Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... at DVinfo.net

Jon Braeley · June 16th, 2011, 06:42 AM

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?

Bill Bruner · June 19th, 2011, 07:57 AM

Except for the $249 Sony 30mm f3.5 macro 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.

Dan Asseff · June 25th, 2011, 10:04 AM

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

Jon Braeley · June 25th, 2011, 01:08 PM

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.

Dan Asseff · June 25th, 2011, 01:29 PM

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

Laurence Janus · June 25th, 2011, 05:46 PM

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

Dan Asseff · June 25th, 2011, 09:35 PM

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 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/582764-REG/Sony_SAL1635Z_SAL_1635Z_16_35mm_f_2_8_ZA.html

Dan

Jamie Roberts · June 26th, 2011, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Asseff

Here is one but very pricey Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss SAL1635Z B&H

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

Bill Bruner · June 26th, 2011, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Asseff

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

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

Jon Braeley · June 26th, 2011, 06:11 AM

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.

Dan Asseff · June 26th, 2011, 11:50 AM

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 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

Shawn Sutherland · July 31st, 2011, 06:33 AM

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.

Matteo Geer · August 1st, 2011, 12:37 PM

How about this lens:

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

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/622374-REG/Sigma_861205_18_50mm_f_2_8_4_5_DC_OS.html

Dan Asseff · August 1st, 2011, 01:41 PM

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. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/695868-REG/Sony_SEL1855_SEL_1855_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6.htmlDan

Steve Kalle · August 4th, 2011, 04:51 PM

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.

June 16th, 2011, 06:42 AM	#1
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... 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?

June 19th, 2011, 07:57 AM	#2
Bill Bruner Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sunny California Posts: 513	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... Except for the $249 Sony 30mm f3.5 macro 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 $141 LA-EA1 adapter and Sony Alpha lenses if they want any kind of "auto" lens capability.

June 25th, 2011, 10:04 AM	#3
Dan Asseff Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Port Orange Fl Posts: 317	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... 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

June 25th, 2011, 01:08 PM	#4
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... 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.

June 25th, 2011, 01:29 PM	#5
Dan Asseff Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Port Orange Fl Posts: 317	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... 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

June 25th, 2011, 05:46 PM	#6
Laurence Janus Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kyoto, Japan Posts: 139	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... 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 __________________ SONY α77 :: Panasonic X900M :: Sony DSR-PD170P :: Miller DS5 :: Premiere Pro 2.0 :: Cineform NeoScene

June 25th, 2011, 09:35 PM	#7
Dan Asseff Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Port Orange Fl Posts: 317	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... 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 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/582764-REG/Sony_SAL1635Z_SAL_1635Z_16_35mm_f_2_8_ZA.html Dan

June 26th, 2011, 06:11 AM	#10
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... 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.

June 26th, 2011, 11:50 AM	#11
Dan Asseff Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Port Orange Fl Posts: 317	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... 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 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

July 31st, 2011, 06:33 AM	#12
Shawn Sutherland New Boot Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Canada Posts: 12	Lens options for FS100 on a Steadicam 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.

August 1st, 2011, 12:37 PM	#13
Matteo Geer Tourist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... How about this lens: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Zoom For Sony D-SLRs http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/622374-REG/Sigma_861205_18_50mm_f_2_8_4_5_DC_OS.html

August 1st, 2011, 01:41 PM	#14
Dan Asseff Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Port Orange Fl Posts: 317	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... 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. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/695868-REG/Sony_SEL1855_SEL_1855_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6.htmlDan

August 4th, 2011, 04:51 PM	#15
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Re: Waiting for E-mount lenses... Waiting, Waiting... 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.