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Who’s the PolarPro LightLeak 50mm lens for? Effectively, retro cameras are among the hottest cameras available on the market. The development is pushing not solely digital cameras that appear to be analog, but additionally encouraging extra manufacturers to embrace completely different coloration profile choices in-camera.
However whereas film-like colours are a part of embracing the look of conventional pictures, the digicam is simply half of the equation; the opposite, typically missed half, is the lens. The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm is an optic that goals to finish that film-like look with the weird means to create mild leaks on a digital digicam.
The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm, just like the PolarPro LightLeak 28mm and 16mm lenses within the sequence, has a gap within the facet that permits creators to deliberately add, take away or alter a light-weight leak.
Thought of an “imperfection”, the sunshine leak was frequent on movie cameras that come from worn-out mild seals (or a photographer opening the again of the digicam earlier than correctly winding the movie). The LightLeak sequence embraces these so-called imperfections, together with the traditional delicate subtle look of outdated lenses, and even some uncommon lens flare.
The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm throws fashionable sharpness requirements out the window and embraces imperfection in an try and convey the appeal of analog pictures into the digital realm. However is it a retro treasure, or an over-hyped low-cost optic?
I paired the PolarPro LightLeak 50mm with my Fujifilm X-T4 to see simply how these retro claims maintain up.
PolarPro LightLeak 50mm Specs
|
Aperture |
f/11, fastened |
|
Lens mount |
Sony E, Canon RF, Fujifilm X (reviewed), Nikon Z, L-Mount |
|
Lens format protection |
Full-frame |
|
Focus |
Mounted focus |
|
Stabilization |
None |
|
Filter dimension |
58mm (X-Mount) |
|
Size |
53.2mm / 2 in (X-Mount) |
|
Weight |
215g / 7.5 oz (X-Mount) |
PolarPro LightLeak 50mm Worth & Availability
Accessible in a number of completely different mounts, the PolarPro LightLeak 50mm is available in variations for the Sony E, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z and L-Mount.
The lens is accessible immediately from PolarPro and retails for $129.99 / £129.00 / AU$199. Additionally it is out there as a part of a three-piece set for a slight low cost in comparison with buying the 16mm, 28mm and 50mm lenses individually.
PolarPro LightLeak 50mm Design & Dealing with
Because the longest focal size within the LightLeak sequence, the 50mm can be the biggest of the trio of lenses. The scale jogs my memory of a variety of budget-friendly “nifty fifty” lenses, working simply over two inches with slight variations on the completely different out there mounts.
Contemplating the worth of the lens, I used to be pleasantly shocked to search out an aluminum-bronze-colored lens barrel. That design makes the lens barely heavier than plastic-barreled optics, however not terribly hefty with a weight roughly between 215 and 240g / 7.5 to eight.5oz, relying on the lens mount.
The entrance of the lens is extra black materials than glass, which isn’t stunning for an f/11 aperture lens. However even this entrance materials and the only management ring have a really feel that belies the low value.
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The headlining characteristic on the lens is the LightLeak, a small window on the lens that deliberately permits mild to “break” a picture with analog-like leaks.
This window is roofed in plastic to assist stop mud from coming into the lens. A hoop round this window opens and closes, permitting creatives to shoot with or with no mild leak. The opening on that ring can even rotate to vary the course of the sunshine leak.
PolarPro LightLeak 50mm: Efficiency
The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm is an f/11 finances lens that embraces the retro look and imperfections. The lens isn’t designed for pixel peeping, however moderately for embracing imperfections and bringing a retro analog characteristic to digital cameras. And boy, does it ship on that retro look.
With the distinctive window open, photos tackle a hazy patch of coloration paying homage to an analog mild leak. These leaks assume the colour of the ambient mild. Through the day, they’ve extra cool tones. However once I used a color-changing LED by the window, I used to be in a position to get the warmer-toned impact I used to be after.
Whereas I anticipated that mild leak impact, I used to be shocked at how stunning the lens flares on this lens are. After I directed this lens in direction of automobile headlights, it created some distinctive round golden halos of flare. I like a little bit of distinctive flare, and the LightLeak 50mm delivered simply that.
I used a couple of completely different movie simulations on my Fujifilm digicam with this lens to embrace that retro look. The colours coming from this lens are much less saturated and wash out much more with the LightLeak window open.
However I do suppose for essentially the most retro look the lens goes to want both a great in-camera movie simulation or analog-inspired presets in the course of the enhancing course of. Colours do at occasions wash over the perimeters, however the aberration feels much less jarring as a result of the lens isn’t as sharp.
As a retro lens, nonetheless, photos coming from the LightLeak 50mm aren’t very sharp. That is true to that retro look, however I couldn’t assist myself: once I zoomed in at 100%, the topic by no means regarded in focus, at the least by fashionable requirements. This lens is certainly on the delicate facet, like taking pictures with a powerful diffusion filter.
The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm is a hard and fast focus lens, so there’s no autofocus motor to really miss focus. Something from about 1.5m away from the lens needs to be in that focus zone.
That does give the lens extra means to blur the foreground a bit, in comparison with the 23mm possibility within the sequence, though in fact at f/11 the depth of area received’t be very sturdy.
I additionally discovered myself actually loving the movies that I shot with the PolarPro LightLeak 50mm. The footage had a retro really feel that stands out from fashionable, overly coloured and overly sharp footage. The LightLeak impact additionally works with video, and if the sunshine or the lens strikes, the sunshine leak will transfer throughout the footage too.
PolarPro LightLeak 50mm: Pattern photos
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PolarPro LightLeak 50mm: Verdict
The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm is for any photographer or videographer who seems like fashionable lenses lack soul. It’s a charmingly imperfect lens that creates analog-like results and enjoyable flare, whereas tossing out fashionable requirements on sharpness and saturation.
Pixel peepers ought to most actually skip this lens. The LightLeak sequence isn’t designed with fashionable picture high quality requirements in thoughts, making a lens that’s delicate with extra washed-out colours.
Creators who need the retro look on digital, nonetheless, could very properly fall in love with the PolarPro LightLeak 50mm. The aluminum construct additionally provides the lens a much better really feel than so-called physique cap lenses, but the worth continues to be pretty cheap as properly.
PolarPro LightLeak 50mm Options
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