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Sony has announced the FE 12-24 mm f/2.8 GM, which it say us is “the world’s widest f/2.8 zoom”. Until, now the widest G Master lens was the FE 16-35 mm f/2.8, but the new 12-24 mm is substantially wider, and aimed at photographers shooting astrophotography, architecture, landscapes and any other scenario requiring an ultra-wide angle of view. Sony’s G Master lenses use the company’s ultra-high-tolerance XA (‘extreme aspherical’) lens elements.
Lens structure
Previous G Master lenses have used one or two of these, but the FE 12-24 mm f/2.8 GM has three, including the largest XA element yet made as the front element. As well as these, the FE 12-24 mm f/2.8 GM has a glass aspherical element, two Super ED and three ED elements. The new lens has also been designed to minimise focus breathing, focus shift and ‘axial shift’ while zooming, all three of which are important characteristics for video.The lens has a sophisticated AF system consisting of a ‘floating’ focus group split into independently controllable groups, each powered by high-powered XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors. These deliver precise, quiet and a fast autofocus and focus tracking.
Technical structure
Sony claims the lens beats its main rival for focus acquisition, tracking and accuracy in high speed burst tests.The FE 12-24 mm f/2.8 GM measures 97.6 x 137 mm and weighs 847 g. It’s designed to be dust and moisture resistant, with a fluorine coating on the front element to repel moisture and water. The size of the front element prevents the use of regular filters, but there is a rear filter holder, and the lens even comes with a cutting guide for making filters to fit.
Sales start date
The FE 12-24 mm f/2.8 GM will be available from the beginning of August 2020 and will cost $ 2,998.
