Sony’s New G Master 70-200mm and Zeiss 50mm

Expanding their collection of premium E-mount lenses, Sony today announced the new Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA, along with pricing and availability of the third lens in their G Master series, the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master, plus SEL14TC 1.4x and SEL20TC 2.0x teleconverters designed specifically for the new tele zoom.

Taken together, the G Master line (which also includes the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM and FE 85mm F1.4 GM) now offers a focal range of 24mm to 400mm. For landscape and wildlife photographers, the G Master FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM and FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS, with the 2.0x teleconverter, form a relatively compact and lightweight lens kit for Sony’s a7-series cameras that can cover most subjects.

We had the opportunity to work with these lenses and teleconverters prior to the announcement, and were impressed with the build quality and optical performance.

The FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master is expected to ship later this month, with a list price of $2,600. The teleconverters are priced at “about” $550 each according to the press release (below). Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA will be priced at $1,500 and will also be available in July.

In addition to the new lenses, Sony is also debuting their new wireless lighting control system, which is comprised of the FA-WRC1M radio commander and FA-WRR1 receiver, and can control up to 15 flash units in up to 5 groups, at a maximum range of about 98 feet. The FA-WRC1M commander and FA-WRR1 receiver will be priced at approximately $350 and $200, respectively, with expected availability in August.

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SAN DIEGO, July 11, 2016 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced a new full-frame lens for their E-mount camera system, the Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA (model SEL50F14Z).

This 50mm prime lens features a large F1.4 maximum aperture that offers impressive contrast and outstanding resolution that are hallmarks of the ZEISS® brand.  It produces these consistently strong qualities throughout the entirety of the frame – from center to corner – and at all aperture settings, even while shooting wide open at F1.4. The cutting edge optical structure includes high-precision AA (Advanced Aspherical) and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements that reduce spherical and chromatic aberration, as well as a ZEISS® T* Coating that minimizes flare and ghosting creating the classic ZEISS® clarity. Additionally, its Planar design ensures minimal distortion.

The large F1.4 maximum aperture of the FE 50mm F1.4ZA lens provides a level of brightness and speed that are advantageous for dimly lit indoor shots, night scenes, and portraits, while its 11-bladed circular aperture allows for stunning “bokeh”, or background defocus, in images.  The lens also features an aperture ring with an adjustable ON/OFF switch, an AF/MF focus mode switch, and a dust and moisture resistant design¹, further increasing its functionality.

The new lens is also equipped with a ring drive SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) system, which allows it to efficiently lock focus with speed, precision and in near silence, making it particularly useful for shooting movies.

Pricing and Availability – FE 50mm F1.4 ZA Lens
The new FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens will ship this July for a retail price of $1,500 US and $1,950 CA.  The new FE interchangeable lens will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.

Pricing and Availability – New FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master lens. Teleconverters and Wireless Lighting Control System

Today, Sony has also released pricing and ship timing for the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master lens, 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters plus their new wireless lighting control system.  All products were introduced earlier this year.

One of the most eagerly anticipated lenses of the year, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master lens takes its place as the flagship telephoto zoom in the Sony lens lineup. Featuring built in Optical Stead Shot (OSS) and a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture across the zoom range, the lens will be an ideal fit for nature, sports, travel, fashion, beauty and wedding photographers.  This lens will ship this July for a retail price of $2,600 US and $3,300 CA.

Designed exclusively to fit the 70-200mm F2.8 G Master lens, the new 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters (models SEL14TC and SEL20TC) will both be sold for the same retail price of about $550 US and $700 CA, and will ship this July.

The versatile new wireless flash and control system – comprised of the FA-WRC1M wireless radio commander and the FA-WRR1 wireless radio receiver – was designed to meet the growing demands of professional Sony photographers.  With a maximum range of 30m (approx.. 98 feet) and the ability to control a maximum of 15 separate flash units in 5 different groups, it offers a flexible wireless flash shooting experience with exceptional performance.

The FA-WRC1M commander will be sold for about $350 US and $480 CA.  The FA-WRR1 receiver will be sold for about $200 US and $280 CA.  Both products will ship this August.

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