A 3D printed lens which creates seriously fun lo-fi looks for under $100 – sign me up right now!
A new 3D-printed 32mm lens is designed to add softness, flare and other optical imperfections rather than suppress them. Priced under $100, it gives modern mirrorless cameras a deliberately lo-fi, analogue-like rendering. The appeal is less about technical correction than about introducing recognizable character directly in camera, without relying on post-processing or vintage-camera maintenance. Its 32mm focal length should suit everyday scenes, environmental portraits and casual documentary work, where flare and reduced sharpness can become part of the visual language. Photographers who need clean, predictable detail should look elsewhere; those seeking variation from highly corrected digital lenses can use its flaws as compositional tools. Treat bright sources and contrasty scenes as creative variables, not problems, and expect each frame to benefit from intentional rather than corrective exposure decisions.
A Look at Laowa's New 35mm Macro Lens
Laowa’s ACRIS 35mm f/2.8 1X Macro APO brings life-size magnification to a wide perspective, keeping the surroundings visible while the subject fills the foreground. Autofocus works only from roughly 50cm away on the autofocus versions, so close macro work requires manual focus; the lens is also manual-only in L-mount and Canon RF. Testing found excellent sharpness at 1:1 and f/2.8, with a small gain at f/4, while diffraction becomes more damaging at f/11 and f/16. At life size, exposure loss is about two stops, and the short working distance can cast a shadow, making off-camera light and diffusion practical. Focus stacking at f/2.8 or f/4 may be more effective than stopping down, especially with compatible in-camera bracketing.
NiSi 16mm f/2.8 ASPH G-Mount Review: There Might Be Such a Thing As Too Wide
NiSi’s 16mm f/2.8 ASPH. for Fujifilm GFX delivers an exceptionally wide view, equivalent to about 12.6mm on full frame when used on a GFX 50S. The lens is available for full-frame and medium-format systems, but the GFX version is fully manual focus. A compact 108mm length contrasts with a surprisingly heavy feel, while the review found it well built, sharp and enjoyable despite the demanding perspective. On the GFX’s 4:3 sensor, its expansive field of view can create dynamic compositions that place strong foreground elements inside a broader environment. It is not an obvious everyday choice, particularly for photographers who prefer autofocus or restrained wide angles. Its practical strength is deliberate, immersive composition: work close to the subject, control the edges carefully and use the width as a subject rather than merely a way to fit more into the frame.