design, this time in the form of a compact manual-focus wide-angle lens containing 2 Anomalous Partial-Dispersion elements, and a single aspheric element with Zeiss T* coatings. Other features include a 10-bladed diaphragm, all-metal, weather-resistant construction, and the aperture can be de-clicked for quiet video capture.
Have you tried any of the lenses mentioned above? Tell us what you think in the Comments section, below!