SLRmagic just announced a new MFT lens. Here is the press text:
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Hong Kong, China (Oct 8, 2013) – The SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 12mm T1.6 w/ Gear is a mechanical upgrade over the original SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 12mm T1.6 with optional lens gear. Due to popular request for the optional lens gear we have redesigned the mechanical design to better suit cinema needs and to match the design concept of the current SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 25mm T0.95, SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE II 35mm T0.95, and SLR Magic 35mm T1.4 CINE II. There is no change in optical design.
The field of view of this HyperPrime Lens corresponds to a 24mm lens in 35mm format and this ultra fast wide angle of view opens up many new creative composition opportunities, particularly in the fields of interior, architectural and landscape cinematography and photography. Additionally, an ultra fast max aperture of T1.6 makes the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 12mm T1.6 w/ Gear is ideal for available-light photography.
We place our highest priority in the development of all HyperPrime lenses to fulfill the demands of professional cinematographers and photographers. The design and build of the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 12mm T1.6 w/ Gear is solid and reliable.
The SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 12mm T1.6 w/ Gear will be available from authorized SLR Magic dealers end November 2013.
Upgrade program details: Owners of the original SLR Magic 12mm F1.6 (Not SLR Magic CINE 12mm T1.6) may send in their lens (regardless of user condition) to Hong Kong + $250 to upgrade their lens to the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 12mm T1.6 w/ Gear by contacting support@slrmagic.com.
Technical Data SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 12mm T1.6 w/ Gear
Lens Type: Ultra Fast wide-angle lens with three Tantalum glass elements to ensure superior cinematic performance.
Compatible Cameras: All micro four thirds mount cameras
Optical Design: 12 elements in 10 groups
Distance Settings: Distance range: 0.15m to ∞, combined scale meter/feet
Aperture: Manually controlled diaphragm, 12 aperture blades (circular), Lowest value 11
Bayonet: micro four thirds
Filter Mount: internal thread for SLR Magic 58/77 RING (optional) lens hood for 77mm filter; filter mount does not rotate.
Lens Hood: SLR Magic 58/77 RING (optional)
Surface Finish: Black anodized
Length to bayonet mount: approx. 73/81mm (approx. 2.87 /3.18in) (without/with lens hood)
Largest diameter: approx. 60/79mm (approx. 2.36 / 3.11in) (without/with lens hood)
Weight: approx. 370g (approx. 13.05oz)
Andrew Chan
Product Manager
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Current SLRmagic lenses for Micro Four Thirds:
SLR magic 11mm f/1.4 lens on [shoplink 22154 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
SLR magic Cine 12mm T/1.6 Lens at Adorama (Click here).
SLR Magic 25mm T0.95 at Adorama (Click here).
Toy Lens 26mm f/1.4 lens on [shoplink 18603 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
SLR Magic 35mm f/1.7 MC lens on [shoplink 14881 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Noktor SLRmagic 50mm on [shoplink 25691 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]
SLR Magic Pin Hole Lens at Adorama (Click here)..
26 Responses
I have to say, I was never fond of the original’s trumpet design and that was mainly the reason why I never bought one BUT THIS! now this is what I’m talking about! This new design looks A LOT better, I might finally get one now. I wish there were alternatives to adorama though.
Well, as long as you don’t intend to use filters, the lens is a little more compact. But if you do, you’ll apparently need their adapter and still have to buy 77 mm filters.
At least that’s how I understand it — 58 mm filters won’t work?
If I understand the specs correctly, the lens itself has 58 mm filter thread ( as seen in the photo ), while the optional hood has 77 mm thread. So, you have to use 77 mm filters only when you put the hood on.
Sure, you can put 58mm filters on it, but it vignettes like a demon. I use mine bareback. 😉
It’s really a nice little lens. Sharp, great color and easy to focus. I use mine after the sun goes down…
Even with the 58-77mm step up, I could only put on filter on. With two, I’d lose my corners. So yeah, you absolutely need the ring. And for multiple filters, you probably want to go bigger than 77mm.
Thought so, and the large front of the original version never looked too strange to me.
It seems sort of pointless to make the front part optional if the lens design still relies on it.
Okay, I guess I somehow missed the fact that the the 77 mm lens hood already was available for the previous two versions. Should’ve known better since I really wanted to get one, maybe the release of this third version opens some options to get an older version cheaper on eBay.
You can use any step-up ring. 58-77mm. That’s what I used.
I sold the lens, though. Got almost what I paid. I was honestly getting better images with the Fujian 35mm f/1.4 CCTV lens. The 12mm T/1.6 was totally unspectacular.
+1
Pity they haven’t made it a bit faster – in line with the rest of their range.
Don’t forget that this is T-stop and not F-stop. A T-stop of 1.6 would be an F-stop of <1.6. That lens could be F1.2, but when the light loss due the glas and reflections is considered, it becomes an T1.6. That is how I understood.
It’s about f/1.4
Unfortunately it’s not very usable at T/1.6. I always had to stop down to get decent contrast and better sharpness. Overall, pictures in low light were less sharp than with a slower lens and lower shutter speed just because of the lack of sharpness inherent in this lens. But even stopped all the way down it was still fuzzy as heck.
…or a little bit sharper. The original was pretty fuzzy for photography. I guess it would be OK for video, though.
Yeah, if only it was similar to their 35mm f0.95 then we could still be waiting for it a year from now.
The original design certainly turns heads. I’ve caught more than a few DSLR users staring at it.
The real quirky thing about it is that the focus ring is close to the body, so it took me some time to stop adjusting the aperture instead of focusing. It looks like the new one fixes that oddity.
I had the original…worst lens I ever used. Fuzzy as heck, never really in focus. Some manual focus lenses will “snap” into focus. You can clearly see when it pops into focus. The 12mm T/1.6 would get slightly sharper but never really got sharp.
I also found the contrast to be one if its weak points. It was a little hazy, to be honest. I guess if you’re doing video work, maybe these things are a problem. But I think it’s a pity they didn’t improve the optical design.
> Some manual focus lenses will “snap” into focus. You can clearly see when it pops into focus. The 12mm T/1.6 would get slightly sharper but never really got sharp.
Isn’t that how it should be for a cine lens?
I have no idea. Maybe people want that fuzzy washed-out dreamy look? It certainly didn’t fit my shooting style, where I want my focal point tack sharp.
This lens is fro video primarily.. don’t know why you’d use it for stills..
The original lens was f/1.6, and they say this has the same optical design. So T/1.6 means that they claim this lens has no light loss at all. Can’t say I believe them.
The original was f/1.6, but then they made a T/1.6 version. This is basically the third version now.
Ok, my bad then.
The T1.6 is faster than the F1.6 version?
It is funny for the company named SLR magic to release lens for mirrorless. Time to change name?
that’s the magic in SLR Magic: the mirror has… disappeared! (rimshot)
I just cancelled my order of the old version of this lens.
Is there any information on pricing? Same as the old version?