Last month, Sony announced the 24mm f/1.4 G Master. This lens is a E-mount full-frame wide-angle prime lens that’s light and small.
It’s so small and light that it’s being called the lightest and smallest lens among 24mm f/1.4 full-frame autofocus lenses. The lens weighs in at just about 15.7 ounces and measures out to be 3×3.64in (7.62×9.25cm) with a filter diameter of 67mm.
Let’s take a look inside
Inside the 24mm f/1.4 G lies an optical design with 13 elements in 10 groups. This includes two XA elements – which stands for extreme aspherical – that suppress safitall flare. Additionally, there’s three ED – Extra-low Dispersion- elements.
Sony claims the lens’ design makes it a “compelling proposition” for astrophotography. This makes sense because the XA elements make the lens better at reproducing point light sources— stars for example — by suppressing sagittal flares.
The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.79ft (0.24m), an 11-blade aperture and an aperture ring for direct aperture control. Also there’s a switch for toggling between clicking and stepless aperture and a focus ring with Linear Response MF. The focus hold button is customizable and there’s a focus-mode switch for switching from AF to MF and vice versa.
Stay Focused
The focusing of the 24mm f/1.4 G has 3 times the amount of thrust as its predecessor. How? The lens has Sony’s new DDSSM (Direct Drive SSM) focusing system in it. This system should allow for faster, quieter and more accurate autofocusing for both video and still photos.
Reduced Flaring and Ghosting
Sony’s put its Nano AR Coating on the front of the lens to reduce flaring and ghosing. This coating is beneficial for those that shoot in bright situations, like when shooting sunny landscapes.
Pricing and Availability
Sony’s FE 24mm f/1.4 G Master will be out this month for 1,400 dollars.
