Irix 21mm f/1.4 Lens Announced for Canon, Nikon, and Pentax DSLR Cameras

Irix announces 21mm F1.4 lens for full frame DSLR cameras. The wide-angle prime lens will be available for Nikon F, Canon EF and Pentax K DSLR mounts.

This full-frame lens is constructed of 15 elements in 11 groups, including four ultra-low dispersion elements, four high-refractive index elements and two aspherical elements. Irix says the optical construction limits distortion to under 2%, making it an ideal candidate for architectural and real estate photography.

The Irix 21mm f/1.4 Lens is weather-sealed and is chipped to provide full EXIF data transfer and focus confirmation support for compatible cameras. It also features Irix’s focus-lock ring, which helps to prevent accidental bumps on the focus ring.

The Irix 21mm F1.4 lens is currently available through Irix’s EU online shop for £675.75 / ~$890. Previously announced Irix 30mm F1.4 Dragonfly lens is finally available through the B&HPhoto and Adorama at $675.

Irix 21mm f/1.4 Key Features

• Fast aperture f/1.4
• Ultra wide-angle focal length with a 89.7 ° field of view
• Unrivaled optical quality
• Distortion below 2%
• Internal focusing
• Sealed design
• Aperture control via camera
• In camera focus confirmation
• Compatible with PASM semi-automatic modes
• Full EXIF data
• “Focus Lock” function
• 140-degree rotation angle of the focus ring
• Reinforced internal structure

Advanced optical design and applications

The Irix 21mm f/1.4 is based on 4 ultra-low dispersion glass elements, 4 high reflectance elements and 2 aspherical elements. There are a total of 15 elements in 11 optical blocks. The lens was designed to work with the latest generation full-frame 35mm sensors, i.e. with high resolution.

The optical structure translates into two particularly important parameters – the first one is the perfectly corrected distortion, which does not exceed 2%. Therefore, it’s not visible in practice, so the lens is ideal for all kinds of architectural photos or other subjects where image distortions are undesirable. The second parameter is the coma, also kept to a minimum level. Thanks to this, and thanks to the f/1.4 aperture, the lens is perfect for widely understood astrophotography.

It is also worth emphasizing the 11-blade diaphragm which provides a unique bokeh effect even despite the 21mm focal length. Certainly, all amateurs of reportage and street photography will appreciate this feature.

External construction – DRAGONFLY version

The lens housing is a continuation of the Dragonfly manufacturing standard known from earlier Irix models. Its most important aspects are:

• Reinforced internal structure based on metal elements
• Scratch-resistant lens finish
• Anti-skid sharpening ring with special finish for easy sharpening
• Engraved markings filled with UV-reactive ink
• Outstanding tightness to protect against dust and water
• Rigid carrying case supplied as standard

The lens has a focus confirmation system on the camera display. Semi-automatic (PASM) modes and EXIF ​​data recording are available on this model thanks to electronic controls, allowing the aperture to be controlled from the camera.

Manual focusing is facilitated by the characteristic focusing ring, which, thanks to the combination of a properly selected texture and rubber material, allows for precise focusing. 

“Focus Lock” function

The Focus Lock function is also a hallmark of Irix lenses – it allows you to lock the focusing ring in a specific position. It’s especially useful when we want to keep a specific distance to the photographed object (zone-focusing) or we want to keep perfect focus at infinity in landscape or astrophotography.

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