Another short, fat bag and APS-C Nikkors – Photo News of Week 42/2025

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Seven weeks ago, we described the advantages and limitations of today's rare prime lenses with 200 millimeters and high aperture, so now, briefly: great for sports, events, and a bit of portrait work. In the DSLR era, these “short, fat bags” were also special equipment, but at least available. For many years, they were missing from the market until Sigma offered such an optic again.

And this is now countered by Laowa, with the same optical data but a special feature: not only for mirrorless cameras with Sony's E-mount and Nikon's Z-mount is the autofocus lens coming to market, but also for Canon's DSLR mount EF. The Sigma is only intended for L and E mounts. Furthermore, the Laowa is much cheaper than Sigma's 3500 Euros, at 2300 Euros for E and Z mounts or 2070 Euros for the EF mount.

Where's the catch? In the lack of image stabilization. The Laowa optic does not have it, so you have to plan for longer shutter speeds, which is precisely what you don't want, especially in sports. However, if you can use a monopod, for example, which is allowed at some events, you can live with it. Tripods are usually forbidden in concert photo pits, so it's probably not the Laowa's specialty in dim light and with a lot of action on stage. From the end of November, you'll be able to try it out yourself with production models.

A bright “standard zoom” also for APS-C

Not all applications require high aperture, and so camera manufacturers often take their time offering such optics for new bodies. With Nikon, it's finally time for the Z-mount with APS-C lenses: a 16-50mm f/2.8 VR – i.e., with stabilization – and a 35mm f/1.7 are to be available at the end of October. The prices: 900 and 450 euros, respectively. So here too, although less expensive than comparable full-frame lenses, it's more for special applications. Unless you're so set on the full-frame equivalent of 24-75 millimeters with the zoom that you can't do without it. For many, such a lens with f/2.8 is the “all-rounder.” The fact that the small Nikkor is weather-sealed underscores its slightly professional claim.

APS-C Macro, not just for close-ups

The new prime lens is also not a true specialist. The new 35-millimeter, or 52.5 millimeters in 35mm equivalent, is also sealed, and at f/1.7, it's also suitable for demanding portraits. Nikon primarily advertises it as a macro lens, which the reproduction ratio of 1:1.5, or 1:1 in 35mm equivalent, also allows. The minimum focusing distance is 16 centimeters, and without stabilization, the Nikkor is also quite light.

50mm with high aperture from Viltrox

Viltrox completes the lens lineup this week, once again playing the price breaker. Their AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro is currently only available for Sony's E-mount in full-frame, with a version for Nikon Z expected based on experience. The Pro claim of the name is also underscored here by weather resistance, but not in the usual price ranges of camera manufacturers: 620 Euros are requested. For Sony's G Master with the same optical data, you easily pay two and a half times as much. And Nikon doesn't even offer an f/1.4 at all.

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