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Brightin Star Teases New Lens

Brightin Star is teasing a new lens, and the company is calling it a “new chapter of ultra-wide.” The teaser points to the upcoming Brightin Star MF 11mm f/2.8 II, a follow-up to its existing fisheye lens. As usual with early teasers, details are pretty limited, but the company is obviously trying to build some anticipation with a slightly cryptic message about what the lens “sees” and “how it feels.”

Reading between the lines, there are a few things that seem fairly clear already. The lens is labeled MF, so it is going to be manual focus, and the markings on the barrel confirm it is a fisheye design. Given the focal length, it is safe to expect a 180-degree field of view, similar to the original version. The teaser image also shows what looks like a built-in lens hood, which is typical for fisheye lenses like this. The reference to “how it feels” likely has to do with the build quality, and since the first version had a metal construction, it would not be surprising to see that continue here.

The original 11mm f/2.8 was often used for astrophotography, thanks to its wide field of view and relatively fast aperture. It also featured an eight-blade diaphragm designed to produce distinct starburst effects when stopped down, although it is not clear yet if the second version will keep that same design. Beyond that, Brightin Star has not shared much, no confirmed mounts, pricing, or release date yet. The old lens, if that’s any indication, is for L Mount, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Sony E Mount and retails for about $230.

PolarPro’s New Goldstache Filter

PolarPro’s new Goldstache filter is here, combining a circular polariser with a low-strength diffusion effect, all in a single piece of glass. It is essentially trying to balance two things that usually work against each other. Diffusion filters soften a photo and lower contrast, while a polariser typically increases contrast and controls reflections.

In terms of construction, the filter relies on a 1/4 strength diffusion layer, which is on the lighter side compared to stronger diffusion options. That means there is still some loss in sharpness, but it is relatively subtle, especially compared to heavier diffusion filters. At the same time, the polariser helps bring back some contrast and allows control over reflections and glare. The idea seems to be keeping a bit of that softer, more ‘film-like’ look while still maintaining some of the punch you would expect from modern lenses.

Build-wise, the Goldstache uses cinema-series glass housed in an aluminium frame, and it is available in multiple sizes. It is also compatible with PolarPro’s Helix MagLock system, which allows for quick magnetic attachment if you are already using that setup. Pricing starts at $89 for the 43mm version, with larger sizes scaling up from there.

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