The new Sony E PZ 18-110mm F4 G OSS Super 35mm / APS-C power zoom lens for professional movie-makers and photographers will available from November 2016, priced at approximately $3,500.
The optical system on this lens, which starts at 18mm wide angle and extends to 110mm at the telephoto end (27mm – 165mm equiv. in 35mm format), with 6.1x high zoom ratio, inner focus and a constant F4 aperture throughout the zoom range for beautiful depth of field effects and stable exposure control across the entire standard zoom range, makes this an ideal solution for multiple shootings.
Minimal focus breathing, focus shift and axis shift are characteristics of the new lens that videographers will appreciate. While for photographers the effects of image shift are usually not important, during movie shooting all those effects have to be taken into account. Sony’s solution is named Smooth Motion Optics (SMO) and it addresses the three particular aspects mentioned above, that can have a significant impact on movie quality: Focus Breathing, where shifts in angle of view during focusing are minimised by an internal focus mechanism. Focus shift, where small shifts in focus that can occur whilst zooming, are eliminated by precise focus tracking adjustment and Axial shift, where axial image shifts whilst zooming, are minimised by a constant length design.
Sony applied Smooth Motion Optics (SMO) previously in the Sony FE PZ 28-135mm f/4 G OSS, and takes it now to this lens, a Sony E PZ 18-110mm F4 G OSS presented as an ideal companion to α mount system cameras, from the PXW-FS7 professional camcorder to interchangeable-lens cameras such as α7 series and α6300. According to Sony, this “top quality G Lens delivers image quality that will satisfy the most demanding of professional users. It consists of 18 elements in 15 groups, including 6 aspherical elements and 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and features a 7 blade circular aperture design. This highly intricate design delivers extremely high resolution image quality and is particularly suited to professional 4K movie shooting.”
The high level of operability and quiet operation of the new lens makes it a compelling proposition for its integration into professional movie production environments. Its three separate rings give control over focus, zoom and aperture, with optimal torque for a satisfyingly responsive, professional feel. Both servo and responsive manual mechanical zoom are fully supported and the zoom ring direction is switchable to match individual user preferences. The lens length remains constant during any changes making it easy to use with matte boxes and other lens accessories and in a first for α lenses, a 0.8mm pitch focus gear is built right onto the lens, providing direct compatibility with standard focusing accessories.
Optimum optical performance and operability is complemented by a dust and moisture-resistant design, making the lens ideal for location use. Extra versatility is afforded by Optical SteadyShot technology that provides in-lens image stabilisation during handheld shooting and it’s compact and lightweight (with 1105g without tripod mount) design means that it is a truly mobile solution. Additional flexibility is afforded when used with the SEL14TC and SEL20TC teleconverters for 1.4x and 2.0x extension of focal range.