I got word from store owners that the Sony 20mm f/2.8 lens has been marked by Sony as “On clearance”. They haven’t been told by Sony why it has been marked so. But it’s easy to guess that Sony will probably offer a new updated version soon.
I got word from store owners that the Sony 20mm f/2.8 lens has been marked by Sony as “On clearance”. They haven’t been told by Sony why it has been marked so. But it’s easy to guess that Sony will probably offer a new updated version soon.
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It’s a wonderful little lens and combined with the LR profile I’m extremely happy with the results. This lens and the 35/1.8 are my primary lenses for the NEX 7.
35 1.8 was too contrasty for me, not well matched to zeiss 24 and sony 50 1.8
All that this lens offers over the 18-55 is a slightly larger aperture and compactness. The increase in IQ is marginal. At this ridiculously high price, you’re way better off getting a compact like Ricoh GR or Sigma DP. Easier to carry and much better in terms of IQ.
I wonder what they’ll do with the new version. Imo they should just reduce the price and/or make it part of kits like the 16mm was once OR make it larger and actually perform like a prime.
Really? You think this lens is expensive? Here in Tokyo it sells for the equivalent of about $285 new. Which puts it at almost exactly the same price as the 16-50/3.5-5.6 and just a few dollars more than the 18-55/3.5-5.6. I’ll take almost any prime over those kit zooms any day! I had the 18-55mm and never missed it when I replaced it with the 20mm and the 35mm. NEX cameras need small lenses to make any sense in my bag… but I guess that’s just me. 🙂
Yes it’s expensive. Both 16-50 and 18-55 as standalone lenses are expensive too. Canon’s 22/2 STM is cheaper and has more IQ than sel20…
FE version that covers both?
Already nearly covers FF as is.
More reason they might tweak it to release an FE version? I just hope they don’t slap a Zeiss label on there and triple the price.
I bought it a couple of weeks ago for 200€. The start price was ridiculous, but 200€ are fair in my opinion. IQ is really good — I don’t know why this should be replaced. Its only downside was the price.
It’s time for a f2.0. Same size of course
does anyone own the Canon 22mm f2 for the EOS M? Which one is better in their opinion?
The M’s 22mm is much better… Main drawback is that it only works on an M. 😛
Thanks! :3
As stated, the EOS M 22mm is a MUCH better lens, but is also closer to 35mm eq than 28mm eq. The Canon 22/2 is actually a FANTASTIC lens and is one of the best lenses in mirrorless. It’s sharp in the middle, fast aperture (relatively to being a pancake) and it’s got gorgeous bokeh. The main drawback is the body it has to attach to, which is garbage.
Does anyone has a link to MTF values of both lenses, taken with comparable methods?
Not quite what you were looking for, but here’s the comparison on DXO:
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Sony-E-20mm-F28-on-Sony-A3000-versus-Canon-EF-M-22mm-F2-STM___1093_906_989_0
Thanks
If there’s to be a new 20mm, it would make sense to make it FE mount as it would surely be of use on the A7 series. However, there’s a problem if it was to made a pure symmetric design as such a lens, whilst compact, would surely suffer corner issues on FF. To overcome this, a mildly retrofocal design could be produced, but such a lens would be considerably bulkier.
You are implying the false dychotomy, a non symmetric lens doesn’t have to be retrofocus.
Well, I suppose it could be the opposite of retrofocal, which is telephoto, which will, of course, make the whole problem worse. If you want to be more exotic, you could go for a (rear) telecentric design, but that it is a complex and expensive (and even more bulky) design.
The simple approach, by far, is to go for a retrofocal design to reduce the angle of incidence of light rays at the sensor extremity. There is also the advantage that there is huge experience of retrofocal design, as pretty well every SLR lens with a focal length of less than about 35mm is necessarily retrofocal.
nb. this seems relevant, and illustrates the apparent size differential of aperture that comes about from asymmetrical (entry and exit focal length) lens designs
http://fauxtoreal.com/?p=13
Simple shift of aperture forward simultaneously reduces angle of incidence and makes the lens non-symmetric without making it retrofocus.
All that seems to do is reduce the aperture. That will reduce the angle of incidence (to a point), but it doesn’t change the entry and exit focal lengths as far as I can see, but makes use of some increased DoF. Indeed, if you shut down the aperture on a pure symmetrical lens design it will reduce the extremes of angle of incidence (but only up to a point). As far as I can see, most of the reason you see a difference in the apparent position of the aperture from the front and rear of a lens is as a result of the entry and exit focal lengths being different, not because the actual iris mechanism has been moved.
Note, when I’m talking about symmetrical design, I’m referring to symmetry of entry and exit focal lengths. Of course, this can be achieved by symmetry of elements, but that’s not the only way. The important thing is that the exit focal length is relatively long to reduce the extremes of angle of incidence.
In any event, any lens designed to reduce the AoI issues which cause problems at the extremes of the sensor is going to be bulkier than a simple “pancake” format lens.
Too expensive; not fast enough, no OSS. Almost same size as 16-50. For same price you can get a Lumix LX7 with F1.4 zoom lens.
Do you really need OSS on a 20mm lens?
Video guys, oss really useful for video, which cant be ignored now
what the heck do you want to do with OSS on 20mm pancake. You shoot no sports with that, and, unless you have Parkinson disease, the OSS serves not to much with that wide angle lenses of this tiny size. For a tele lens it makes sense, a millimeter movement can be several meters on the other end.
I want OSS on all my lenses. I often shoot still scenes with moving objects (ceiling fans, waterfalls) that I intentionally want motion blurred, but the rest of the scene sharp. To do that, I typically set a 1/8 shutter speed, which is easy to handhold with IS, nearly impossible without. This is something I always had to do with a tripod when I first started in photography. Modern IS for any focal length is a godsend for a lot of people, especially those with medical issues that cause handshake, as you mentioned.
just use the OSS zoom then for your purpose, I want a small pancake
Maybe it’s just getting discontinued. Awkward focal length and aperture. GorgonEmpire is right that it should be a stop faster, or else there would be too many replacements, even in E-mount’s tiny lineup.
I don’t mind the no OSS, and I don’t mind the focal length. It’s only 2mm longer than the classical 28mm equivalent. I like the pancake, too.
What’s terrible is the mustache distortion and f/2.8
Just ordered one for €225 right before I saw this post. Now it makes sense that the price dropped
This is not going to be discontinued. They did this sort of price drop thing with the 16/2.8. Never did discontinue it. 🙁
Would love so see some FE pancakes!
Great, this is the sort of info a lot of people are looking for on this site.
I noticed a couple of weeks ago that it is only £169 in the UK (now gone up to £179) and wanted to order one, but wasn’t sure if Camera Centre want to unload returned stock/poor batch or they just want to clear too much stock.
This info makes things clearer, Camera Store are just quicker to react to the lens being discontinued. The same thing happened last year when Sigma replaced the 30mm E mount and I got the 30mm EX DN version for only £84! So I might just purchase a copy of the 20mm as well.
However, a bit more info will be of great help, if admin could try to confirm if a new version is on its way I would hold off for the update, no urgen need for the 20mm just want the compactness?
I ask myself if I should wait to buy one. I shoot only manual focus, but this flat thing makes a NEX-7 pocketable. I have the 16mm, but I judge it too wide for the kind of shots i do. I saw the offer in Camera Centre, maybe we wait some time to get one, they only can become cheaper. Maybe I should ask Nick first if this could happen and if it is wortht o wait a bit. On the other side, what will the replacement be, just a repolished thing or something different. I have no real need for the format, I have other lenses in this length, what is tempting is the size of the lens only.
I am also after the 20mm for the compactness at a decent optical quality. Never bought the 16mm, because the reviews reported mediocre optical quality.
I’ll prpbably wait for a few more weeks for more news from SAR.
Not sure this means a new lens is coming out. Same was said about the 55-210 if I remember correctly.
I would pick the sigma 19mm 2.8 anyday.
The Sigma is definitely a good lens but this lens is smaller and shouldn’t be very far from the quality of the Sigma.
Any of the store owners you heard from based in the U.S.? Still full price here everywhere I look.
My Best Buy store in Palm Desert, CA is selling it for $199, in-store price only.
Make it 20mm f/2 with OSS and FE compatible. Thanks.
humble wish
and $650 price
Thats will be a completely different lens. This is a low cost low profile lens. The one you describe will be a high cost, large lens.
OSS for a 20mm (30mm) 😮
Don’t see the reason for that
It will be a FE lens. That is what is missing in the FE mount lenses. They will probably release it along with the Zeiss 85 F1.4. Also don’t forget a new camera.
I doubt it will be an FE lens. This is a cheap low profile lens. If its FE it will lose its low cost and low profile nature. My bet it will remain a cheap low profile lens with maybe better IQ and or a slightly different FOV.
I think they’ll add another 2-4mm, keep the size and make it 22- 24mm full frame! Probably bringing the price up 100 or so bucks.
Or they might have gotten some inspiration to bring it back under 20mm, closer to the original 16mm, but keeping the quality, if they’ve gotten indication ppl are happy to pay more.
It would be an interesting poll for Admin to make. Which aspect would you like improved in a potential new version of the 20mm (multiple selection, but not more than 2 options)?
– make it faster, F2.0
– make it wider again, 16mm-18mm
– make it full frame, FE mount
– further improve quality
Also in which area they would be happiest to compromise to achieve the above?
– size, say +50%
– price, say +$200
– focal length, say +4mm to 24mm