A set of optics for mirrorless cameras of the Micro 4/3 system

When it comes to alternatives to "native" optics, this is where the products of the Japanese brand Sigma enter the arena. Owners of cameras of the Micro 4/3 system will have to fit the inexpensive portrait lens Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary from the category of lenses for everyone.

Taking into account the crop factor of two Micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras, the lens provides shooting at an equivalent focal length of 112mm. In the version for the "six thousandth" line of Sony mirrorless cameras, it is almost a reference portrait lens - 84 mm. Another important "passport" figure describes the maximum aperture of the f / 1.4 lens. Fully open aperture works quite well - Sigma 56mm f / 1.4 DC DN Contemporary draws a sharp picture in the center of the frame with slightly noticeable vignetting. The image becomes razor-sharp if you cover up to about f / 4.

The lens is assembled in a compact (67x60 mm) and lightweight body (280 g) in the style of "minimalism". The only moving element on its "body" is a wide manual focus ring. This is in case the operation of the automatic focusing system needs to be corrected. The model lacks only a built-in stabilizer. However, with an eye on the price tag and the unhurried manner of taking pictures on the lens, you can completely do without a stub.

A 9-blade diaphragm has been introduced into the design of the portrait lens, which ensures the rendering of smoothed highlights in the blur zone. As a result, the lens draws bokeh that is pleasing to the eye. The icing on the cake is the model's tidbit price tag, thanks to which it has no competitors at least close in aperture ratio and focal length.

Macro photography is a separate multifaceted world of photography that allows you to look at everyday things from a different angle and see the smallest details on the subject. The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens is perfect for macro tasks.

Distinctive features of the model are high rates of sharpness and microcontrast. Already wide open at f/2.8, the lens demonstrates excellent resolution in the center of the frame, peaking at apertures of f/5.6-8. Optics have minimal geometric distortion and high resistance to backlight, especially with a sliding lens hood, which will need to be purchased separately.

The macro specialization of the lens is given out by an informative scale of distances and their corresponding magnifications, as well as a convenient focusing distance limiter. In the very first position, it provides focusing at a minimum distance with a magnification of 1:1. In addition, the photographer has access to a macro range of 19-40 cm and two versions of the full range: from 19 cm to infinity and from 40 cm to infinity. The latter is great for subject and portrait shooting.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro produces soft and beautiful bokeh as long as the subject and background are evenly lit. The dew drops illuminated by the sun turn into contrasting highlights, which not everyone will like. The lens is suitable for shooting all kinds of life-size insects, and for portrait photography, and even for landscapes - in combination with 120 mm EGF and f / 2.8 aperture, you definitely don’t need to drive yourself into macro photography alone.

Panasonic's top lens naming almost always features the name of the reputable German brand Leica. With the participation of its specialists, the best of the best lenses are developed. The best example of this is the "station wagon" with a set of equivalent focal lengths of 24-120 mm and a floating aperture of f / 2.8-4.

The lens is subject to permanent "registration" on board the camera for a long time. All thanks to the coverage of the most popular focal lengths. The lens is suitable for shooting architecture, landscapes, everyday scenes, portraits and moderately distant objects. In addition, due to the silent autofocus drive, it copes well with video shooting tasks.

As befits high-end optics, the lens got a floating, but high aperture ratio - from f / 2.8 at the short end to f / 4 at the telephoto zoom position. A wide aperture can be used to create spectacular background blur and when shooting in low light conditions. An additional link to guard the clarity of the image in poor lighting conditions is the optical stabilizer Power OIS

An additional plus sign comes to the karma of the lens for the dust and water protection of the body. The main thing is that the “carcass” of the camera also has one, otherwise it will quickly fail under the influence of atmospheric influences. Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f / 2.8-4 ASPH Power OIS can be recommended to avid travelers, lazy photographers (who can't bear to constantly rearrange lenses) and just to all followers of Micro 4/3 mirrorless systems. An affordable alternative to this station wagon is the darker Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 Power OIS.

Telephoto lenses with a focus range of 70-200mm have found success with professional photographers in all corners of the globe. It is these zoom limits that are spelled out in the “passport” of the Panasonic Lumix GX Vario 35-100mm f / 2.8 II Power OIS model - a compact telephoto lens for mirrorless cameras of the Micro 4/3 system.

The optical design of the lens (18 elements in 13 groups) was sheltered by a body with a length of less than 10 cm and a weight of about 357 g. Against the background, for example, of a one and a half kilogram SLR Canon EF 70-200mm f / 2.8L IS III USM, it looks a real "inch" and will not burden the burden of the photographer with an extra load. From the controls on the “carcass” of the lens, zoom and manual focusing rings are available, and a two-position optical stub slider is also provided.

The maximum aperture of the lens remains constant throughout the entire range of focal lengths - f / 2.8. And given the excellent sharpness across the entire field of the frame, it will be much easier to shoot birds or portraits from an open aperture in imperfect lighting conditions. The only complaint about the telephoto is the 7-blade diaphragm design. In a model with a pronounced focus on portrait shooting, I would still like to see 9 aperture blades for more effective bokeh.

Telephoto will be revealed in all its glory together with Olympus and Panasonic mirrorless cameras. He is obliged to replenish the fleet of optics of any adherent of the Micro 4/3 system, who cannot imagine existence without photographing portraits, animals, close-ups or children. Well, as an additional “body kit” on the front lens of the lens, any of the filters with a diameter of 58 mm will become.

Wide-angle optics are in demand in the rhythm of the life of the metropolis, in the genres of interior and landscape photography. The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 ASPH zoom lens is rightfully considered the perfect ultra-wide for Micro 4/3 cameras.

In terms of full frame equivalent, the model shoots in the range of focal lengths of 16-36mm, offering a viewing angle of 107-62°. In the wide-angle zoom position, it is well given panoramic shooting, at the maximum approximation - photographing everyday scenes with the angle of view familiar to the human eye. The maximum aperture of the lens "floats" from f / 2.8 at the short end to f / 4 at the telephoto zoom position.

In order to ensure high optical quality, the lens is crammed with many special elements: its design includes 1 aspherical lens with extra low dispersion, 3 lenses with ultra-low dispersion, 2 lenses with extra low dispersion, 1 lens with ultra-high resolution. In total, 15 elements were collected under the wing of 10 groups. Their movement during zooming and focusing is carried out inside the dust and moisture-proof body of the lens, due to which it does not change in size.

A strong ace up the sleeve of the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 ASPH is the highest sharpness from an open aperture in the wide-angle position. Moreover, the lens is not affected by chromatic aberrations and only occasionally catches the sun's "bunnies". Geometric distortion of the picture at a wide shooting angle is effectively corrected by a corrective profile. In the bottom line, the model is a practical tool for interior and urban landscape shooting, whether it's a photo or video.