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Brightin Star’s 11mm f/2.8 II Lens Is Here

Brightin Star has officially announced the MF 11mm f/2.8 II, a follow-up to its ultra-wide prime that keeps the same extreme field of view but updates both the design and optics. The lens delivers a 182-degree angle of view, which puts it among the widest options you can get for full-frame cameras. That kind of coverage is really about capturing as much of a scene as possible in one frame, often with noticeable distortion, making it more suited for landscapes, architecture, or more creative/experimental shots.

On the technical side, the lens has an f/2.8 to f/22 aperture range and uses an eight-blade diaphragm, which helps create defined starburst effects when you stop it down. The optical design is made up of 11 elements in 8 groups, with IMC coating to help keep flare under control and improve contrast. Brightin Star says the updated optics should deliver better sharpness and overall image quality compared to the first version, though this is still very much a lens that prioritises character over technical perfection.

The lens uses a full aluminium body and weighs around 550 grams. It is fully manual, with a focus ring and a stepless aperture ring, which can be useful for video work. Minimum focusing distance is about 0.2 meters. The MF 11mm f/2.8 II is available for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and L-Mount, and is priced at $249.99.

You can see full details and sample shots on Brightin Star’s website here

Luminar Neo’s New Spring Update

Skylum is marking Luminar Neo’s fourth anniversary with a spring update, and version 1.27 brings a handful of new AI tools, mostly focused on portrait editing. One of the more practical additions is in the Skin AI section, where a new blemish removal slider has been added. Instead of just toggling the effect on or off, you can now control how aggressively things like pimples or skin imperfections are removed. There is also a new slider that lets you soften not just the face, but the body as well, which gives a bit more control over how the final photo looks.

The Face AI tool has also been updated, especially when it comes to removing dark circles under the eyes. Skylum says the results should look more natural this time, addressing a common issue where earlier versions would overcorrect or affect areas that did not need adjustment. Another change is to Bokeh AI (previously called Portrait with Bokeh AI), which is no longer limited to portraits. It now works on any subject, using a depth map to simulate background blur. There are also different bokeh shapes available, including round, oval, hexagonal, and even more stylised options like heart or star shapes.

Outside of portraits, there are a couple of smaller workflow updates. A new mask blur slider helps soften transitions at the edges of masks, and there is now an option to zoom in and out while working on mask selections. On the mobile side, the app has been renamed to simply Luminar, dropping the “Mobile” branding, and now includes many of the same AI tools found on desktop, including face adjustments, shine reduction, and blemish removal. Skylum also says syncing edits between mobile and desktop should now take less than a minute. The update is rolling out starting April 9 (so today), for all users.

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Something You Have To Check Out

Explore Peru with purpose

See Peru through the eyes of the women who call it home on Intrepid’s new Women’s Expedition. Travel with an expert female leader and a small group of like-minded women - trek the Andes, take part in a traditional textile workshop and join a female shaman’s spiritual practice on this immersive 8-day adventure.

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Photographer Spotlight

Discover amazing photographers

This time in the Spotlight: Khanh Phan

You can find her on Instagram as: @khanhphanphotography

A few photos of hers:

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