Sony has today announced a new 18-110mm Super 35mm /APS-C lens for Sony A-mount camera users such as the a6300 and A7 series, in what appears to be a re-interpretation of their older Sony E-mount 28-135mm cine lens.
Titled the E PZ 18-110mm f/4 G OSS (SELP18110G), the new lens will feature a 6.1x zoom ratio, constant f/4 aperture, Sony’s Smooth Motion Optics design, in-lens stabilisation and a dust- and moisture-resistant build.
It consists of 18 elements in 15 groups, including 6 aspherical elements and 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and features a 7 blade circular aperture design. The design promises to deliver very high resolution image quality and ought to lend itself very well to high-end 4K video.
Sony has slated the new lens for a December 2016 European release, retailing at approximately €4,000.
Press release
Offering moviemakers a powerful new creative tool, Sony has developed a new advanced Super 35mm / APS-C format power zoom lens that starts at 18mm wide angle and extends to 110mm at the telephoto end (27mm – 165mm equiv. in 35mm format[ii]), with 6.1x high zoom ratio, even with inner focus, and maintains a constant F4 aperture throughout for beautiful depth of field effects and stable exposure control across the entire standard zoom range.
An ideal companion to α Mount System cameras, from the PXW-FS7 professional camcorder to interchangeable-lens cameras such as α7 series and α6300, this top quality G LensTM delivers image quality that will satisfy the most demanding of professional users. It consists of 18 elements in 15 groups, including 6 aspherical elements and 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and features a 7 blade circular aperture design. This highly intricate design delivers extremely high resolution image quality and is particularly suited to professional 4K movie shooting.
The SELP18110G is only the second lens[iii] to benefit from Sony’s Smooth Motion Optics (SMO) design and construction which has been developed to eliminate unwanted image shifts whilst operating the lens during movie shooting. SMO addresses three particular aspects on lens operation that can have a significant impact on movie quality: Focus Breathing, where shifts in angle of view during focusing are minimised by an internal focus mechanism. Focus shift, where small shifts in focus that can occur whilst zooming, are eliminated by precise focus tracking adjustment and Axial shift, where axial image shifts whilst zooming, are minimised by a constant length design.
The high level of operability and quiet operation of the new lens makes it a compelling proposition for its integration into professional movie production environments. Its three separate rings give control over focus, zoom and aperture, with optimal torque for a satisfyingly responsive, professional feel. Both servo and responsive manual mechanical zoom are fully supported and the zoom ring direction is switchable to match individual user preferences. The lens length remains constant during any changes making it easy to use with matte boxes and other lens accessories and in a first for α lenses, a 0.8mm pitch focus gear is built right onto the lens, providing direct compatibility with standard focusing accessories.
Optimum optical performance and operability is complemented by a dust and moisture-resistant designi, making the lens ideal for location use. Extra versatility is afforded by Optical SteadyShot technology that provides in-lens image stabilisation during handheld shooting and it’s compact and lightweight[iv] design means that it is a truly mobile solution. Additional flexibility is afforded when used with the SEL14TC and SEL20TC teleconverters for 1.4x and 2.0x extension of focal range.
The SELP18110G Super 35mm / APS-C power zoom lens for professional movie-makers and photographers is available in Europe from December 2016, priced at approximately €4000.
[i]Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof.
[ii]With interchangeable-lens digital camera incorporating an APS-C type image sensor
[iii]The only other lens to benefit from SMO technology is the SELP28135G
[iv]1105g without tripod mount
