New Irix 15mm f/2.4 seems pretty exciting

crimbfighter · Mar 20, 2016

I know nothing about the company, but if this new lens is a good one and doesn't have a price tag in the clouds I would definitely be interested. I've been in the market for a UWA but might wait to see how this shakes out. It's got some great features, for sure!

New Irix 15mm F/2.4 Full Frame Lens For Nikon F Mount | Nikon Rumors

480sparky · Mar 20, 2016

Not sure if it's worth the money over my old-school Tokina 17/3.5SL if all I'm gaining is less than 7° FOV.

crimbfighter · Mar 20, 2016

480sparky said:
Not sure if it's worth the money over my old-school Tokina 17/3.5SL if all I'm gaining is less than 7° FOV.

If you've already got an UWA that suits your needs i would imagine it wouldn't be worth the change. I personally would like wider than 17mm, but that's me. I was looking at the bower/samyang/rokinon 15mm, but it suffers from quite bad complex distortion at close focusing distances, so I went away from that choice. If the price is reasonable, with the added usefulness of being ready to accept front filters and rear gel filters, I think it may be a good contender for what I'm looking for.

480sparky · Mar 20, 2016

crimbfighter said:
........... I personally would like wider than 17mm, but that's me...........

Then take a gander at the Siggy 12-24.

crimbfighter · Mar 20, 2016

480sparky said:
crimbfighter said:

........... I personally would like wider than 17mm, but that's me...........

Click to expand...

Then take a gander at the Siggy 12-24.

I forgot to mention I want a large max aperture... Otherwise the Sigma would be an excellent option. I would of course love the Nikon 14-24, but it's cost prohibitive and filter options are an added cost and quite cumbersome.

Derrel · Mar 20, 2016

Looking at their web page for the new Irix f/2.4 lens, it looks like this one might be designed for optical quality and performance, as well as some neat features. The DOF scale is of a type I have never seen before, with good markings, but also a neat Hyperfocal Distance index, with points for f/16, f/11, and f/8 on a separate scale. It also uses rear-mount gelatin filters if desired, using 30x30mm squares that slide into a receptacle, and it has an infinity click, as well as a focus distance lock.

Since the new lens has a 95mm front filter size, the ability to use 30x30mm rear gelatin filters is a nice touch for people who would want to use affordable gelatin sheets for color correction, light balancing, or neutral density uses.

There are TWO lines of this lens, the Irix Blackstone, and also a lighter weight version, the Irix Firefly. What caught my eye was the glass: 15 elements in 11 groups three high refractive index glass, two of Extra-low Dispersion glass elements, and two aspherical elements.

crimbfighter · Mar 20, 2016

Derrel said:
Looking at their web page for the new Irix f/2.4 lens, it looks like this one might be designed for optical quality and performance, as well as some neat features. The DOF scale is of a type I have never seen before, with good markings, but also a neat Hyperfocal Distance index, with points for f/16, f/11, and f/8 on a separate scale. It also uses rear-mount gelatin filters if desired, using 30x30mm squares that slide into a receptacle, and it has an infinity click, as well as a focus distance lock.

Since the new lens has a 95mm front filter size, the ability to use 30x30mm rear gelatin filters is a nice touch for people who would want to use affordable gelatin sheets for color correction, light balancing, or neutral density uses.

There are TWO lines of this lens, the Irix Blackstone, and also a lighter weight version, the Irix Firefly. What caught my eye was the glass: 15 elements in 11 groups three high refractive index glass, two of Extra-low Dispersion glass elements, and two aspherical elements.

Based on the specs, it's certainly shaping up to be a very attractive lens. The low distortion and seemingly good optical construction definitely were attractive features. Now we wait for the reviews of production models and pricing!

pez · Mar 20, 2016

I believe that's the most beautiful lens I've ever seen. Pricing, though... :eek-73:

Derrel · Mar 20, 2016

The company ALSO has an 11mm f/4 prime coming. Both are on display at The Photography Show (in Birmingham, England) right now. One thing I notice is that their lenses focus the proper direction for their respective mounts! The 15mm f/2.8 can be seen in proper Nikon/Pentax/Leica focusing direction, as well as proper Canon focusing direction.

Irix 15mm f/2.4 Wide-angle Lens Announced

Shows a couple shots of the 15mm, plus the "coming soon" 11mm f/4 model.

crimbfighter · Mar 20, 2016

The pessimist in me is bracing for a $1500+ price tag with all these good specs and features. :apologetic:

480sparky · Mar 20, 2016

Neutrino coating?

Pfffft. Gimme Higgs boson coating. Or, at least, quark coating.

crimbfighter · Mar 20, 2016

480sparky said:
Neutrino coating?

Pfffft. Gimme Higgs boson coating. Or, at least, quark coating.

I know, right? If it's not at least quark coated I'm not even going to consider it..

480sparky · Mar 20, 2016

crimbfighter said:
480sparky said:

Neutrino coating?

Pfffft. Gimme Higgs boson coating. Or, at least, quark coating.

Click to expand...

I know, right? If it's not at least quark coated I'm not even going to consider it..

I'd really be interested in a quantum foam coating. THAT would be a deal for me!

crimbfighter · Mar 21, 2016

Price Of The Irix 15mm F/2.4 Full Frame Lens Leaked | Nikon Rumors

Well if this is true, that's a VERY attractive price. Now fingers crossed the optical performance isn't a dud.