Famed lens manufacturer Irix has finally unveiled its first macro lens ever at Photokina 2018. It features a focal length of 150mm and a maximum aperture opening of f/2.8.

This came as no surprise. The company has been teasing about the lens for days, and now the full details are here. First off, it uses three super-low dispersion glass elements plus four high-refractive-index elements. This combination, claims Irix, provides images with virtually zero near-zero distortion (apparently just 0.1%).

The only downside with the Irix macro lens is there’s no autofocus. That’s right, focusing is manual only, but to compensate for that, there’s a built-in focusing ring that rotates to a full 270 degrees, giving you more precise control of focus points. The lens itself also has a detachable tripod ring and a deep lens hood.

As for the specs, the Irix macro lens features a 150mm focal length. That might sound unusual in this category, but it’s perfect for capturing outdoor subjects such as insects since it enables you to take advantage of the 1:1 magnification. In other words, you’ll be able to take shots of minute subjects from a distance, and this is important if, say, you don’t want to scare off an insect you’re trying to photograph.

As for the build, the lens comes with an aluminium frame that’s enclosed in an external structure made of aluminium-magnesium alloys and composite elements. This is said to be a combination of Irix’s Firefly and Blackstone finishes seen on previous lenses. Details like pricing and release date have yet to be announced.

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