Since last week you can preorder the new Laowa 15mm f/20 FE lens at Venuslens.net (Click here). It’s the yet fastest wide angle lens for E-mount.

Christopher Frost just tested it:

Ken Rockwell tested the Sony 24-240mm FE lens and the conclusion is:

Get one! This lens does everything. Even better, get this lens and simply forget about any fixed-focal length lenses, macro lenses, or anything like the 24-70/2.8 GM or 70-200/2.8 GM; this lens replaces them all.
Get the lens at [shopcountry 61423].

He also tested the 28mm FE lens:

This is a swell little fast wide lens for full-frame, and a swell fast normal lens on APS-C. It’s tiny, nearly weightless and works great. If you want a tiny fixed lens, here you go.
Get the lens at [shopcountry 61424].

Lensrentals compared three Sony’s Ultra Wides: the Sony 16-35mm f/4 ZA, 16-35mm f/2.8 GM & 12-24mm f/4 G. They liked all three lenses:

“I cannot stress enough that we’re splitting hairs. These are all excellent lenses, and I would recommend them for different reasons to different people.”

But it’s the 16-35mm GM that really impressed them:

The Canon has been my go to since it came out, but I really believe that the Sony bests it. Sharpness? Check. Contrast? Check. Great color? Check. Check. Check. It checks all the boxes. It should go without saying at this point, but I expected greatness from this lens, and it delivered in spades in the images I got.

16-35mm GM at [shopcountry 60804]
12-24mm FE lens at [shopcountry 60805]
16-35mm Zeiss at [shopcountry 61400]

Adrian Murray tested the brand new Laowa 15mm f/2.0 FE lens which you can preorder since this week at Venuslens.net (Click here). The conclusion:

If you’re a landscape, astro, or architecture photographer shooting with a full frame E-mount system then I would recommend this be on your radar. It delivers fine results in a small package and a fair price. If I had to guess I think a lot of you reading this are probably comparing this lens to Sigma’s 14mm offering. Sure, you lose autofocus, 1mm and 1/3 of a stop when compared to the new Sigma 14mm f/1.8. However, this lens was built for Sony E-mount cameras so you end up getting a more nimble design. Autofocus? Really? This is 15mm, do you honestly need that? You’re not likely going to be using this lens to shoot fast moving subjects. You also gain the more manageable front element. Oh, there’s also the tiny fact that this lens costs about half that of the Sigma Art. Not to mention the weight savings. The Sigma 14mm comes in at 2.57 pounds (1170 grams), not including the weight of the adaptor which you’ll need to use it on a Sony camera. That’s over twice the weight of Laowa’s option. Either way, the Laowa is a performer and fits nicely in my camera bag. 

Venus Optics also made available full size image samples via Dropbox

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Reminder: No brainer deal alert! You get the brand new Rokinon 35mm f/2.8 FE autofocus lens for $299 only at BHphoto (Click here).

Sony Ambassador Manny Ortiz just posted this Sony A7RII vs 5D Mark IV Portrait shootout video. If there is one thing I would like Sony to copy from Canon is their skin color performance. But that’s just my two cents :)

Dan Bracaglia from Dpreview played a bit with the new Voigtlander 65mm macro FE lens which is now in Stock at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama. In Europe at Photo-Porst-Neuwied

He writes:

“Everything about how the 65mm handles screams precision and quality, from the all metal housing to the drool-worthy matte black finish.

What I like:

• Excellent build-quality
• Very sharp throughout aperture range
• Focus ring turns with exceptional smoothness
• Electronic contacts allow lens to communicate with camera

What I don’t like:

• Focus ring hard stop at infinity end is beyond infinity (this may be an issue with our copy though)
• 65mm field of view takes some getting used to”

The FS5 just got a huge price drop at Adorama and Bhphoto. And today Sony also released the new 4.02 firmware update.

Here is a new A7sII vs FS5 test just posted by Matt Granger: