Sony recently announced two new ultra wide angle lenses for those in the market. Starting with the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Lens which is going for $2198 US, and the FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens which goes for $1698 US.
So you Astrophotography fans finally have a fast ultra wide angle lens option, but it’s over 2 grand! Yikes on the price for sure, but the GM badge does ensure top quality optics for your full frame coverage needs.
A quick side note for those Astro Photography fans: Be sure to check out the much more affordable Rokinon glass if you want a much cheaper fast optical option. I recommend looking at the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 Lens, but you will need to manual focus of course, which is the norm for astro anyway… Then you have the Rokinon AF 14mm f/2.8 Lens which is more money, but offers AF… The you have the Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 Lens which is the fastest option available today that I am aware of.
New Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Lens – Breakdown
Key Features:
- E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- APS-C Effective Focal Length = 24-52.5mm
- Two Extra-Low Dispersion Elements
- Three Aspherical and Two XA Elements
- Nano AR Coating and Fluorine Coating
- Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave AF Motors
- Focus Hold Button; AF/MF Switch
- Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
- Eleven-Blade Circular Diaphragm
- Minimum Focus Distance = 11.02″ / 28 cm
- Filter Thread = 82mm
- Weight = 1.5 lb / 680 g
- Price = $2198 US @ BHPhoto | Amazon
- Reviews >>
So the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 Lens is far from cheap at $2198 US, but it does offer the best possible optical quality and speed in a ultra wide angle full frame e-mount lens. I reviewed the other FE 16-35mm f/4 OSS ZA Lens a while back (Click Here for Review), and the performance was nothing short of stellar in my opinion. Therefore, this new faster GM Badged version should prove to be phenomenal I will be willing to bet.
Here are a few provided sample photos from Sony, and be sure to click the images for a higher res version!
New – Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens – Breakdown
Key Features:
- E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
- APS-C Effective Focal Length = 18-36mm
- Four Aspherical Elements
- One Super ED and Three ED Elements
- Nano AR Coating
- Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave AF Motor
- Focus Hold Button; AF/MF Switch
- Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
- Seven-Bladed Rounded Diaphragm
- Minimum Focus Distance = 11.02″ / 28 cm
- Filter Thread = None
- Weight = 1.2 lb / 565 g
- Price = $1698 US @ BHPhoto | Amazon
- My Review >>
So the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens is a killer ultra wide angle option in my opinion, and with the G Badge you can count on excellent optically quality, build quality, and performance. The price is pretty high at $1698 US, but you do get some awesome optics for the money, based on the sample photos and reviews I have seen so far.
There is no filter thread for attaching filters unfortunately, because the pedal hood is built in. This is fairly common with ultra wide angle lenses, but I can see a lot of people wondering about this feature in particular. You can certainly try and rig up some filters however, but they will need to be very large in order to cover the ultra wide angle view.
Some Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens Reviews >>
Conclusions
Sony has been filling in the gaps to there full frame e-mount lens line-up quite nicely over the past few years. What we are still waiting for is a fast 135mm lens and a few more fast primes I would say. More affordable glass would also be welcomed by the masses as well 😉
Be sure to check out and bookmark my Sony E-Mount lens Guide Page for all the available lenses, links to reviews, and best prices on the web! I am currently updating that page with a better layout and more refined design, so stay tuned for that in the upcoming days as well…
Thanks again for checking in everybody, and please have a wonderful day,
Jay
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Lens for $2198 US @ BHPhoto | Amazon
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens for $1698 US @ BHPhoto | Amazon
