Following CES is not an easy task, so one would think that this week would’ve been very quiet. This was mostly true in terms of huge announcements (e.g. cameras) although DJI, Sigma, and DZOFilm all had some notable releases.
DJI’s biggest announcement is the new smallest pro gimbal in its lineup: the RS 3 Mini. Sigma brought out its second Sports lens for mirrorless systems with a superzoom 60-600mm, DZOFilm expanded its large-format CATTA series with a wide 18-35mm lens.
It was enough without being too much after the annual madness that is CES.
DJI shrinks its pro gimbal into the RS 3 Mini
Every generation of the RS series (formerly Ronin-S) has been a huge leap forward. The RS 3 and RS 3 Pro were no exception. Among the chief benefits of those models was the ability to support larger cinema cameras with relative ease. The tradeoff was these are decently-sized products. The RS 3 Mini they just announced gives users a more advanced feature set in a compact package around half the size and weight of its siblings.
This gimbal will support camera systems weighing up to 4.4 lb, which is plenty for some of the latest full-frame mirrorless options with a hefty zoom lens. The RS 3 Mini then has the same stabilization algorithm as the bigger RS 3 models along with a dual quick-release system that makes it easy to switch from horizontal to vertical shooting—very much a sign of the times.
Being smaller, DJI decided to adopt an internal battery design that charges over USB-C. It should run for 10 hours so hopefully you'll be easily able to get a full day of shooting out of it.
Otherwise all the usual DJI goodies are in there with Bluetooth for wireless camera remote control, support for an app for additional features, and more.
It's looking like DJI will again take claim for the best mirrorless gimbal. We even had the opportunity to go hands on.
Sigma brings native superzoom to mirrorless with 60-600mm lens
The world's first 10x ultra-telephoto designed for mirrorless cameras! That's the claim staked by the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens and it is a nice option for Sony E and L-Mount systems. It's only the second Sports line lens for mirrorless and it gives shooters an amazing range from the standard 60mm to a true super telephoto 600mm.
Being made for mirrorless, this version of the 60-600mm is 7 ounces lighter than the older DSLR model. Being a brand-new design, it also benefits from all the latest lens tech.
It is a sharp lens, something we confirmed in our hands-on review, and is a great option for birding and wildlife. The zoom works either by using the standard zoom ring or by push/pulling the front of the lens.
Being a larger lens, an upgraded High-response Linear Actuator (HLA) motor drives the autofocus for matching the tracking capabilities of modern systems, including Eye AF and Animal AF. Plus, the stabilizers—an absolutely necessary feature on super teles—will support up to 6 stops of compensation at 600mm.
L-Mount users will actually benefit from some exclusive features, including the ability to use their 1.4x and 2x teleconverters with this lens.
Versatility is going to be why you want the 60-600mm. If you never look wide then this might be the only lens you'll ever need.
DZOFilm goes wide with Catta 18-35mm T2.9 cine lens
Great cinema lenses no longer have to be extraordinarily expensive. DZOFilm has proved that with their optics. Its latest is the Catta Ace 18-35mm T2.9, a full-frame ready lens that sits right alongside its existing 35-80mm and 70-135mm.
Expanding to the wider end is very sensible and makes the Catta series feel like a complete set now as you can get your wide, standard, and tele zooms all matched up. And, for many video shooters, having a bit more at the wide end can be essential to working in a tight space or nailing a dramatic landscape.
This lens' features line up with the rest of the Catta Ace series with a few tweaks owing to its wide-angle zoom range. One notable change is that the 18-35mm is fine with full-frame sensors, but may be tight on true VistaVision sensors as it has a slightly smaller 43.5mm image circle compared to the existing lenses 46.5mm spec.
All the lenses share the aperture range of T2.9-22, have matching control rings, an 80mm front diameter, 77mm front filter thread, 0.8 MOD gear pitch, 16 aperture blades, and an aluminum alloy construction. The 18-35mm is the heaviest now at just under 4.1 lb.
The Catta Ace lenses come with ARRI PL and Canon EF mounts, though there is an option to pick up an optional LPL mount.
DZOFilm has also brought this lens to the mirrorless-focused Catta Zoom series, which uses the same optics in a slightly smaller and lighter housing. It comes with a Sony E mount, though there are optional Canon RF, FUJIFILM X, L-Mount, and Nikon Z mount kits available.
In other news…
-
Nanlite brought its more affordable 15C and 30C LED tube lights into its second generation lineup
-
DJI had another announcement: a new version of the DJI Mic that has a single transmitter for one-person shoots
-
A few post-CES roundups went live covering VR, tons of monitors, and smart home tech
-
Just launched! A series on bird photography basics with Emily Taplin
2023 is getting started with a few busy weeks. Anything you are hoping to see this year? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
1 Comment
In general, I am a fan of this site, but the lede of this article is incomprehensible and grammatically aberrant. I stopped reading after the first graf.