A new lens manufacturer, Omnar Lenses, has just introduced its very first product. The Omnar CN26-6 is a 26mm f/6 fixed-aperture lens for Leica M-mount, and it has an interesting twist. It gives a new life to the old Canon AF-10 point-and-shoot camera by using its optics.
The Omnar CN26-6 is a rangefinder coupled from 0.67m to infinity and optionally can have uncoupled focusing down to ~0.3m. It’s a result of a collaboration between Hamish Gill and Christopher Andreyo, manual focus lens specialists and film photography enthusiasts. and As I mentioned, the optic is from the Canon AF-10 point-and-shoot. I personally love the idea because I also love recycling and upcycling old stuff. It gives them a new life and reduces waste which, you’ll agree, is something we definitely should work on.
“The glass is coated, and it’s surprisingly sharp,” Hamish Gill writes, “but definitely gives a strong [point-and-shoot] aesthetic to images.” If you’ve had a Canon AF-10, I guess you’ll know what it means. “I’m sure it will divide opinion, especially when housed in such a high quality body, but that’s exactly why I love it.”
Hamish explains how he got to choose these particular optics:
“The Canon lens was selected by me (Hamish) on the merit of its optical qualities. It’s sharp for what it is, but has a great character that really shines when photos taken with it are well exposed. The Canon AF10 it came out of works as a camera, but it’s cheap and not wholly reliable when it comes to exposure. I liked the character of the lens and wanted to be able to harness it more effectively.”
For now, the lens only comes in Leica M-mount and with a fixed aperture. Also, there will only be 20 to 30 of them produced. However, stay tuned for the news from Omnar Lenses. The duo has big plans for the future, announcing adjustable apertures, lenses that will house other compact camera optics, and their own optics as well.
If you’re interested in the company’s very first lens, you’ll be able to choose between three base colors: Matte Black Chrome Cerakote, Silver Chrome Cerakote, and High Gloss Black Lacquer – and all will hand-painted by Camerakote. But wait, there’s more. :) “There will also be an upgrade option for it to be painted in pretty much whatever colour you can think of, or at least whatever colour @camerakote can source,” Hamish writes. You’ll also be able to order a lens with an engraving of your choice.
The price of the Omnar CN26-6 is yet to be announced, and the lens should launch this month. Make sure to sign up for the newsletter on Omnar Lenses website and the preorders will be open in a few weeks.
[via DPReview]
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