A S C R A P B O O K O F S O L U T I O N S F O R T H E P H O T O G R A P H E R
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7 February 2017
Sony has announced two new E-mount prime lenses and a radio-controlled flash. The primes include a fast 100mm f2.81 and an even faster 85mm f1.8 optic. The new HVL-F45RM flash provides wireless control for the company's A7 full-frame cameras.
FE 100MM PRIME
The new 100mm STF features an advanced optical structure with a newly-designed 11-bladed aperture and a unique optical apodization lens element.
Similar to a neutral density filter that increases in density toward the edges, the apodization element creates beautiful transitions of in-focus to out-of-focus areas within an image, making for exceptionally soft, smooth bokeh that adds depth and dimensionality. This allows the subjects to stand out against beautifully defocused elements in both the foreground and background, producing an image that is naturally pleasing to the eye. The design of the lens also ensures that vignetting is kept to an absolute minimum, ensuring optimum image quality.
The new 100mm lens also supports both contrast AF and focal-plane phase detection autofocus and has a high-precision, quiet direct drive Super Sonic Motor system that ensures exceptionally fast and accurate AF performance.
The SEL100F28GM also offers up to 0.25x close-up capabilities with a built-in macro switching ring, built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, a customizable focus hold button, AF/MF switch, aperture ring and more. It is dust and moisture resistant as well.
FE 100MM PRIME LENS SPECIFICATIONS Mount Sony E Focal Length 100mm Aperture f2.8 to f20 Angle of View 24° Minimum Focus 1.87 feet Magnification 0.25x Optical Design 14 elements in 11 groups
One aspherical element, one ED element
One apodization element
11 rounded diaphragm bladesAutofocus Yes Image Stabilization Yes Filter Thread 72mm Dimensions 3.35 x 4.65 inches Weight 1.54 lb. FE 85MM PRIME
The 85mm f1.8 mid-telephoto prime can produce exceptionally sharp portraits with soft background defocus that take advantage of its 85mm focal length and wide f1.8 maximum aperture.
The new prime lens features a 9-bladed circular aperture mechanism to ensure smooth, natural-looking bokeh and a double linear motor system to allow for fast, precise and quiet focusing.
It also has a focus hold button that can be customized and assigned together with functions in the camera body like the popular Eye AF feature. There is a smooth, responsive focus ring and AF/MF switch as well and the lens is also dust and moisture resistant.
FE 85MM PRIME LENS SPECIFICATIONS Mount E Mount Focal Length 85mm Aperture f1.8 to f22 Angle of View 29° Minimum Focus 2.62 feet Magnification 0.13x Optical Design 9 elements in 8 groups
One extra-low dispersion element
Rounded nine-blade diaphragmAutofocus Yes Image Stabilization No Filter Thread 67mm Dimensions 3.07 x 3.23 inches Weight 13.09 oz. HVL-F45RM FLASH
The HVL-F45RM flash offers a compact professional shooting solution when combined with the currently available wireless remote controller FA-WRC1-MB and receiver FA-WRR1. The HVL-F45RM can be used as a transmitter or a receiver up to 98 feet.
The new flash, designed to complement the compact Sony's E-mount bodies including full-frame A7 models, produces a maximum lighting output sufficient even when shooting with bounce lighting or high-speed-sync flash.
Battery life provides up to 210 bursts. The head can tilt up to 150° vertically, a complete 360° horizontally and up to 8° downward to maximize versatility. A new large, bright and highly visible LCD, an LED light, dust and moisture resistant design and a revamped menu system round out the new features.
PRICE, AVAILABILITY
The FE 100mm f2.8 STF OSS GM Telephoto Prime Lens will ship this March for about $1,500. B&H is accepting pre-orders now. The FE 85mm f1.8 Mid-Telephoto Prime Lens will ship this March for about $600. B&H is accepting pre-orders now.
The HVL-F45RM flash will ship this May for about $400. B&H is accepting pre-orders now.
For more information see the news release below.
Sony Introduces 100mm f2.8 STF G Master with Highest Ever Quality Bokeh for an Alpha Lens
New Full-frame 85mm f1.8 Mid-telephoto prime lens and Compact Radio-Controlled Flash announced as well
LAS VEGAS -- Sony Electronics has introduced two new lenses for their popular line of E-mount interchangeable lens cameras.
Sony's new lenses include one of their flagship G Master Series -- an FE 100mm f2.8 STF GM OSS mid- telephoto prime lens (model SEL100F28GM) built to deliver breathtaking bokeh with a unique STF (Smooth Trans Focus) design and a new compact, lightweight FE 85mm f1.8 mid-telephoto prime lens (model SEL85F18) that is a welcome addition to the bag of any hobbyist or enthusiast photographer looking to create amazing portraits.
They have also introduced a new powerful, CompactFlash (model HVL-F45RM) with radio-controlled wireless communication that is ideal for professional shooting with Sony's lineup of A7 full-frame cameras.
FE 100mm f2.81 STF GM OSS Telephoto Prime Lens
A specially designed mid-telephoto, full-frame prime lens, the new 100mm STF is built to produce truly unique, magnificent and beautiful bokeh while maintaining the exceptional standard of resolution that is showcased by Sony's entire line of flagship G Master series lenses, making it a powerful photographic tool for any portrait, fashion, nature or wedding photographer.
These impressive defocus capabilities are made possible by the lens' advanced optical structure, as it features a newly designed 11-bladed aperture and a unique optical apodization lens element. Similar to a neutral density filter that increases in density toward the edges, the apodization element creates beautiful transitions of in-focus to out-of-focus areas within an image, making for exceptionally soft, smooth bokeh that adds depth and dimensionality. This allows the subjects to stand out against beautifully defocused elements in both the foreground and background, producing an image that is naturally pleasing to the eye. The design of the lens also ensures that vignetting is kept to an absolute minimum, ensuring optimum image quality.
Additionally, the new 100mm lens supports both contrast AF and focal-plane phase detection AF2 and has a high-precision, quiet direct drive SSM (Super Sonic Motor) system that ensures exceptionally fast and accurate AF performance. The SEL100F28GM also offers up to 0.25x close-up capabilities with a built-in macro switching ring, built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, a customizable focus hold button, AF/MF switch, aperture ring and more. It is dust and moisture resistant as well.
FE 85mm f1.8 Telephoto Prime Lens
The new 85mm f1.8 mid-telephoto prime lens offers an extremely versatile, lightweight and compact telephoto prime lens solution for a variety of Sony camera owners ranging from working professionals to emerging enthusiasts that have stepped up to full-frame or APS-C cameras for the first time. With its wide f1.8 aperture, it can produce impressive, exceptionally sharp portraits with soft background defocus that take advantage of its 85mm focal length and wide f1.8 maximum aperture.
The new prime lens features a 9-bladed circular aperture mechanism that ensures smooth, natural looking bokeh and a double linear motor system to allow for fast, precise and quiet focusing. It also has a focus hold button that can be customized and assigned together with functions in the camera body like the popular Eye AF feature. There is a smooth, responsive focus ring and AF/MF switch as well and the lens is also dust and moisture resistant.
New Compact Radio-Controlled Flash
Sony's new HVL-F45RM flash enhances the radio-controlled lighting system capabilities of their growing system, offering a compact professional shooting solution when combined with the currently available wireless remote controller FA-WRC1-MB and receiver FA-WRR1.
The new flash, which is designed to complement the compact bodies of Sony's E-mount camera lineup including full-frame A7 models, produces a maximum lighting output as expansive as Guide Number 45. This ensures sufficient illumination even when shooting with bounce lighting or high-speed-sync flash. The radio capabilities of the HVL-F45RM allow it to be used as a transmitter or a receiver at up to 30m (approx. 98 feet), making it an ideal fit for creative lighting with multiple flashes. Additionally, unlike optical flash systems, radio-control flashes do not require a direct line-of-sight between components to function properly, while also minimizing any impact that bright sunlight has on signal transmission and control.
The HVL-F45RM flash has an impressive battery life of up to 210 bursts and can tilt up to 150° vertically, a complete 360° horizontally and up to 8° downward to maximize versatility. Usability has been maximized with a new large, bright and highly visible LCD, an LED light, dust and moisture resistant design and a revamped menu system that mimics those of Sony's newest camera systems.
Pricing and Availability
Both of the new lenses and the new flash unit will ship to authorized dealers throughout North America.
The new FE 100mm f2.8 STF OSS GM Telephoto Prime Lens will ship this March for about $1,500 and $2,050 CA.
The new FE 85mm f1.8 Mid-Telephoto Prime Lens will ship this March for about $600 and $800 CA.
Replacement lens hoods for each of the new models will also be available for purchase as well.
The new HVL-F45RM flash will ship this May for about $400 and $550 CA.