Irix 15mm f/2.4Full-Frame Non-Distorting 110º UltrawideIrix 15mm f/2.4 in metal "Blackstone" barrel, Canon version (95mm or rear gel filters, 22.6 oz./642g, 0.8'/0.25m close-focus, about $675; $425 for same optics in "Firefly" plastic outer barrel). bigger. It comes in mounts for Nikon, for Canon and for Pentax. I'd get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H. This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Irix does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used lens. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken. April 2018 Irix Nikon Canon Sony Fuji LEICA Zeiss Laowa Samyang All Reviews Why fixed lenses take better pictures
Sample ImagesTop Sample Images Intro Format Desert Palms, 13 May 2017. Canon 5DSR, Irix 15mm f/2.4, f/5.6 at 30 seconds at ISO 100. bigger, or full-resolution file to explore on your computer. The palm trunks and fronds look soft in many places because there was a lot of wind; they were blowing all over the place! See the tiny white dashes in the sky in the full-resolution file? Those are stars which moved and made short trails in 30 seconds!
Spanish Home, 13 May 2017. Canon 5DSR, Irix 15mm f/2.4, f/2.4 at 1 second at ISO 100. bigger, or camera-original © file to explore on your computer. Look at the white couch on the left. See the diagonal stripes in the camera-original © file? Those are aliases excited by the fabric and extreme sharpness of this lens — and I shot this wide-open at f/2.4! It's a plain white couch.
IntroductionTop Sample Images Intro Format
This manual-focus Irix 15mm f/2.4 lens has superb optics, easily the equal or better than the larger, older and more expensive Zeiss 15mm f/2.8.
Irix 15mm f/2.4, Blackstone version for Canon. bigger.
Blackstone (metal) or Firefly (plastic) outsides?You can get the same great optics in either metal or plastic outer barrels as the Blackstone or Firefly versions. I'm reviewing the 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone for Canon, which comes in a metal barrel as shown here. The all-metal Blackstone version is very nice, just like a Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 The same optics also come with a plastic outer barrel, called the 15mm f/2.4 Firefly. The Firefly version (not shown here) has the same optics, the same aluminium internal mechanics and metal mount, but has plastic outsides with a rubber focus ring with a raised bar to let you focus by feel in the dark and has a different case— and weighs less and sells for only 2/3 the price. Which you prefer depends on your budget for money and for weight; it's the same lens inside. If weight isn't a concern, see Is It Worth It.
FormatTop Sample Images Intro Format This is a full frame (FX) lens, and I'll be reviewing it as such. It works great on DX cameras, too, on which you may make the usual inferences, but you're wasting most of this lens' performance shot on a small frame camera. Use the Canon 10-18mm or the Nikon 10-24mm for better performance for less money on APS-C cameras. This is a full-frame lens and should be used on full-frame cameras.
CompatibilityTop Sample Images Intro Format
CanonI have the Canon version and am reviewing it here. Other other than being manual focus, it has all the proper electronic contacts for complete interface and communication with all Canon EOS 35mm and digital cameras made since 1987.
NikonThe Nikon version should work great with every FX digital Nikon. It has a chip that should let it work in all metering modes and in all P, S, A, and M exposure modes, just like Nikon's AI-P manual-focus lenses. It is a "G" lens with no aperture ring, so it won't work on manual-focus 35mm Nikons from before about the F4 of 1984. See Nikon Lens Compatibility and look down "G" column for details with your camera.
SpecificationsTop Sample Images Intro Format
NamesIrix calls this the Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone, or the plastic barreled version as the Irix 15mm f/2.4 Firefly. I'm reviewing the Blackstone version for Canon. The other versions have the same optics.
OpticsIrix 15mm f/2.4 Internal Optical Construction. bigger. 15 elements in 11 groups. 2 aspherical elements. 2 extra low dispersion elements. 3 high refractive-index elements. Multicoated; branded as "neutrino." Rear focussing.
DiaphragmIrix 15mm f/2.4 at f/2.4; diaphragm not visible. bigger. 9 rounded blades. Stops down to f/22.
Focal Length 15 mm. When used on APS-C cameras, it sees the same angle of view as a 24 mm lens sees when used on a 35mm or full-frame camera. See also Crop Factor.
Angle of View 110º diagonal on full-frame.
AutofocusNone; Manual focus only.
Infinity Focus StopNo; just a mild click stop. Probably miscalibrated.
Close Focus0.8 feet (0.25 meters).
FiltersFront: Metal 95 mm filter thread. Rear: 30 × 30mm gelatin slot.
HoodIrix 15mm f/2.4, Blackstone version for Canon. bigger. Plastic bayonet ILH-15A hood, included. Sliding access hole to rotate filters with hood attached.
CaseIrix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone included case. bigger. Sculpted semi-hard case included.
Size3.94" maximum diameter × 3.31" extension from flange. 100 mm maximum diameter × 84 mm extension from flange.
Weight 22.625 oz. (641.5 g) actual measured weight, lens only, Canon Blackstone. 23.765 oz. (673.75 g) with included hood as shown. Irix specifies:
AnnouncedJanuary 2016.
IncludedIrix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone packaging. bigger. Fancy metal box holding paperwork. Lens. Front and rear caps. Spare rear cap. Hood. Case. Irix 15mm f/2.4, Blackstone version for Canon with included caps and hood. bigger.
QualityMade in Korea.
Price, USAApril 2018: $675 in metal "Blackstone" barrel; $425 with plastic "Firefly" outer barrel. May 2017: $599 in metal "Blackstone" barrel; $399 with plastic "Firefly" outer barrel. Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone. bigger.
PerformanceTop Sample Images Intro Format
Overall Autofocus Manual Focus Focus Calibration Breathing Bokeh Distortion Ergonomics Falloff Filters Flare & Ghosts Lateral Color Fringes
OverallThe Irix 15mm f/2.4 has great optics, but watch out for sloppy focus ring calibration from the factory.
AutofocusNONE. Manual focus only.
Manual FocusManual focus is stiff; it takes two fingers to move the ring. There is a locking ring in front of the focus ring to lock focus.
Focus CalibrationIrix 15mm f/2.4, Blackstone version for Canon. bigger. Like most other Korean-made lenses I've reviewed, the infinity focus calibration of my sample oddly is a little off. On my sample I have to focus past infinity until the infinity mark is at f/11 to focus properly at infinity. Yours will be different, and hopefully perfect. There is an access cover to allow you to fine-tune this yourself, but it's sad that not every Korean lens arrives perfectly calibrated as Nikon's, Canon's and Pentax' manual-focus lenses always are. Manual focus lenses all should be perfectly calibrated at the factory, where they should have the correct equipment (a laser interferometer and a very precisely and calibrated jig) to do this. There is no excuse for any lens arriving out of adjustment, and once adjusted, manual focus lenses will stay in adjustment for a lifetime or more. All my Nikon, Canon and LEICA manual-focus lenses from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s are still in perfect adjustment since being manufactured. These don't drift, and it is the factory's responsibility, not ours, to get this right the first time. If you do dare to tweak this yourself, there are instructions on page 9 of Irix' 15mm Blackstone User's Manual, but watch out: it warns not to lose the little screws you have to remove inside the lens and suggests a magnetic screwdriver to prevent this. That's enough to scare me; I won't attempt this adjustment myself. Others have done this just fine. For a $1,400 savings over the Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 I'm not worrying about this. All I do is tape a new focus index mark at the correct location and I'm good for focussing by scale — or it makes no difference at all in Live View.
Focus BreathingFocus breathing is the image changing size as focused in and out. It's important to cinematographers because it looks funny if the image changes size as focus gets pulled back and forth between actors. If the lens does this, the image "breathes" by growing and contracting slightly as the dialog goes back and forth. There is very little breathing. The image may grow slightly as focussed more closely, but I doubt it will be visible.
BokehBokeh, the feel or quality of out-of-focus areas as opposed to how far out of focus they are, is surprisingly pleasant. It's just soft, and not busy. Bokeh isn't very important with a 15mm lens because its huge depth of field means almost nothing is ever out of focus in the first place. Here's a sample at f/2.4 at headshot distance: Davis 6250 weather station, 15 May 2017. bigger or camera-original © file to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely display full resolutions images properly).
DistortionDistortion is less than most ultrawide lenses, and even better, it's easy to correct with a value of +2.50 (at 3 meters/10 feet) in Photoshop's lens distortion filter. Most other ultrawides have more distortion, or have complex distortion not easily corrected later. The distortion is mild to moderate barrel, which is rarely visible. Here is an uncorrected sample: Desert Entryway, 13 May 2017. Canon 5DSR, Irix 15mm f/2.4, f/5.6 at 1/40 at ISO 100. bigger, or full-resolution file to explore on your computer. Looks good to me! Here's Irix' data:
ErgonomicsIrix 15mm f/2.4, Blackstone version for Canon. bigger. This is a heavy metal lens. The focus ring is stiff, requiring a strong grasp to twist quickly. Yes, the focus ring grip is slightly curved. No big deal; it tends to keep your fingers from sliding forward or back off the fluting. There is also a focus lock ring, but I have no idea why you'd need it with focus as stiff as it is. It feels similar to the Zeiss 15mm f/2.8. The mounting index dot is a nearly invisible small grey dot; it should be a big red plastic blob you can feel in the dark — but no! The all-white markings would be much more useful if they were color-coded: red infra-red index, yellow footages, etc.
FalloffFalloff on Full Frame and 35mm is moderate at f/2.4, and mostly gone by f/4 and f/5.6. Since it's a third-party lens, you camera won't be able to correct it with a lens profile. I've greatly exaggerated the falloff by shooting a gray field and placing these on a gray background:
Filters, use withUse thin filters. A thick 95mm filter will vignette a little on full-frame. Don't use polarizers on ultrawide lenses; the sky's natural polarization will appear as a dark band in the sky.
Flare & GhostsFlare and ghosts are nearly nonexistent: Ghosts and Flare at f/2.4, 15 May 2017. Canon 5DSR, Irix 15mm f/2.4, f/2.4 at 1/1,000 at ISO 100. bigger, or camera-original © file to explore on your computer. There is nearly none wide-open, which is superb. Stopped down you'll see just a little if you really push it as I've done here, with the full daytime disc of the sun in one part of the image and then a dark tree in the rest of the image, and then add extra exposure as I've done here to to exaggerate it: Ghosts and Flare at f/8, 15 May 2017. Canon 5DSR, Irix 15mm f/2.4, f/8 at 1/100 at ISO 100. bigger, or camera-original © file to explore on your computer. See more at Sunstars.
Lateral Color FringesThere are nearly no color fringes as shot on my 50 MP Canon 5DSR without a lens profile, which is superb performance. Nikon cameras will automatically correct what little there is, and even on my uncorrected Canon 5DSR I can see only very slight red/blue lateral color on extreme tests; there is none with any sort of real photo. This is magnificent!
MacroIf focuses to within inches of the front of the lens, but since it's so wide, doesn't look like it's that close: Kienzle Flieger Automat 800/2843, 12 May 2017. Full-frame Canon 5DSR, Irix 15mm f/2.4 at close-focus distance, f/2.4 at 1/1,600 at ISO 100. bigger, or camera-original © file to explore on your computer.
1,200 × 900 pixel crop from above. bigger, or camera-original © file to explore on your computer. Yes, you're seeing dust on the watch face. If this crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 20 x 30" (50 x 75cm). If this crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 40 x 60" (1 x 1.5 meters). Wow! Even shot wide-open at f/2.4, it's ultra sharp and contrasty at every focus distance.
Mechanical QualityIrix 15mm f/2.4, Blackstone version for Canon. bigger. It's well made mechanically; it's all metal. The bad part is that my sample had poor focus calibration making the focus scale relatively useless, but the mechanics are sturdy and likely to live a long time. Irix says this Blackstone version has a magnesium alloy barrel; but it feels just like the usual anodized aluminum. HoodPlastic bayonet.
Front BumperNone.
Filter ThreadsMetal.
Hood Bayonet MountMetal.
Front BarrelMetal.
Focus RingMetal.
Rear BarrelMetal.
IdentityEngraved on front barrel.
InternalsSeem like all metal!
Moisture Seal at MountYes.
MountDull chromed metal.
MarkingsMostly engraved and filled with paint.
Serial NumberLaser engraved in black towards back of barrel.
Date CodeNone found.
Noises When Shakenvery mild clicking.
Made inKorea.
SharpnessThe only limitations are your skill as a photographer and the lenses you use. This lens, like most major-brand lenses introduced since 2010, is ultra sharp. It may be the sharpest fixed ultra-ultrawide lens I've ever tested. It's ultrasharp and contrasty and devoid of spherical aberration and lateral color throughout the whole image even wide-open at f/2.4. The only slight imperfection is that it is slightly softer in the last few millimeters of the full-frame corners at f/2.4, but even there it becomes ultrasharp as soon as stopped down a little. It's so sharp and contrasty that it can incite aliasing on a 50 MP Canon 5DSR, even shot wide-open! Look at the white couch on the left. See the diagonal stripes in the camera-original © file? Those are aliases excited by the fabric and extreme sharpness of this lens, not stripes on the couch! Spanish Home, 13 May 2017. Canon 5DSR, Irix 15mm f/2.4, f/2.4 at 1 second at ISO 100. bigger, or camera-original © file to explore on your computer.
Here is Irix' MTF chart: MTF chart. Note that this is an MTF chart in the format most used by lens designers that plots the lens' response at four picture angles versus spatial frequency. Most marketing charts plot MTF by field angle for a few spatial frequencies.
SunstarsMore good news is even though it has a rounded diaphragm, the Irix 15mm can make 18-pointed sunstars on brilliant points of light at the smaller apertures. Click any of these to enlarge:
ComparedTop Sample Images Intro Format
OverallThis Irix 15mm has optics as good or better optically than any of these lenses below and takes normal filters, which most of the other lenses do not. It's also by far the least expensive of any of these. The disadvantage is that it's only manual focus, and that your sample may not focus at infinity exactly at the infinity click.
Canon 11-24mmThis lens is the world's standard: ultra sharp and ultra-ultra wide. If you can afford the price, size and weight, get the Canon 11-24mm, but know that you can't use front screw-in filters with it as you can with the Irix 15mm.
Laowa 12mm f/2.8This 12mm lens is significantly wider, but it costs more and has zero electronic compatibility on Canon. You can't use filters on this 12mm lens.
Nikon 13mm f/5.6The Nikon 13mm is Nikon's widest. It sells for about $30,000 used in 2017, if you can find one. The 13mm is much, much slower, bigger and heavier and takes only rear bayonet filters, but it is wider and has less distortion Canon 14mm f/2.8LThe Canon 14mm L was from film days, and is nowhere near as sharp as this Irix lens. The Canon 14mm only uses rear gel filters, but it does autofocus.
Canon 14mm f/2.8L IISadly the new Canon 14mm lens isn't much sharper than the old one; this Irix lens is much sharper at large apertures — and the Irix lens takes normal filters. Nikon 14mm f/2.8 AF-DThis older Nikon lens can't use front filters, and is much less sharp in the corners wide open and has more distortion— but it does autofocus and is wider.
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 GNikon's state of the art and it goes wider, but it's big and heavy and has more distortion and can't use front filters.
Nikon 15mm f/5.6This is a 1970s manual focus lens about the same size as this Irix, but lacks the speed and optical performance, and can't use front filters.
Nikon 15mm f/3.5 AI-sThis is a newer 1970s manual focus lens about the same size as this Irix, but lacks the speed and optical performance, and can't use front filters.
Zeiss 15mm f/2.8This is a larger lens and has the advantage of also taking 95mm front filters, but it costs over three times as much for about the same optical quality.
Canon 16-35mm f/4 L ISThis is Canon's most practical ultrawide, reasonably priced, takes normal filters and has stabilization with superb optics — but it's not quite as wide as the Irix 15mm.
Nikon 16-35mm f/4 VRThis is Nikon's most practical ultrawide, reasonably priced, takes normal filters and has stabilization with superb optics — but it's not quite as wide as the Irix 15mm.
UsageTop Sample Images Intro Format f/2.4?This lens is f/2.4, which is a half-stop faster than f/2.8. Since Nikon and Canon cameras usually are set to work in third stops, sometimes they will show this lens as f/2.5, which is a third stop faster than f/2.8. Potato, potatoe. Ignore this; f/2.5 is the same as f/2.4 as far as photography is concerned.
Lens HoodThe hood can mount four ways, but only two ways are correct. The other two will be 90º off and you'll have dark left and right image sides, with a square image in the center. Be sure the hood is mounted so the long parts of the hood are on top and bottom, not left and right.
FocusI focus manual ultra-ultrawide SLR lenses by scale: I guess at the distance, and set it on the focus ring. It's usually more accurate than using focus aids through an SLR's viewfinder. Live View at f/2.4 is the most accurate.
RecommendationsTop Sample Images Intro Format
This is a great 15mm lens at a bargain price and much nicer than anything else I've ever seen out of Korea. If you're in the market for a fixed 15mm ultra ultrawide, this is probably your best buy.
FiltersProtection I'd use a 95mm B+W MRC 010 UV filter to protect this lens. A better filter for twice the price is the 95mm Hoya EVO UV. It has special dirt, dust and smudge resistant multicoatings to stay cleaner longer.
Grads and ND I use Tiffen HT grads because they are the only truly neutral NDs and grads I've used, they are multicoated and thin enough not to vignette.
Polarizers Don't use polarizers on ultrawide lenses; the sky's natural polarization will appear as a dark band in the sky.
Where to get yoursI'd get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H. This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Irix does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used lens. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
More InformationTop Sample Images Intro Format
Irix 15mm Blackstone User's Manual.
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Mr. & Mrs. Ken Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
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15-17 May 2017