New Sony FE 100mm STF f/2.8 GM OSS Lens, FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens, and HVL-F45RM Radio Flash

Sony just announced at WPPI 2017, two new lenses and a New flash unit! Specifically a some what affordable FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens which goes for $598 US, A top quality FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens for $1498 US, and finally a new HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash unit which goes for $398 US.

Not to shabby Sony, and I’m surprised about the affordable 85mm in particular considering the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM lens is fairly new.

I reviewed the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens Here >> for those interested…

Thank you Sony for thinking of the people that can’t afford the top quality Zeiss and GM glass! It really does help out a lot of folks looking for affordable lens options who are considering going with lens adapters, due to the high price of most native optics. Now instead of using lens adapters, people can consider using native glass instead for those critical focal lengths.

Affordable E-Mount Lens Line-up:
The FE 28mm f/2 lens was first in the “affordable” line-up, then the FE 50mm f/1.8 lens and FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens were announced, and now the FE 85mm f/1.8 lens...

Yes, we still need many more affordable E-Mount lenses, but this is a great start if you ask me…
Now, lets go over the new lenses and flash unit shall we…

New Sony Gear Breakdowns:

FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens: $1,498.00

Key Features: 

• E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format

• Aperture Range: f/2.8 to 20 | T5.6 to 22

• Apodization Element for Smooth Bokeh

• One Aspherical Element, One ED Element

• Nano AR Coating

• Direct Drive SSM Focus System

• Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization

• Ring-Switch to Change Focus Setting

• Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm

• Minimum Focus Distance = 1.87′ (57 cm)

• Elements/ Groups = 14/11

• Magnification = .25x

• Filter Thread = 72mm

• Weight = 1.54 lb (700 g)

• Price = $1,498.00

Courtesy of BHPhoto:

Delivering both smooth bokeh and fine sharpness, the FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens from Sony is a short-telephoto prime featuring a unique, yet sophisticated optical design. Separating itself from other portrait-length lenses, this 100mm f/2.8 features Smooth Trans Focus technology, which uses an apodization filter to realize notably smooth bokeh with rounded out-of-focus highlights in both the foreground and background. Contributing to a high degree of sharpness and clarity, the lens also incorporates one aspherical element and one extra-low dispersion element to suppress both spherical and chromatic aberrations. Additionally, a Nano AR coating has also been applied to reduce lens flare and ghosting for greater contrast and color fidelity when working in strong lighting conditions.
Complementing the optics, this lens also sports a robust physical construction that is dust- and moisture-sealed for use in trying conditions. It is also an apt performer, and utilizes a Direct Drive SSM to afford quick, quiet, and smooth autofocus performance. A ring-switch permits selecting between two focusing ranges, including a dedicated close-up range for working with subjects as close as 1.9′ away with a 0.25x maximum magnification. Additionally, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization further contributes to producing sharp images when shooting handheld by minimizing the appearance of camera shake.

– Short telephoto prime designed for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, however it can also be used on APS-C models where it will provide a 150mm equivalent focal length.

– Optical design incorporates an apodization element that helps to improve the quality of bokeh. This element, which resembles a radially graduated ND filter that tapers from clear in the center to more dense around the edges, produces more circular out-of-focus highlights for more pleasing selective focus and shallow depth of field effects.

– An aperture range of f/2.8 to f/20 is available, however the implementation of the apodization filter renders this range as T5.6 to T22.

– One extra-low dispersion element reduces color fringing and chromatic aberrations while one aspherical element controls spherical aberrations for improved clarity and sharpness.

– Optical layout has also been designed to reduce peripheral highlight distortion due to vignetting in order to achieve rounder out-of-focus highlights in both the foreground and background.

– A rounded 11-blade diaphragm further contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing shallow depth of field techniques.

– A Nano AR Coating has been applied to reduce surface reflections, flare, and ghosting for increased contrast and color rendering in strong lighting conditions.

– A Direct Drive SSM system and internal focus mechanism provides quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance and also contributes to more natural, intuitive manual focus control.

– Ring-switch allows you to choose between two focusing ranges: 2.8′ to infinity or a closer range of 1.9-3.3′, which also offers a 0.25x magnification at minimum focus for working with close-up details.

– Customizable focus hold button on lens barrel can be used to hold the focusing position, or can be set in-camera to control a variety of additional lens functions.

– Optical SteadyShot image stabilization helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake for sharper imagery when shooting handheld with slower shutter speeds. This stabilization system can also be combined with select camera’s sensor-shift type image stabilization for more effective control of camera blur.

– Manual aperture ring can be de-clicked for smooth, silent aperture switching to benefit video applications.

– A dust- and moisture-sealed design better permits working in inclement conditions and rubberized control rings benefit handling in colder temperatures.

Sample Photos:

FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens: $598.00

Key Features:

• E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format

• Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22

• One Extra-Low Dispersion Element

• Double Linear AF Motor

• Customizable Focus Hold Button

• Rounded Nine-Blade Diaphragm

• Elements/ Groups = 9/8

• Angle of View = 29 degrees

• Minimum Focus Distance = 2.62′ (80 cm)

• Filter Thread = 67mm

• Magnification = .13x

• Weight = 13.09 oz (371 g)

• Price = $598 US

Courtesy of BHPhoto:

An ideal portrait-length prime, the FE 85mm f/1.8 from Sony is a sleek short-telephoto lens designed for full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras. The bright f/1.8 maximum aperture benefits this lens’s use in low-light conditions and also affords extensive control over depth of field when working with selective focus techniques. The nine elements, eight groups lens construction includes one extra-low dispersion element to minimize chromatic aberrations and color fringing for greater clarity and color accuracy. Benefitting the optical design is a simple, intuitive physical layout that incorporates a customizable focus hold button for easy control over the precise focus position. The double linear AF motor itself affords quick, quiet, and smooth focusing performance, and this motor also offers snappy manual focus performance for fine-tuned control.

– Prime portrait-length lens is designed for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, however can also be used on APS-C models where it will provide a 127.5mm equivalent focal length.

– Bright f/1.8 maximum aperture allows for fine-tuned control over depth of field and also benefits working in difficult lighting conditions.

– One extra-low dispersion element is featured in the optical design and helps to limit color fringing and chromatic aberrations for heightened image clarity and color accuracy.

– Double linear autofocus motor delivers smooth, precise, and near silent focusing performance to benefit both stills and video applications.

– Customizable focus hold button on lens barrel can be used to hold the focusing position, or can be set in-camera to control a variety of additional lens functions.

– Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality.

Sample Photos:

HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash: $398.00

Key Features: 

• 2.4 GHz Radio Transceiver with 98′ Range

• Compatible with Sony ADI / P-TTL

• Guide Number: 148′ at ISO 100 and 105mm

• Zoom Range: 24-105mm (15mm with Panel)

• Tilts from -8 to 150°

• Rotates Left & Right 180°

• Radio or Optical TTL Commander or Remote

• LED Light with 400 lux Output at 1.6′

• Flash Distribution and Memory Settings

• Dust- & Moisture-Resistant Construction

• Batteries = 4x AA Alkaline, Rechargeable NiMH Batteries

• Weight = 11.18 oz / 317 g

• Price = $398 US

Courtesy of BHPhoto:

Equipped with a built-in 2.4 GHz radio transceiver, the HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash from Sony will help users quickly create portable lighting setups with complete support for P-TTL / ADI metering. This flash can be set as a commander or a remote that fully supports Sony’s existing radio commanders and receivers, including ratio control, the ability to work with up to 15 flashes in five groups, and access to 14 channels. The flash works within Sony’s optical wireless flash system as well, where it is also able to operate as either a commander or remote unit.
Improving upon the previous model, the HVL-F45RM reduces size and weight by over 10% while improving the guide number to 148′ at ISO 100 and 105mm and improving the recycle time to 2.5 seconds. Full bounce capabilities are available as well with tilt from -8 to 150° and a total of 360° of rotation. Also, it has a zoom head of 24-105mm which can be expanded to 15mm with a pull-out diffusion panel alongside an LED light useful for video. The flash offers vastly improved controls via the rear LCD, including customizable buttons and flash distribution and memory settings. Additionally, the flash has a dust- and moisture-resistant construction.
Equipped with a 2.4 GHz radio transceiver, the HVL-F45RM is able to operate as either a radio commander or remote as part of Sony’s radio wireless system, including the FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander and FA-WRR1 Wireless Radio Receiver. This system has an operating range of 98′ and does not require line-of-sight. Also, it will support up to 15 flashes in five groups on one of 14 channels. Additionally, it has full support for Sony’s P-TTL / ADI metering system, including high-speed sync and ratio control.
Compatible Cameras:
a7 II
a7R II
a7S II
a99 II
a6500

– Advance Distance Integration (ADI) flash metering works with cameras and lenses with distance encoders to more accurately balance flash output with ambient light and subject reflectivity by taking camera-to-subject distance into account

– Support for optical wireless TTL in both commander or remote modes with up to three groups in one of four channels.

– Compared to its predecessor, the HVL-F45RM has a reduction in size and weight of greater than 10%, making it ideal for use on smaller camera bodies, such as the mirrorless a7 series.

– Guide number of 148′ at ISO 100 and 105mm with the ability to produce approximately 210 full-power flashes on a single set of batteries.

– The flash is equipped with an 5500K LED light with an output of 400 lux at 1.6′ / 0.5m and 10 power levels. It has coverage for 35mm lenses and will illuminate subjects approximately 3.3′ / 1m away when set to ISO 3200 and f/5.6 during movie shooting. Additionally, it will run for about 4 hours on a fully charged set of batteries.

– Flash head offers -8 to 150° of tilt along with a total of 360° of rotation for full bounce flash capabilities.

– Offers a high-visibility dot-matrix LCD and tab-structure menu. Also, the main Quick Navi control interface provides more direct control over commonly accessed settings. Additionally, the main keys can be reprogrammed to rapidly access specific settings.

– Can fire continuously for up to 40 flashes at a rate of 10 flashes per second.

– Slow, high-speed, 1st and 2nd curtain sync is supported on cameras with TTL communication.

– Zoom head of 24-105mm as well as a pull-out diffusion panel which covers 15mm.

– Flash distribution settings of standard, center (guide number priority), and even (wide angle priority) will adjust how the flash affects the scene or subject.

– Two memory settings are available for near instant recall of different setups.

– Manual flash control from 1/1 to 1/128 power in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps.

– Recycle time of 0.1-2.5 seconds.

– Pull-out bounce card.

– Micro-USB port can be used for firmware updates.

– Compatible with Sony Multi Interface Shoe.

– Dust and moisture-resistant construction for operating in less-than-ideal environments.

Closing Remarks

Another happy day for full frame Sony E-Mount camera users in particular and some great news for those looking for a more powerful and affordable flash option for serious off camera lighting capabilities.
Thanks for checking in and reading this quick article on the new Sony gear! Links below for more information and pre-ordering…

I would also love to hear your thoughts on the new gear and Sony lens line as a whole? What lenses/ Gear would you like to see next??

Thanks again and have a wonderful day!
Jay

New Sony Gear Pre-Order Links:

1. FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens: $1,498 US (Click Here)
2. FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens: $598 US (Click Here)
3. HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash: $398 US (Click Here)