Modula Optica CM33
Modula Optical just launched a Kickstarter campaign to their newly developed lens, the CM33, a pancake style 33mmF2 lens.
The CM33 also has a range of modular upgrade options, like the one they call “Mods” — special optical elements (filters, lenses, etc.) that can be inserted into the middle of the lens near the aperture stop, rather than screwed on the front ring.
If you’re interested, you can take a look at their Kickstarter campaign page, as well as a press release. Modula Optical is offering a very limited number of CM33 lenses at a significant “earlybird” discount for those who back them early.
Zonlai 25mmF1.8
Did you ever hear of the [shoplink 40649 ebay]Zonlai 25mmF1.8 lens[/shoplink]? Me neither. Mirrorlessrumors spotted this Mini-Review (just a short list of Pro’s and Con’s) about the it. The [shoplink 40649 ebay]Zonlai 25mmF1.8 lens[/shoplink] is available also [shoplink 40649 ebay] for Fuji X Mount here on eBay[/shoplink]
Features:
Focal Length: 25mm
Aperture Range: F1.8-16
Focusing Range: 18cm-Infinite
Dimensions: Ф60mm X 33mm
Weight: 142g
Materials: Multi-coated Optical Glass / Metal body
Color: BLACK/SILVER
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18 Responses
The mod sounds interesting and a line of tiny pancakes would be good, however for me $799 is a bit out of my price point for a lens from a kickstarter project. I wish them well in their campaign and hope the lenses come to fruition with a decent user experience and optical quality. Cheers, Jon
25mm looks interesting. May be nice alternative to the “bulkier” Fujinon 23mm f/1.4, especially regarding the price.
There you almost have your 23mm pancake lens or maybe X100 Killer!?!? I think I will give it a try!
Found this one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/poojee/albums/72157661312832912
Corners seems to be very soft wide open.
Thanks for the link. Although I find it hard to judge from these samples, soft corners are not uncommon with fast lenses. Besides, sharp corners are usually not needed when shooting wide open.
True. Plus I’d be mostly wanting to use this lens around f8.
For <£100, that 25mm seems to be a nice little bit of kit. Certainly appeals as a walkabout lens more than the comparatively bulky 23mm or the slower and ring-less 27mm. I've got a silver X-E1 kicking around somewhere, I'll give one of these a go on that. Got a lot of inner city get-togethers coming up, I'd rather bring along a cheap lens on an old body and lose a little corner sharpness than drag along the X-T1 and 23mm, that's for sure.
I agree, but in terms of portrait photography, wouldn’t an AF lens have a certain advantage over an MF lens? AF: Quick, dirty, get the shot done. MF: always trying to keep up with people moving around.
MF with a physical distance scale is great for street though. Zone focusing gets the job done faster than any AF. And a 42mm equiv is a great FL for the job.
More like 38mm equiv.
You’re right. 38 is still good.
Not a concern of mine, I never use auto focus other than for wildlife. (Which isn’t an area I’d ever use Fuji cameras for, either, let alone a 25mm lens!)
Followed up with a seller on eBay who confirms the 25mm has a stepless aperture… probably not the preference of most Fuji shooters.
Stepless aperture – cool. Always wanted to play with such a lens.
Just ordered that Zonlai. Hope it gets here before my holiday trip to Vancouver. IF so I will post some samples from it
I’d be in on the CM33… for half the earlybird price.
Unfortunately quality costs money 🙂
just purchased the 25mm and 35mm of zonlai for a price of two lenses $200!! made an offer for 100 each and they accepted. cant wait to test this out.