It’s Christmas time and you need some small good Sony news? Here it is: A trusted source just told us that Sony plans to introduce a new 85mm f/1.8 E-mount lens in very early 2013. I have no info about the price yet. For comparison only: In the A-mount world we have plenty of 85mm lenses:
The Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical Lens for Sony $289.00 ([shoplink 15953 ebay]here on eBay[/shoplink]).
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM for $894.00 ([shoplink 15954 ebay]here on eBay[/shoplink]).
The Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 for $1,598.00 ([shoplink 15955 ebay]here on eBay[/shoplink]).
My guess is that the rpcie will be somewhere between $600 and $800.
That said let’s finish the post with a good news for US readers. You are the first to have the 35mm E-mount lens in Stock. Check out here at AlphaCameraDeals (Click here).
—
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
124 Responses
where is the G standard zoom, where are the Zeiss lenses?
The Zeiss-blog talked about Q2 2013 for the new e-mount zeiss lenses.
I mean’t sony zeiss, not zeiss zeiss
Honestly that is a pretty retarder distinction to make. And frankly Zeiss lenses from Zeiss would be more desirable unless you were looking for things to bitch about.
wow, that’s good news! Sony E-mount is starting to look very good, and starts to challenge M43 in terms of lenses!
16/2.8
24/1.8
30/3.5
35/1.8
50/1.8
85/1.8 ??
Nice set of primes!
It’s still not as wide as the m43 lineup, but definitely looks more and more complete.
Consider a crop 85 as a 135 on FF.
So looking a FF equivelent we have
16/2.8 -> 24
19/2.8 -> 28
24/1.8 -> 35
30/3.5 -> 45
35/1.8 -> 47.5
50/1.8 -> 75
85/1.8 -> 130
Once again, a very nice set of primes
Absolutely, it’s just that m43 have a few zooms as well. More wide angle solutions, as an example. Not that one needs more than what you listed 🙂
35 is a FF equivalent 52,5 🙂
I think it would be safe to add the rokinon native e-mount fisheye as well.
16 mm f/2,8 and 35 mm f/3,5 are crap.
24 mm f/1,8 is overvalued (it’s a 400 $ lens, not 1000 $ !!).
18-55 mm and 16-50 mm are crap!
Sigma 19 mm and 30 mm perform well only in m 4/3.
Wrong. The Sig 30 on my NEX 7 outperforms everything from Sony & then some. Troll, get a lens!
If it’s overvalued, then get me a 24mm f/2 or f/1.8 Carl Zeiss lens under 1000USD with AF in new condition.
The kit zoom (18-55) lens outresolves most kit lenses out there and is crap only compared to TOP OF THE LINE zoom lenses, but on the other hand, yes, the collapsible zoom (16-50) lens it’s crap. A lot of decentering issues and it’s software corrected as hell.
Don’t forget the Zeiss!
Add the 12mm f/2.8 🙂
it sounds like its gonna be a nice lens, but personally I would not buy it because its a bit too much of a tele lens for me (especially on a crop). HOWEVER if this e-mount lens was also to have a image circle for a full frame and the full frame NEX came out, I would buy it in an instant.
Also? Are there E-mount lenses which would support a FF sensor.
nope
Yup, thought so, thx.
Not yet…
I’m waiting for Samyang autofocus lenses for NEX.
Why do E-Mount lenses always have to be that expensive? Make this 400-500 Dollars and it might be a no brainer. If it really costs 800, I would surely want it to feature Zeiss glass.
oh WHY are lenses all so expensive! make this lens $1 please! 😛
I think you’re missing what a 85mm f/1.8 lens means. It means a lens with a ~5cm diameter aperture wide-open as seen through the front element. Of course, the front element will have to be at least that big. And all the other optical elements will have to be sized accordingly.
Wrong, again. The simplest solution is to use less groups of elements. That throws your false measurements out the window, too. Troll. Don’t post this junk until you understand what you’re talking about.
I know what I’m talking about.
Are you even aware of what an f-stop means in relation to focal length, and its manifestation in the size of the entrance pupil?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-number
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrance_pupil
The best lens for NEX around that focal length is the last Elmarit M 90.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/90mm-f28.htm
It’s a cult lens in Leica circles.
And it looks decent on a NEX http://sonyalphanex.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/leica-elmarit-m-90mm-on-sony-nex-5.html
I’ve shot the Contax G 90 and an older Elmar 90, on NEX but the 2008 Elmarit is favourite.
How certain are you that it’s 1.8? 1.8 would be a welcome surprise, but if we go by what exists, adapting the existing 2.8 lens for A-mount and adding OSS seems more likely and in line with what Sony has done to date (adapting their budget-line primes for E-mount).
A-mount 85/2.8 is a full frame lens, it is not suitable for re-working into E mount.
85/1.8 would be great but I’d actually prefer a 60/1.8. I’ve been using a Canon FD 85/1.8 on my Nex and sometimes it’s just a bit too tele, with the x1.5 crop.
Still, I’d seriously consider buying the 85/1.8.
you can always get the 50/1.8, its not that diferent!
Just about 50mm difference after crop. I would not call that “not that different”.
he meant 50mm 1,8 vs 60mm 1,8
My mistake, I stand corrected.
Actually, it’s a bit of difference. Not unmanagable though, you’re correct.
One of the most useful portrait lenses I’ve used on my Nex is the Rokkor 58/1,2. That makes a huge difference compared to a 50/1.8.
Still can’t beat a 85/1.8 on a FF, let alone the mighty Canon 85/1.2L 🙂
My Cannon 85 1.2 was tack sharp at f8, but at anything under 2.8, well, it sucked.
Then you got a lemon, mine is sharp wide open.
great! also, upgrade the a mount 85mm 2.8 to f1.8 soon, please?
The 85/2.8 is fine the way it is, at least optically. Small and sharp and cheap. If you need more speed, there are options from Sony, Sigma, Minolta and Samyang.
+1. Keep it 2.8 and port it to Nex.
I do not agree. I and many other people are waiting for affordable AND fast glass. Where are the full-frame affordable lenses like the 24 f2.8, 35 f2, 85 f2, 100 f2, 135 f2.8?? (I’m talking A mount here). The prices for the Minolta versions of e.g. the 100 f2 are rediculous (around $1000), while a Canon 100 f2 can be had for just around $400.
IF it’ll be of a good quality will be really huge on nex body.
But I think they’ll follow the amazing design of the 16-50mm, small but with fisheye distortion and poor quality.
Sony is lead by marketing not quality product…do you know magenta cast on their top model nex 7???? 😉
For a given focal lenght and aperture, does “quality” necessary imply more weight and glass? im no expert but I thought a bad and a good 1.8 lenses will both use the same amount of glass, and the good ones being better build.
But, 1.4 or 1.2 will need more glass compartments in order to “open more” so the lens will be bigger.
Am I right?
Obvious troll is obvious.
Obviously you know that I’m right..but saying I’m a troll is easier than answer back..;)
Here’s your answer:
Larger diameter F stops do not require larger optics, period.
Sure you are a troll. Are the 50f18, 24f18, NEX-5N, NEX-6, etc. rather excellent? Plenty of great products from Sony. Which company does so much better?
I had a Nex 5n..unusable interface and very poor quality of chassis.
The only average lens is the 50mm, with a honest price.
The zeiss is average optical quality ( I read all the review and no one said is a stellar lens…) and too expensive for what it is.
You buy Nex, you buy excellent marketing!
What are you happy with now?
I think the 50mm and the Zeiss are both excellent, I am not sure what you mean by saying the 50mm is average. The 5n, which I had the opportunity to use extensively is a magnesium chassis for a very decent price. I hope you weren’t expecting a K-5 or OM-D build for half the price.
But, as GreenLens, i have the same question – what are you happy with now?
Right now I have a OMD and here in italy, cost only 200€ more then new nex5r.(both with standard zoom lens)
My new 5n after 2 months was full of cracks on the display and the plastic part of the chassis.
This never happened with my old epl1 and my OMD that I use often in critical situation.
Vlad, can you link me to a trusted review site that says the 50 and zeiss lens are excellent?
G., you don’t know anything about the relationship between focal length and aperture diameter, do you? An 85/1.8 by its very nature cannot be small – certainly not 16-50 pancake small.
Wrong. You have to take several factors into the equation. It’s not as simple as calling one lens element of group of elements “bigger” just to achieve a faster stop. Here’s what we use to formulate optics:
1) The size and shape of the sensor
2) The path of the focal track and angular incidence
3) The distance from the rear element or group of elements to the focal plain (or micro lens array, blurring filters, etc.)
4) The distance between the individual lenses and lens arrays.
5) The convex and concave angle of incidence of each and every lens element and lens group.
6) The size, shape and distance of the front and rear lens elements and lens groups.
7) The coatings and inherent material characteristics of each lens.
8) The mounting, motors and hardware enclosing the lenses.
9) The atmospheric and mean temperature operating conditions.
10) Other secret ingredients.
You’re an idiot with a perverse misunderstanding of even the basic definitions, SCP.
Are your “analyses” based on the observations of the fact that small-sensor cameras can have low-f-stop apertures and small lenses?
Are you missing the fact that those are actually very short FL length lenses (often in the range of single-digit-millimeters) that are only equivalent to the typical photographic FoVs (50mm, 28mm, etc.) only through its huge crop factor?
What in the world are you trying to say? You make no sense, your pushing out numbers without reference and your mastery of the techno babble regarding optical mathematics is abysmal.
This can lead me to only one conclusion…
Troll.
Lol, nice argument. Thanks for displaying your physics knowledge.
What will be THE portrait lens in E mount then? 57/1.2?
From what will be available I think a close call between the 50mm and the 85mm, but I agree that something close to 60mm would be ideal.
I love my 50mm, but you have to get pretty close to the subject. Not always comfortable for both the person in front and behind the camera. With the 85mm the distance will be larger, but it might flatten the portrait a bit too much.
What? It’s pretty well accepted that anything shorter that a FF 85 distorts too much. Troll. In fact, flattening the face is really not much of an issue until you hit well above the 100 range. Here’s another lesson, kiddo…
Neither 35 nor 50 is what the human eye perceives in reality. Look it up and you’ll see why 85 works so well.
The optimal portrait focal length depends on what you prefer. I’m fine with everything between 50-300mm 35mm eq. FOV, as long as the lenses are fast enough, and depending on subject-camera distance.
+1. You’re spot on, good job for calling it a matter of preference, too!
Try the Rokkor 58/1,2 if you can find one.
Thanks! I’ve been looking after Konica 57/1.2 or 1.4 but ended up getting 1.7 for much less. Actually, 50 is fine for head-and-shoulders shots, particularly, in the appartment.
Olympus pen F 60/1.5, if you can find one. If want it cheaper/accessible then a Leica M 90/4 Elmar. Both are tiny and balance well on the NEX-6 & the 7.
Lenses I consider to be ideal for NEX APS-C sensor:
* 18mm f2.8 ** (there is a Sigma option, the 19mm 2.8)
* 24mm f1.8 * (there is one but too big, Sony should bring a smaller one, no matter if f2)
* 35mm f1.8 *** (one is coming, compact and good performer)
* 60mm f1.8 (I think brands sould design their lenses for a specific size sensor to get the most common focal lengths).
hell yeah! I am used to 85mm 1.8. Hope it will be as good as my Canon 85mm 1.8 *___*
I have all the E mount primes. I will not be buying any more from Sony or Zony.
Sigma lenses please. The AF fits cameras, less expensive and great performance! 🙂
There many manual focus lenses much more affordable in this FL range and are frankly, likely better performers and more compact than Sony/Zony can produce.
+1. Truth be told, I’d keep your on on Sigma lenses and Sony cameras. Just a heads up. 🙂
Sigma? slow and oblique. thanks NO
« Off Topic »
a very impressive Bodyboard video filmed with the Nex – FS700 in super slow motion, very very good!!
http://vimeo.com/55395274
Sound good! Anyway, i’m affraid a f/1,8 lense would be significantly bigger than a f/2,8 lense!
The A-mount 85mm f/2,8 is quite small and that’s clearly what i’m looking for for a native E-mount lense, even if apertune is not that great!
for people who talk about full frame E-mount, are you sure E-mount is able to support full frame lense?
well… Nex-VG900 is full frame and has an E-mount…
oups! sorry, i didn’t know this one!
Do this “good” news have a “bad” effect on E-mount lenses compactness?
i mean… could NEX lenses have been more compact if E-mount would not have been designed to suport full frame but only APS-C?
A 35mm AF lens with OSS and 1.8 aperture for APS-C can hardly be smaller than the SEL35/1.8 OSS. You will be hard pressed finding something smaller (adapter + lens) even in legacy land.
If the 85mm/1.8 turn out to be designed as well as the SEL35 then we can expect a fantastic lens IMO.
I do not wish to be mean – just very curious:
In what language is “lens” (English) spelled “lense”?
People seem to always spell it “lense” which is not an English word.
#no_disrespect
In German Lense=Lens
As simply as use google translator
At least he’s not calling it an objektiv.
Spreken ei Deutch!
Gazuntieght!
Gudentag, troll.
Smells like this could be a full frame lens for E-mount with these specs!
Being a tele lens, the construction should be fairly straight forward (e.g. planar) in regards to micro lenses, exit angles etc.
This lenght would indeed need to be offered from day one – together with a couple of zooms, a normal and a macro.
This is nuts !
What an incredible waste of resources with all these marginal camera manufacturers insisting on their own proprietary lens mounts, but not offering enough lenses to satisfy anybody. I admire Sony’s achievements in the area of image sensors, however, whoever runs their camera division leaves a lot to be desired.
Comparing prices of 85mm f/1.8 Full Frame glass is irrelevant and proves that Sony is playing unfair game with NEX (potential) owners 😉
-> Compare with Full Frame glass:
Nikon glass 85mm f/1.8 @499,00$
Canon glass: 85mm f/1.8 @359,00$
It proves? That’s just Admin’s guess. Btw, both do not have stabilization and given the 35 and 50 primes, the 85 will probably feature it too. Last, but not least, you can’t just compare to lenses released before, price-wise.
One more thing, saying that something is irrelevant and then that it proves something, doesn’t make much sense 🙂
it’s pure math.2 irrelevant points, each point proving something at the same time. no problem 🙂
Anyway:
-*if* APS lens ~3/4ev slower with glass covering half the sensor costing 1.5xFF would prove something ,wouldn’t it?
-*if* FF then this would be a turning point for NEX …
BTW Andreas is usually on-target when he sais SR4 (eg. price)
Lets wait and see if this is the 1st FF NEX lens 🙂
🙂
And the difference in prices of Canon 35/2 and 35/2 IS not bother you?
Canon Full Frame glass EF 35mm f/2 :$309
Canon Full frame glass EF 35mm f/2 IS USM : $850
Nikon Full Frame AF-NIKKOR 35mm f/2D : $360
this bothers me:
Sony APS SAL35F18: $193.00
Sony APS SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 : $448.00
So the difference in Canon IS vs. non-IS did not bother you but the difference in Sony would? Last time I checked, the E-mount version has OSS. People just look for things to complain about, that or they’re simply just trolls.
the difference between the 2 Canon is that the new USM was introduced 22 years after the 1st version (1990 – 2012).
BTW When did I say I am not complaining about Sony? 🙂
It just bothers me…
unless the new SEL85/1.8mm is a FF lens, which could be a game changer altogether 😉
The difference in the E and A mount 35/1.8’s is OSS, build and AF. The E mount has OSS, a solid build and DMF capable AF. The A mount lacks OSS, is very cheaply built and has a SAM AF motor with no DMF. The A mount 35/1.8 is a great lens, but that’s all in the optics, its a cheapo otherwise.
the M43 zuiko 75/1.8 costs $850, in europe costs €950!
Great news; I’ve been looking forward to a portrait lens for a while for the NEX and have been contemplating the Voigtlander 75mm f1.8 for a while.
I’ll definitely be persuaded by a native 85mm if it takes the same design philosophy as the 50mm f1.8 and makes the bokeh top priority.
Well now that there’s an 85mm F/1.8 for E-mount, a comparative lens on the A-mount (or an E-mount->A-mount adaptor which is impossible) would be fantastic.
I mean, although the 85mm F/2.8 is a very sharp and good cheap lens, an 85/1.8 is still a 1.8!
Agreed ! Not to say that A-mount cameras are more suitable for tele lenses! 85/f2.8 is simply not fast enough when facing canikon offer and those 85 f1.4s are not exactly cheap except the samyang manual lens. Since a-mount are meant for working, please make an affordable f1.8 85mm for a-slr/slts, too.
The Minolta 85mm f/1.4 non-G are not too expensive, $700 to $800, but the G versions run around $900to $1000 used in excellent condition.
this and a new version of Zeiss 85 f/1.4 with SSM and WR.
i wish sony carl zeiss will update their CZ 85mm/1.4 SSM
and update for A mount lens 28mm/2 like minolta have before.
Well said!
Sound like the perfect focal length for a macro. Would love to see a ~85mm f2.8 macro for NEX… That is really the only lens I mis in the E-mount lineup now…
I’m pretty sure they will add OSS for this lens which is really great *____* though I still wish for a NEX with OSS built-in <.<
What about one of those external stabilizers?
http://www.kehblog.com/2011/08/gyro-stabilizer-ken-lab-ks-6.html
Claimed to be more efficient than any built-in!
A bit off topic, Admin, but any news on that Samyang 10mm?
Great news!
If it is with OSS (shoul be) and compact (I doubt)
It will be a perfect combo with the sel35f18
Thanks !
If it s as good as the 50/1.8 and if it has OSS this lens would be a pure gem.
Really good news ! Looking forward the announcement
I wish they never made the 50/1.8 and instead made a 60/1.8. 85 is too long and 50 is too short.
This does nothing for me. Again it’s a lot of money for a lens that is “just” f/1.8. Once again, if the rumor is true, we’re getting Samsung’ed again as they have an 85mm f1.4. Why can they do what Sony cannot? For NEX, I’d rather use a Rokinon 85mm 1.4 and adapter and still save money over an $800 f/1.8. The camera would also be bigger which to a paying client is more impressive. If it’s not paid portrait work, when else would I use this where compact size would be a necessity?
The main missing lenses to me are #1 16-50 f/2.8 and #2 a longer (135-ish) 2.8 macro for travel/hiking macro or portrait. The beercan + adapter makes a great f/4 tele zoom.
If you want the speed, get the ZA85. An 85/1.4 is going to be very large even in E mount so there’s essentially nothing to be gained by an E mount native 85/1.4 over a ZA85 on an LA-EA1 or LA-EA2.
The Samyang 85/1.4 is only a little smaller than the already compact ZA85
This is all great but I do think f/1.8 is a mistake. It’s more likely going to be f/2.8. F/1.8 would be HUGE and a mismatch to their other prime lenses.
To me this is a strange focal length for E mount, I think may photographers would have preferred something like a 58mm fi.4, which would make a great portrait lens, yes there is the 50mm but its just too short IMHO.
A friend has just bought a Fuji X-E1 in preference to a Nex 7 due to the growing range of X mount lenses which are well planned and thought out, there is a 58mm f1.4 coming along with a 23mm f1.4, how does he know, included in the literature which came with the camera was a lens roadmap.
While I’d love to see a 57-60mm fast prime for E mount, an 85 or 90mm lens is very handy, replacing the popular 135mm length on FF. I personally use 85’s quite often on my NEX, both the 85/2.8 SAM and Nikon’s 85/3.5 DX Micro for macro work (with a G adapter).
Hm, I know we (I personally) have been crying for an 85mm but I think it should either be 1.4 and huge and fast or 2.0/2.8 to make it cheaper and more compact.
Off course it has OSS. Sony is building themselves a nice army of prime lenses 😉
Hopefully, the 85mm f1.8 will be priced at the same level as the new 35mm f1.8 (around $450-$500). And while they are at it, they might as well make it available in the A mount as well.
Went to order my 35/1.8 and….it shows preorder for me. It out of stock already? Glitch? Wrong link? I went directly to Sony store…
Maybe the A-mount 85 f2.8 reworked for E-mount.
Just FYI, A99 review is up on DPR – got 84%.
Desperately need an 85 or 100mm macro for underwater photography. The M4/3 are killing us
Just wonder if its image circle will cover 35mm FF, as for such focal length even a 16mm Cine lens would cover 35mm FF.
What is the MFD, if it is less than 0.8M, I’d definitely get one. the E55-210 is just too slow for low light.
Wish it was as sharp as SAL85f28 and had a creamy bokeh like the ZA135/1.8.
Maybe this is an obvious question, but I have a relative’s old Minolta X-370 with a 50/1.7 and 100-200/5.6. Will the mount on those lenses work with current E mount standards? (I don’t own a NEX to try this out)
You’ll need a Minolta MD->NEX adaptor which are fairly cheap and easily found on ebay/amazon etc (and for a little more you could play with a tilt adaptor too)
The Minolta MD lenses are fairly big compared to the camera, but will work well and the NEX makes manual focus very quick and easy.
A 85mm lens makes no sense for an APS-C system.
Why do manufacturers don’t understand this?
The only justification for it would be a FF NEX body.
It’s a shame because the NEX bodies are excellent, yet the lens selection sucks. Given the small size of the bodies, why does Sony persist in not releasing any pancake lenses?
The Samsung NX system has excellent affordable pancake lenses:
– 16 f/2.4
– 20 f/2.8
– 30 f/2
Fujifilm got it as well (although their lenses are larger, but still smaller than most Sony’s):
– 14 f/2.8
– 18 f/2
– 35 f/1.5
The focal lenghts of these lenses make a lot more sense than what Sony is currently doing with their NEX system.
What is needed is:
– A compact ultra wide (12-14mm f/4)
– A fast 35 equivalent (24mm f/2)
– A fast normal equivalent (33mm f/1.8)
– A fast 85 equiv (57mm f/1.8)
People want a small package and focal lengths that make sense!!!
well,
10-18
24Z
35
50
are basically very close to what you want sony to release.
In terms of focal lengths the 24 and 35 are, but not in terms of size. They are big when you compare them to what Samsung managed to achieve (with great IQ too). I still think 50mm makes little sense in APS-C land.
I’m sure many users would like to see compact lenses even if they have to be a bit slower. In terms of sizes (maybe not FL), Pentax shows the way with their pancake and smaller lenses as well (15mm f/4, 21 f/3.2, 40 f/2.8, 70 f/2.4).
I just think it’s a shame the small factor NEX bodies don’t have any matching lenses except for the 16mm which is not very good.
I’m very interested in the NEX-6 and I would have bought into the system long ago if Sony had came up with a few pancake lenses… but they keep producing large and bulky lenses and large zooms. With the release of the 16-50 it seems they are now realizing size is a good selling point. I just hope they will go through with primes.
I forgot to mention the Pentax 35 f/2.8 macro limited which is pretty compact too (compared to the 30mm macro from Sony).
I’s love to see an 80mm E-mount lens. I only hope Sony has enough sense to make it a macro. Long macros are missing from the Sony line-up and this would make it a hot seller, not only as a decent size macro, but as a nice portrait lens too, all in one lens. I have a Nauticam NEX7 underwater system and must use close-up diopters on the 18-55mm kit lens for macro. Before the NEX7 rig, I had a Canon T31/Nauticam set-up. The Canon 100mm macro was a great lens for super-macro, but it was quite long on a cropped APS-C sensor and had limited use on a single dive. The 18-55mm offers me more versatility with swing away wet diopters, but for super macro, a nice 70-80mm macro lens would fill the gap for us super-macro shooters. I’m looking forward to the upcoming Zeiss 50mm macro, but it’s reach will be slightly less than the long end of the kit at 55mm, plus cost an arm and a leg. I think I’d rather keep the kit lens/diopter set-up for it’s single dive versatility and have a longer sharp macro for very close super-macro. Now, what’d I’ve give for a sharp 14-80mm macro zoom if that were possible 🙂 LOL but it would be nice.
Any update on this old rumor?
Sony is killing FE lens users by this habit of bit-by-bit lens release! Sony must know our patience is not unlimited! It’s very easy to switch to old makers with a huge support of native and foreign (!) lenses and adaptors.