Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro (Canon EF) lens

Irix 150mm f/2.8 MACRO 1:1 (Canon)

Irix, a lens manufacturer known for its wide-angle lenses, has released its first Macro lens. The lens also functions as a fixed focal length and a telephoto lens with an aperture of f/2.8.

Irix chose a focal length of 150mm - with a slightly longer focal length and using a 1:1 magnification ratio, there is a larger distance between the subject and the lens. This larger working distance has several advantages: more skittish subjects such as insects do not run away as easily and you do not shade the subject being photographed with the camera. It is also easier to use additional light.

Like other Irix lenses, the 150mm f/2.8 Macro is also manual focus. The focus ring is large and coated with a non-slip rubber compound. Focusing is also aided by the precise scale marked on the lens. The focus ring can also be locked in place. Focusing works internally in the lens, so the length of the lens does not change with focus and polarizing filters or macro flash attached to the front lens also remain in place.

Irix promises that the lens' geometric distortion is practically non-existent (0.1%). The lens structure consists of 12 elements in nine groups. Four elements are high-refractive index (HR) lenses and three are ED lenses that correct image distortion.

The lens has 11 rounded diaphragm blades. The diaphragm opening maintains its round shape even when using a smaller aperture, so the areas outside the depth of field of the background are beautifully soft even if the aperture is stopped down to achieve a longer depth of field. Aperture can be adjusted directly through the camera, and all exposure programs also work with the Irix 150mm macro.

The Irix 150mm f/2.8 MACRO 1:1 is the first lens to use the new Dragonfly construction. This new construction combines the good features of Irix's previous FireFly and Blackstone versions. The lens body is made of aluminum and the external parts are partly made of alloy and partly of composite, making the lens both durable and lightweight. The Irix 150mm 2.8 is also weather-sealed and can withstand heavy use.

The included tripod collar is removable, the base of the tripod collar is Arca-Swiss compatible, which means you can attach it directly to, for example, Siruin tripods without a quick release plate.

Specifications:

• Compatibility: Canon EF and EF-S
• Focal length: 150mm
• Aperture: f/2.8 (min. f/32)
• Closest focusing distance: 0.345, magnification ratio 1:1
• Construction: 12 elements in 9 groups (4X HR, 3X ED), 11 rounded diaphragm blades
• Filter thread: 77mm
• Size: 87 x 135mm
• Weight: 840g

Sales package includes: Irix 150mm Macro lens, hard storage case, lens hood, removable tripod collar