DxOmark (Click here) tested the new Sony 24-70mm GM lens. Unsurprisingly it is the best E-mount zoom lens from Sony yet.

Given the emphasis on the high-grade components and construction to match the maker’s high-resolution sensors, we had high hopes for the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM, and we weren’t disappointed. It is the best-performing zoom in the maker’s range and can easily hold its own against the new AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm F2.8E ED VR. However, for edge-to-edge to sharpness, the Sony isn’t quite in the same league as the Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM II, but we still have to add the Sony A7RII to propose a fair comparison with the 50 Mpix Canon EOS 5DSR. Nevertheless, the Sony does have certain strengths — better transmission and lower lateral chromatic aberration than many high-grade primes — and while certainly pricey, it’s still a competitive and tempting addition to the range.

Please note that the sharpness point system highly depends from the sensor resolution. So it’s not fair to test the GM lens on a 36MP sensor camera and the Canon lens on a 50MP sensor camera

24-70mm GM store links: [shopcountry 47915].

Note: in US it’s in Stock at FocusCamera only yet (Click here).

DxOmark (Click here) published the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 E-mount lens test results. And as you can see the lens scores and impressive result beating the rest of the APS-C E-mount lens crowd:

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DN is an excellent standard prime option for Sony E-mount cameras and ranks at the top for all lenses we’ve tested on the A6000. Sharpness is outstanding, delivering excellent center resolution at all aperture settings up to f/8, with only minimal drop-off in the corners. Vignetting is pretty heavy at f/1.4, as the lens struggles to achieve the same intensity of light across the large APS-C sensor at its maximum aperture, but it improves greatly by f/1.8 and is all but eradicated by f/2.8. Compared to the significantly more expensive Zeiss 32mm f/1.8 and Sony’s own E 35mm f/1.8, the Sigma version is both sharper in the center and more consistent across the frame. Add to that the faster maximum f/1.4 aperture, and the $339 Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DN looks to be a very attractive standard prime option for Sony mirrorless photographers.

Get the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 E-mount lens at [shopcountry 49396].

Image courtesy: Photozone 

Photozone published the full Sony 50mm f/1.8 FE lens review.

It is a bit difficult to come to a conclusion about the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8. It has its moments but there’s also darkness. The resolution characteristic is fairly solid. The outer image field is very soft at large apertures but to be fair – your main subject tends to be near the image center so it’s probably not all that of a deal-breaker in the real life. The center itself is already very sharp and contrasty at f/1.8. The situation is very different between f/4 and f/8 where the quality is impressive indeed. Lateral CAs are generally not an issue. The lens produces some heavy vignetting at maximum aperture. Some may like this effect as a creative element but those who don’t may prefer to correct this either via camera setting or in your favorite RAW converter. Otherwise you should stop down by about 2 f-stops. The quality of the bokeh is fairly good with smooth highlight discs, albeit with a bit of outlining, and a smooth albeit asymmetric general blur. A fair share of bokeh fringing is also present (see one rather extreme example in the sample image section).
The mixture of good and bad continues on the mechanical side. The build quality is actually very decent and in line with most modern 50mm f/1.8 lenses. There’s a pain point though – the auto-focus. Some lenses get nicknames and we’d like to call this one “Captain Slow” (we hope James May doesn’t mind …). It is embarrassing to witness such an AF in a brand new lens really.

Which brings us the question whether this lens is worth it? We are not convinced.

Get the 50mm FE at [shopcountry 47529].

Jordan Stelle on Admiringlight writes:

The Voigtländer 10mm f/5.6 Hyper-Wide Heliar is a truly unique lens. It’s the widest rectilinear lens made for any format in the history of photography. It also is pretty darn good optically, though definitely falls short of perfect.  There’s some softness at the edges, and the corners are softer still, but the overall resolution the lens produces is very good. It’s tack sharp in the center and the good sharpness extends over most of the frame.  It also shows fairly high chromatic aberration and very high vignetting, though both can be corrected to some degree in post-processing (with the addition of some noise in the case of vignetting).
Still, these drawbacks don’t spoil what is a truly magnificent lens. The 10mm f/5.6 has a wonderful drawing style, with great contrast and rich color, and it resists flare well in most circumstances.  But more important than the pure optical quality are the intangibles

Allan Weitz on Explora writes

Edge sharpness when shooting at wider apertures is soft and “stretchy,” but it does improve once you stop the lens down 2 to 3 stops. Center sharpness is quite good, even at wider apertures, and gets even better stopped down. Contrast levels are right on the dime, most notably when shooting in monochrome.
Magenta and/or cyan color smear, long the bane of ultra-wide lenses on full-frame digital cameras, is pretty much nonexistent. There’s also evidence of chromatic color fringing along contrasty edges—most notably toward the edges, but nothing that can’t be corrected post-capture.
If you own a Sony E-mount camera and you’ve been shy about shooting with wider-angle lenses, your time has arrived.

Voigtlander 10mm FE at [shopcountry 49319].

The new Samyang FE autofocus lenses will start shipping in July. And this is the very first unboxing video (with first test). The reviewer says the image quality is quite good but the lens still has some problems with the autofocus (Phase Difference Area is to small and motor noise).

You still cannot preorder the new AF lenses yet.

One more Samyang news: Save $130 on the grey imported Samyang 50mm f/1.2 APS-C manual focusing lens sold on [shoplink 49176 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

[shoplink 49176 ebay][/shoplink]

We haven’t seen many 70-300mm FE tests yet. So let’s read the review just posted by Photographyblog:

The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS makes a solid case for itself by offering a useful focal range incorporating the longest reach of any E-mount lens, and all in a relatively compact package. Of course the latter is mostly due to the lens’ variable rather than constant aperture, but this is about the only compromise you’ll have to make. Image sharpness is impressively high across the focal range and at all apertures, and while falloff is visible wide open, Sony’s in-camera lens correction automatically and effectively compensates. Sony’s FE 70-200 mm F4 G OSS remains the more pro-focussed choice, but the FE 70-300mm is very capable alternative if you need the extra reach and less bulk.
70-300 store links: [shopcountry 47527].

It’s not a coincidence the new 70-300mm FE lens is the number one new release in Amazon’s lens category (Click here).

Photographyblog also tested the new 50mm FE lens and the conclusion is less…”exciting” than the 70-300mm FE review:

This lens has been a long time coming for full-frame E-mount cameras, and it certainly makes a welcome addition to Sony’s lens line-up if you’re in the market for a fast, well-priced standard prime that offers excellent image quality.
It is however a pity that next to a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM or Nikon and AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G, the FE 50mm f/1.8’s AF system is primitive, slow and noisy. It’s something that’s even tougher to live with when you consider the Sony lens costs noticeably more than both its Canon and Nikon counterparts. Trouble is, this is simply the price you’ll have to pay, given the complete lack of other budget-conscious options in the FE lens sector.
50mm FE store links: [shopcountry 47526]

85mm GM review by ePhotozine:

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 G Master lens is a traditionally very high quality choice. It is ideal for many more types of subject than portraits, although with the beautiful bokeh provided portraiture may well be high on the list for users of this lens. A very fine lens, very well made and a joy to use, this is superb in every respect.  

24-70mm review by Richard Fox:

All in all I’m more than happy with this lens. Already it’s becoming my go to lens for most of my work, only swapping them for when I need a wider, or more telephoto, focal length lens. Although it is a bit heavier than the Canon lens, without a Metabones FE to EF adapter, which is what I was considering, it’s over 100g lighter. This is still a very sought after lens and production is still continuing to try and match demand. Many photographers are still waiting for this long anticipated progression in to the professional (‘aperture’) lens market. I wonder if the 3 new GM lenses (70-200, 24-70 and 85mm) will be matched with a higher end professional body in 2016/2017 too?

24-70mm GM review at Camerastuffreview

The Sony 24-70 mm f/2.8 G Master is a beautiful and welcome addition to the assortment of lenses with the Sony FE-mount (the mount of the full-frame system cameras; the SLRs have a different mount). The optical performance is very good, where in particular the superior bokeh stands out. We were impressed by the sleek and functional construction, without unnecessary frills. That is in part the reason why the lens—for a bright, full-frame, professional standard zoom—stayed compact and usable. In combination with the mirrorless A7R Mark 2 with built-in image stabilization, it was a pleasure to work with. Just as with the most modern 24-70 mm f/2.8 lenses from Nikon and Canon, the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 G Master has an impressive price tag. But then you get a lot—a whole lot—in exchange.

GM lens store links:
85mm f/1.4 GM FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Amazon Germany. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK. Jessops.
24-70mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Amazon Germany. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK. Jessops.