Zenit Teams Up with Leica to Build the Retro-Styled Zenit M - DigitalRev
Zenit Teams Up with Leica to Build the Retro-Styled Zenit M
The retro brand offers up a new model with a digital makeover
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Zenit announced a while back that it was planning to launch a digital camera and now, thanks to a presentation at the Photokina Show in Germany, we have a lot clearer idea of what this cult-favourite brand will offer photographers.
The announcement explained that Zenit has teamed up with Leica to produce a new digital rangefinder camera called the Zenit M. The Zenit M is technically based on the Leica M Type 240 platform, but Zenit say the body was modified both in terms of hardware and software.
The Zenit M is bursting with retro-style.
Paired with the Zenit M will be the Zenitar 35 mm f/1.0 lens, which Zenit say is completely designed and manufactured in Russia and that the lens creates an image that has 'unique bokeh and a soft focus effect'.
There weren’t many other details about functions and features of the Zenit M, but it’s likely to resemble the spec sheet of the Leica M Type 240, which features a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor, a 3-inch 921k-dot LCD and a native ISO that tops out at ISO 6400.
Alexey Patrikeyev, CEO of Shvabe, commented on the link up with Leica; “Zenit and Leica cooperation forms a unique alliance between long-term experience in optics manufacturing and modern technologies of Russia and Germany.” While no pricing information has been released, it was revealed that the Zenit M will start shipping in Europe in December.
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Sigma Launches Five New Lenses
Sigma goes into new product overdrive at Photokina with optics ranging from 28mm to 600mm
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Sigma has announced the launch of not one, or two, but five new optics at the Photokina Show in Germany. Ranging from a fast 28mm prime, to a telezoom with a huge 60-600mm focal length, there should be something for every photographer from the new lenses.
First up is the 28mm F1.4 DG HSM ART lens, which will start shipping in January. Available in Sigma, Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony E mounts, the lens features water- and oil-repellent coating on the front lens element and boasts dust and splashproof resistance. Built around a 9-blade diaphragm design and offering the ultra fast maximum aperture of f/1.4, this lens should produce some awesome bokeh.
The 28mm would be great for street photography.
Next up is another new addition to Sigma’s acclaimed Art series and the 40mm F1.4 DG HSM also offers an ultra-fast maximum aperture while being available in the Sigma, Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony E mount fitments. Sigma explain the 40mm (which will ship from October) offers 8K-compatible resolution and features three FLD (‘F’ Low Dispersion) glass elements and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements to correct axial chromatic aberration.
Sigma's new 40mm is part of the brand's acclaimed Art series.
The new 56mm F1.4 DC DN is the only one of the five new optics from Sigma’s Contemporary range of value for money lenses and is a mid-tele lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. Scheduled to ship from November and available in Sony E-mount fitment, the lens claims to offer smooth autofocus, which could make it suitable for use when filming video. The 56mm is a lightweight lens, tipping the scales at just 280g and offering a close-focusing distance of 50cm.
This 56mm could be a great lightweight option for mirrorless photographers.
New in Sigma’s Sports series is the 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM, which is set to start shipping from October. This versatile optic is the only one of the five lenses that's had its price-tag confirmed. The lens is, in fact, the world’s first 10× optical zoom telephoto lens with a tele end of 600mm and will cost £1,899. Available in Sigma, Canon EF and Nikon F mounts, the lens includes Optical Stabilisation (OS) technology which offers photographers up to four-stops of compensation – most useful when using the longer focal lengths which typically suffer from a greater risk of shake. Built around a 25 elements in 19 groups design, the lens will surely appeal to wildlife photographers looking for a versatile focal range that could save them swapping over optics between shots.
With a 60-600mm focal range, this new optics will cost £1,899.
The last lens announced by Sigma is another addition to the brand’s Sports series. The Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG OS HSM is a fast aperture telezoom that will be available from December. Compatible with Sigma, Canon EF and Nikon F mounts, the build incorporates 10 exclusive low-dispersion glass elements and like the 60-600mm lens, features Sigma’s Optical Stabilisation (OS) technology. Sigma say high-speed autofocus is delivered thanks to the HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) technology.
A fast 70-200mm rounded off Sigma's Photokina offerings.
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