Venus Optics announces the widest lens for DJI X7 cameras & Inspire 2 drones, Laowa 9mm f/2.8 DL Zero-D

Press text:

Venus Optics announce the widest lens for DJI X7 cameras & Inspire 2 drones, Laowa 9mm f/2.8 DL Zero-D
Featuring a 113° field of view, close-to-zero distortion & affordable pricing, Laowa 9mm f/2.8 DL Zero-D is a dream lens for DJI Inspire 2 pilots.

Anhui China, 3 Jan 2019 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer who had previously launched a number of unique Laowa camera lenses, is proud to introduce the widest lens currently available for the DJI X7 cameras on Inspire 2 drones, Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D DL.
The new DL mount has the same specifications and optical performance as the existing Fuji X, Sony E and Canon EF-M mounts launched in 2018. All of them feature an ultra-wide 113° angle, cover Super35-sized sensor and have a close-to-zero distortion. The Laowa 9mm is significantly wider than the currently widest DL lens (i.e. 80°) in the market, allowing aerial cinematographers to capture more in limited distances. The ultra-fast f/2.8 lens also provide more flexibility to do night time aerial videography.
The lens is carefully designed to reduce the optical distortion to a close-to-zero level. It allows straight lines to be perfectly retained and saves videographers tremendous time in post-processing. Venus Optics is reputable in producing distortion-free lenses for multiple systems including the widest f/2 lens for full frame E-mount cameras (i.e. Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D).
The size and weight of the lens have also been compressed to the minimal in its class. It weighs only 210g (0.46 lbs) and 60mm (2.36 in) long. This compact and lightweight lens comprises of 15 elements in 10 groups with 2 pcs of aspherical elements and 3 pcs of Extra- low dispersion elements. This optical design successfully minimizes the distortion and chromatic aberrations to its lowest but at the same time, delivers a superb optical performance. A 49mm filter thread is also included for cinematographers to use with ND filters.

Pricing & Availability
The retail selling price of the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D DL mount in US is USD 499/pc (ex- VAT). Pricing may vary in different countries.
The lens is now available to order from Venus Optics authorized resellers and official website (http://www.venuslens.net/) . The lens is now available to ship immediately.

Optical Structure

Supplementary Information
Sample Footage
https://youtu.be/juIW_cCGXM0
https://youtu.be/xcrx9CALWHY
https://youtu.be/Qmuh2i95erA
https://youtu.be/45rKL0yWRDU
https://youtu.be/d0omCiYLyEA

Angle of view comparison (vs DJI 16mm DL)
https://youtu.be/q6bMTnQjxSY

Product Shots / Sample Footage / Sample Images
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1y4U28KCdYv1WsHYryhmEdWzze0jvRkxV

Double live stream event today: Panasonic (10am Las Vegas time) and Sony (7pm Las Vegas time)

Today Panasonic and Sony will have major press conferences at the CES show. And I am glad to report that in both cases we will have video live streams embedded on MirrorlessRumors.com.

Panasonic will have a press conference that starts at 10am Las Vegas time.
Expect some more info about the new S1-S1R cameras

Sony will have a press conference that starts at 7pm Las Vegas time.
Usually Sony does not unveil E-mount products at CES but let’s see if they make an exception this time…

Panasonic confirms S1-S1R will be previewed at CES and Olympus launches E-M1X teaser

Panasonic confirmed via newsletter that they will “preview” the S1-S1R cameras at the CES show. Panasonic will have a press conference on Monsay at 10am Las Vegas time. I am a bit concerned that the word “preview” implies that we will not get full specs and preorders yet…

What’s 100% sure is that Olympus will announce the E-M1X on January 24 as confirmed via this official teaser video:

 

Panasonic hints that both new cheaper “entry-level” and more video oriented L-mount cameras are on the roadmap

 

Dpreview had a chat with Panasonic manager Yosuke Yamane. Here is the summary via L-rumors.com:

1) The Trend is “moving towards full-frame mirrorless cameras”

2) Explaining the big size of the S1-S1R: “We didn’t want to compromise on features for the sake of body size”

3) About the S1-S1R shutter: “Most competitive cameras are guaranteed to 200,000 actuations. Our camera will be tested for more. ”

4) The S1 and S1R will be the most durable on market: “We are targeting the very highest level of durability in the industry. [The S1/R] are 100% sealed against dust and water, and operate in very low temperatures – even exceeding the limits of the GH5.”

5) About future entry level L-mount cameras: “The first generation will be specialized for professionals but in the future, of course we’re also aiming to attract entry-level users. ”

6) No APS-C L-mount cameras from Panasonic: “We have our own Micro Four Thirds system and we think that [because of the greater difference in size between full-frame and M43] this is the best balance. We have no plans to develop APS-C products.”

7) L-mount lens design is more difficult because: “In the case of M43, we prioritize compactness. But in full-frame we set higher targets, to meet professional specifications.”

8) About future video oriented L-mount cameras: “One of our assets is our experience of professional video, over more than 40 years. This is one of the areas where we contribute to the market, so in the future it’s possible that [our L-mount lineup] will expand to include such products”

9) About 8K cameras: ” After the Olympics, we will create a new generation of 8K video cameras, which are currently in development.“

Summary:

Panasonic entry level Full Frame camera are likely to be developed
Panasonic video oriented S camera is coming too
8K cameras will come AFTER the Olympics