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Sony FE E-mount full frame lenses

see also:

introduction

  • all Sony FE lenses to date are weather-sealed
  • Sony G master series (“GM”) of lenses are premium pro quality lenses with resolution to a 50 lines per mm standard instead of 30mm or less and optimised bokeh, in addition, have dust and moisture resistance, and also dedicated control buttons like AF/MF and Focus Hold

AF lenses

wide angle AF lenses

  • see also: 35mm full frame lenses for Sony E-mount
  • Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM
    • announced July 2020
    • 17 elements in 14 groups; 9 blades; new Nano AR Coating II; focus-by-wire; Lens Fn button;
    • close focus 28cm;
    • Rear mounted filter (template included)
    • 137mm long; 847g;
    • $US3000
  • Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G
    • announced May 2017
    • 'Direct Drive Supersonic Wave Motor' AF motor; no filter thread;
    • internal focus; fluorine coating on the front element of the large extreme aspherical element; 7 blades;
    • 565g
    • $US1700
  • Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN
    • coming late 2019
    • close focus 0.28m giving 0.14x magnification; 11 rounded blades; 18 Elements in 13 Groups;
    • twin-motor silent stepper motor
    • rear gel filter;
    • 3.35 x 5.16″ / 85.0 x 131.0 mm;28.04 oz / 795 g
    • $US1399
    • https://www.slrlounge.com/sigma-14-24mm-f-2-8-dn-art-mirrorless-lens-review-the-new-sony-fe-ultra-wide-champion/
      • smallest and sharpest 14-28mm f/2.8 lens available
      • great for astroscapes - sharper with lower coma/astigmatism in the corners than the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 stopped down to f/2.8 which has much worse corner sharpness at f/1.8
      • almost matches the Sony 24mm f/1.4GM at f/2.8 although has more vignetting
      • nice sunstars at f/8, minimal flare
  • Sony Vario-Tessar 16-35mm f/4 Carl Zeiss ZA OSS
    • 72mm filter; close focus 0.28m
    • $AU1600
    • http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Sony-Vario-Tessar-T-FE-16-35mm-f-4-ZA-OSS-lens-review-Welcome-addition-to-the-range
      • Sharpness is good across the field even at maximum aperture but there’s some field curvature/astigmatism that’s more noticeable at the long focal lengths causing some image degradation, similar sharpness to the Canon equivalent but not as sharp as the Nikon f/4
      • Distortion is little higher than expected, not so much at the shorter focal lengths but at the longer-end, where the lens has noticeable pincushion distortion from around 24mm onwards
      • CA is most noticeable at 16mm, not only in the corners but as a donut-shaped ring in the center of the field, much more than the Canon and Nikon equivalent lenses
  • Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM
    • announced May 2017
    • fluorine coating on the front element of the large extreme aspherical element
    • 11 blades; 82mm filter
    • two DDSSMs (Direct Drive SSM) AF motors
    • partial weathersealing “Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof”
    • 680g
    • $US2200
    • the highest DxO Mark score for any wide angle zoom lens as of 2017
    • smaller with much less vignetting, coma and star distortion than the Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8L III but lack's the Canon's mechanical MF ring with its infinity marking, making it a nice option for astrophotographic landscapes of the Milky Way 1)
    • when used with a slide in filter holder, there will be vignetting at 16mm but should settle by 17mm; while sharp at f/2.8 edge to edge, optically is best at f/8-11, while sunstars are best at f/16 - perhaps one of the best lenses for sunstars, helped by the excellent flare control 2)
  • Tamron 17-28mm Di III RXD f/2.8
    • close focus 0.19m; 9 rounded blades, 67mm filter, 420g, 73 x 99 mm
    • $US899
  • Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8:
    • announced April 2016
    • 11 elements in 10 groups, and four of those elements are aspheric on both sides
    • close focus 0.25m
    • 330g, 77mm filter
    • $US1499
  • Samyang 18mm f/2.8
    • 145g; 60.5mm long; 7 blades; close focus 25cm; 58mm filter; near silent linear STM motor;
    • no weathersealing;
    • $US329
    • Dustin Abbott's review
      • some complex moustache distortion and moderate vignetting (this clears by f/4 where image also sharpens further and best at f/5.6-8)
      • lat CA well controlled, minimal flare shooting into the sun, usable sun stars stopped down
      • mild wedge shaped stars towards the edges so it is reasonable for astro work
      • good travel lens and vlogging lens (but C-AF in video is apparently not great!)
    • more vignetting and less sharp at f/2.8 than the Zeiss while AF is more noisy but coma and CA in corners is fairly comparable
  • Sony PZ 18-110mm f/4 G OSS
    • $AU5300
  • Tamron 20mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2
    • 67mm filter; close focus 0.11m giving 1:2 magnification
    • $US349 available Jan 2020
  • Tamron 24mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2
  • Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G
    • announced Feb 2020
    • 9-blade aperture can be de-clicked using a built-in On/Off switch
    • two extreme dynamic (XD) linear motors
    • close foccus 7.5“
    • accurate reproduction of point light sources with “high contrast and minimum sagittal flare” for astrophotographers
    • 373g (13.2 oz)
    • $US900
  • Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM
  • Samyang 24mm f/2.8
    • inexpensive, light
    • unlike the Samyang 35mm f/2.8 it is quite soft wide open and is not weathersealed
    • 49mm filter
  • Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2
  • Sony FE 28mm f/2
    • $AU640
  • Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN
    • coming late 2019
    • 82mm filter; 11 rounded blades; close focus to 0.3m giving 0.19x magnification; 17 Elements in 12 Groups;
    • 3.46” x 5.36″ / 87.8 x 136.2mm; 38.45 oz / 1090g
    • $US1499
  • Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA Carl Zeiss
    • $AU2250
  • Samyang 35mm f/1.4 FE
    • announced Oct 2017
    • 11 elements in 9 groups, 2 aspherical lenses, 2 high-refractive lenses, and ‘Ultra Multi’ Coating
    • Linear Supersonic AF motor, close focus 0.3m
    • 9 circular blades, 67mm filter; 645g w/o lens cap/hood; 115mm long
    • $US790
    • https://www.samyanglensglobal.com/product/detail.do?SQ=62
  • Sony FE 35mm f/1.8
    • announced July 2019
    • weathersealed; 55mm filter;
    • Linear Response Manual Focus for fine, responsive manual focus control; customizable Focus Hold button
    • quiet linear-motor AF drive system
    • 280g; 73mm long; 9 circular blades; close focus 0.22m giving 0.24x macro;
    • $US750
  • Sony FE 35mm F2.8 Carl Zeiss
    • close focus 0.35m;
    • 61.5×36.5mm; 120g; 49mm filter;
    • $AU750
    • http://www.photozone.de/sonyalphaff/865-zeiss35f28ff
      • 0.7% moustache style pincushion; 1.4EV vignetting; 0.5px CA; significant long. CA wide open; slightly nervous bokeh;
      • soft corners; sharpest overall at f/5.6
  • Tamron 35mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2
    • 67mm filter; close focus 0.15m giving 1:2 magnification
    • $US349
  • Samyang 35mm f/2.8
    • announced June 2017
    • close focus 0.35m; 49mm filter; only 86g w/o lens hood and 33mm long!
    • 7 elements in 6 groups, contains 2 aspherical elements and one “High Refractive” element
    • 7 aperture blades; UMC coating; not weathersealed; MF not great but AF is good except in low light but not silent;
    • 1.5EV vignetting wide open which reduces as close down; quite sharp wide open with minimal improvement stopping down although edges are best at f/5.6-8. Minimal CA; Some barrel distortion; Similar optical performance as the Sony 35mm f/2.8.
    • a handy super light, relatively inexpensive travel / street photography lens for social media use.
    • $US299!

standard AF zoom lenses

  • Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
    • announced Feb 2016
    • Direct Drive Supersonic AF motor (SSM) for incredibly fast, accurate, and silent AF
    • $AU3300
  • Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
    • announced Nov 2019
    • Super Multi-Layer Coating, Nano Porous Coating, 3 aspheric lenses, 11-blade rounded diaphragm
    • dust and splash-proof body and zoom lock mechanism
    • close focus 0.18m at 24mm giving 1:2.9 magnification (1:4.5 at 70mm)
  • 24-70mm F4 Carl Zeiss OSS
    • close focus 0.4m; 67mm filter;
    • 94.5mm x 73mm; 426g
    • $US1199
    • http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1654/cat/83
      • very soft away from centre at all focal lengths even on stopping down
      • minimal CA; 1.5EV vignetting; complex distortion pattern with both pincushion and barrel distortion being present within the frame at the same time
  • Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS
  • Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.5 OSS
    • $US1048
  • Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
    • kit lens for the A7
    • $AU329
  • Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 FE
  • Sony FE PZ 28-135mm F/4 G OSS power zoom lens:
    • late 2015
    • $A3399
    • ‘Smooth Motion Optics’ design for video work
    • smooth and silent drive with Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) for zooming and “double linear motor” for focusing
    • optical image stabiliser
    • weathersealed
  • Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
    • announced June 2020
    • moisture resistant; 18 elements in 14 groups
    • flourine coating; 7 rounded blades; zoom lock switch;
    • minimum focusing distance of 7.5″ giving 1:3.1
    • RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) autofocus motor
    • 67mm filter; 1.27 lb / 575.5 g; 117mm long;
    • $US729

40-60mm prime lenses

AF macro lenses

portrait prime lenses 75-105mm

short telephoto prime lenses 135mm

  • Sigma FE 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM ART
    • 13 elements in 10 groups
    • 9 blades
    • close focus 0.27m giving 1:5 close up (0.2x)
    • focus limiter 0.875-1.5m and 1.5m to infinity
    • one of the very few E-mount autofocus lenses that have a true mechanically coupled focus mechanism
    • 82mm filter
    • 1230g
  • Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 G
    • announced Feb 2019
    • focus range limiter 0.7-2m and 1.5m to infinity, gives 0.25x macro
    • two customizable focus hold buttons
    • 4 XD linear AF motors and dual-autofocus groups in a floating focus arrangement
    • 952g
    • $US1900
  • Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO Sonnar
    • announced April 2017;
    • OIS, CDAF optimised linear autofocus motor, dust- and weather-sealed
    • close focus 0.87m
    • 67mm filter; 81x120mm; 614g;
    • $US2000

telephoto zoom lenses

  • Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD
    • announced 2019, available 2020
    • less than half the price, almost half the weight of the Sony 70-200mm less focus breathing but less reach, slightly slower AF, no OIS, no AF/MF switch, no Fn button, lesser build quality, less weather sealing and extends on zooming but seems to have similar image quality
    • 19 elements in 14 groups; 9 circular blades;
    • VXD (Voice coil eXtreme torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism;
    • zoom lock switch prevents unwanted barrel extension during transportation
    • close focus: AF 0.85m /33.5 in giving 1:4.6; MF 0.27m /10.6 in at 70mm only and edges become very soft, giving 1:2;
    • 67mm filter; 149mm (5.9 in) long; 810g (28.6 oz);
    • no TC available and cannot use the Sony TCs
    • $US1199
    • a firmware update in May 2020 fixes issues when used with the a7II and also with flashes being delayed with older 1st and 2nd generation Sony cameras
    • https://www.slrlounge.com/tamron-70-180mm-f-2-8-review/
      • corners seem soft at 180mm even stopped down and center sharpness is very good wide open but best at f/5.6-8
      • nice smooth bokeh; some coma and astigmatism in the corners
  • Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G OSS
    • announced Feb 2016
    • 11 aperture blades; 77mm filter; bayonet lens hood;
    • close focus 0.96m giving 0.25x macro; 3m to infinity focus range limiter;
    • dual AF system: two focus groups at either end of the lens are driven by different actuators. A ring drive SSM drives the front AF group while dual linear motors drive a floating rear group. The result is fast continuous autofocus and silent AF for video, as well as in impressive minimum focus distance of <1m
    • 1480g 200mm long;
    • $AU3599 $US2599
    • https://www.ephotozine.com/article/sony-fe-70-200mm-f-2-8-g-master-oss-review-30557
      • sharpest at f/4 but excellent wide open
    • the sharpest full frame zoom lens DxO have tested to date3)
  • Sony 70-200mm F4 G OSS

super-telephoto lenses

  • Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS
    • announced May 2016
    • 16 elements in 13 groups incl. 2 ED and 4 ASPH
    • extends on zooming
    • 9 rounded blades
    • close focus 0.9m giving 0.31x macro; focus limiter 3m to infinity;
    • 72mm filter
    • 856g; 143.5mm long; (similar weight, size and cost of the Sony 70-200mm F/4G but not as good optically)
    • $US1149
    • https://enthusiastphotoblog.com/sony-70-300mm-f-4-5-5-6-g-review/
  • Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OIS
    • coming late 2020
    • 22 elements in 16 groups; close focus 1.6m giving 1:4.1;
    • widest aperture becomes f/5.6 at 120mm and f/6.3 at 220mm;
    • 67mm filter; 197mm long but extends on zooming; zoom lock switch; focus limiter; AFL button;
    • about the same sharpness as the Sony version but less contrast, doesn't focus as close, 1/3rd stop slower, slower AF, MF not as nice, OIS not as good and the tripod mount is an optional extra
    • 1160g
    • $US949
  • Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens
  • Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
    • announced June 2019
    • 24 elements in 17 groups including 1 aspherical element and 5 ED elements
    • 11 aperture blades; close focus 2.4m
    • DDSSM AF system;
    • fully compatible with Sony's two teleconverters
    • 111.5mm x 318mm (4.38“x 12.51”);
    • 2,115g (4.6 pounds)
    • $US1999
    • A Youtube review
    • not as reliable as the 100-400mm for AF of fast moving subjects or when panning when used on a a7RIV - may need a firmware upgrade
  • Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 OSS GM
    • mid 2018
    • 11 circular diaphragm blades
    • 23 elements in 17 groups, including 1 ED and 3 Fluorite elements; Fluorine coating
    • close focus 2.7m / 8.9ft
    • 40.5mm drop in filters
    • Dimensions: 359 x 158.1mm (14.13 x 6.22″)
    • Weight: 2895g (6.38 lbs) (almost 1kg lighter than the Canon and Nikon versions)
    • $US12,000
  • Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS
    • announced June 2019
    • 24 elements in 18 groups, including 1 XA elements, 2 ED elements, and 3 fluorite elements
    • 11 aperture blades; close focus 4.5m
    • XD AF motors plus Linear Response MF; 40.5mm drop-in filter slot;
    • Compatible with the Sony FE 1.4x and 2x teleconverters
    • 3,040g (6.71 pounds) - the lightest full frame 600mm f/4 lens available
    • 163.6mm x 449mm (6.44“ x 17.67”)
    • $US12,999

manual focus E-mount full frame lenses

  • consider purchasing MF lenses in Canon EF mount so they can be used on many camera systems - however, the ones below are available in Sony FE mount if this is what you prefer

Carl Zeiss Loxia lenses

  • these premium lenses are designed primarily for Cine shooters
  • they are COMPACT, weathersealed, all have same filter thread size and position of aperture and focus rings
  • focus rings have a long throw for more precision work
  • aperture ring can easily be de-clicked by turning a screw on the mount using their de-click key set
  • can be a bit hard to remove from camera as sealing gasket makes it tight and there are few places to grab on the lens which doesn't turn
  • they can be bought as a kit for $US6000
  • Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8
  • Zeiss Loxia 25mm f/2.4
  • Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2
  • Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2
  • Zeiss Loxia 85mm f/2.4

Samyang Xeen Cine lenses

  • Xeen CF 16mm T2.6
  • Xeen CF 24mm T1.5 $US2495
  • Xeen CF 35mm T1.5
  • Xeen CF 50mm T1.5
  • Xeen CF 85mm T1.5

Other MF lenses

  • Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL rectilinear
    • widest rectilinear lens for full frame
    • announced June 2020 to be available in Leica M, Sony FE, Nikon Z and L mount.
    • 350g, 6cm long; close focus 12cm; 14 elements in 10 groups;
    • 100mm wide filters can be used without serious vignetting via an optional 100mm magnetic filter holder
    • 5-bladed aperture where a clean and appealing 10-point sunstar
    • $US799
  • TTArtisan 11mm f/2.8 fisheye
    • announced Jan 2020
    • 10 blades
    • close focus 17cm
    • 485g
    • $US215
  • Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6
    • 14 elements in 10 groups
    • close focus 15cm giving 1:4
    • 5 straight blades to produce well-defined 10-pointed sunstars
    • Clicked/clickless aperture can be toggled by a switch on the lens barrel
    • can screw in a rear 37mm filter
    • can use an optional 100mm front filter holder
    • 70 x 90.9 mm; 496g
    • https://laowa.com.au/product/10-18/
  • Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D lens
  • Laowa 15mm f/4 wide angle 1:1 shift macro full frame lens
    • +/- 6mm shift for APS-C cameras
    • 110deg FOV; manual aperture ring; 14 aperture blades; 12 elements in 9 groups; 77mm filter; 410g; $US499
  • Voigtländer Nokton 21mm f/1.4 Aspherical lens
    • announced May 2019
    • close focus 25cm
    • 12 blades; 62mm filter; 560g
    • $US1099
  • Voigtländer Color-Skopar 21mm f/3.5 Asph
    • announced Feb 2018
    • compact
  • Voigtländer 35mm f/1.2 SE
    • announced April 2020; €999
  • Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 SE
    • announced April 2020; €899
  • Voigtländer 50mm f/1.2 SE
    • announced April 2020; €999
  • Mitakon 50mm f/0.95
    • $799
  • Meyer Optik Görlitz Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II
    • coming in 2020
    • close focus 0.15m; “watercolor-like bokeh”
  • Meyer Optik Görlitz Trioplan 50mm f/2.8 II
    • coming 2020;
    • soapbubble bokeh and at shorter distances a light swirl is created in the bokeh of the image
    • close focus 0.4m;
  • Meyer Optik Görlitz Primoplan 58mm f/1.9 II
    • coming 2020
    • 12 aperture blades; swirling bokeh effect;
    • “unusual design, in which a central dispersion lens is flanked by two groups of lenses, each acting as a converging lens. The rear group consists of a single biconvex converging lens, resulting in a subtle brilliance over the entire frame.”
  • Meyer Optik Görlitz Primoplan 75mm f/1.9 II
    • coming 2020; original optic designed in 1936;
    • 14 aperture blades; unique, dreamy, creamy bokeh;
    • “an enhancement of the Cooke triplet, in which a central dispersion lens is flanked by two groups of lenses, each acting as a converging lens. The rear group consists of a single biconvex converging lens. ”
  • Meyer Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100mm f/2.8 II
  • see also Sony FE macrophotography lenses

Suitability for high resolution sensor cameras

  • https://sonyalpha.blog/2019/11/10/which-lenses-to-maximise-the-potential-of-the-sony-a7riv/
    • most lenses do not have the resolution to give you 61mp even if you shoot at low ISO with a fast shutter speed
    • lenses that could give 61mp in the right conditions include:
      • Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM
      • Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
      • Sony 50mm f/1.4 Zeiss
      • Sigma 105mm f/1.4
      • Sigma 35mm f/1.2
      • Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM
      • Sony 600mm f/4
      • Sony 90mm f/2.8 macro GM
      • Voigtländer 65mm F2 Macro
      • Voigtländer 110mm F2.5 Macro Apo Lanthar
    • some Sony GM lenses will not even give 41mp resolution across the frame and are best suited to 24mp sensors:
      • Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM
      • Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
1)
http://www.thomasmoorsphotography.com/blog/2017/8/21/sony-sel1635gm-16-35mm-f28-lens-review
2)
https://www.colbybrownphotography.com/review-sony-16-35-f28-gm-wide-angle-lens/
3)
https://www.dxomark.com/best-tamron-lenses
photo/sonynex_fe.txt · Last modified: 2020/08/07 09:15 by gary1

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