AstrHori 6mm F2.8 220° Ultra Wide Circular Fisheye Lens

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 28, 2025


AstrHori 6mm F2.8 RF: B&H Photo / Amazon

AstrHori announced its new AstrHori 6mm F2.8 220° Ultra Wide circular fisheye lens for Canon RF mount.

A manual focus, ultra-wide lens for photographers seeking a new perspective, the 6mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens from AstrHori creates a round image for full frame sensors and offers a staggering 220° circular viewing angle that transforms standard scenes into expansive, immersive images. The lens features ten optical elements in eight groups, and the fast f/2.8 maximum aperture ensures excellent low-light performance, making it a strong choice for night photography and astrophotography.

With a minimum focusing distance of 3.15″, the lens is capable of striking close-ups, dramatically magnifying objects close to the lens and creating a more pronounced fisheye effect. Its compact construction keeps the weight around 12 oz.

  • 0.08m Closest Focusing Distance:The 0.08 closest focusing distance combined with the circular viewing angle can create a crystal ball effect,which making small objects even more expressive and impactful.And make the works of short video creators and vlog bloggers more likely to stand out.
  • 220° Circular Diagonal Viewing Angle:The combination of 220° spherical field of view and circular frame can produce exaggerated barrel distortion to distort the building and create a surreal sci-fi movie feeling.Creativity is fully unleashed,and visual games are created at your will. City street scenes can be turned into a dome bubbles, and the Milky Way can be turned into a space-time vortex.
  • F2.8 Large Aperture Helps Portrait Creativity:Maximum aperture F2.8, which allows for greater light intake and greater creative space.With ultra-wide angle,cool and handsome portraits are easily created to magnify the uniqueness and personality charm of the characters,especially suitable for concerts.Starry sky and night shooting can also have a better experience.
  • AstrHori 6mm F2.8 Full Frame Ultra-wide Circular Fisheye Lens :Exqusite full metal body,elegant frosted material,durable,lightweight apperance and 330g weighs.With 10 elements in 8 groups optical structure, built-in 8 piece diaphragm blades,it allows you smooth de-click the aperture to get a perfect creativity photos.
  • Compatible Camera Models:This is a manual focus lens and you need to set “release without lens”before using it,otherwise the shutter cannot be pressed normally.If you don’t know how to set,please contact customer service.It compatible with Canon RF mount Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras.






Posted in 3rd Party Lenses | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Godox AD400PRO II Announced

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 27, 2025


Godox AD400PRO II: B&H Photo / Amazon

Godox released a new flash, the Godox AD400PRO II.

Key Features
  • Compatible with Most TTL Systems
  • 400Ws, 1/512 to 1/1 Power Output
  • Up to 460 Full-Power Flashes
  • Freeze Mode: 1/3470 to 1/27,770 sec
  • 1/8000 sec High-Speed Sync
  • 0.01-1 sec Recycling Time
  • Group Color Capability
  • 30W Bi-Color LED Modeling Lamp
  • 2.4″ Color Screen for Onboard Control
  • Includes Battery & Charger

Godox AD400Pro II: What’s New and Why It Matters

Headline Upgrades vs. the Original AD400Pro

  • New Freeze Mode: ultra-short flash durations from t0.1 1/3,470–1/27,770 s for cleanly stopping motion and splash work.
  • Finer Power Control: expanded range down to 1/512 (10 stops, 0.1-step increments).
  • More Stamina: up to ~460 full-power pops per charge (larger quoted endurance than the original).
  • Bi-Color Modeling Lamp: 30 W LED, 2800–6000 K, 10–100% with Constant and PROP modes; high CRI/TLCI for hybrid shooters.
  • Smarter Wireless: built-in 2.4 GHz X system plus X3 “one-tap” sync support; USB-C port accepts the optional FR433 (433 MHz) receiver.
  • Faster, Clearer UI: bright color TFT display, rotary selector, and group color indicator lights for quick multi-light identification.
  • Same portability & mount flexibility: native Godox mount and included Bowens adapter; optional H400P remote head supported.

Core Features (Quick Hit)

  • Output: 400 Ws (GN 72, ISO100 with efficient reflector)
  • Sync: HSS up to 1/8000 s; first/second curtain; 3.5 mm sync; S1/S2 optical
  • Recycle: approx. 0.01–1.0 s
  • Color stability mode: ±75 K across the power range
  • Wireless: 2.4 GHz X system, ~100 m range, 32 channels, 16 groups, ID 01–99
  • Battery: 21.6 V, 2600 mAh; about 460 pops; optional AC400 adapter for mains power

Detailed Specs

Spec AD400Pro II
Power range 1/512–1/1 (10 stops, 0.1-step)
Flash durations (t0.1) Normal: 1/230–1/16120; Color: 1/230–1/11900; Freeze: 1/3470–1/27770
Recycle time ~0.01–1.0 s
Modeling light 30 W bi-color LED, 2800–6000 K, 10–100%, CRI≈97 / TLCI≈98; Constant & PROP modes
Guide number GN 72 (ISO100, with efficient reflector)
Wireless Godox 2.4 GHz X; works with X3, XPro II, X2T, X1; USB-C for optional FR433 (433 MHz)
Groups / channels / ID 16 groups (0–9, A–F) / 32 channels / ID 01–99
Battery endurance Approx. 460 full-power flashes
AC power Optional AC400 adapter; UC46 USB charger can fast-charge packs (~1.5 h)
Compatibility (TTL) Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Leica
Mounts Native Godox mount + included Bowens adapter
Dimensions / weight ~211×129×90 mm; ~2 kg (with battery, no tube/reflector)

Price & Availability

MSRP: $649. Initial availability is via pre-order at major retailers.

Why Upgrade?

If you frequently shoot action, sports, liquid/splash, or need very fine power at low levels for close-up work, the Freeze durations, 1/512 output, and bi-color modeling lamp are the biggest practical gains. Multi-light users will also appreciate the faster setup with X3 one-tap sync and the group color indicators.

Tip: Already on Godox? Your existing system triggers and Bowens modifiers carry right over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyuldr7Gqho

Posted in Canon Flash | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Venus Optics Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye For Canon RF

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 26, 2025


Venus Optics Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye:
Venus Optics / B&H Photo / Amazon

The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens is remarkably compact. This portable design makes it one of the smallest and lightest full-frame fisheye zoom lenses with a constant f/2.8 aperture, ideal for travel, adventure, and handheld shooting. Perfect for landscape photographers, vloggers, and drone-based creators, this lens delivers bold fisheye visuals without the bulk, enhancing mobility and convenience for on-the-go content creation.

Dual Fisheye Effect
The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens delivers a versatile dual fisheye effect, seamlessly transitioning between two distinct visual styles on full-frame cameras. At the 8mm end, the lens produces a circular fisheye effect, capturing a 180° field of view. At the 15mm end, it transitions to a full-frame rectangular fisheye effect, filling the entire sensor with the characteristic fisheye distortion. The zoom capability allows creators to switch between these effects without changing lenses, enhancing flexibility for photography and videography applications.

Max. 180° circular fisheye
The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens offers an extra-wide view, delivering a sweeping 180° angle of view at its 8mm focal length on full-frame cameras. This expansive perspective captures vast scenes in a single frame, producing a dramatic circular fisheye effect with pronounced curvature, ideal for creative effects, astrophotography, and 360° panoramas.

Diagonal fisheye
As the lens zooms to 15mm, the angle of view narrows slightly, filling the full-frame sensor with a diagonal fisheye image that retains a wide, distorted perspective. Ideal for immersive landscapes, astrophotography,

Constant Fast Aperture
The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens boasts a constant T2.9 aperture throughout its zoom range, ensuring consistent exposure and depth of field control. This fast aperture excels in low-light situations, delivering outstanding performance for nighttime shoots or dimly lit environments, while also providing beautiful bokeh for creative flexibility in crafting immersive fisheye visuals.

Close Focusing Distance
The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens features a minimum focusing distance of 16cm (6.3”), enabling photographers and videographers to capture subjects at close range with striking visual impact. This close focusing capability enhances the lens’s fisheye distortion, delivering an exaggerated point of view (POV). Additionally, the close focus mimics a bugeye effect, creating a playful, almost cartoonish distortion where subjects appear disproportionately large, adding a unique and bold aesthetic to images and videos.

Full Frame Coverage
The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens offers full-frame coverage, unlocking the full potential of high-resolution cameras. It delivers a true 180° circular fisheye effect at 8mm and a rectangular fisheye at 15mm, ensuring edge-to-edge clarity and maximum angle of view without cropping.

Specs:

Product name LAOWA 8-15mm F2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye
Format Compatibility FF
Focal Length 8-15mm
Aperture F2.8-22
Angle of view 175°-180°
Lens Structure 13 elements in 9 groups
Aperture Blades 9
Focus Throw 70°
Zoom Throw 75°
Aperture Throw 42°
Focus Scale Dual Scale
Min. Focusing Distance 16cm
Max. Magnification 0.23x
Focus mode Manual Focus
Dimensions 94.5mm*Ø76.4mm (measured in RF mount)
Weight ~650g（not including the front and rear cap）
Mounts E , Z , L , RF
Price USD699

Posted in 3rd Party Lenses | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

ZY Optics Mitakon 55mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens For RF Mount Announced

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 22, 2025


ZY Optics Mitakon 55mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro For Canon:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

ZY Optics announced a new Mitakon 55mm f/2.8 1-5X macro lens for full-frame and medium format cameras (Sony FE, Canon RF, Canon EF, Nikon Z, L-mount, Nikon F, Fujifilm GFX, Fujifilm X, Hasselblad XCD).

Key Features:

  • Versatile 1-5X Magnification Power
  • Razor-Sharp Image Quality
  • Unrivalled Lens-to-Subject Space
  • Robust and User-Friendly Design
  • Broad Compatibility

Sample photos:



Versatile 1-5X Magnification Power
The Mitakon 55mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro offers a dynamic magnification range from life-size 1X to an astonishing 5X, enabling photographers to explore everything from delicate macro subjects like insects and flowers to near-microscopic textures. This versatility makes it an ideal tool for professionals and macro enthusiasts alike, unlocking a world of creative possibilities.

Razor-Sharp, True-to-Life Realism Image Quality
Crafted with a sophisticated 13-element in 8-group optical design, the lens incorporates advanced elements to minimize chromatic aberrations, delivering razor-sharp images with vibrant, true-to-life colors. Whether at 1X or 5X magnification, every detail is rendered with stunning clarity, meeting the demands of high-resolution full-frame and medium format sensors without vignetting.


Unrivalled Lens-to-Subject Space
The Mitakon 55mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro sets a new standard with its extended working distance, offering 150mm at 1X magnification and 65mm at 5X. Compared to competitors like the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X (45mm at 2.5X, 40mm at 5X) and Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 (100mm at 1X, 41mm at 5X), this lens provides greater flexibility for lighting and composition, making it ideal for intricate macro setups.

Robust and User-Friendly Design
Built with a durable all-metal housing, the lens features a detachable Arca Swiss lens support for stable setups, a ø58mm filter thread for creative versatility, and an integrated front LED light to enhance subject illumination, ensuring photographers can focus on their craft with ease.


Broad Compatibility
Seamlessly compatible with a wide range of camera systems, including Sony E, Canon RF, Canon EF, Nikon Z, Nikon F, Fujifilm GFX, Fujifilm X, L Mount, and Hasselblad XCD, this lens delivers edge-to-edge clarity across full-frame and medium format sensors, making it a versatile choice for photographers across different camera systems.

Pricing and Availability
The Mitakon 55mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro is priced at an accessible USD 399.


Specifications

 Lens

Mitakon 55mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro

Focal Length 

55mm

Aperture 

f/2.8

Format Compatibility

Full Frame (Cover Medium Format, No Vignetting)

Magnification

1- 5X

Angle of View

1X: 13.7° | 5X: 5.6°

Min. Focusing Distance

1X: 279mm | 5X: 272mm

Min. Working Distance

1X: 150mm | 2X: 97mm | 3X: 79mm | 4X: 71mm | 5X: 65mm

Elements / Groups

13 Elements in 8 Groups

Diaphragm Blades

9

Focusing System

Manual Focus

Filter Thread

ø 58mm

Dimensions

1X: ø 67mm*87mm | 5X: ø 67mm*162mm

Weight

690g

Mount Options

Sony E, Canon RF, Canon EF, Nikon Z, Nikon F, Fujifilm GFX, Fujifilm X, L Mount, Hasselblad XCD

 

Posted in 3rd Party Lenses | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Canon RF50mm F1.4 L VCM Patent Found

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 22, 2025


Canon RF 50mm f/1.4 L VCM: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

A patent was found for what is like the Canon RF50mm F1.4 L VCM lens. You can check the patent out below:

overview

  • [Publication number] P2025121460
  • [Release date] 2025-08-20
  • [Title of invention] Optical system and imaging device
  • [Application date] 2024-02-07
  • [Applicant]
    [Identification number] 000001007
    [Name] Canon Inc.
  • BACKGROUND ART
    [0002]
    Imaging requires optical systems that are compact and have high optical performance despite their large aperture ratio, and such optical systems are also required to perform high-speed focusing (autofocus).
  • [0005]
    In optical systems with a large aperture ratio, it is difficult to correct various aberrations. In particular, when the focus lens group is made lighter to enable high-speed focusing, it becomes difficult to suppress aberration fluctuations when focusing from an object at infinity to an object at a close distance.
  • The present
    invention provides a compact optical system that has a large aperture ratio, is lightweight, and is capable of high-speed focusing, and an imaging apparatus equipped with the same.


Example 1

  • Focal length: 49.50
  • F-number: 1.46
  • Half angle of view: 24.04
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 117.49
  • Back focal length: 14.66

via asobinet

Posted in Canon Lenses | Tagged , | 1 Comment

EOS Webcam Utility Pro Is Replacing EOS Webcam Utility

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 20, 2025


Canon announced that it will be abandoning its EOS Webcam Utility in favor of EOS Webcam Utility Pro.

As of August 20, 2025, distribution of “EOS Webcam Utility” will be discontinued and replaced with “EOS Webcam Utility Pro.” The functions of “EOS Webcam Utility” will continue to be available as basic functions of “EOS Webcam Utility Pro” (free of charge). We appreciate your understanding.

The new application has free and premium subscription features for those who need them. It also supports quite a few cameras that are new and old. You can download the application here.

function Basic functions (free of charge) Paid features (subscriptions)
Default scene (one camera connected) *1 〇 〇
User Custom Scene – multiple
Multiple camera connection 1 unit connection Up to 5 devices can be connected
Wireless connection *1*2 – 1 unit connection
Stream to multiple channels – 〇
UVC video input support – 〇
Change camera settings *1*2 Can be changed on the camera Can be changed from the app
Image quality adjustment through image processing – 〇
Editing the Scene Layout – 〇
HD720p digital upscaling support 〇 〇
Full HD 1080p digital upscaling support – 〇
Supports up to 60fps *1*2 – 〇
Controlling Content by Channel – 〇
Video input layout options for screen fill/fit – 〇
Crop/flip/rotate/resize video input – 〇
Inserting images (JPEG, JPG, PNG) – 〇
Inserting a watermark – 〇
Transitions (crossfades) between scenes – 〇
Hotkey Settings – 〇
Screen Capture – 〇
Text Overlay – 〇
Dynamic driver (Windows only) *1 *2 *3 – 〇
Elgato Stream deck support *4 – 〇
Template Support – 〇
Language support – 〇
Battery indicator *1*2 – 〇
Background blur/background removal – 〇

Posted in Canon Software | 7 Comments