Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM: the ultimate night-sky lens?
Related: Sony, Sony FE, Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM, Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G, Sony Lenses
The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM looks to set a new standard at the 14mm mark: faster, smaller, lighter and maybe with the best optical performance yet. While the Sigma FE 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is a fine lens, it was designed for DSLRs and it’s bulky/heavy/awkward what with its’s inch-long rear “extension tube” construction.
I’m looking forward to putting the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM to use in the field, and seeing just how much better it is than the world’s best ultra-wide zoom, the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM.
- Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
- Two XA Elements
- One Super ED Element
- Nano AR II and Fluorine Coatings
- XD Linear Motor AF
- Internal Focus
- Physical Aperture Ring; De-Click Switch
- Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
- Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
As a G Master (“GM”) lens priced at about $1598, expectations are at high level. It’s no easy task getting high performance in a 14mm f/2.8 lens, but a lens 4/3 stop faster is a serious challenge.
I reviewed a few sample images online in raw format.
Distortion is a moderate wave-type distortion (very acceptable in a lens of this type), and the performance looks extremely promising. Together with the f/1.8 aperture, this might be the ultimate night-sky lens!
Optics
The front XA element (eXtreme Aspherical) is highly curved and is essential to the outstanding performance. Impressive because it takes advanced lens coating techniques for such a highly curved lens element—Zeiss had some flare issues with some lenses until the Milvus line because of the coating challenges.
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