It has been an exciting year for gear, and it looks like camera companies are showing no signs of slowing down. Sony looks to be next in line, with an exciting and boundary-pushing lens being readied for announcement next week.
Nokishita is reporting that Sony is readying the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM for release next week.
Traditionally, 14mm primes lenses max out at f/2.8, with the one notable exception being the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art, which is over a stop faster. When I reviewed it a few years ago, I noted that while it is definitely a niche lens, it is just so unique and interesting that it is addicting to shoot with. In fact, after I sent my review copy back, I tried to resist purchasing my own for as long as I could, but after I reworked my kit this year, I bought a used copy, and I have been having a ton of fun with it. Sony's version is rumored to be part of its respected G Master line, which means it will offer high optical quality and performance, likely making it a great option for astrophotographers, landscape photographers, and events shooters. We'll see what next week brings!
What makes it unique if Sigma already has a 14mm 1.8 ( which is a. excellent lens ).
The Sony will be much lighter than the Sigma....just look at the size. :P
I'd rather like Sony to come out with a shift and tilt-shift 17mm or 24mm f3.5 at an affordable price level for Tilt and Shift (those lenses can cost - but there's no need to sell a kidney for a piece of metal+glass though). They are wasting resources. Maybe i'll have a look at the manual Loawa 15mm shift. I'm tired of waiting!
This will sell many times more than a tilt shift lens. They're not wasting resources.
I'm not a Sony shooter, but the pace at which they launch very high quality glass is in itself pretty spectacular.
Isn't it interesting how camera manufacturers have a fraction of the sales from years ago but manage to come up with more new stuff than ever.
My impression is that they are either ditching or cutting features from the lower end cameras and lenses, and pushing higher prices and margins on the higher end ones. So the technology battle is fierce in this range.
I heard about this lens last year just before the FE 1224mm f/2.8 GM that I have used and the 20mm f/1.8 this year during Milky Way opening season the past two months. When MW capture heated up back in 2014 the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 was all the rage BUT has mustache and pincushion distortion with that it was used doing panos using only center of lens image. Also there was the super small Voigtlander 10, 12, 14 and 15 all f/5.6 but all Superb with sharp stars in corners and chipped for Metadata but on the A7S and higher ISO's are bright and super sharp, the 10mm at 30s (new NPF rule) gets a pano looking image. Everyone that does Astro MW with lenses fast like the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 (a heavy tank) use at f/2 or f/2.8 the sweet spot anyway. The 1224mm f/2.8 on the A7Siii is a daylight in the night lens and pinpoint stars in corners. With the dynamic range of Sony cameras with ISO Invariance and useable ISO's higher than any other, and Bright Monitoring! I also understand at night the need to stop movement, like people walking etc.where a long exposure is not practical. If the 14 f/1.8 is light like the 20 and 24 primes and Voigtlanders it will fly off the selves.
Meanwhile, where's the 24/1.8???