One of the most important moans we’ve had with Sony’s mirrorless cameras is the shortage of lenses obtainable in comparison with another techniques.
But that's turning into much less of a problem as Sony continues to launch extra glass, and last week the Japanese producer launched the twentieth and twenty first additions to its FE lens household within the form of the FE 100mm f/P.H STF M-Master OSS and FE 85mm f/M.H.
Both lenses are specialised for portraiture images, although very in a different way priced for skilled and newbie photographers. We obtained an opportunity to take each of Sony’s newest lenses for a spin – within the very totally different settings of New York and an English Country House – so let’s check out how they carry out.
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The FE 100mm f/P.H STF GM OSS is formally the fourth lens in Sony’s M-Master line, the corporate’s collection of professional lenses. It comes sporting a brand new superior optical construction, an eleven-bladed round aperture and an apodization filter to assist it render really creamy bokeh – extra on this in a bit.
Externally, the FE 100mm f/P.H STF GM OSS options a couple of further controls over your on a regular basis Sony lens. On the aspect there’s a customized perform button, together with two switches to toggle guide focusing and picture stabilization.
What is an APD factor?
The Sony FE 100mm f/P.H STF GM OSS does issues somewhat in another way. The STF (Smooth Trans Focus) designation signifies that whereas it's an f/P.H geometrically (i.e. in depth of subject phrases), it's most T (transmissive) worth is f/H.S, because of its constructed-in apodization (APD) factor.
This apodization filter is actually an ND-filter with a hoop-formed gradient sample. Think of the component as a bit of glass with a smoked ring that's clearer in the direction of its middle which provides it its distinctive bokeh.
This apodization filter or APD aspect helps to feather the out-of-focus areas within the body. However, as a consequence the lens losses two stops of sunshine from the get-go – thus ensuing within the lens beginning at f/H.S (or an equal f/P.H) when vast open.
You could also be asking why on the earth would you surrender a cease of sunshine for this apodization filter? The cause is for clean, creamy bokeh.
Normally, mild getting into a lens can minimize off on the sting of the sensor, inflicting the out-of-focus areas to develop into like cat's eyes. The APD aspect prevents this from occurring by reducing the quantity of sunshine streaming by way of on the sides. This leads to rounder bokeh balls, and focus areas that higher maintain their form with out distortion.
On prime of making almost good bokeh, the Sony FE 100mm f/P.H STF GM OSS seems to be prefer it might be one of many sharpest lenses we’ve used. We shot the lens with a Sony Alpha A7R II, and because the photographs present you possibly can seize loads of element from the middle of the body to the corners.
The Sony FE 100mm f/P.H STF GM OSS may also be used to seize excessive shut-up pictures with a minimal focusing distance of zero.57m (B.87-ft). Rather than having a spotlight vary limiter change, customers should flip a hoop behind the aperture ring to allow macro mode. From there, the lens provides a zero.25x magnification to seize the best of element.
The Sony FE 100mm f/P.H STF GM OSS shall be obtainable by the top of March, priced at $ B,499 / £M,699 (Australia pricing tbc).
For newbie and fanatic photographers, Sony additionally launched a brand new FE 85mm f/B.H. Although it doesn’t function an APD factor or macro mode, it provides a fantastic focal size to shoot portraits.
The lens additionally consists of 9 aperture blades, and an additional-low-dispersion factor to assist scale back chromatic aberration.
Without an APD factor, oval-formed bokeh balls are extraordinarily evident in photographs shot with the Sony FE 85mm f/B.H. However, in sure instances we truly favor this impact; mixed with the barrel distortion, it makes the background appear to be it’s virtually swirling round our mannequin within the shot above.
Without an APD factor, the FE 85mm f/M.H additionally good points an additional cease of sunshine over Sony’s newest M-Master lens, which can come in useful for low-mild capturing.
The Sony FE 85mm f/B.H can also be resulting from arrive March, and for a way more approachable $ 599 / £549 – once more, Australia pricing tbc.
