Irix Releases Ultra-Bright Ultra-Wide Full-Frame Lens

2022.03.10

Swiss specialty lens manufacturer IRIX introduced today their widest ultra-bright prime lens designed for DSLR systems. Its latest premium Dragonfly series of lenses achieves ultra-high image-quality combined with durable construction.

The new IRIX Dragonfly 21mm F/1.4 is a premium ultra-wide-angle lens with Full-Frame coverage. It spans an 89° angle-of-view that makes it ideal for architecture and sweeping vistas. Combined with an exceptionally wide maximum aperture of F/1.4, this lens is perfect for vast interiors of buildings and monuments, especially dimly-lit environments. Its weatherproof construction and UV-Reactive markings allow its use in adverse weather during darkness. With the addition of a focus-lock mechanism, this is an optimal lens for astrophotography.

IRIX managed to make their 21mm F/1.4 lens relatively light while maintaining excellent rigidity and durability. A wide focus-ring with anti-slip coating makes it usable while wearing gloves. This is an essential usability feature since it exclusively a Manual-Focus lens. There are electronics to report EXIF information though and aperture is controlled electronically since it has no aperture-ring.

The IRIX 21mm F/1.4 can focus down to 30cm for capturing images with a close foreground. An 11-blade iris renders ultra-smooth out-of-focus areas for artistic night photography. Note that the ultra-wide angle provided by this lens prevents it from supporting screw-mounted filter. The bulbous front lens element is protected by a shallow built-in hood which nests inside a larger secondary tulip-type removable lens hood. This allows users to choose between bulk and flare control without making the lens completely vulnerable.

The IRIX Dragonfly 21mm F/1.4 is expected to be available shortly for Pentax K, Nikon F and Canon EF mounts. Its launch price is set at €690.

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