Last Updated on 11/28/2013 by Felix Esser
Japanese optics manufacturer Toda Seiko has announced a new 12mm f7.4 diagonal fisheye lens for both the Fuji X-system as well as Sony’s NEX cameras. The lens has both a fixed aperture and fixed focus, with everything inbetween 20″ and infinity being approximately in focus. So while specs-wise this lens isn’t really special, what might make this lens interesting to some is the fact that it’s actually made in Japan–and not it China, Taiwan, Thailand or elsewhere.
Back in the good old days of film SLRs, the “Made in Japan” branding hat quite a significance in the photographic world; today, one rarely sees it printed onto products. Is that a reason to buy this lens, though? Probably not. While it does have multi-coated lenses, its specs really don’t make it very desirable, especially considering that there are alternatives such as the Samyang (Rokinon) 8mm f/2.8 fisheye lens.
Still, it’s always good to have choice. So if this lens speaks to you, it can be yours for JPY 25,000–about US-$ 245. Not quite a steal, but hey, it says “Made in Japan!”
Via Imaging Resource