Sony launches FE 50mm F1.4 ZA, finally a fast full-frame 50mm
The company also announces price and availability for the long-awaited 70-200mm G Master lens and its new wireless flash system.
It always seemed a bit odd to me that Sony's "normal" full-frame prime lens was a 55mm f1.8 -- a fine lens, but not the standard 50mm and not particularly "pro"-fast at f1.8. Now the company has finally introduced a staple professional lens, the Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA (SEL50F14Z), as part of its Sony/Zeiss line. Oddly it's not one of the new G Master lenses, though it is the first Planar design in the series.
It's slated to ship in July for $1,500 (£1,300; not announced in Australia, but directly converted about AU$2,000). The company also announced US price and availability for its FE 70-200 mm F2.8 GM OSS -- July, for $2,600. It hasn't been announced in the UK or Australia, but that price directly converts to roughly £2,000 and AU$3,500.
In addition to the usual aspects of the ZA lens line, the moisture-and-dust-resistant 50mm model has some nice features, including an 11-blade aperture and manual aperture ring. The latter has a switch to turn off the click when shooting video.
Though the 50mm lens isn't compatible with them, we'll see two new teleconverters in this US in July as well, 1.4x and 2.0x (SEL14TC and SEL20TC). They'll cost $550 (directly converted, £425 and AU$730).
The company also officially announced its RF wireless flash system, which had been shown as a concept earlier this year and is slated to ship in August. The Commander (FA-WRC1M, $350) and Receiver (FA-WRR1, $200). Though neither has been announced in the UK or Australia, those prices directly convert to £270/£155 and AU$400/AU$270.
The system sounds pretty powerful, allowing for remote control of up to 15 units in five groups.