Irix 15mm f/2.4 'Blackstone' lens review with samples (Full-frame and APS-C)
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- Опубліковано 5 січ 2017
- Here we have the first lens by Swiss designers Irix (who manufacture in South Korea): a 15mm f/2.4 lens for full-frame cameras. It's manual-focus only, but seems to be reasonably good value for money, especially considering its very wide aperture of f/2.4. Let's see how it performs.
Find it here (Amazon affiliate link) (Be sure to get the right lens for your camera system):
geni.us/irixblack15mm24canon
All pictures taken by me on Canon 6D and EOS M3 cameras.
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Cool lens! Lovely to see new companies coming into the market.
Man, Iv'e been waiting for a pro review of this lens for a while now. Thanks a lot.
You have the best lenses reviews. Keep doing great job :)
Thank you for bringing this lens to my attention and great review as always.
Great review as always and it's nice to see that you're giving other lenses from third party companies a try!
Hello Christopher, thanks to your advice I bought this lens this week, just amazing, both on my 80D and the 6D mk II.
You do a great job, thank you!
Another professional review! Thank You!
I bought one of the first Blackstone lenses back in September 2016 when they first went on sale, I had to buy it in Germany as there was no UK stock at the time. I had seen this lens at the NEC Photo Show back in March and was very impressed. I use it mainly on my Canon 5DS and it give wonderful shots at 50 megapixels. It is on one of my camera bodies nearly all the time and I am very pleased with its performance so far.
the images are pretty astonishing. the lens also look very nice. thanks for this review
Hello Christopher,
I´ve watched many of your reviews. I need to say I thank you so much for that, it helps a lot, and, I guess I´m not wrong if I say you are a great person, your voice shows that.
Thank you again, and I´ll keep watching from Spain ;)
Thanks!
The photos are so sharp. I need a wide angle for my Canon 6D. Good review Christopher. Thanks.
Thanks so much, Christopher, for this review. Was actually waiting for one, from u. :) Now, Im really thinking of getting it. :)
Very good reviews. Thank you!
as always great review..
your reviews are the best. i found my next new Lens
Ultra wide lenses are very easy during manual focusing. They have inherently very large depth of field at their maximum aperture.
The hyperfocal distance of the specific lens is nearly 3 meters.
Very useful lens for mirrorless cameras which have manual focus assists like focus peaking and manual focus magnification.
thanks for the great review!
This is a really good lens, just got it for myself. Again, a great review ;-)
quality/price is unbeatable
Great, thanks !
What a nice lens. I love that it has the focus confirm chip in it. Very tempting compared to the Rokinon.
Neat lens!
The shape made me remember of the Zeiss distagon!
Need it!
I wish I'd known about this lens back in December before I bought the Rokinon/Samyang 14mm F/2.8! The Irix looks like it'd be even better for astrophotography, and I'd really like to have the option to use gel filters. Also, distortion looks much better in the Irix than in the Rokinon, where it is very noticeable in some shots. I guess on balance though I did get the Rokinon for just $250 - nearly half the price of the 15mm firefly! If I'm ever looking to upgrade my wide angle I'll keep this lens in mind (though it will have to compete with the Laowa 12mm & 15mm for my money)!
Very interesting lens. I would like to try one. Im always on the 150-200 mm range. I want to do very wide shoots this year.
the quality of life features on this lense are so sick ngl
I can't wait to see what Rokinon and this new Irix bring this year!
samyang are definitely upping their game this year and irix for a new company have produced this epic lens ... things are going to be good
even though I like the 35mm to 80mm ranges, this changes it for me
Hey Chris! great review as always. I am trying to decide between this lens and the samyang 14mm which I know you've reviewed before. Would you say there is a very significant difference in sharpness wide open between the two? Thank you for any response! if you don't have time or don't want to though, no worries.
Great video as always.
Can you please explain what is lens color RENDITION distortion?
Thanks
Is the first wide angle scene Stonehaven ? Beautiful
Hey Christopher,
Thank you very much for this video. How do you like this lens compared to the Rokinon 14mm? I am looking for a new astro lens.
Thank you for the review!
Steve
yes .. a very fair review .. i have this lens in the firefly version and i love it .. the click at infinity is incredibly handy when your out in the middle of nowhere in pitch dark conditions .. i would agree that the average backlit performance is the only thing that is average about this lens. The vignetting at 2.4 is easily fixed in post and it is defiantly a very good upgrade to the samyang 14mm f2.8 with none of that horrible mustache distortion and shitty front element coating problems. Thank you for the review Chris .. best £400 ive spent in a long time
Defiantly or definitely?
Can you help me sir? How much focus breathing does it have?
The lens flaring wouldn't be an issue with a polarizing filter I suspect? Love the build quality of this lens! If the Rokinon 20mm was chipped Id go for that one, but so far, Id have to get my wallet out for the Irix! Its just a bit wider than I wanted but I dont think anything else compares in this price range?
3:48 - Looks like there's 2 tabs near the inner circle....similar to newest canon style lens caps. I see no problem there.
Hey Christopher. How does this compare to the Samyang Xp 2.4 14mm that you also reviewed ?
If the image quality is equal I’m inclined to go with this one with weather sealing, possibility of front filters and other nifty features as you mention in the video
if it helps to anyone considering this lens, I recently got the Firefly version for Canon, it's impressive and the image quality is good, not much to add besides this video
my couple of negative comments are that the focus lock ring is hard to turn and if you're not careful you can end up moving the manual focus ring at the same time which, as mentioned in the video, could damage the lens mechanism
the other observation is that, I took the lens for a city stroll and took several photos of buildings and monuments, where the lens didn't had a problem, BUT, since it was a cloudy day I put the included lens hood on and didn't noticed until later when looking at the pictures on my computer that the hood gets caught into the field of view of the lens just a bit on the upper right corner and the lower left corner of the images, darkening said areas noticeably ... I was baffled and wondered if I put the hood on the wrong position or something but no, did some quick tests on site making sure the hood is put correctly and, unfortunately, confirmed the hood, at least in my case, gets in the way of the lens view... I've read a lot of reviews and never read any other case where this was happening to other lens users, so I'm wondering if this is just a specific case or something like that
Are you able to put a filter on the front element, like a Lee or Formatt Hitech filter system?
I like your original product reviews! Can't believe I spent 2gs on the canon 14mm 2.8 after seeing this 😩😂
Jamie Sutherland you cannot compare this lens to Canon period. I own Canon14 mm mm II and I do professional cityscapes and metropolitan photography I tested Rokinon, Sigma and rest of less expensive stuff none match Canon colors and contrast, you pay price for Canon glass and build quality. No one tops Canon for build and reliability quality.
Love your reviews. I wish you could review some Pentax lenses too tho. :(
I'm pretty sure that the Irix lens actually is in Pentax mount! Check the Irix Store here:
storeeu.irixlens.com/blackstone/8-irix-15mm-f24-blackstone.html#/27-version-for_pentax
Hope this helps you out!
oh ya, the lock is a great idea..how many times I've knocked my lenses out of focus and didn't realize it
Thanks. What is your opinion of the Irex v. Zeiss 15 mm? I know the massive price difference, but want the quality!
It would be interesting to see this lens attached to a Speedbooster and placed on a Micro Four Thirds camera.
Hopefully you can get a hold of the Samyang XP 14mm F/2.4.
I find it much easier to securely remove and replace the lens cap by inserting your fingers into the recessed grip area on the cap and pinching it there rather than at the edges.
This seems like a better choice then the Samyang 14/2.8, Christopher? Thank you for the reviews, you're close to 100k subs, congrats, well deserved!
The Samyang cheaper and sharper, the Irix better build quality and distortion control and wider aperture
I'm very concerned about the distortion from the Samyang, I won't be using it for landscape but pretty much everything else, I've been looking for a cheaper lens with as little distortion as possible. This will be replacing my Tokina 11 to 20 since I've just upgraded to full frame. The Samyang and Irix cost pretty much the same here in Croatia!
This is fascinating. With mine, at f/2.4, the lens is really soft across the entire image plane and it's not sharp until f/4, then it's great until f/8 with a pretty decent sharpness drop again at f/11.
At f11 it's diffraction limiting sharpness
is the IRIX 15mm F2.4 better in sharpness in the corners then a Samyang/Rokinon/bower/... 14mm F2.8 when doing astro photography?
Hi Christopher can you review Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
All yours review are awesome.
Great review as always, Chris! I'm astonished though, for this lens how does the softness due to diffraction kick in just after f/5.6! Generally it should start at f/10 ~ f/14 and onwards, correct?
Swaroop Bhonde On a 24mp APS-C camera, you can start noticing diffraction as soon as f/8
Christopher could you please do a head to head comparison of the sigma 70-200 f2.8 hsm (non os) vs the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 macro. these seem to be the best low budget fast 70-200's out there. been a follower for some time now. and not many other reviewers give such detail that I like from your videos
Cant wait to see an image quality test on the silver play button. Hopefully minimal flaring.
Hehe...I'm pretty excited too ;-)
Hey Chris, nice review :)
If you had to choose a wide angle prime lens for an APS-C camera, would you go for the IRIX 15mm or the Samyang 16mm? They have nearly the same price...the Samyang has a faster aperture, but the IRIX can also be used on an full frame sensor...the lens would be used for landscape and some astro photography from time to time...
I'd go for the Samyang, it has a wider maximum aperture
Chris, please review Irix 11mm. thanks
Awesome Review, Cristopher.
By the way: Is there any difference between Samyang, Rokinon and Wallimex Pro?
Nope :-)
Hi Chris,
I've been debating buying the Irix or Tamron 15-30mm lens. Do you have a view in which is better? (ignoring the zoom range and price differential). thanks mate
The Irix lens is sharper. Check out my review of the Tamron lens
Cool review. Where is the opening beach shot? I think I spent a Holiday there. And then Tenby sweet shops ;)
At 00:59? Llangrannog, Wales, UK
Thought so :)))@@christopherfrost
Can you post a pic of a living room or bedroom using this lens on a crop sensor please? I have a D5600 I shoot real estate with and am looking for a solid Prime lens.
Chris, I was told that Samyang was the company making the lens for the Irix company.. Any thoughts on this?
Very well possible, nothing new in the lens business. Cosina f.e. does lenses for Zeiss, Voigtländer and rumoredly Sony. Some say Tamron builds the Batis Lenses for Zeiss.
This lens looks to be exactly like what Samyang could build in their factories and since IRIX dont have an own factory, i think this lens is build and or assembled by Samyang.
interesting
Hmm, don't know really, it's an interesting possibility. I wouldn't jump to that conclusion - there's definitely room for multiple lens factories in Korea!
Dear Joe,
Irix is a completely new project, not related to any of the existing companies in Korea, Japan or other Asian country. The European part of the project, gathering specialists from different European countries, is managed by TH Swiss AG established and based in Switzerland.
Its made in Korea, but really, the quality of this lens is fantastic... my L lenses suddenly feel a bit cheap I have to say.
Heyy! Amazing videos! Congratulations! I would like to ask a question. I am a mainly architectural photographer. Nowadays i own a canon 6d with a samyang 24mm Tilt shift and i would like to get a lense wider for interiors and landscape also. My doubts are if getting this Irix 15mm firefly version new or the canon 17-40mm L in the second hand market. Other suggestions would be really appreciated.
Many thanks in advance and greetings from Spain!
I'd go for the Irix. The Venus 12mm is also an interesting option
Great Review!
Are you able to test the zeiss milvus 50mm?
I want to sometime :-)
Looking at purchasing this lens for my Sony FS7. Does any one know if it will function properly with either the Metabones MK IV or Speedbooster Ultra EF to E mount adapters?
It would be nice to include astrophotography tests on this specific lens
I did though. Watch the review
I know you recommend the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 as well. Which one wins in your opinion Chris? Edit: I'm using the 5D Mk III.
Second! Love the lense
*lens
escape
Irix 15mm f2.4, or samyang 14 mm 2.8?
which would you say is better...this lens..or the lowa 15mm f2.0 Zero D
Hi Christopher, thanks for reviewing this lens. Do you know if it's usable with slot-in filters without vignetting? I would use it on a Pentax K-1 with the 100mm Lee Filter system. Since Lee doesn't produce a 95mm wide-angle adaptor ring, I think that there are few chances to obtain clean shots...
This lens can use screw-in filters. I don't know how well it would work with slot filters I'm afraid
you can use 100x100mm square filter with Zorro filter holder
Hey Christopher ! Could I suggest that you talk about anamorphic lenses/ adapters ? That would be very interesting !
It would be, but it's rather a specialist field in which I'm not really an authority!
Christopher Frost Photography thanks for replying much appreciated ! But that's why we watch your review ! Everyday man using something rather unique to see what we can learn from it ! :)
Any feedback on the SMC Pentax 15mm f/3.5?
I have just bought a Canon 1D mark iii. I am considering buying the Irix 15mm f2.4 but I am a little concerned about the performance on my 1D iii as it is only 10 Mega Pixels. I would greatly appreciate any help you can offer me.
so Chris, you prefer irix 15mm or laowa 15mm?
Hi chris, is this lens recommended for cameras with a sensor aps-c? A few days ago order this lens because I love its sharpness and design, but I have a camera canon 760D.
If you watch this review, you will see how it performs on an APS-C camera
I have the Zeiss 15 mm for my full frame Canons. I was interested in the firefly version of this for the weight savings. I don't think I'm interested any longer, but any idea how they optically compare?
Between this lens and the Zeiss? No idea I'm afraid! I doubt that the Zeiss lens would be worth the huge price difference, though.
Hey Chris, Does the Chip still work if you are using an adapter for a RP Full Frame?
The chip works on my RP. The 15mm lens is very sensitive to the flange focal distance. I have two cheap Meike EF-RF adapters. Both don't allow the Irix lens to focus to infinity, they are fractions of millimeters too long. Both of my original Canon EF-RF adapters are perfect.
Chris can you make a battle for Aps-c cameras ,about wide angles lenses ,samyang got 14/16mm and Irix have 2 lens too,plus there are other companies ,would make an excellent video
I already have. Check out my ultra-wide angle lens comparison video
Yeah i ve seen it its only for APS-c cameras which is fine,but now with you checking both Irix Lenses,Venus,New Samyang 14mm 2.4 , Sigma 20mm art, and the new Sigma 12-24 art plus some of the previous lenses you tested ,would make an epic updated video for both FF/APS-C
Have a nice day and keep up the good work 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Hi Chris, just noticed your chagrin regarding the tapered Lens Cap. It appears that the 'correct' way to remove/replace it is to place your Fingers *in* the Slots, not grab it from the outside. Cheers.
That's helpful, but actually there are proper grips on the outside, too, so clearly its been designed to work both ways
Hey Chris thanks for the review.Question : What would you prefer for lowlight wide photography. Irix blackstone 15mmf 2.4 or samyang 16mm f2.
They'll both be great. They'll be about as sharp as each other although the Samyang lens will have a very small advantage in light gathering
Christopher Frost Photography Thank you for clearing that up!
Looking at your video it seems you been to korea alot :)
Sae hae bok mani badeuseyo!
Christopher Frost Photography Thank you for clearing that up!
Looking at your video it seems you been to korea alot :)
Sae hae bok mani badeuseyo!
Christopher Frost Photography Thank you for clearing that up!
Looking at your video it seems you been to korea alot :)
Sae hae bok mani badeuseyo!
Christopher Frost Photography Thank you for clearing that up!
Looking at your video it seems you been to korea alot :)
Sae hae bok mani badeuseyo!
Hello Chris. Will you also review the recent Yongnuo 14mm 2.8 ? It seems YN have made good progress in terms of quality and still for a very competitive pricing. I really appreciate having your views before investing as I have budget constraints. Thanks !
I'm thinking about it :-)
Hi Christopher,
I love your reviews!
I'm currently shooting on a Nikon D3200.
My favorite go-to lenses are Nikon's 35mm f1.8 DX, and the full frame 70-300mm VR f4.5-5.6 G.
To go wide, I'm currently just using my kit lens, but want to upgrade to wider and faster.
I am mostly into landscape, but would like to explore astro, interiors, and video too.
I am really into long exposure water, with ND1000, so filter capability is a big plus.
I have been watching/reading reviews for months now, and have so much conflicting info I have become rather confused.
Ken Rockwell says he only recommends this lens on full frame, and you seemed to have implied such.
He says for dx get the Nikon 10-24, but the angry photographer says the 12-24 is much better.
Those are much slower lenses, though... Are they really better on DX, and worth it?
Budget is a huge factor for me, and full frame is out of my league at this time.
for DX on a budget, which of the following would you most recommend me?
IRIX 15mm f/2.4 Firefly Lens
SAMYANG 14mm f/2.8
TOKINA 11-16mm f/2.8 DX II
NIKKOR 12-24mm f/4 AS DX G SWM AF-S IF ED
...other?
Thank you kindly, in advance, for your knowledge and advice.
Cheers~
~Amarnath
I don't know anything about Nikon lenses I'm afraid. I know they've just announced a new 10-20mm lens. Apparently, the new Tamron 10-24 VC is very good, too
After you test your lens as you would for astrophotography,milky way?
Hello Chris! Any chance of having a lens comparison about astrophotography? Thanks in advance!
Hmm, I would like to. But I never had the hindsight to test the lenses in detail for astrophotography
Hi Christopher.
Are there any other newer or more recent manufacturers that you might recommend or are interested in? Thanks.
I really like Irix, Venus Optics and Samyang lenses at the moment, I've had a great time testing them out
review in sigma 50mm f2.8 EX DG macro
can you review Voigtlander 58mm Nikon mount please
Chris, since you've tried both the 11mm & 15mm offerings from Irix which would you choose for Astro, Landscapes & Realestate photography? Both? Or would you wait for the Sigma 14mm f/1.8
For most things I'd go for the 11mm. For astro photography I'd definitely wait for the new Sigma lens
Thanks I think with the announcement imminent I'll wait. Can't wait to see your review of it!
Great review like always. Can you tell the location shown at 1:04?
Llangrannog, Wales
Praise God Brother. Hope you are doing safe with your family midst this China Virus. One question for this lens - Can we shoot landscape portrait with this lens? as I am planing to get one wide angle lens. My plan jostling between Tokina Opera 16-24mm 2.8, (very economical) Tamron 15-30 (very expensive) and Irix 15mm. My vision revolves around at f5.6 and above and having f2.8 in lens is a nice advantage. so can you suggest
Hi, Chris, I'm really interested in buying Sigma 50-150mm F2.8 OS. However, I can't find enough review of the OS version lens here. Hope that you can review it soon, as you said backthen in one of your reviews :)))
I'd like to review it if someone lent me a copy, but otherwise, I have no plans to as it's such a difficult lens for anyone to get a hold of. I hear it's great, though
Yup, I heard that its great too. And unfortunately, (just as you said) it certainly is difficult to get a hold of one. Well, hope you can get a hold of one some day.
Keep reviewing other lenses coz you are my favorite reviewer xD
Hi Christ, just got myself a Fuji xm1 what one lens that I should buy that should be wide enough and not expensive? Prefer something that is 35 equivalent or faster .
I already have canon 6d and other lenses. The xm1 is only for fun and walk around camera. Thanks Christ
For the Fuji camera maybe the 35mm f/1.4 would suit you
hello Christopher , we trust your reviews , why you don't make reviews on telephoto lenses like Canon 500mm , Canon 600mm or Sigma 150-300mm f2.8 ..etc
Probably because they are amazingly expensive. And if Chris doesn't do much sports or wildlife then he might not feel that he can give much useful insight into them. I understand that he does mostly portraiture.
He has reviewed a few longer lenses. I think if you want to buy a £5,000 lens (like the canon 500mm f/4) you should hire it first for a weekend to really test it out.
Joshua Mcateer not necessary to buy lens to review it , he might rent or borrow it
Moeen Mostafa I didn't mean that. I meant, if you wanted to buy an expensive lense you should probably rent one first to see if you like it, and not trust an online reviewer who might want different things from it than you.
I'd love to test those lenses but they cost a huge amount of money to hire, everyone knows the Canon lenses are crazy sharp, and I'm not really an expert wildlife photographer so I might not be the best person to review them (also, I don't have much spare time unfortunately)
i am thinking to buy Canon 500mm f4 Mark i or Mark ii , i searched online for a review of autofocus test speed but not enough reviews , i guess it is faster than sigma , sigma lenses are very slow at any version of lenses compare with canon
Hi Chris,
Been a big fan since '14. How would you compare this lens in terms of sharpness, contrast and vignetting to Canon 17-40?
The Irix lens will be noticeably better. Take a look at my review of the 17-40 :-)
Thanks! Will do!
Chris,
If you had to choose between the Samyang 14 mm 2.4 AF and this Iris 15mm 2.8 which would you choose for a full frame camera?
There is no Samyang 14mm f/2.4 AF lens - so I'm not sure which lens you're referring to
Christopher Frost Photography you are right... I was thinking of the Samyang 14mm 2.8.
I would like to get a very wide angle lens, and my options are the Samyang 14 mm 2.4 with AF and the Irix Blackstone.
There really is no "Samyang 14 mm 2.4 with AF". If you're talking about the XP Samyang 14mm f/2.4 lens, then that's a better lens, but it's also more expensive
Isn't this the equivalent focal length of what the Revenant was shot in?
Never seen that film unfortunately - it would surprise me though, 15mm is pretty wide
where is the aperture ring?
please review canon 70-200mm f2.8 is mark 2 lens
my version blackstone has no fluorescent written even its has that flaw?
Hey Chris, I need your help! You reviewed both, the Irix and the Samyang 16mm 2.0. I don't know which of those two I should choose, can you help me?
If you have an APS-C camera, I would just go for the Samyang lens
Thanks, but I already ordered the Irix. I mean it has the same price and if I ever upgrade my camera, I have a full frame wide angle lens. Or do you think the Samyang offers a better picture?
They're similar - if you're thinking of upgrading in the future then the Irix was a good choice
Christopher Frost Photography Thanks for the help!
Hi Christopher, would appreciate your comment on this Irix 15mm 2.4 with the Sony A7R3 by using EF - E mount adapter. The price for this lens is lower than Laowa and image quality seems to be better than the Samyang 14mm F2.8 (if I'm not wrong)
Thanking you in advance.
I don't have the lens anymore, I'm afraid