NiSi has introduced an impressive new lens to the medium format photography landscape. This 16mm f/2.8 ultra-wide prime lens is meticulously crafted for Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD systems, offering photographers an unparalleled blend of expansive vision and rapid light-gathering capabilities. With an equivalent 35mm focal length of 12.6mm, it sets a new benchmark as the swiftest and one of the broadest non-fisheye prime optics for these sophisticated camera platforms. Its distinctive features, including a wide 118-degree diagonal field of view, cater to specialized photographic demands, particularly excelling in scenarios like astrophotography and architectural imaging.
NiSi's Innovative 16mm f/2.8 Lens Redefines Medium Format Photography
On [Date of Announcement], NiSi officially released its groundbreaking 16mm f/2.8 ultra-wide prime lens, targeting professionals using Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD medium format cameras. This new offering distinguishes itself by providing an exceptionally broad 118-degree diagonal field of view, effectively translating to a 12.6mm focal length in a 35mm format. Weighing 835 grams and featuring a 180-degree focus throw, the lens's design strongly suggests an adaptation from NiSi's existing PL-mount 65 Prime series 16mm T2.9 cinema lens, given the shared optical formulas and component counts. Constructed with 16 elements in 12 groups, including three aspherical and four ultra-low dispersion elements, it promises superior edge-to-edge performance and remarkable coma control, crucial for capturing intricate details in wide-angle shots and star-filled night skies. The lens incorporates NiSi's proprietary SA+ ultra-low reflection coating to minimize flare and ghosting, ensuring pristine image quality. Its weather-sealed construction guarantees durability in challenging environments. An eight-blade diaphragm system produces distinct eight-point sunstars from f/4 to f/22, while APO-level chromatic aberration control effectively mitigates color fringing. Despite being a manual focus-only lens, its minimal distortion and focus breathing make it highly suitable for architectural and interior photography. NiSi has optimized this lens to deliver exceptional resolution, accommodating sensors up to 100 megapixels. The NiSi 16mm f/2.8 Ultra-Wide-Angle Medium Format Lens is currently available for purchase at $1,499 for both Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD mounts.
This innovative lens from NiSi underscores a significant advancement in medium format photography. Its combination of an ultra-wide perspective and a fast aperture empowers photographers to explore new creative avenues, particularly in genres like astrophotography, where capturing vast celestial expanses with clarity and minimal aberrations is paramount. While the manual focus operation might pose a learning curve for some, the meticulous optical engineering and robust build quality indicate a commitment to delivering professional-grade results. This lens serves as a testament to NiSi's dedication to pushing the boundaries of optical performance in a specialized market, offering a powerful tool for those who demand the utmost in image fidelity and creative flexibility from their medium format systems.