Dpreview says Sigmas new 85mm ART lens “outperformed the Sony GM across the board”

Dpreview tested the new [shoplink 55626]Sigma 85mm ART[/shoplink] lens and compared it with the Sony 85mm GM:

The Sigma beat out the Sony in nearly every category. Sharpness, vignetting, distortion and the handling of lateral CA (though not LoCA, in harsh lighting situations, wide open) all went to the Sigma. It simply outperformed the Sony across the board. In terms of lens character the Sigma does an excellent job in subject isolation and overall bokeh presentation, but so does the Sony. In fact, it’s really difficult to see any major differences in this respect.

The Sony’s advantages lies in the more compact and weathersealed construction.

And actually that’s good news for us. Because Sigma will DEFINITELY launch their first FE lenses soon! And if they can keep that level of quality in a more compact body…well I am sure we will buy them all!

Sigma 85mm ART comes in Nikon/Canon mount at [shopcountry 55626].
It can be used on E-mount cameras with the excellent Sigma MC-11 adapter here: [shopcountry 55627].
Sony 85mm GM at [shopcountry 55629].

New 100mm STF lens tests by Dpreview, Imaging Resource

Imaging Resource posted a very detailed analysis of the new Sony 100mm f/2.8 STF G Master lens and concludes:

The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF G has a physical aperture of f/2.8, but exposes like an f/5.6. And when it comes to DOF, it shoots like an f/4, but produces some of the most amazing, creamy bokeh we’ve ever seen. Given it’s price, it’s a somewhat special-purpose lens, but oh man; if you want amazing bokeh, this is the way to get it!

DPreview also tested the 100mm STF and writes:

Similar STF lenses tend to be manual focus or contrast detect-only, since peripheral light rays – the very ones the filter is designed to block out – are necessary for traditional phase-detect sensors to function. However, since (at least Sony’s) on-sensor PDAF sensors can still use more central light rays for focusing, focusing does still work, remarkably well in fact with the a7R II, even indoors, wide open.

Sebimagery posted a Sony FE 85mm 1.8 First look:

While it’s been deemed the “Budget 85” for Sony’s e-mount the performance is quite fantastic.  For half the price of the Batis, this thing will be a solid performer.  The advantage over the Batis is the customizable button on the side of the lens like all the G Master lenses have.  

PcMag also tested the 85mm FE:

The FE 85mm F1.8 certainly wins out on price, coming in at about half that of the Zeiss Batis 1.8/85. Images look quite crisp, autofocus is speedy, and the lens maintains the same dust- and moisture-resistant design as other FE lenses.

German readers can also check out the 100mm review by Photoscala.

New Sony FE lens preorders:
85mm f/1.8 FE at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. PhotoPorstNeuwied.
100mm f/2.8 STF FE at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. PhotoPorstNeuwied.
HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash at BHphoto, Adorama. PhotoPorstNeuwied.

 

First 85mm FE and 100mm STF images samples and tests (Newsshooter, Brian Smith and more)


85mm f/1.8 FE at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. In Europe at Calumet.
100mm f/2.8 STF FE at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. In Europe at Calumet.
HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash at BHphoto, Adorama.

Sony invited the press to show their new FE lenses. And here are the first image samples and previews:

Hands on with Sony’s new bokeh king: the FE 100mm STF G OSS (Newsshooter).
100 STF full size samples by Miguel Quiles on SonyAlphaCamera.
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Sample Photos (ePhotozine).
Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens Sample Photos (ePhotozine).
100mm STF review by Brian Smith.
Sony 85mm f1.8 FE and Sony 100mm f2.8 STM G Master FE image samples by ThePhoBlographer.
Shooting with Sony’s latest portrait perfect lenses (Techradar)
Hands-on Sony FE 85mm F1.8 review (CameraJabber).
Hands-on Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS review (CameraJabber).
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS Sample Images (Photographyblog).
Sony FE 85mm F1.8 Sample Images (Photographyblog).
En busca del mejor bokeh: Sony 100 mm f2.8 STF y 85 mm f1.8 FE (Photolari).
Sony FE 100 mm f/2,8 STF G Master y FE 85 mm f/1,8 – Toma de contacto (DSLRmagazine).
85mm FE Image samples by Optyczne
100mm STF Image samples by Optyczne

Newsshooter Sony FE 100mm STF G OSS interview:

Newsshooter Sony FE 100mm STF G OSS lens test footage:

Tokina Firin 20mm f/2.0 FE review by Focus Numerique: “Surprising good performer”

Focus Numerique (google translation here) tested the new Tokina Firin 20mm f/2.0 FE lens. In their eyes this lens is a surprising good performer with only one downside (the position of the aperture ring). Otherwise the optical quality is very high and the lens has no problem to deliver sharp images on a 42 Megapixel sensor. Vignetting and distortion are very low too.

Tokina Firin preorders at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon UK and at Amazon FR.

 

Sony A99II tested at Dpreview: “it is the ultimate SLT”

DPreview just posted their final full Sony A99II review:

It is the SLT that should be used by any photographers that have had prior doubts about the system, as its all-round balance of features and capabilities leave the ultimate decision for many photographers up to two things: EVF vs. OVF, and the lens system. For those that love SLT, the a99 II is definitely worth a look, but for those that need a solid all-rounder, or a lens selection beyond A-mount, the complications of SLT may not be worth the advantages.

Sony A99II at [shopcountry 54828].