Funleader’s new CapLens 18mm f/8 0.3m-∞ Pro iterates on the brand’s original 18mm f/8 CapLens by adding a focusing adjustment dial that lets photographers shoot between 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, one, and two meters in addition to infinity.
The original CapLens was brought to Kickstarter in late 2019 and was made available to the general public by September of 2020. That version launched for a variety of full-frame mirrorless cameras, and Funleader released a special M-Mount version in February of 2021 for use on Leica rangefinders.
The proposed benefit of the design is that it is small, lightweight, and unobtrusive which the company says makes it ideal for street photography.
The company continues to iterate on the super compact lens design and has created a “Pro” version for Sony E and Fujifilm X mounts that uses a more professional-looking design as well as adds new functionality in the form of focusing distance adjustment. These changes were made without significantly increasing the size or weight of the lens as it is 17mm thick and weighs 71 grams. While it is slightly thicker than the original (which was 15mm thick), it is lighter, since the first CapLens weighs 80 grams.
Funleader has added a focus dial that allows photographers to control the focusing distance and, additionally, significantly shortened the minimum focus distance to 0.3 meters (about 11.8 inches) from the previous 0.8 meters (about 31.5 inches). The lens can now be adjusted to focus from 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, one, and two meters away or can be set to infinity focus.
As a hyperfocal lens, Funleader says that it is designed to work within the focusing distance assigned and does not require a photographer to refocus to capture fine detail, a feature that again is perfectly suited to street photography.
The company adds that it has also redesigned and resized the branding and text on the front of the lens which makes it more “harmonious” with how it appears when connected to a camera.
“The 18mm powerful ultra-wide angle lens gets everything in the picture with enough details and high contrast. When shooting street photography, humanities, landscapes, or architectures, Funleader CapLens 18mm f/8.0 0.3m-∞ Pro will enable you to capture it all, not missing important parts of the scene,” the company says.
The Funleader CapLens 18mm f/8 Pro is available directly from the company’s website in either Sony E or Fujifilm X mount for $139.
Image credits: Funleader