The world of photography always has room for new products that offer balanced specifications and a reasonable price... assuming the overall quality isn't compromised. Swiss company TH Swiss knows there can be no compromises when launching a lens, and it proves it with its brand new wide-angle Irix 15mm f/2.4, which will be available in two models and with three different mounts.
As in many other pursuits, photography requires advancing at the 'right' pace. The combination of skill and tools must always be appropriate, or a photographer risks spending a fortune on hardware they can't fully master, or that doesn't really match their true goals. The so-called 'middle ground' can be a double-edged sword, but if executed with precision, any tool identified that way will be an extraordinary ally for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The Irix 15mm f/2.4 comes in two variants: Blackstone and Firefly.
That said, there's a new lens in town, a full-frame wide-angle to be exact. The Irix 15mm f/2.4 is a creation of Swiss company TH Swiss, which was making its rounds at The Photography Show convention held in Birmingham in late March, and that provided a solid opportunity to study the lens a bit more closely. The Irix comes in two models: the Irix 15mm Blackstone and the Irix 15mm Firefly. According to the available specifications, both share the same internal structure (details below), but the main difference lies in the exterior. While Blackstone features a magnesium and aluminum design aimed at harsher environments (with fluorescent markings ideal for low-light situations), Firefly is, according to TH Swiss, the lightest lens of its kind.
As the name indicates, the focal length is 15 millimeters, and the number of elements totals fifteen, divided into eleven groups. Three of them have a high refractive index, two others have extra-low chromatic dispersion, and then we find two aspherical lenses. The minimum focusing distance on the Irix 15mm f/2.4 is 28 centimeters, its diaphragm has nine blades, and in both models the focus is manual, with a locking system that prevents accidental adjustments.
Another very interesting aspect of this lens is that it will arrive in stores with support for three different mounts: Canon EF, Nikon F, and Pentax K. The overall size of the Irix 15mm f/2.4 is 11.4 by 10 centimeters, and although the weight varies depending on the mount, the average for the Firefly is about 595 grams (608g for Canon, 581g for Nikon), while the Blackstone weighs in at 669 grams (685g for Canon, 653g for Nikon).
From what we've been able to verify, the lens is built in South Korea, and from a certain point of view that's also a guarantee. The exact release date is still shrouded in mystery. The press release only says 'spring 2016,' so we must assume it's very close on the calendar. As for the price, there we have more solid data: 695 euros for the Blackstone edition, and 475 euros for the Firefly. If we take into account that this is a versatile lens, suitable for applications ranging from photojournalism to architecture, those numbers are not bad at all.
The lens will be identifiable by the reference numbers "0713043555,0713043556,0713043557,0713464495,0713464496,0713464500".
Source: foto24 blog
Official Irix website: irixlens.com
