Gear of the Month | February 2026

The year is well underway now and the new releases are coming thick and fast. February has been a massive month for lenses, with amazing new optics arriving from Nikon, Tamron, Zeiss AND Sigma. Whatever mirrorless system you use, chances are good there’s a new lens that you might consider adding to your arsenal this month.

And that’s not all – we’ve also seen a new astro-focused camera from OM SYSTEM and a professional recorder from Atomos. So, let’s dig in and count off all the new photo and video gear you need to know about from February.

OM SYSTEM OM-3 ASTRO Digital Camera Body

With a 20MP stacked BSI Live MOS sensor, TruePic X processor, and a dedicated infrared cut filter tuned for Hα transmission, the OM SYSTEM OM-3 ASTRO is a specialist astrophotography variant of the OM-3. The revised IR-cut filter increases Hα transmission to enable vivid red nebula capture, while computational High Res Shot stacking and Starry Sky AF functions support high-resolution, low-noise night-sky imaging. A sealed metal body and 5-axis stabilisation support extended outdoor use.

£1,899.00 View

A specialised variant of the OM-3, the OM SYSTEM OM-3 ASTRO is a perfectly pitched mirrorless camera for capturing spectacular images of the night sky. Its IR-cut filter is optimised for approximately 100% transmission of Hα wavelengths – the type emitted by distant nebulae. This means it can capture much clearer and better-defined images of astronomical phenomena than standard cameras.

Other astro-specific features include Starry Sky AF, which detects and focuses on point light sources (i.e. stars), and Night Vision mode, which increases the display brightness without affecting exposure. With the enormous range of Micro Four Thirds lenses to choose from, any OM-3 ASTRO user will have no problem kitting themselves out for amazing night-sky imagery

Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II Lens

The Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II advances one of Nikon’s Pro Zoom Trinity telephoto lenses with improved sharpness, speed, and portability over the previous generation. A redesigned S-Line optical formula with dual-sided aspherical, Super ED, and SR elements enhances resolution and aberration control, while the revised AF system and new Silky Swift VCM deliver faster, quieter autofocus for both stills and video recording. At 998g with an internal-zoom design, it maintains stable balance for extended handheld or support-based telephoto work.

£2,999.00 View

The next generation of professional telephoto power, the Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II is an uncompromising telezoom for Nikon mirrorless shooters. As one of Nikon’s superior “S-Line” lenses, this lens is built to uncompromising quality standards inside and out, meaning it combines a hardy and rugged build with next-level optical performance.

Autofocus is whisper quiet and super-fast, thanks to the Silky Swift VCM system – Nikon promises it’s up to 3.5x quicker than the previous version of this lens. And with 6-stop in-lens Vibration Reduction, you also get rock-solid handheld stability. All of this is wrapped up in a lens body that weighs less than 1kg, making it a realistic proposition for extended handheld use.

Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Nikon Z

The Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD Lens delivers high-resolution rendering with consistent exposure and aperture control, featuring an optical design with 15 elements in 13 groups. The VXD linear motor drives fast, precise autofocus, while a 0.22m minimum object distance enables close framing with a maximum magnification of 1:3.3. Measuring around 12cm in length and weighing just 575g, the compact barrel and unified 67mm filter thread support balanced, precise handheld operation.

£799.00 View

Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony FE

The Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD Lens delivers high-resolution rendering with consistent exposure and aperture control, featuring an optical design with 15 elements in 13 groups. The VXD linear motor drives fast, precise autofocus, while a 0.22m minimum object distance enables close framing with a maximum magnification of 1:3.3. Measuring under 12cm in length and weighing just 565g, the compact barrel and unified 67mm filter thread support balanced, precise handheld operation.

£799.00 View

Tamron-Link TL-01

The Tamron Link TL-01 is a Bluetooth wireless accessory that connects compatible Tamron lenses to the Tamron Lens Utility Mobile app for remote control from a smartphone. It removes the need for a physical cable, giving you cleaner setup and freer movement on location, while adding iOS support alongside Android for broader device compatibility.

£59.00 View

Next up is the Sony FE 16mm f1.8 G lens – a lens that makes you feel like you can fit everything into the frame. It’s part of Sony’s G lineup, which sits just below G Master but still meets exacting standards with premium craftsmanship. The standout feature? That f1.8 aperture. It’s rare for a 16mm lens and opens up a huge range of creative possibilities. You get greater flexibility in low light, but you can also experiment with depth of field in ways you wouldn’t expect from an ultra-wide lens.

The close 15cm minimum focusing distance, combined with that wide aperture, makes this lens incredibly versatile. One moment, you’re capturing wide landscapes or night skies; the next, you’re drawing in on fine details and textures up close. It’s also great for video. The lightweight design and internal focusing keep it well-balanced on a gimbal, while the linear AF motors deliver fast, quiet autofocus with virtually no focus breathing.

Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Otus ML Lens for Nikon Z

The Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Otus ML is a manual-focus prime lens designed for high optical performance. A Distagon optical design with aspherical elements and special glass minimises chromatic aberrations and distortion, ensuring sharpness and true-to-life colour. The T* anti-reflective coating reduces flare, while the 10-blade aperture creates smooth bokeh. Precision-engineered mechanics, de-click aperture control, and all-metal construction provide complete control for photographers and videographers seeking accuracy and consistency.

£2,050.00 View

Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Otus ML Lens for Canon RF

The Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Otus ML is a manual-focus prime lens designed for high optical performance. A Distagon optical design with aspherical elements and special glass minimises chromatic aberrations and distortion, ensuring sharpness and true-to-life colour. The T* anti-reflective coating reduces flare, while the 10-blade aperture creates smooth bokeh. Precision-engineered mechanics, de-click aperture control, and all-metal construction provide complete control for photographers and videographers seeking accuracy and consistency.

£2,050.00 View

Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Otus ML Lens for Sony E

The Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Otus ML is a manual-focus prime lens designed for high optical performance. A Distagon optical design with aspherical elements and special glass minimises chromatic aberrations and distortion, ensuring sharpness and true-to-life colour. The T* anti-reflective coating reduces flare, while the 10-blade aperture creates smooth bokeh. Precision-engineered mechanics, de-click aperture control, and all-metal construction provide complete control for photographers and videographers seeking accuracy and consistency.

£2,050.00 View

It’s a Zeiss lens, so you know you’re getting something pretty special. The Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Otus ML, available for Nikon Z, Canon RF and Sony E lens mounts, is a manual-focus lens designed to deliver top-notch optical performance. Its documentary-friendly focal length is great for all-purpose imagery, while the long 257° focus throw and precision-machined helicoid drive provide a manual-focusing experience of superior speed and accuracy. The Distagon optical design ensures absolutely scintillating sharpness from edge to edge and corner to corner, with Zeiss’s proprietary T* coating minimising ghosting and flare.

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG II Art Lens for L-Mount

With the release of the 35mm f1.4 DG II Art Lens, Sigma has modernised a popular wide-angle prime with improved resolution and a reduced size. The redesigned 15-element, 12-group optical construction includes 4 aspherical elements, 2 SLD elements and an AAC coating, suppressing aberrations and maintaining edge contrast. The upgraded floating focus system also maintains sharpness from 0.28m to infinity, and dual HLA motors improve high-speed adjustments. With the reduced length and weight, this Mark II lens sits more naturally on full-frame mirrorless bodies for handheld work.

£849.00 View

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG II Art Lens for Sony E

With the release of the 35mm f1.4 DG II Art Lens, Sigma has modernised a popular wide-angle prime with improved resolution and a reduced size. The redesigned 15-element, 12-group optical construction includes 4 aspherical elements, 2 SLD elements and an AAC coating, suppressing aberrations and maintaining edge contrast. The upgraded floating focus system also maintains sharpness from 0.28m to infinity, and dual HLA motors improve high-speed adjustments. With the reduced length and weight, this Mark II lens sits more naturally on full-frame mirrorless bodies for handheld work.

£849.00 View

Sigma’s “Art” lenses are especially optimised to deliver the utmost in image quality and creative expression. The new 35mm F1.4 DG II Art, available for Sony E-mount and L-mount, features an upgraded 15-element, 12-group optical design that ensures consistent sharpness from edge to edge of images. A newly developed AAC coating works to control and suppress internal reflections for suppression of flare and ghosting, and the 11-blade aperture diaphragm ensures that bokeh retains a circular shape even as the lens is stopped down.

Sigma 15mm f1.4 DC Contemporary Lens for Canon RF

With the introduction of the 15mm f1.4 DC Contemporary Lens, Sigma refines its APS-C wide-angle prime series with a wider view and a significantly lighter build. The 13-element, 11-group optical design includes one FLD element, three SLD elements and three aspherical elements to maintain edge clarity while suppressing sagittal coma flare when wide open. A stepping motor drives the lightweight focus group for faster, quieter autofocus performance, and the reduced length and weight make this lens feel more natural on modern APS-C mirrorless bodies.

£449.00 View

Sigma 15mm f1.4 DC Contemporary Lens for Sony E

With the introduction of the 15mm f1.4 DC Contemporary Lens, Sigma refines its APS-C wide-angle prime series with a wider view and a significantly lighter build. The 13-element, 11-group optical design includes one FLD element, three SLD elements and three aspherical elements to maintain edge clarity while suppressing sagittal coma flare when wide open. A stepping motor drives the lightweight focus group for faster, quieter autofocus performance, and the reduced length and weight make this lens feel more natural on modern APS-C mirrorless bodies.

£449.00 View

Sigma 15mm f1.4 DC Contemporary Lens for Fujifilm X

With the introduction of the 15mm f1.4 DC Contemporary Lens, Sigma refines its APS-C wide-angle prime series with a wider view and a significantly lighter build. The 13-element, 11-group optical design includes one FLD element, three SLD elements and three aspherical elements to maintain edge clarity while suppressing sagittal coma flare when wide open. A stepping motor drives the lightweight focus group for faster, quieter autofocus performance, and the reduced length and weight make this lens feel more natural on modern APS-C mirrorless bodies.

£449.00 View

Sigma’s “Contemporary” lenses are all about being light on their feet, and this APS-C wide-angle prime for Canon RF, Fujifilm X and Sony E is very light indeed. This is a highly versatile do-it-all lens: its reduced focus breathing and quiet stepping motor autofocus make it an excellent candidate for video, while its improved sagittal coma control also makes it a brilliant candidate for shooting the night sky. It’s approximately 30% shorter and 50% lighter than the Sigma 16mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary, its predecessor in the Sigma family.

Atomos Ninja RAW

The Atomos Ninja RAW is a 5-inch HDMI monitor-recorder with CFexpress and USB-C recording, built around a 1500nit HDR touchscreen for precise on-set monitoring. The Ninja captures Apple ProRes and ProRes RAW directly from compatible cameras, while providing proper exposure tools, touch control, and reliable external recording in a compact, production-ready body that suits mirrorless and DSLR rigs.

£718.00 View

The best field recorder yet? It just might be – the Atomos Ninja RAW is an impressive piece of kit. It’s a compact monitor/recorder capable of capturing Apple ProRes and ProRes RAW, but what really grabs your attention is that big beautiful screen. Offering up to 1500 nits of brightness, the 5-inch HDR display remains wonderfully visible in all lighting situations, even the harsh light of midday. For a deeper dive, check out Shawn’s overview of the Atomos Ninja RAW on our YouTube channel.