A compact, lightweight and versatile prime lens has just been announced by Canon; the RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM is only 270g and 6.3cm long. Despite it’s small size Canon has packed in features with image stabilization, close macro focussing and a silent STM motor making this new lens a poweful addition to any EOS R series camera. Great for details as well as environmental portraits and general views this lens will be in the kit bag for photographers shooting weddings, travel, street, portraits, vlogging and more. Canon RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM Key Features
High Quality Wide Angle: The 24mm focal length is arguably the widest focal length lens available without introducing distracting distortion to images especially with people in the frame. Canon have a long history of producing spectacular wide angle lenses and we expect this lens to be perfect for environmental portraiture and travel photography, capturing people within their environments. Canon has used an asphercal element and lens coatings in the lens construction to imforve image clarity and control for chromatic aberration.
5-Stop Optical Image Stabilisation: Canon IS lenses strady your image using a floating optical element group to ounter the effects of hand-held camera shake. Shoot hand-held at slower shutter speeds with confidence and enjoy smoother video footage witht the Canon RF 24mm Macto IS STM. When paired with an EOS R system mirrorless body featuring in-body stabilisation the benefit increases to a 6.5 stop advantage as the body and lens benefit from rapid communication afforded by the RF lens mount.
Compact and Lightweight: 6.3cm in legth and only 270g this lens will fit in any camera bag, can be carried all day and is an un-obtrusive size for street photography.
Fast bright f/1.8 aperture: a 9-blade aperture mechanism delivers a circular aperture at all f-stops for smooth out of focus areas and beautiful background bokeh. The f/1.8 maximum aperture will deliver a shallow depth of field to isolate subjects from busy backgrounds.
Close focussing: a minimum focus distance of 14cm combines the benefits of macro photography (0.5x magnification or half life size projected onto the image sensor) and a wide angle lens that will let you get close while showing your subject in it’s environment. The water droplets and shallow depth of field on the rose, and marbles images below show how close you can get – perfect for capturing detail.
Customisable on-lens controls: A customisable on-lens control ring can be used to dial in settings from the lens, set the control ring for Manal focussing, ISO control, swiching between AF settings or selecting aperture without removing your hand from the lens.
Smooth Silent STM motor: The Canon STM motor or stepping motion has a smoother and quieter action ideal for recording video the STM motor delivers smooth focus pulls. If you have a microphone mounted on camera the STM motor is quieter than the USM equivalent so you will not pick up any sound from the lens while the STM focus motor is working.
The Canon RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM Lens £719 The lens is available to pre-order just contact our sales team on sales@fixationuk.com or call us on 0207 582 3294 to pre-order.
Nikon announces a new full-frame super-telephoto prime lens for the mirrorless Z system. The NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S is a smaller lighter version of the super-fast f/2.8 aperture version launched in January. The 400mm focal length is a go-to lens for sports, wildlife, and nature photography and with a smaller maximum apperture this new announcement from Nikon is significantly more compact, lightweight and lighter on the wallet than its f/2.8 counterpart.
The Nikon Z 400mm f4.5 VR S Lens £3,299 The lens is available to pre-order just contact our sales team on sales@fixationuk.com or call us on 0207 582 3294 to pre-order.
Nikon Z 400mm f4.5 VR S Lens
Nikon Z 400mm Build Quality
Built to give photographers every advantage out in the field, the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S is impressively lightweight at only 1245g and 23.5 cm long. weather sealing and a rubber gasket keep dust, dirt, and moisture out of all moving parts. Nikon’s fluorine coat makes it easy to wipe the front lens element clean. Controls on the lens are customisable with two function buttons one close to the body and one on the larger barrel towards the front of the lens for fast access to settings in any given shooting situation.
Nikon Z 400mm f4.5 TC VR S lens detail showing on-lens controls and tripod mount ring.
Nikon Z 400mm Key Features
Powerful VR: Powerful in-lens optical VR gives a 5.5-stop advantage. This increases to 6.0 stops if paired used with the Nikon Z 9, Synchro VR.
Teleconverter compatibility: extend the reach to 560 mm with a Nikon Z TC-1.4x, or 800 mm with a Nikon Z TC-2.0x teleconverter. Using teleconverers reduce the maximum aperture by 1 and 2 stops respectively but with superb ISO performance from Nikon this should be no issue if you need to get closer.
Compact and Lightweight: 234.5mm in legth and only 1245g this lens will fit in a standard camera bag and give you telephoto reach whenever you need it without any additional cases or carry requirements that come with larger telephoto lenses.
Exquisite detail: Nikon’s ED, Super ED, and SR glass elements counter chromatic aberrations. ED stands for Extra-low Dispersion which reduces colour fringing at high-contrast edges. Super ED glass offers and improvement on ED elements Super Extra-low Dispersion. SR glass elements combat blue fringing bringing all wavelengths into a precise point where corrections had previously focused on red-magenta wavelengths. Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coat optical coatings significantly reduce ghosting and flare.
Weather sealed and robust: sealing around all moving parts keeps dust and moisture at bay, and Nikon’s fluorine coating protects the front element. As a repair centre we must caution that no DSLR lens is completeley waterproof – a rain cover is essential to keep your kit dry when shooting in the rain.
Balanced: the lens’ centre of gravity is towards the rear for more stable operation. The tripod foot allows optimum balance when the lens is attached to a tripod. The foot is removable for a more compact form or when travelling.
Customisable on-lens controls: two custom function buttons L-fn and L-fn2 can be set to change different parameters whether that is snapping to a particular focus point or allowing modfication of a camera setting such as ISO without moving your hand off the lens. These butons once set up can make working with the lens much smoother. In addition there is a silent control ring that can be used to dial in settings from the lens. Switches on the lens are AF / M for switching off Autofocus if you are locked onto a subject at a set distance. The focus limit switch allows you to select the full focal distance range or limit to subjects between 6m and Infinity which makes locking on to a subject much faster as the motor has to move the optics in a smaller range.
The NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S: £3,299 The lens is available to pre-order just contact our sales team on sales@fixationuk.com or call us on 0207 582 3294 to pre-order.
Authorised Nikon Service Centre
At Fixation we are proud to be an official repair centre for Nikon in the UK able to service the current DSLR and mirrorless range of camera bodies and lenses. As a repair partner with Nikon for over 30 years we can complete many warranty repairs in-house, our technicians specialise in photographic repair making us the destination for profressional photographers. All our spare parts for repairs are supplied by Nikon to ensure all repairs are completed with genuine Nikon spares.
With the support of our in-house workshop our customers at Fixation know they will always recieve the best technical insights when investing in new equipment.
Today, Nikon announces a new full-frame super-telephoto prime lens for the mirrorless Z system. The NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S with built-in teleconverter features a fast f/2.8 aperture and phenomenal AF performance. The 400mm focal length is a go-to lens for sports, wildlife, and nature photography with versatility out of the box with thanks to the built-in 1.4x extender.
The Nikon Z 400mm f2.8 TC VR S attached to the Nikon Z9 flagship mirrorless camera body.
Nikon Z 400mm Build Quality
Built to give photographers every advantage out in the field, the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S also boasts an impressively lightweight build, just under 3kg (2950g). The lens is well balanced with the centre of gravity moved towards the rear of the lens improving the handling especially for long-duration use. For sport and wildlife photogrpahy sealing around all moving parts is standard to keep dust and moisture at bay. Controls on the lens are customisable for the perfect setup in any given shooting situation. The lens features a FN function ring to control the aperture in an intuitive way or to modify a custom setting of your choice. A Kensington® Security allows you to secure your lens if it is necessary to leave the lens outside your line-of-sight.
Nikon Z 400mm f2.8 TC VR S lens detail showing drop in filter, built in teleconverter switch and memory set button for pre-programmed focus distances.
Nikon Z 400mm Key Features
Built-in 1.4x teleconverter: a flick of a switch on the right side of the lens is all it takes to engage the teleconverter and extend the reach of this lens to 560 mm.
New AF motor design: The NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is the first Z lens to adopt Nikon’s new Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor (VCM) focusing system with optical ABS encoder: autofocus is faster and quieter, with spot-on subject acquisition and tracking. Silky Swift VCM focusing system with optical ABS encoder delivers phenomenally fast autofocus with spot-on subject acquisition and tracking.
Optical Vibration Reduction: gives a 5.5-stop advantage even when shooting with the built-in teleconverter activated, Synchro VR is available when this lens is paired with the Z 9.
Meso Amorphous Coating on lens elements: It’s also the first Z lens to feature Nikon’s new Meso Amorphous Coat, which offers the highest anti-reflection performance in NIKKOR history. This new coating employs particles smaller than nano particles. Nano coatings had become standard on the best Nikon lenses for the last 10+ years. The Meso Amorphous coating improves control over ghosting and flare. Nano coating was already remarkable so we expect clarity and contrast to be perfect, reducing flare and haze even if shooting scenes with multiple light sources in the frame. This new class-leading anti-reflective coating combats ghosting and flare by eliminating incidental light coming from both diagonal and vertical directions.
Exquisite detail: Nikon’s ED, Super ED, and SR glass elements counter chromatic aberrations. ED stands for Extra-low Dispersion which reduces colour fringing at high-contrast edges. Super ED glass offers and improvement on ED elements Super Extra-low Dispersion. SR glass elements combat blue fringing bringing all wavelengths into a precise point where corrections had previously focused on red-magenta wavelengths.
Weather sealed and robust: sealing around all moving parts keeps dust and moisture at bay, and Nikon’s fluorine coating protects the front element. As a repair centre we must caution that no DSLR lens is completeley waterproof – a rain cover is essential to keep your kit dry when shooting in the rain.
Balanced: the lens’ centre of gravity is towards the rear for more stable operation. The tripod foot allows optimum balance when the lens is attached to a tripod. The foot is useful handle for carrying such a large lens but for a more compact form or when travelling, the foot is removable.
Customisable on-lens controls: functions can be assigned to the FN ring, as well as to the Fn buttons, focus ring, and silent control ring. Save focus distances to the memory-set button.
Drop-in filter slot: add drop in filters such as polarisers and ND filters for more control in challenging lighting situations.
Teleconverter Compatibility: supports use of the Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4x and Z TELECONVERTER TC-2.0x this will extend the focal length range even further and can be used in combination with the built-in teleconverter.
Nikon Z 400mm Focal Length Range Chart
Combination
400mm
400mm with built-in teleconverter deployed
Z 400mm f2.8 TC VR S Lens only
400mm f/2.8
560mm f/4.0
Lens plus Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x
560mm f/4.0
784mm f/5.6
Lens plus Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x
800mm f/5.6
1120mm f/8.0
Authorised Nikon Service Centre
At Fixation we are proud to be an official repair centre for Nikon in the UK able to service the current DSLR and mirrorless range of camera bodies and lenses. As a repair partner with Nikon for over 30 years we can complete many warranty repairs in-house, our technicians specialise in photographic repair making us the destination for profressional photographers. All our spare parts for repairs are supplied by Nikon to ensure all repairs are completed with genuine Nikon spares.
With the support of our in-house workshop our customers at Fixation know they will always recieve the best technical insights when investing in new equipment.
Sony has announced a trio of compact lightweight prime lenses. These are all lighter and smaller than their closest G-Master equivalents thanks to their f2.8 and f2.5 apertures. The lenses are compatible with all Sony full frame mirrorless cameras for a travel friendly photography kit.
The Trio: Sony FE 28mm f2.8 G Sony FE 40mm f2.5 G Sony FE 50mm f2.5 G
The lenses are £629 each including VAT Put your name on our waiting list and our sales team will be in touch as soon as stock is available. Email us at sales@fixationuk.com or call 0207 582 3294
Compact and strong
Sony have made each lens around 170g and have not compromised on build quality with metal exterior barrels and a metal lens hood to keep the lenses robust. The iris ring markings and focal length information are all engraved in the metal work for longevity.
Uniform design
Their uniform size 68mm diameter x 45mm length, makes these lenses easy to add to a kit bag and the Designers at Sony have even kept the filter thread uniform 49mm for each lens so they can share polarizing filters or a Lee filter kit.
Image quality
There is no compromise in image quality with aspherical and ED (extra-low dispersion) elements in use to control chromatic aberration. With smaller optics these lenses will deliver consistent sharp images that stand up to the test of Sony’s high resolution imaging sensors.
We are excited to see these lenses and hope to have our first delivery from late April.
The lenses are £629 each including VAT Put your name on our waiting list and our sales team will be in touch as soon as stock is available. Email us at sales@fixationuk.com or call 0207 582 3294
Now that optical technology is improving and lenses like the 100-400mm are getting lighter and lighter, carrying a broad-range telephoto zoom lens is starting to make more sense than carrying around multiple lenses.
Many news and sports photographers swear by their 100-400mm lenses – we recently spoke to Times photographer Richard Pohle to get the lowdown on why he loves his so much – which is why we’ve put together this guide to the various 100-400mm lenses that are available for different systems.
Each lens has its own characteristics and strengths, which are worth being aware of before you jump in with both feet. In our guide, we’ve included the best of the best for all the major pro systems – Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, Fujifilm X and Canon RF – as well as a few third-party options for those who are looking to pick up a great lens on a budget.
Canon EF
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS II USM
Construction: 21 elements in 16 groups Image stabilisation: 4-stop Optical Stabiliser Minimum focusing distance: 0.98m Weather-sealing: Yes Weight: 1,640g
Refining and perfecting a formula that was already pretty darn great to begin with, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is the second version of the firm’s 100-400mm lens for EF mount, and it’s a professional-grade optic for the working photographer.
Exceptionally sharp thanks to its sophisticated optical construction, the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM uses a rotating zoom mechanism, rather than the push-pull design of previous models, making it easier and more intuitive to operate. This rotation incorporates a Zoom Touch Adjustment Ring, which can be customised to suit the user’s preferred feel of zoom control. Image quality is outstanding, autofocus is zip-fast thanks to the USM motor, and Canon also includes its 4-stop Optical Stabiliser, making the lens even more useful when shooting handheld.
Weather-sealed for outdoor shooting, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is an exceptional tool for any Canon-shooting pro who needs reach, quality and flexibility.
Nikon F
Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Nikon 80-400mm AF-S Nikkor f4.5-5.6G ED VR
Construction: 20 elements in 12 groups Image stabilisation: 4-stop Vibration Reduction Minimum focusing distance: 1.5m Weather-sealing: No Weight: 1,570g
The Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR gives you slightly more latitude to play with, with a focal range that starts at 80mm rather than the more common 100mm. Designed for use with the firm’s FX-format SLRs, it’s very much a professional lens for the serious user, boasting such features as Vibration Reduction (VR) system for minimising camera-shake, and the Silent Wave Motor (SWM) that enables fast and accurate autofocus.
Nikon has included 4 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and one Super ED glass element in the optical construction of the lens in order to ensure top-notch sharpness, while the inclusion of Nano Crystal Coat helps to minimise flare and ghosting, even when you’re shooting into the light.
Sony E
Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master OSS
Sony FE 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 G Master OSS
Construction: 22 elements in 16 groups Image stabilisation: Optical SteadyShot Minimum focusing distance: 0.98m Weather-sealing: Yes Weight: 1,395g
Sony’s G Master lenses are some of the finest optics around, and the FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master OSS is an exceptionally good lens for anyone lucky enough to be using a full-frame Sony E-mount camera. Its impressively innovative autofocusing system combines floating focus with a double linear motor and a Direct Drive SSM system, making for super-fast and accurate autofocus.
The inclusion of Sony Nano AR coating eliminates flare and ghosting in images, while the lightweight magnesium-alloy construction means it’s lighter to carry than both the Canon and Nikon optics above. Creating super-silky background bokeh is a cinch thanks to the nine-bladed aperture and ED glass elements, making it an ideal lens for wildlife portraiture or sports shooting.
Professional grade, powerful and portable, the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master OSS really is one of the best 100-400mm lenses around.
Fujifilm X
Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 R LM OIS
Construction: 21 elements in 14 groups Image stabilisation: 5-stop image stabilisation Minimum focusing distance: 1.75m Weather-sealing: Yes Weight: 1,375g
As the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR works with Fujifilm X cameras, which have APS-C sensors, its “true” focal length is actually 152-609mm, giving you a little extra telephoto reach that’s useful for wildlife photography. The lens is thoroughly kitted out for outdoor photography, with a construction that features 13 water- and dust-resistant seals at 12 points, and can operate in temperatures as low as -10°C.
Lightweight and speedy, with a five-stop stabilisation system, the lens is great for picking out fast-moving targets and producing images full of vibrant details and contrast. Also, thanks to the maximum magnification of 0.19x, the lens can be used as a telephoto macro, opening up plenty of interesting possibilities.
A super-telephoto made with the attention to detail and quality that Fujifilm are known for, the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lets you push the X system even further.
Canon RF
Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Construction: 20 elements in 14 groups Image stabilisation: 5-stop image stabiliser Minimum focusing distance: 0.9m Weather-sealing: Yes Weight: 1,530g
The first super-telephoto zoom for the RF system, Canon actually gives range-hungry shooters an extra bit of focal length to play with, as this lens runs from 100mm to an impressive 500mm.
If you’re planning to shoot sports of wildlife images then you’re pretty much set for life here. The Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM’s construction incorporates Super UD and UD elements for a superior image free from distortion, while ASC coatings control for unwanted reflections. It’s easy to control functions with the customisable control ring, while the body is also sealed to dust and water, with an additional heat shield coating. If you need to push the focal length still further, it’s also compatible with Canon’s RF 1.4x and 2x extenders.
The next generation of optics looks to be in good hands, with the Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens representing an exciting new frontier of imaging.
Third-party 100-400mm lenses
Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD
Tamron 100-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di VC USD
Available for: Canon EF, Nikon F
Construction: 17 elements in 11 groups Image stabilisation: 4-stop Vibration Compensation Minimum focusing distance: 1.5m Weather-sealing: Yes Weight: 1,120g
A budget alternative for those who don’t want to pay the premium for Canon or Nikon’s own 100-400mm lenses, this Tamron optic ticks a huge number of boxes for a lens of its price. As well as including features like four-stop Vibration Compensation and a minimum focusing distance, it’s also sealed against dust and moisture.
Autofocus performance is quick and accurate thanks to the USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) and Dual MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) control system, while three LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements help to reduce aberration and distortion. The lens also sports an eBAND coating to reduce unwanted reflections, for clean and crisp images.
Despite its budget price, this is a seriously impressive lens, and any Canon or Nikon user looking to save some cash should definitely consider it.
Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
Available for: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma
Construction: 21 elements in 15 groups Image stabilisation: Optical stabiliser Minimum focusing distance: 0.16m Weather-sealing: No Weight: 1,160g
Another budget-friendly lens that’s definitely worth considering for Canon and Nikon users, the Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens is designed around providing the user with as much shooting flexibility as possible. This means that as well as that generous focal range, you also get a choice between a twist or push-pull zooming action, an algorithm-based optical stabiliser, and an impressively short minimum focusing distance of just 160cm, which puts close-up shooting in play. And with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.8, this lens is very much capable of macro imagery.
The Hypersonic Motor provides quick and quiet autofocus,and the incorporation of four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) elements reduces colour fringing and chromatic aberrations for a final image that’s clear, sharp and full of contrast.
The value for money you get with the Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary is truly fantastic, and makes it pound-for-pound one of the most enticing 100-400mm lenses around.
Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS
Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 Contemporary DG DN OS
Available for: Sony E, L-mount
Construction: 22 elements in 16 groups Image stabilisation: Optical stabiliser Minimum focusing distance: 1.12m Weather-sealing: Yes Weight: 1,135g
This lightweight 100-400mm lens is basically the rough equivalent of Sigma’s other Contemporary lens, but this one for mirrorless shooting. It comes in Sony E and L-mount fits, and is much lighter than a typical lens of its type, weighing in at just 1,135g. Despite its impressively budget price, the lens packs in plenty of upscale features: there’s the stepping motor autofocus system that’s fast and practically silent, there’s the electronically coupled manual focus ring, there’s the choice between push-pull or twist-action zoom.
We could go on. And we will – the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS also sports an optical stabiliser that’ll give you about four stops of compensation, and an impressive optical construction that ensures the lens punches well above its weight in terms of image quality.
This is an excellent telephoto zoom, and at a bargain price to boot.
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