Irix lenses - first impressions

[CarbonR]

My first feelings about the Irix firefly lenses (11/4 and 15/2.4) :
- Clic at infinity on the focusing ring is a good idea
- Feeling of focus ring is horrible compared to Takumar and clearly behind Samyangs. Not unusable, but nothing silk smooth. OK for UWA lenses, we do not use focus ring a lot. It may be better on blackstone versions.
- The bag is not very practical and will not protect against anything rough.
- Filter thread of the 15/2.4 would be better 1-2mm away. I have the feeling of scratching the front lens when screwing a filter.
- Metal box looks good, but only at unboxing. I am not sure of its utility out of unboxing pleasure. I would have prefered a rigid case instead of the metal box.

To summary, it is not top quality finish when compared to Samyangs (which are far beyond Takumars). If you only look for the functionnality of the lenses (like I was for a 11mm lens or 15mm lens with filter thread), they will be enough, otherwise if you love beautiful items, go for blackstone versions.

To better see what a 11mm lens is capable, three photos at the same point of view, drivers seat set at a normal position :


24mm is a good telephoto lens !

[55]

Thanks for sharing your insights, CarbonR.

I don't know much about Irix, but I know for certain the emergence of Korean lens makers has been a blessing for those of us who enjoy using manual focus prime lenses!

[caspert79]

What about this rumour?
https://photorumors.com/2016/10/07/is-samyang-behind-the-irix-lens-brand/

[CarbonR]

A site full of rumors, a news from 2016... I am not convinced. Samyang might be the producer, but this does not change anything for the lenses : a producer produces what its client asks.And the client would in this case be Irix.

[stevemark]

[calvin83]

[CarbonR]

And I would say... no matter the lens is designed by a famous french/swiss designer, a young trainee in india, or a siberian on its horse. This will not change the lens performance, all of them can produce the same optical formula.

[stevemark]

[iangreenhalgh1]

[visualopsins]

compte bancaire suisse

[stevemark]

[CarbonR]

I quickly tested the lenses out today. The hood of the 15/2.4 does not fit correctly (not totally screwed) and thus is visible on photos. And the exifs show a 11/4 lens. Weirds, bad quality check or conception.

Both lenses seem to be at least at the level of the Sammyang 14/2.8 and Takumar 15/3.5. The 15/2.4 seem a bit better than the 11/4 which needs to be stopped down to have a consistent sharpness on all the picture. And th focusing ring of both lenses have a feeling like if every part was in plastic with goor grease. It would be an absolutely no-go for a lens that require precise and/or fast focus. It is acceptable for me on ultra wide angle lenses.

11/4 @f/4 :


11/4 @f/5.6 :


No pictures at infinity yet, they are not showable on internet.

I am waiting for the "great test". I bet that the lenses will be enough for what I want to do with them. Of course I could have better options (Samyang 10/3.5 and Laowa 15/4 shift+macro) but the Irix are the cheapest ultra wide angle solutions, with the Samyang 14/2.8.

[Alsatian2017]

[Alsatian2017]

[Blazer0ne]

...

[CarbonR]

[Alsatian2017]

[CarbonR]

As said, shots at infinity were not showable on internet (because my house would be too easy recognisable). Today there is some sun wo I will take the time to do a comparison of the lenses. But for what I've ssen on previous shots, the 11/4 is largely acceptable for what I want to do with it (especially taking in account that it is the cheapest UWA non fish-eye lens available)

[Gerald]

[DConvert]

[Gerald]

[CarbonR]

In France it is legal if I am right. So companies can take every part from China, put them in the box here and sell it "Made in France". Globalization and companies lobbying is beautiful.
This is why I do not thrust easily any "Made in xxx" (apart from China). China are sending things to space, so they know how to do a quality control. Poor items from China are items that are asked to be poor, not because China make poor item, but because we ask them to do so. So Irix could be poorly designed in Swiss and made in China with the same standards of quality control as Zeiss' one.

[visualopsins]

Sure there is the additional "like a Swiss watch" quality of manufacture advertising spin, however the "Swiss Bank Account" financial shenanigans likely are a greater incentive for the company.

[DConvert]

[CarbonR]