Their newest full-frame 35mm Sony E-mount lenses, manufactured by Cosina in Japan (the same company that has made Zeiss still lenses forever), are some of the widest rectilinear (non-fisheye) lenses around, with the 10mm now being the widest in the world. This means that as much as possible, straight lines stay straight, and you don't get the circular warped image that comes from using a fish-eye. The 12mm and 15mm lenses are already available for Leica M mount, and the 10mm will be added later for Leica cameras.
Not only are these incredibly wide, but they are also designed for filmmakers in mind, as they can be de-clicked just by turning a ring on the lens to have a smooth iris. All three have integrated lens hoods, but only the 15mm has a threaded filter ring. In addition, all three lenses communicate with the camera for manual focus assist and other lens data, and transmit info to help the 5-axis sensor stabilization.
We've finally got some confirmation about prices and availability (via Sony Alpha Rumors & Cosina Japan), with the 10mm f/5.6 coming in May (priced around $1,380 if converted from YEN), 12mm f/5.6 coming in August (price TBD), and the 15mm f/4.5 coming in April (around $1,000 converted from YEN). It should be noted that the current Leica mount 12mm and 15mm are $700 and $750, respectively, so these prices may actually be slightly cheaper outside of Japan. We should know for sure once pre-order links go up.
10mm f/5.6 Hyper Wide Heliar Aspherical
News Shooter has posted the first-ever video with the 10mm lens, which is now the widest full-frame rectilinear in the world:
Specs for the lens:
- 10 mm f/5.6 - f/22
- Sony E-Mount, Covers Full-Frame
- Click-stop: 1/3
- Lens construction: 13 elements in 10 groups
- Angle of view: 130°
- Aperture blades: 10
- Minimum focus: 0.3m
- Maximum diameter: 67.8 mm
- Length: 73.8 mm
- Electrical contact: Exif data transfer from lens to camera body for lens correction available
- Manual focus assist
- Weight: 371 g
- Filter size: Built-in lens hood prevents filters
- Other: Lens hood (non-detachable), Pressure fit cap, Selective aperture control system
- Availability: May 2016
- Price: 155,000 YEN (around $1,380)
12mm f/5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar Aspherical
Specs:
- 10 mm f/5.6 - f/22
- Sony E-Mount, Covers Full-Frame
- Click-stop: 1/3
- Lens construction: 12 elements in 10 groups
- Angle of view: 121°
- Aperture blades: 10
- Minimum focus: 0.3 m
- Maximum diameter: 67.4 mm
- Length: 74.3 mm
- Electrical contact: Exif data transfer from lens to camera body for lens correction available
- Manual focus assist
- Weight: TBD
- Filter size: Built-in lens hood prevents filters
- Other: Lens hood (non-detachable), Pressure fit cap, Selective aperture control system
- Availability: August 2016
- Price: TBD
15mm f/4.5 Super Wide Heliar Aspherical
Specs:
- 15mm f/4.5 - f/22
- Sony E-Mount, Covers Full-Frame
- Click-stop: 1/3
- Lens construction: 11 elements in 9 groups
- Angle of view: 110°
- Aperture blades: 10
- Minimum focus: 0.3 m
- Maximum diameter: 66.4 mm
- Length: 67.5 mm
- Electrical contact: Exif data transfer from lens to camera body for lens correction available
- Manual focus assist
- Weight: 294 g
- Filter size: 58 mm
- Other: Lens hood (non-detachable), 58 mm clip cap, Selective aperture control system
- Availability: April 2016
- Price: 115,000 YEN (around $1,000)
It's too bad that no filters can be used with the first two lenses, but at least the 15mm can take them. These are specialty lenses above all, with the 15mm probably being the most useful for a variety of shooting situations. The video from News Shooter shows some pretty serious distortion in the 10mm, so unless you're shooting a huge landscape, it probably won't be as useful as an everyday lens. Either way, if you're looking for high-performing but also beautiful lenses, these will probably be some of the nicest super wides you'll find for full-frame Sony cameras.
For more info, head on over to the Voigtländer site, or check out Cosina Japan.
Source: Cosina
