The CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show – the “world’s largest camera video equipment show” – is slated to begin on Thursday, February 23rd, and in the lead-up, you can expect to see a slew of exciting E-mount lens announcements from Sigma, Tamron, and Sony itself.
What lenses are on the way? According to Sony Alpha Rumors, the Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM should launch on February 21st and will feature a rugged design and an impressive 11-blade aperture. While Sony does already offer a 50mm f/1.4 lens for E-mount cameras, the new GM model will presumably improve upon the older model in key ways, including AF speed and portability.
Given the wide maximum aperture, the nifty-fifty focal length, and the large number of aperture blades, the 50mm f/1.4 GM will undoubtedly cater to portrait photographers. But assuming the unit is sufficiently lightweight, I could see it used by travel photographers as a walkaround lens or by wedding and event photographers as a general-purpose prime.
SAR also anticipates the release of several “ new E-mount lenses” from Sigma either “next week or in March”: a 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary lens and a 50mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens – both for full-frame Sony E-mount bodies – as well as a 23mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens designed for Sony APS-C cameras.
The 17mm f/4 lens should be ideal for landscape and cityscape shooting as well as for travel snappers seeking a lightweight lens that provides an ultra-wide perspective; the 50mm f/2 DG DN is likely designed for beginners and enthusiasts who can’t afford the cost (or the size) of a 50mm f/1.4 lens but who require excellent sharpness, AF capabilities, and build quality in a compact package. Finally, Sigma’s 23mm f/1.4 lens will feature a near-35mm perspective when mounted on an APS-C camera, making it a perfect choice for hobbyists looking for a more expansive field of view when shooting family, events, and street scenes.
Finally, you can expect a new lens from Tamron on February 22nd. Here, however, SAR notes that the lens may not actually be for Sony E-mount cameras; it could be an “X- or Z-mount version of a current E-mount lens or…a completely new lens.”
Regardless, the next week should be an exciting one for Sony shooters, especially those looking to add a powerful prime lens (or two) to their bag. So be sure to keep an eye out for news regarding these lenses!
Now over to you:
Which of these Sony lenses interests you most? Will you purchase any of them? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
