Mar 4 2015
Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging, has today announced several new α E-mount lenses and converters, building upon the rapid expansion of their popular mirrorless camera system.
The new introductions are highlighted by 4 new ‘FE’ full-frame E-mount lenses designed to complement the acclaimed α7 camera lineup. These include a ZEISS® Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA wide angle lens, an FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS lens, an FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS hi-magnification zoom lens and an FE 28mm F2 wide angle prime lens.
In addition, two sets of new ultra-wide and fisheye converters have been announced, one set exclusive for the new full-frame FE 28mm F2 lens and another set for use with existing 16mm (SEL16F28) and 20mm (SEL2028) APS-C E-mount lenses.
“These new high-quality lenses are a great example of the evolution of our α mount camera system,” said Neal Manowitz, director of the interchangeable lens camera business at Sony Electronics. “With a rapidly expanding system of over 60 total lenses and a variety of the most unique, innovative camera bodies in market today, we are in a great position to build on our positive momentum and bring the power of Sony α to more customers than ever.”
ZEISS® Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA (model SEL35F14Z) Full-frame Wide Angle Lens
This new ZEISS® Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA full-frame wide angle prime showcases legendary ZEISS® optical performance in a compact design.
With a minimum focusing distance of approximately 12 inches, the ZEISS® Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 is the first E-mount lens to feature an exceptionally fast aperture of F1.4. The lens has a 9-bladed circular aperture, which makes it a superior choice for creating smooth bokeh (defocus) during portrait shooting. It also performs extremely well in low-light shooting scenarios or for simple everyday photographs.
The new 35mm prime lens produces stunning corner-to-corner sharpness – even at maximum aperture – thanks to its advanced optical design with 3 aspherical elements including one Sony advanced aspherical element and a 9-bladed circular aperture. It also features ZEISS® T* coating that suppresses flare and ghosting for natural color reproduction and excellent contrast.
Additionally, the lens has a Direct Drive SSM (DDSSM) system that enables whisper-quiet precision focusing, even at the shallowest depth of field. A dedicated aperture ring can be set for smooth, continuous operation – ideal for movie-makers – or with click-stops to provide tactile feedback when shooting still images. The ZEISS® Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 is also dust and moisture resistant design for reliable operation when shooting outdoors.
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS (model SEL90M28G) Medium Telephoto Macro
Designed to produce crisp, high-impact close-ups and portraits, the new FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS lens delivers an impressive blend of clarity, detail and smooth background.
The first mid-telephoto macro lens for the α E-mount line, the FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS features built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) image stabilization, allowing for pin-sharp images at up to 1:1 magnification, even when shooting handheld. The smooth, quiet Direct Drive SSM (DDSSM) mechanism drives two ‘floating’ focus groups independently, ensuring extremely precise focus positioning that’s crucial for macro photography.
The new macro lens maintains the same overall length at all focal distances – very helpful for macro shooting – and has a focus hold button and sliding focus ring that can instantly switch between manual and auto focus1. It is also dust and moisture resistant.
FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (model SEL24240) Full-frame Zoom
Sony’s new “all-in-one” FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS 10x zoom lens is an ideal travel partner handling everything from landscapes and everyday portraits to sports and action scenes with ease. Its huge 24-240mm range (10x zoom) makes this full-frame high magnification zoom is an ideal travel partner, covering focal lengths from wide angle to telephoto without the need to carry extra lenses.
The advanced design includes five aspherical elements and one ED glass element, contributing to the lens’ excellent optical performance in a compact design. It features an advanced linear motor that drives the focusing mechanism for quick, smooth response throughout the extensive zoom range, as well as built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) stabilization and dust and moisture resistance.
FE 28mm F2 (model SEL28F20) Full-frame Wide Angle Prime
An ideal lens to supplement any photographer’s basic kit, the new full-frame FE 28mm F2 wide angle prime features a bright F2.0 maximum aperture that’s ideal for landscape, low-light handheld shooting and much more.
The light, compact design of the lens is an ideal match for Sony’s α7 series full-frame camera bodies, with a high-grade aluminum finish adding instant visual appeal. The FE 28mm F2 has a 9-blade circular aperture, three aspherical lens elements – including one advanced aspherical element – and two ED glass elements that work together to ensure excellent edge-to-edge sharpness and excellent bokeh. All lens surfaces are multi-coated to suppress flare and ghosting with backlit shots.
The inner focus mechanism of this wide angle prime is driven by an advanced linear actuator, allowing for whisper-quiet AF. Like the new FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS macro lens, overall lens length will remain constant during focusing.
SEL075UWC Ultra-wide Converter and SEL057FEC Fisheye Converter
For even wider perspectives, the full-frame FE 28mm F2 wide angle prime lens can be combined with either the SEL075UWC Ultra-wide Converter or SEL057FEC Fisheye Converter to respectively increase angle of view to 21mm or 16mm fisheye with full 180° coverage2. Maximum aperture of each converter when mounted on the FE 28mm F2 is F2.8 and F3.5 respectively. In a first for α lens converters, corresponding EXIF data for each adapter is generated when they are attached to the lens.
VCL-ECU2 Ultra-Wide and VCL-ECF2 Fisheye APS-C converters
Sony has also introduced new wide angle converters for E-mount APS-C camera bodies. The new VCL-ECU2 converter is compatible with the E 16mm F2.8 (SEL16F28) and E 20mm F2.8 (SEL20F28) wide angle APS-C lenses, boosting ultra-wide angle performance to 12 mm (with E 16mm F2.8) or 16 mm (E 20mm F2.8). The VCL-ECF2 Fisheye Converter creates exaggerated perspective effects for both lenses with full 180° coverage. Each converter sports a smart new black finish.
Software Update
In addition to the new lenses and converters, Sony has today released a software update for select FE full-frame E-mount lenses including SEL35F28Z, SEL2470Z, SEL55F18Z, SEL70200G and SEL2870 to shorten start up time when mounted on α E-mount camera bodies. An additional software release for lens performance will be available in late March – please check the details at the Sony e-support site (www.esupport.sony.com) for more information.
Pricing and Availability
The new assortment of Sony α E-mount lenses and converters will be sold at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide. Pricing and availability is as follows:
- ZEISS® Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA full-frame wide angle prime (SEL35F14Z) will be available in April for about $1600
- 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS lens (SEL90M28G) will be available in July for about $1100
- Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens (SEL24240) will be available in March for about $1000
- Sony FE 28mm F2 wide angle prime (SEL28F20) will be available in May for about $450
- Full-frame SEL075UWC Ultra-wide Converter and SEL057FEC Fisheye Converter will be available in May for about $250 and $300, respectively
- VCL-ECU2 Ultra-Wide and VCL-ECF2 Fisheye APS-C converters will be available in May for about $160 and $180, respectively