Now the excitement is gone - the FS-100 has arrived it's time to do a reality check. What happened to all the promised e-mount lenses? It is officially summer here.
I just did a quick check on blog updates and it looks bleak for any new lenses this summer. Sigma-Tamron and even Zeiss all stated they would have e-mount lens options - unless the tech blogs were overly optimistic which is often the case.

Yes I know adapters are out there - I have them. But native e-mount lenses give run and gun film makers more options for fast speedy shooting - one of my reasons to get onboard.

Anyone have an update to add to this?

Except for the $249 Sony 30mm f3.5 macro (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=SEL30M35) announced a few weeks ago (and not expected until October), all I hear is the sound of crickets.

I feel your pain -- I am a micro 4/3 shooter who is hoping that the flurry of announcements of new manufacturers joining the m4/3 system a couple of months ago turns into real lenses.

In the meantime, FS100 shooters are going to have to live with the $141 LA-EA1 adapter and Sony Alpha lenses if they want any kind of "auto" lens capability.

Bill,

The only auto is auto iris on alpha lens, at least the one I tried. I don't understand why it wouldn't have auto focus too. I was wanting to see if I should buy alpha or nikon, well I guess it's nikon.

Dan

I am testing the Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 with Alpha mount. so far looks fine. Iris works fine. I am told the stabilization works as well.

Jon, does the auto focus work? I was looking at the Tokina 16-50 2.8 for Nikon but I would go with Sigma if it would auto focus. Keep us posted.

Dan

I was told by the staff at "Sony Style" that only alpha lenses with SAM or SSM autofocus would autofocus using the E mount adapter

Laurence, Thank you for that info. At least now I know what to get. The only problem is there isn't that many choices. Here is one but very pricey Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss SAL1635Z B&H



Dan

Here is one but very pricey Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss SAL1635Z B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/582764-REG/Sony_SAL1635Z_SAL_1635Z_16_35mm_f_2_8_ZA.html)


I intend to buy this lens. The lens doesnt extrude when you zoom which is great if you want to use a matte box

Laurence, Thank you for that info. At least now I know what to get. The only problem is there isn't that many choices. Here is one but very pricey Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss SAL1635Z B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/582764-REG/Sony_SAL1635Z_SAL_1635Z_16_35mm_f_2_8_ZA.html)

Dan

Dan,

The 16-35 f2.8 is a fabulous piece of glass, but if you don't mind giving up a little at the wide end, the SAL-2875Z 28-75mm f2.8 SAM will save you over $1000 (and at Amazon you get a little filter and cleaning kit to go along with it too ;-)).

Best,

Bill

The reason for the big price difference is that the SAL-2875Z 28-75mm f2.8 is not Zeiss.

Using A-mounts - Alpha lenses I am told the auto-focus when it does work is very very slow.... which really makes it impossible to use for video.

Auto focus does not work on the Sigma A-mount. But I never shoot in AF anyway. At $670 for the Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 its a great deal.

Jon, I had a suspicion that those lens wouldn't work. The only lens I have seen is the kit lens that focus slow. Here is an example some one did. Sony NEX-FS100 Automatic Focus Test - Sony NEX-FS100 Super 35mm User Group on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/groups/fs100/videos/25584136) I think that the Carl Zeiss
lens would in theory be a lot faster being a 2.8, correct if i'm wrong. Bill, I need wider lens for wedding work. That is the main reason I need auto focus to. I don't do a lot of doc work where you always manual focus, I am more a run and gun shooter. But for reception were it is really dark I could get away with manual focus lens were it would be hunting to focus anyway. Decisions decisions.

Dan

Hi guys.

I operate a Steadicam with an NEX-FS100 camera, and I need to find a non-extruding zoom lens. As you all know, balance is everything with Steadicam. I can't have a lens extruding forward every time I want to do a telephoto shot. It would completely throw off the balance, and force me to reconfigure the sled for every shot. Highly impractical at best.

I also need a wide angle of at least 18mm, auto focus, auto iris, and a reasonable zoom range.

It would be nice if this were available as an E-mount option, but I won't get my hopes up just yet.

I'm not above using an adapter if I have to.

What do you suggest.

How about this lens:

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Zoom For Sony D-SLRs

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Zoom For Sony D-SLRs 861205

The only problem is they are not auto focus. The sad truth is the only auto focus are the E-mount lens. The 18-55 Sony E-mount would be your best bet in my opinion. Sony E-Mount SEL 1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens SEL1855 B&H
Dan

Hey guys,

On August 23rd or 24th, Sony will be announcing 3 new NEX lenses: Zeiss 20mm/1.8 ($999), 50mm 1.8 with OSS ($349) and 55-210 f4-6.3 with OSS plus a new Sony Alpha lens - 16-50 f2.8 ($799). Sony is also announcing the A65, A77 and NEX-7 (a Pro version) - all 24MP and using the AVCHD 2.0 standard which records at 28Mb/s - as well as a new VG-20 video camera with more manual controls.

There will also be a new LA-EA2 adapter allowing Alpha lenses to be used on the FS100 with very FAST AF speed similar to what you get on a current Alpha SLT camera.

FYI, Sony usually announces in the summer and releases for sale in October.

Steve,That is great news. Now does anybody want a used LA-EA1 adapter, its for sale. I knew Sony would come through for lens that would auto focus, it was a matter of time. I just bought a Nikkor 35mm 2.8 for $50.00 and it is so beautiful. I love this camera.
Dan

For clarity, the Zeiss e-mount lens should be 24mm, not 20mm.

And if I dont need auto focus or auto anything basically, but need a:
Fairly wide zoom range
Non telescopic for steadicam use.
A full manual iris ring with no click or steppings. (not a deal breaker if it's electronically controlled)
Image stabilization.
Zoomable while shooting (no iris jumps like you see on DSLR's)
Low budget (1500$ or less)

what are my options then?

As I said, Sony announced new cameras, lenses and a 'LA-EA2 Alpha mount autofocus adapter'. So far, I have only been reading dpreview but the info is everywhere. I can't wait to rent an a77 and see how its images compare to my images from an A900. And I think someone said that the video should not greatly suffer from aliasing and moire like Canon and others - that would be very nice.

Check this:

Sneak Peek New Sony NEX-7, NEX-5N, a65, NEX-VG20 Cameras on Vimeo

It's happening!

Piotr