Sony’s FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM,FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM & FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lenses made up Sony’s classic ‘Holy Trinity’ of F2.8 G Master zooms, which I, and many of you, have in your camera bags.

CLASSIC HOLY TRINITY

Sony’s FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM,FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM & FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lenses

But as more and more former Nikon users moved to Sony mirrorless, many asked if Sony would release a 14-24mm F2.8 lens like Nikon offered. I never saw the value of that expanding the range 12.5% wider if it meant giving up the 24-35mm end of the range – however a 12-24mm would offer 25% wider coverage!

So…for those of you asking for a WIDER range, there’s a ‘New Holy Trinity’ thanks to the release of the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens that goes all the way out to a whopping 122° angle of view.

THE NEW HOLY TRINITY

Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM, FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM & FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lenses

Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Angle of View: 122° to 84°
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Angle of View: 84° to 34°
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Angle of View: 34° to 12° 30′

You now have two different wide zoom options to make up a Holy Trinity of premium quality F2.8 G Master lenses depending on the range you need.

Order Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens from B&H Photo | Amazon
Order Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Lens from B&H Photo | Amazon
Order Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Lens from B&H Photo | Amazon
Order Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens from B&H Photo | Amazon

Profoto announces their new “Profoto AirX” technology that allows you use Profoto B10 flashes for smartphone photography

Profoto announces a major milestone by bringing the Profoto B10 flash series to mobile photography. This allows professional photographers, for the first time in history, to use the full power of their flashes no matter the capturing device.

One difference in synchronizing external flash to a mobile device compared to traditional capturing devices like DSLR or MILC, is that smartphone cameras require a much more flexible flash-length on different shutter speeds. This makes it more difficult to fire the flash at the exact time and length to light the image. Up until now, attempts to synchronize the two have fallen short, making Profoto the world’s first company to successfully bring the full power of professional flashes to smartphones with their proprietary “Profoto AirX” technology.

Profoto B10 flash series consists of two lightweight but powerful flashes that have quickly become the preferred light for on-location photographers globally. Now, with the ability to use these professional flashes with a smartphone, Profoto is changing the playing field for professional photography.

“This is a revolutionary innovation,” states Profoto CEO Anders Hedebark. “Making professional flash available to smartphones has the potential to be ground-breaking, just like how the transition from analog to digital cameras once changed everything. We believe freedom of connectivity is the next step for professional photography. No matter what kind of photographer you are, it’s all about the light. And we want to set that light free, so you can create great images regardless of your capturing device.”

For some photographers, the idea of using a smartphone professionally might seem a bit hard to digest. This is not, however, the first time Profoto challenges industry conventions. The brand has a history of making brave leaps into the unexpected. For instance, they were the first professional lighting brand to introduce TTL for off-camera strobes. Initially, the TTL was criticized for not being professional, but eventually, this move revolutionized the flash industry and now saves setup time for thousands of professional photographers worldwide.

In a rapidly changing industry with smartphone image creators and more progressive professionals approaching photography in radically different ways, this innovation brings opportunities to all. It means that new types of image creators can start shaping the light in their images, but also makes the smartphone an exciting addition to any photographer’s toolbox. The need to create engaging images for social media and other digital uses will only increase, and the smartphone will often be a natural tool for this.

To demonstrate the power of mobile photography with professional lighting, Profoto collaborated with the award-winning beauty and fashion photographer Andrea Belluso, who confirms the initial skepticism. “I don’t compromise with my gear,” Belluso says. “With the idea of using a smartphone instead of a “real” camera, of course, my initial thought was ‘it’s going to limit my vision’. But – it didn’t. It actually amplified the possibilities, creating new income streams for me as a high-end professional photographer, not replacing the existing ones, but adding to them.”

The smartphone connectivity for the Profoto B10 flash series is available from today for iPhone users, and B10 owners can upgrade their firmware for free to connect and get the full power of professional flash for their smartphone. This only requires the Profoto app, which is free to download from the App Store.

Profoto Camera app for iOS* & Profoto Control for Android

Compatible iPhone smartphones Tested and verified:
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone X
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
Requires iOS 11 or newer.

Compatible Android smartphones Tested and verified:
Samsung Galaxy S9+
Samsung Galaxy S10
Samsung Galaxy S10+
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Samsung Galaxy Note 10
Huawei P20 Pro
Huawei M20 Pro
Huawei Mate 30
Huawei P30 Pro
Google Pixel 3
Google Pixel 3a
Google Pixel 4
Xiaomi Mi 8
Xiaomi Mi 9
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3
OnePlus 6
OnePlus 7 Pro
HTC U12+
Requires Android OS 7 or newer.

Order Profoto B10 from B&H Photo

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 G Master lens ($2,998 from B&H Photo | Amazon) is the widest fullframe F2.8 Zoom lens ever made. It’s ideal for interiors, astro photography and working in available light and controlling depth of field thanks to its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. Advanced optical design includes a series of XA, aspherical, Super ED, and ED elements, which combine to reduce a variety of aberrations and distortions for a high degree of corner-to-corner sharpness, accurate rendering and color accuracy.

Sony a7R IV | FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM at 12mm | 1/125 | F8 | ISO 100 (Click to View Larger)

SIZE:

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM measures 3.84 x 5.39″ / 97.6 x 137 mm (diameter x length)

WEIGHT:

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM tips the scales at 1.86 lb (847 g)

FILTERS:

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM features a Rear Gel Filter Holder

WEATHER SEALING:

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM is dust- and moisture-sealed for working in inclement weather.

IMAGE STABILIZATION:

There is no optical stabilization on this lens. Many Sony camera bodies have built-in sensor-shift stabilization.

Sony a7R IV | FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM at 12mm | 1/125 | F10 | ISO 100 (Click to View Larger)

AUTO FOCUS:

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM features Dual XD Linear Floating Focus actuators just like those found in Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM OSS for extremely fast and precise focus tracking and responsive Eye AF.

APERTURE:

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM has 9 rounded aperture blades for smooth, rounded bokeh

FORMAT:

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM covers Fullframe sensor and smaller.

OPTICAL DESIGN:

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM features an advanced optical design of 17 Elements in 14 Groups including a series of XA, aspherical, Super ED, and ED elements, which combine to reduce a variety of aberrations and distortions for a high degree of sharpness, accurate rendering, and notable color accuracy. An updated Nano AR Coating II has also been applied, which suppresses flare and ghosting for greater contrast when working in bright and backlit conditions.

LENS CHARTS:

SUN STARS

Sony a7R IV | FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM at 12mm | 1/100 | F22 | ISO 100 (Click to View Larger)

As with all lenses, suns stars are most pronounced when the lens is stopped all the way down. As expected, Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM produces the strongest sun stars at F22 which gradually become less pronounced as the lens is opened up.

Close-up of Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM Sunstar at F22

IN THE BOX:

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM comes with front & rear lens caps & a padded lens pouch. The hood is built-in.

PRICE:

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM has a street price of $2,998 USD

THE NEW HOLY TRINITY

Sony’s FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM,FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM & FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lenses made up Sony’s classic ‘Holy Trinity’ of F2.8 G Master zooms, but for those of you who’ve been asking for a WIDER range, there’s a New Holy Trinity with the release of the Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM Lens

Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens, FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM & FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS lenses

Sony a7R IV | FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM at 12mm | 1/60 | F10 | ISO 100 (Click to View Larger)

LENS COMPARISONS

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM -VS- Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art

As you’d expect for a premium lens, Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM ($2,988) tips the cash register at a bit over double the price of the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art ($1,399). Let’s take a look at the reasons. First off, squeezing out an extra 14.3% angle of view requires a much more complex design as you can see from the G Master’s extremely complex front element. The FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM uses a much more sophisticated focus system using dual floating focus groups which move independently to provide much sharper images at minimum focus distances. It’s powered by four XD linear actuators for extremely responsive AF while Sigma uses a single stepping motor for focus. The good news is two good choices depending on your needs and budget.

Sony a7R IV | FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM at 12mm | 1/60 | F8 | ISO 100 (Click to View Larger)

CURRENT SONY FE LENS LINE-UP

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM is the 33rd Sony FE lens to date.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM will appeal to anyone looking for the sharpest and widest ultra wide zoom on the market. It offers excellent corn-to-corner sharpness across the entire focus range from 11″ to infinity. It’s not the cheapest ultra wide zoom – but it is the best.

ORDER NOW

Order Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM from B&H Photo | Amazon

Sony Electronics Grows Lens Line-up with Launch of 12-24mm G Master, the World’s Widest Full-frame Zoom with a Constant F2.8 Aperture

READ: Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM Lens Review

SAN DIEGO – July 7, 2020 – Sony Electronics Inc. today announced an exciting new addition to its full-frame lens line-up with the introduction of the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM (model SEL1224GM) Large-aperture Ultra-wide Zoom lens. This compact and versatile lens is ideal for shooting landscapes, astrophotography and architecture while providing extra mobility for active sports shooters who want to capture ultra-wide perspectives. As part of Sony’s flagship G Master series lenses, users can be completely confident that it delivers outstanding image quality up to an ultra-wide 12mm angle of view with F2.8 constant aperture and beautiful bokeh effects.

The introduction of the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM now extends the F2.8 range of Sony’s G Master series zoom lenses all the way from 12mm to 200mm[ii] and at 12mm, offers the world’s widest range of zoom at F2.8. At this focal length, it is possible to emphasize distance and create dynamic perspectives that are beyond the scope of the human eye, opening the door to new avenues of creative expression.

“We are excited to introduce the new FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM as the 57th lens in Sony’s E-mount line-up”, said Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Products and Solutions Americas, Sony Electronics. “It is important for us to continue to push boundaries in the industry to develop the best tools for our customers. By extending our range of G Master constant F2.8 zoom lenses out to 12mm, we are excited to see how these new innovations will help our customers create like never before.”

The FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM benefits from innovative construction that delivers outstanding corner-to-corner image quality throughout the entire zoom range. It features three precise XA (extreme aspherical) elements including the largest XA element ever made for an α – Alpha brand lens. These XA elements, with an additional aspherical element, effectively suppress astigmatism, coma and field curvature right out to the image edges. Furthermore, three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements plus two Super ED glass elements, powerfully control chromatic aberration and combine to deliver corner-to-corner clarity while minimizing color fringing.

An extremely effective floating focus mechanism divides the lens’s focus group into two independently controllable groups, ensuring both outstanding close-up performance and maximum sharpness at any distance. The two independently controlled groups help realize a constant 11” (28 cm) minimum focusing distance throughout the zoom range, and because it is an internal focus lens, its length remains constant, so its center of gravity varies very little and is always optimally balanced in the hand.

The signature bokeh effects of Sony’s G Master series lens are achieved through the fine tuning of the lens’s spherical aberration characteristics during both the design and manufacturing process. At the same time, the extremely high surface precision of the lens’s XA elements effectively suppresses spherical aberration and, in combination with a 9-blade circular aperture, further enhances its exquisite bokeh.

The FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM employs four original high-speed, high-thrust XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors to ensure that it is compatible with the speed performance of both current and future camera bodies. With two XD Linear Motors for each of the lens’s focus groups, autofocus is fast and precise. New control algorithms maximize the response of the system while achieving flawless synchronization between the two focus groups. Further benefits include extremely quiet operation with minimal vibration and lower power consumption.

A brand-new Nano AR Coating II that can be evenly applied to large lens elements or highly curved element surfaces has been used for the first time on the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM. It suppresses internal reflections, minimizes flare and ghosting for clear, crisp imagery and despite the lens’s wide angle of view, Nano AR Coating II maintains high clarity and contrast throughout the entire image, even in difficult light.

Moviemaking

The constant F2.8 maximum aperture at all focal lengths ensures that exposure is stable when zooming. As a result, this means that shutter speed and ISO sensitivity can remain constant while shooting movies. The creative opportunities afforded by shooting movies at a 12mm angle of view with F2.8 constant aperture in full-frame are boundless, and when used on an APS-C or Super 35 camera, the wide end of the zoom range becomes equivalent to 18mm, providing a useful zoom range for moviemaking.

Professional Control

Weighing only 1.87 lbs (847 g), the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM offers numerous features for full professional control of shots. These include a customizable focus-hold button, focus-mode switch, zooming ring and focusing ring that are positioned for easy operation while shooting. The Linear Response MF ensures that the focus ring responds directly to the most subtle adjustments when focusing manually so control feels immediate and precise. It is dust and moisture resistant[iii] and the front lens element features a fluorine coating that repels water, oil, and other contaminants, making it easier to wipe off any fingerprints from the lens surface. The rear filter holder accommodates standard sheet-type ND, color correction and other filters for expanded expressive capability. A cutting template for sheet filters is supplied.

Pricing and Availability

Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM is available in in August 2020 for a suggested retail price of $2,999.99 USD and $3,999.99 CAD.

Order Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM from B&H Photo | Amazon

Venus Optics announces Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL – the World’s Widest FullFrame Rectilinear Lens available in fullframe Sony E-mount with a list price of $799.

Press Text
Anhui China, Jun 29, 2020 – Venus Optics, the manufacturer specialized in making unique camera lenses, unveiled the new Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL lens, the world’s widest rectilinear lens for full frame cameras. Venus Optics have been designing ultra-wide angle lenses with outstanding optical performance and their 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 lens is currently the world’s widest zoom lens for full frame cameras.

Ultra-wide perspective

Featuring a remarkable 135° angle of view, the new Laowa 9mm f/5.6 is currently the widest non-fisheye lens ever developed for full frame mirrorless cameras. Landscape photographers can now experience an ultimate wide-angle photography with beautiful scenery captured in one shot. The ultra-wide angle of view is particularly helpful for interior shooting as it helps exaggerated the sense of space. The one-of-a-kind perspective also helps realized a lot of formerly impossible shots.

Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL Sample Image ©Wen Tai Da Shu

Super compact & lightweight

In response to the demand from mirrorless camera shooters of having a compact wide angle lens, Venus Optics have taken advantage of the flange distance of mirrorless cameras and compress the size of the 9mm f/5.6 lens to the smallest in its class, measuring approximately 2.4 inches (~6cm) long and weighing only 12 oz. (350g) with a lens diameter of 60mm. It is a welcome relief for landscape, architecture, interior or travel photographers that are traveling over long distances and looking for a high quality and portable ultra-wide lens to carry anywhere.

Extremely close focusing distance

In addition to the ultra-wide perspective, the new Laowa 9mm lens can focus extremely close, almost like a macro lens. The closest focusing distance is only 4.72” (12cm) measuring from subject to sensor. This is so much closer than the other ultra-wide angle lenses in the market and it provides a greater flexibility for photographers to compose shots at close and far distances and control depth of field much more easily.

Exceptional optical performance

Incorporating a 14 elements in 10 groups optical design, the 9mm is able to deliver outstanding image sharpness from corners to corners. The 2 aspherical elements and 2 extra-low dispersion elements help to eliminate chromatic aberrations successfully. Despite the fact that it is not one of the Zero-D lenses, the lens still exhibit a very low distortion at infinity distance compared to other ultra-wide angle lenses in the market.

Mount options

Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL is currently available in Leica M, Sony FE, Nikon Z and L mount. It’s the first Leica M lens Venus Optics have ever produced. It also supports rangefinder coupling on Leica cameras. 2 colors (Black & Silver) are available for Leica M mount.

100mm-wide filters compatible

Venus Optics truly understand that filter is essential to produce an impressive landscape photo. Despite being an ultra-wide angle lens, Venus Optics have managed to work with partners to carefully design a filter holder that 100mm wide filters can be used without serious vignetting. Unlike some other wide angle lenses where 120mm or even 150mm filter system are required, the entire landscape shooting setup for the Laowa 9mm lens will be extremely portable.

10 point sunstars

Laowa 9mm f/5.6 is designed with 5-bladed aperture where a clean and appealing 10-point sunstar rendering can be created.

Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL Sample Image ©Gua Ge

Specifications

Focal Length: 9mm
Max. Aperture: f/5.6
Min. Aperture: f/22
Angle of View: 135°
Format Compatibility: Full Frame
Lens Structure: 14 elements in 10 groups
Aperture Blades: 5
Min. Focusing Distance: 4.72” (12 cm)
Max. Magnification: 0.21x
Filters Solutions: via 100mm Magnetic Filter Holder
Dimensions: 62.4 x 66 mm
Weight: 12.3 oz. (350g)
Mounts: Leica M, Sony FE, Nikon Z, Leica L

Pricing & Availability

The new Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL is currently available to purchase via Venus Optics official website and authorized resellers. The US price for 9mm f/5.6 FF RL is $899 (Leica M mount) and $799 (Sony FE, Nikon Z and L) Pricing varies in different countries.

The first 100 orders will get a 100mm magnetic filter holder (Retail Value: $149) for FREE.

About Venus Optics

Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited (Venus Optics) is a new Chinese camera lens manufacturer based in Hefei, Anhui. We currently manufacture and distribute camera lenses under the brand name of ‘Laowa’.

ORDER NOW!