Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G review by Marc Alhadeff

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E 16-55mm F2.8 G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera. In EU at Calumet DE, Park UK, WexUK.

Marc Alhadeff tested the new Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G lens. His conclusion:

The new Sony 16-55 F2.8 G (1300 euros) is the pro zoom for APSC we were expecting for years. Results are superb and on on par with best E mount prime lenses

This could be your high quality lens for weddings, travel, portraits, studio shooting

Pros

  • Excellent Sharpness at all focal lengths
  • Consistent sharpness from centre to corners
  • Very nice and soft Background blur
  • Excellent color rendition
  • Very good build construction
  • Easy to rotate zoom with enough dampening for a smooth zooming
  • Ergonomics : focus hold button , AF/MF switch

Average

  • Size : the lens is relatively big in APSC standard but this allow to get corners as sharp as the centre
  • Bokeh balls : well rounded but some onions rings and fringing can be observed in some situations
  • Distorsion on the wide end is big and vignetting is visible.
    • This improve at 35 and 55 but distorsion is still visible.
    • This will be automatically corrected in a future Lightroom Lens profile
  • Some chromatic aberrations (low level)
  • Resistance to flare is only good

Cons

 

The Sony 16-55mm F2.8 G is definitively the Pro Zoom for Sony APSC cameras and would have deserved a GM label.

Globally it is much better than any other Sony APSC zoom currently available

Highly Recommended

E 16-55mm F2.8 G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera. In EU at Calumet DE, Park UK, WexUK.

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Sony Tidbits…

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Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens review

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Sanken CMS-50 M-S Stereo Shotgun Microphone (Personal View).
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Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

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Hot deal in the USA: Get a Free $200 Adorama gift card on those seven Sony GM lenses!

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That’s finally a nice deal for our US readers! On all those GM lenses you get a $200 Adorama gift card for free:

And the Sony 50mm f/1.8 FE sells for $199 only and with additional free $50 gift card at BestBuy (Click here).

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New Irix Cine 45mm T1.5 FE Cine lens announced

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Press release:

Irix Cine 45mm T1.5
into the art of cinematography

Irix expands its offer of cinematographic lenses with the new full-frame 45mm T1.5.

Irix, the manufacturer of high-class optics, expands its Cine line by introducing the new 45mm T1.5 lens. This new model is the third full frame cinematographic lens designed for shooting with Ultra HD 8K cinema cameras. The Irix 45mm T1.5 is based on a completely new optical design which includes four elements made of high refraction glass, one extra-low dispersion lens and one aspherical lens. 11 elements in 9 groups deliver crisp details, vibrant colors and an ultra-low – 0,5% distortion. The circular 9-blade iris ensures a pleasant background blur and a smooth adjustment of the T- number from 1.5 to 22. With practically no focus breathing, the Irix Cine 45mm T1.5 is the perfect lens for filming scenes with a natural character.
Press release October 21st, 2019

Irix Cinematic Design
The 45mm T1.5 is the third lens in the Irix Cine line which stands for a perfect combination of advanced technology and modern design. A good example of the Irix smart design is the front housing element which has a diameter of 95mm and a built-in 86mm filter thread. It also provides a magnetic mount for the reversible lens hood and for future Irix Cine accessories.
This synergy is also visible in the shape of the geared rings which have been integrated into the lens housing. The convenience of operating by hand and full compatibility with follow focus systems was a priority in the external design of the lens. You can use any follow focus system you like and position it wherever you want to thanks to a special rotating adaptive ring design. The adaptive ring can be adjusted to any desired position and expose the geared ring to couple with follow focus systems.

 

The Irix Cine line has been carefully deliberated from the start. The focus and aperture rings of all the lenses are aligned at the same height and have the same rotation angle. With the exception of the Irix

150mm T3.0 Macro 1:1, where a longer 270 degrees focus throw is necessary, the rest of the Irix Cine range lenses have ring rotations of 180 degrees for the focus ring and 75 degrees for the aperture ring.

Ready to shoot in any weather conditions
A high-class cinematic lens must work in any atmospheric condition. No matter if you are shooting on burning sand in the Sahara Desert or on the frozen peaks of the Himalayas – the Irix 45mm T1.5 is prepared to not only face it, but also to capture the best image possible. Every time. Enjoy your lens’ reliable construction with rubber seals placed in all the crucial points to ensure protection against rain or dust. Now, you can film anytime, anywhere – and seize the wondrous power of nature.
Your comfort is important! Focus and aperture marks are laser engraved and filled with UV paint. This makes them visible, even in low-light environments.

Versatility and compact in size
Irix Cine lenses are some of the most compact and lightest film lenses covering the full frame format. The housing is made of a lightweight and impact-resistant aluminum-magnesium alloy which has been successfully used and tested in the Irix Blackstone still lenses. Thanks to the low weight (every Irix Cine lens weighs about 1.1 kilograms / 2,4lbs), they can be used on smaller cameras on handheld rigs or stabilizers as well as on professional setups. In order to achieve greater comfort while working with follow focus systems, the Irix Cine lenses are equipped with a lens support foot. Depending on your needs, this support foot can be attached to the lower or upper part of the lens.

Key features of the Irix Cine 45mm T1.5 lens:

● Mid-range focal length with field of view 51,4°
● Suitable for shooting with Ultra HD 8K resolution cameras
● High quality optical elements – 11 elements in 9 groups. HR, XLD, ASP produced in
Japan
● High maximum transmittance value of T1.5 up to T22
● Standardized 0.8 Pitch Mod Cine Gears
● Very low distortion -0.5%
● Sealed construction prepared for all weather conditions
● Compatibility with standard follow-focus systems and lens control motors
● Front filter thread size 86 x 1.0 mm
● Standard 95mm front diameter for cine accessories

● Equipped with a support foot
● Irix Magnetic Mount System
● Focus scale available in metric or imperial units
● Laser engraved markings filled with UV paint
● Durable magnesium-aluminum alloy
● Weight 1.1 kilograms / 2.42lbs

Available mounts
The Irix Cine 45mm T1.5 lens will be available in the four most popular industry mounts: Canon EF, Sony E, Olympus / Panasonic MFT and Arri PL-mount
Price and availability
Price and availability of the Irix Cine 45mm T1.5 lens will be announced soon.

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Sony Tidbits…

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Viltrox 23mm F1.4, 33mm F1.4 and 55mm F1.4 AF New Lenses

7Artisans 35mm F1.4 review at SonyAlphaBlog.
KIPON start to deliver top quality lineup adapters for pro cine&video purpose
Why and How to Use a Circular Polarizer Filter (Explora).
Sony FX9 Sensor Destined for a7s III? New Autofocusing Cine Lens Line?? (Three Blind Men and An Elephant Productions)
Sigma A 35 mm f/1.2 DG DN (Lenstip).
High ISO can look good (Sulantoblog).
Canon 90D VS Sony A6400 | What is the BEST 4k YouTuber Camera?! (TheEveryDayDad).

Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

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To get news from our Forum subscribe that RSS feed.
I kindly invite you all to follow our RSS feed, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

 

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Competition news: Fuji announces the new X-PRO-3 and keeps innovating

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Today Fuji has announced the new X-PRO3. Here are the things I like and wish Sony would “copy”:

– I really like how Fuji is the only company still using that hybrid viewfinder concept.
– I do like they offer the new X-PRO3  in three different materials.
– I  do like the new gimmick of the small rear screen showing the film simulations

You do not have to agree me with, and you may don’t like some of the things I mentioned. But  we can all agree Fuji is among the few companies that still keeps innovating and trying out new things. I would be glad to see  Sony trying out new  camera designs too!

So here is my question:

Should Sony stick to the classic A7x-A6xxx design or also try to do something else?

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