The Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA is what Sony calls a quintessential wide-aperture 50mm “normal” lens. With a luminous f/1.4, the new 50mm offers the background separation many dream about. And because it is equipped with a ring drive SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) it is particularly useful for shooting movies.
This 50mm prime lens features a large F1.4 maximum aperture that offers impressive contrast and outstanding resolution that are hallmarks of the ZEISS brand. It produces, says Sony, “these consistently strong qualities throughout the entirety of the frame – from center to corner – and at all aperture settings”, even while shooting wide open at F1.4. The cutting edge optical structure includes high-precision AA (Advanced Aspherical) and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements that reduce spherical and chromatic aberration, as well as a ZEISS T* Coating that minimizes flare and ghosting creating the classic ZEISS clarity. Additionally, its Planar design ensures minimal distortion.
The large F1.4 maximum aperture of the FE 50mm F1.4ZA lens provides a level of brightness and speed that are advantageous for dimly lit indoor shots, night scenes, and portraits, while its 11-bladed circular aperture allows for stunning “bokeh”, or background defocus, in images. The lens also features an aperture ring with an adjustable ON/OFF switch, an AF/MF focus mode switch, and a dust and moisture resistant design¹, further increasing its functionality. The already mentioned ring drive SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) system allows it to efficiently lock focus with speed, precision and in near silence, a good feature for photography but also, as said, for video.
The new FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens will ship this July for a retail price of $1,500 US and $1,950 CA. The new FE interchangeable lens will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.
Sony also released information about another new optical product, the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master lens, introduced at the start of the year but only now available. One of the most eagerly anticipated lenses of the year, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master lens takes its place as the flagship telephoto zoom in the Sony lens lineup. Featuring built in Optical Stead Shot (OSS) and a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture across the zoom range, the lens will be an ideal fit for nature, sports, travel, fashion, beauty and wedding photographers. This lens will ship this July for a retail price of $2,600 US and $3,300 CA.
With the new zoom Sony also introduces the promised teleconverters, designed exclusively to fit the 70-200mm F2.8 G Master lens. The new 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters (models SEL14TC and SEL20TC) will both be sold for the same retail price of about $550 US and $700 CA, and will ship this July.
There is also a new wireless flash and control system available, this in August. It is comprised of the FA-WRC1M wireless radio commander and the FA-WRR1 wireless radio receiver and was designed to meet the growing demands of professional Sony photographers. With a maximum range of 30m (approx. 98 feet) and the ability to control a maximum of 15 separate flash units in 5 different groups, it offers a flexible wireless flash shooting experience with exceptional performance. The FA-WRC1M commander will be sold for about $350 US and $480 CA. The FA-WRR1 receiver will be sold for about $200 US and $280 CA.