July 21, 2022

Alphatracks

Sony and Minolta SLR Weblog

A-mount Lenses: Sony offers three new 2013 models

Sony continues to expand and refine the Alpha A-mount lens line-up. Three new A-mount lens will be introduced in 2013. Two are refined upgrades of existing lenses, while a new Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 prime makes an appearance.
New Sony 70-400mm A-mount lens
Sony upgraded the 2011era 70-400mm G lens with a new LSI drive circuit and quicker AF responsiveness. Sony also claims the new Nano AR coating on the SAL70400G2 lens is nearly five times more effective as conventional anti-reflection coatings. photo: Sony Global

New A-mount Lenses from Sony

In addition to announcing the Alpha A58 and the NEX-3N, Sony also announced three new A-mount lenses. Two of the new optics are eveolutions of current lenses, while one is a new Carl Zeiss Prime lens.

New Carl Zeiss Planetar T* Fast Prime

The new Zeiss glass is a 50mm f/1.4 full-frame lens. Sony already offers a 50 f/1.4 lens in the A-mount catalog, but the new model is a Carl Zeiss Planetar T* optic. The new lens will be identified with a model number of SAL50F14Z.

It is worth pointing out that Carl Zess offers a variety of lenses in mounts for other camera manufacturers. The Sony/Zeiss A-mount lenses, however, offer full auto-focus. The Zeiss lens for other brands are strictly manual focus, unstablized optics. Thanks to Sony’s in-body stabilization, the Carl Zeiss lenses from Sony are stabilized and offer auto-focus.

The Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm /1.4 will be available in June and will carry a list price of $1499.99.

Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Sony A-mount lens
In addition to the fast f/1.4 maximum aperture, the new A-mount Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm prime lens offers excellent image quality as well as dust and moisture sealing. photo: Sony Global

Sony 70-400mm G lens receives an upgrade

Next up, Sony has upgraded the 70-400 f/4-5.6 G series zoom telephoto. Using the current 70-400 as a base, Sony has added quicker Auto-Focus and a new Nano AR element coating which Sony says is five more times as effective in reducing reflections. Most of the lens specs will stay the same.

Available in July, the 70-400mm f4-5.6 G2 lens will sell for $2199.99. (Model SAL70400G2)

The older 70-400, which was only introduced in 2011, is still in Sony’s catalog at $1999.99. (Model SAL70400G)

I would assume Sony will sell off the remaining stock of the older model and concentrate on the new 70-400 for the future.

Revamped Sony DT 18-55mm lens
Another revamped optic from Sony is the restyled 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM II lens. Sony claims the new model offers quieter Auto-Focus, as well as reduced flare and ghosting. photo: Sony Global

Revamped Sony 18-55mm DT lens

If the first two lenses are completely out of your price range, you might find the revised 18-55 DT Zoom (SAL18552) a little more affordable.

Again, this is a evolutionary lens and will replace the earlier DT-18-55 f/3.5-5.6 (SAL1855/BQ). The older lens is still available from Sony, at the identical $220 price. Like the 70-400, I expect Sony will phase the old lens out in favor of the ne model.

Sony DT lenses are designed for APS-C sensor cameras and cannot be used on full-frame Sony Alphas at full resolution.

Improvements are quieter auto-focusing and revised rear element design to reduce ghosting and reflections.

Look for the new 18-55mm DT lens in May, wearing a list price of $219.99.

All three of the new A-mount lenses are available for pre-order today.

Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM II (SAL18552)

Preorder from Sony-Style

Preorder from B&H Photo

Preorder from Amazon

Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planetar T* Prime Lens (SAL50F14Z)

Preorder the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4  at Sony Style

Preorder the Zeiss 50 f/1.4 at B&H Photo

You can also preorder the Zeiss A-mount 50mm f/1.4 at Amazon

Second Generation Sony Alpha 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G Lens (SAL70400G2)

Sony Style is offering the 70-400mm f.4-5.6 for preorder.

Reserve the 70-400mm G2 lensat B&H photo

Amazon also has the 70-400mm Gen 2 lens available for preorder