Sony has announced three new full-frame lenses, the FE 50mm F2.5 G (model SEL50F25G), FE 40mm F2.5 G (model SEL40F25G) and FE 24mm F2.8 G (model SEL24F28G). Naturally, they are all said to deliver high image quality, attractive bokeh and fast, precise autofocusing in a lightweight and compact design.
Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics said “At Sony we are constantly innovating to develop the best tools that allow photographers and video creators to realize their artistic vision. With these three dynamic lenses, our customers can capture a wide range of perspectives with the excellent resolution and beautiful bokeh that Sony’s G lenses are known for.”
As a set, the FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G offer focal lengths suitable for wide-angle landscapes and establishing shots and a normal field of view that’s ideal for portraits and street photography.
All three lenses are all the same size (68 x 45mm / 2.68 x 1.77inches) and accept 49mm filters. Their weights are also very similar at:
- FE 50mm F2.5 G 174g / 6.1 oz
- FE 40mm F2.5 G 173g/ 6.1 oz
- FE 24mm F2.8 G 162g / 5.7 oz
This is useful for videographers using a gimbal as it means they can swap between the three optics without needing to rebalance.
Also, the lenses all have internal focusing to the front element doesn’t rotate or move backwards and forwards during focusing. Again this is useful for gimbal use, but also for anyone using a polarising filter or graduated filter.
High resolution in a compact design
The Sony FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G are claimed to capture the high-quality images that we expect from a Sony G-series lens. Their construction includes aspherical elements and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements, for high resolution and suppression of colour fringing across the frame at all apertures.
The FE 24mm F2.8 G has on ED element and three aspherical elements, the FE 40mm F2.5 G has three aspherical elements and the FE 50mm F2.5 G has one ED element and two aspherical elements.
Each lens also has a circular aperture to ensure smooth bokeh.
Focus distances
The FE 50mm F2.5 G has a minimum focus distance of 0.35m (AF) / 0.31m (MF) and a maximum magnification of up to 0.18x (AF) / 0.21x (MF), making it ideal for a range of subjects and shooting conditions.
With minimum focus distance of 0.28m (AF) / 0.25m (MF), the FE 40mm F2.5 G can get closer to subjects and offers a maximum magnification of 0.20x (AF) / 0.23x (MF).
The FE 24mm F2.8 G lets you move closer still with a minimum focus distance of 0.24m (AF) / 0.18m (MF). At this distance the magnification is 0.13x (AF) / 0.19x (MF).
Construction and operation
All three lenses have a focus hold button, focus mode switch, aperture ring, and an aperture click switch, making them suited for stills or video-shooting.
The focus hold button can be customised via the camera menu while the aperture ring puts you in direct control of the aperture and depth of field.
Switchable click stops mean the aperture ring can be silenced for video shooting while the Linear Response manual focus ring is said to respond precisely, allowing subtle focus adjustments.
Sony has used aluminium for the lens barrels to give a premium finish and extra durability. The lenses are also dust and moisture resistant.
Conveniently, the diameter of the filter threads on the hood and the lens barrel are the same at 49mm which means that they all accept the same lens hood and cap.
Fast, precise and quiet autofocus
Sony has given the FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G two linear motors each to deliver fast, precise AF. In addition, the tracking performance is claimed to be excellent as well as quiet, so it’s useful for both still and movie shooting.
Price and availability
In the UK and Ireland, all three lenses will be available in April this year and will retail for £630 / €700 each. In the USA and Canada, the lenses will go on sale in May fir $600.00 USD / $800.00 CAD each. simple!