New e-Mount Lenses for NEX

[setrini47]

Hi All,

Does anyone have any information on when all of the new e-mount lenses will be available?

I know Sony made a big show back at PMA last year and stated that it would be releasing the lenses this year (and some next year), but I haven't been able to find any information as to when specifically?

Am not sure whether to stump up buying the SEL-18200 now or wait a few months for a better/smaller zoom lens!

S.

[Blencogo]

I've not heard anything apart from the original announcement:-

• Wide fixed focal length CZ available in 2011
• Telephoto zoom available in 2011
• Macro available in 2011
• Portrait available in 2011
• High performance standard zoom  G available in 2012
• Wide zoom available in 2012
• Mid-telephoto available in 2012

However the delays in production of the 18200 don't bode well!

[Watashiwateshdes]

They had a few unmarked NEX lenses at Focus On Imaging so they may not be far off now. Didnt get a chance to get a photo of them. Maybe some other reviewer did?

[GreggLonewolf]

Here's an update on the 'Sony Roadmap' for NEX lens releases :

It now appears that we can confirm the first four lenses on Sony's original list :

• Wide fixed focal length Carl Zeiss = 24mm (F1.7 according to sonyalpharumours.com)
• Telephoto zoom = 55-200mm
• Macro = 50mm
• Portrait = 30mm

No other details on the other F-stops yet, but there's confirmed support from Zeiss, Cosina-Voigtlander, Tamron and Sigma to the E-mount, with a mock up of a Sigma 30mm F2.8 :

The original source can be found here :

http://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/olympus-sony-and-sigma-do-show-new-lens-mockupsroadmap/

Message was edited by: greggsmith

[GreggLonewolf]

I'd like to see a series of 'pancake primes' for the NEX family.

Over the years there have been a variety of 'pancake' lenses (ranging from 12mm to 45mm) and I'd love to see Sony really embracing the abilities of the new chipset (i.e. the ability to make smaller, lighter lenses because of the APS-C format and the smaller flange focal distance on the NEX cameras).

Apparently, the pancake lens design is based on the Zeiss Tessar design developed at the turn of the 19th century. It is legendary for it's sharpness,compact size and (for it's day) high speed. The design is limited to about 2.8 at the 50mm focal length.

In the seventies and early eighties a variety of manufacturers offered them in the race for compact SLR kits. As a matter of fact Pop Photo declared the Konica 45 mm 2.8 the sharpest lens they had ever tested.

My ideal wishlist would be the following lenses in the pancake format :

12mm (which we have with the VCL-ECU1 0.75x ultra wide angle adaptor), 14mm, 16mm (which we already have), 18mm, 20mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, 85mm, 100mm and 135mm.

Oh yeah, and can we make them all T2.8 (or faster, if possible).

I realise there are limitations to the pancake format and I may be asking a bit too much with pancake versions of the longer lenses, but there are advantages to using 'prime' lenses (as opposed to zooms) and I'd love to see Sony maximise the potential of the new camera platform.

Here's hoping

Gregg.

Message was edited by: greggsmith

Message was edited by: greggsmith

[GreggLonewolf]

It all sounds very exciting, but I'd be surprised if these lenses are anything other than re-packaged alpha lenses.

If that's the case we're probably looking at :

• Wide fixed focal length CZ = 24mm F2
• Telephoto zoom = 55-200mm or 75-300mm F4.5-5.6
• Macro = 30 / 50 / 100mm F2.8
• Portrait = 50mm F1.4/F1.8
• High performance standard zoom  G = 24-70mm / 28-75mm F2.8
• Wide zoom = 11-18mm F4.5-5.6
• Mid-telephoto = 85mm F2.8

That said, Sony have released the rights for other manufacturers to produce E-mount lenses, so I'm personally looking forward to being able to buy a Voigtlander 40mm F2 with an E-mount back.

With regards pricing, I do hope Sony are realisitic in what they expect people to pay.

When you look at the prices of the (now established) alpha lenses compared to their identical E-mount lenses at launch, we're paying a premium. Nowehere more is this clear than in the 18-200mm.

Who, in their right mind, would pay £700 + for a lens when the equivalent alpha lens is half the price ?

Let's see how this develops - I'd love to see more innovation rather than imitation in the new lenses, but only time will tell.