New lens reviews by Mark Galer, Photographyblog, SonyAlphaLab, Marc Alhadeff

Lens review: Sony FE 100-400 F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
1.4X Tele Converter Album: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1ZoFPW
FE 100-400 F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Album:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskYWnqJR

Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G Review by Photographyblog:

The Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G is a very good, if pricey, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for Sony A9/A7/A7R II/A7S full-frame cameras. It delivers excellent sharpness in the centre of the frame almost throughout the full aperture and zoom range and also performs very well at the edges of the frame too, although the performance at 24mm isn’t as good as the rest of the zoom range. The Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G lens does suffer from some distortion and vignetting, but chromatic aberrations are very well-controlled and it can even create some fairly nice bokeh effects when shooting wide-open at 24mm.
Lens at [shopcountry 60804]

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Lens Review by SonyAlphaLab:

The images produced by the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Lens are optically phenomenal at the end of the day in my opinion. I would not mind having this lens in my stable at all! If I were shooting weddings for example with the Sony A9 or Sony A7r II, I would certainly have this lens mounted most of the time for my style of shooting.
Lens at [shopcountry 62046]

Marc Alhadeff tested the new Tokina 20mm FE lens:

The Borders / corners are clearly less good than the centre wide open and this persist until F4, at F5.6-F8 you get consistent excellent results across the frame
Lens at [shopcountry 62047]

Confirmed with actual measurements: A7rII has Higher DR than the new Nikon D850 (except ISO 64)

Photonstophotos now published the real world Dynamic Range measurements of the new Nikon D850. And with the exception of ISO 64 and 400 the 2,5 years older Sony A7rII performed better across the entire ISO range.

Just to be clear, we are talking about minor differences that will certainly not make your photos better and worse. What is interesting about this test is:

1) There has been no DR progress on the D850 compared to the 2,5 year older Sony camera.
2) Sony needs to add a serious native ISO 64 support to squeeze out the best performance (Note: As reported by Jim Kasson the A7rII has a “fake” ISO 64 setting).
3) Sony might has reserved the top edge tech for the 2018 Sony A7rIII model (Note: Nikon surely uses Sony manufactured sensors).

And to not pass as a Sony fanboy. From a usability point of view the D850 beats hands down the Sony. Sony needs to improve a lot and with the A9 they surely did show they are on the right path on this.

Reminder: $200 off and free extras on the A7rII at Adorama, BHphoto and Amazon.

Voigtländer 65mm macro FE review by Marc Alhadeff


65mm at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama

Marc Alhadeff posted the full 65mm macro lens review. This is his conclusion:

The Voigltänder 65mm F2 Macro Apo Lanthar is an exceptional lens with a strong character.

  • Exceptional sharpness across the whole frame wide open at F2
  • Excellent color rendition
  • Reasonable price for the performance (900 euros)
  • nice sunstars effects
  • build like a tank

but you will need to live accommodate with

  • Some CA
  • Odd focal length : 65mm
  • Bokeh good in close distance , less good at longer distance
  • Only 1:2 magnification
  • Focusing ring precise in macro but less precise for portrait, street photography

For me this lens will be terrific for portraits , street photography , some details shooting, proxy photography, but for real macro, I still prefer Sony 90mm macro that I find better suited with its 1:1 magnification

Red his full review at SonyAlphaBlog.

The lens is now in Stock at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.

Laowa 15mm f/2.0 FE test by Dpreview: “capable of outstanding results”

Get the lens at BHphoto, Adorama and Venuslens.net.

Dpreview thinks it is capable of outstanding results and those are their Pros and Cons list

What I like:

  • Distortion is very well controlled
  • Fast, wide and reasonably small
  • Good build quality
  • Sharp, even wide open
  • 15cm (6 in) minimum focus distance
  • 72mm filter thread

What I don’t:

  • No electronic communication so no EXIF info
  • Vignettes moderately throughout aperture range

Get the lens at BHphoto, Adorama and Venuslens.net.

70-200mm GM review by Admiringlight: “outstanding telephoto zoom lens”

Admiringlight reviewed the 70-200mm GM lens:

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM is an outstanding telephoto zoom lens. The lens is very solidly built and has a pro-grade feel like anything out of Canon or Nikon. It’s also outstanding optically, with great sharpness, contrast, bokeh and color and a very fast and accurate autofocus system. It’s truly a pro grade lens, though you’ll certainly pay for it. The $2,600 price tag is very steep, and is around $500 more expensive than Canon’s 70-200mm f/2.8, and Nikon’s slightly older 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II, though around the same price as Nikon’s newest FL 70-200mm f/2.8. High price aside, the lens is truly an outstanding performer. You won’t be left wanting for image quality or performance, and should be a go-to lens for a lot of professional shooters.

Lens store links: [shopcountry 61922]

Sony FE 12-24mm test at Photozone: “the Sony is a no-brainer. Highly recommended!”

Photozone tested the new Sony 12-24mm FE lens:

Upon first contact, you will notice how small it is compared to similar (DSLR-)offerings. It’s even more obvious in term of weight (565g vs 1150g for the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 HSM ART). Now you may expect that this comes with a couple of compromises but there are actually only a few. 
If ultra-wide perspectives are simply your thing then the Sony is a no-brainer. Highly recommended!

12-24mm Lens store links: [shopcountry 60805]

And Photographyblog tested the 16-35mm GM:

It delivers outstanding sharpness in the centre of the frame throughout the full aperture and zoom range, and also performs excellently at the edges of the frame too. The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM lens does suffer from some distortion and vignetting, but chromatic aberrations are very well-controlled and it can even create some nice bokeh effects when shooting wide-open at 35mm thanks to the rounded 11-blade aperture. The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM offered pleasingly fast, quiet and reliable auto-focusing on the A7R II that we tested it with, intuitive manual focusing and great build quality, plus it’s usefully weather-tight too.
Overall, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM is the newest and best wide-angle zoom for Sony full-frame shooters with deep pockets…

16-35mm Lens store links: [shopcountry 60804]