Wide-angle optics, especially very strong and bright ones, are almost always characterized by important weight and dimensions. But that's not the case with the new Sony 14mm f/1.8 G-Master which instead is quite the opposite, thus going in the opposite direction to what we already find on the market. At the time of the announcement of this new wide-angle lens, many immediately wondered how this structure could manage to guarantee the quality typical of a GM. It is therefore time to see how the Sony 14mm f / 1.8 GM performs in the field in this review.
Design and technical features
Sony unveiled many new lenses during this time, but what surprised a lot is this 14mm f / 1.8 GM. In a year heavily marked by the pandemic crisis, Sony has certainly not been idle. The goal that we present to you in this review is even the sixth one announced since the beginning of 2021.
The new 14mm comes in a body just under 10cm long and almost 500g in weight. Despite these specifications it is also very bright, relying on a maximum aperture of f / 1.8, and inside it has 14 elements divided into 11 groups. If we take the Sigma 14mm f / 1.8 DG HSM as a term of comparison, we find more or less the same internal structure, but the body is about 2,5cm longer and above all the weight is 1120g. We are talking more than double compared to the new Sony GM wide angle.
Surely the differences can be given by the exclusive construction for the draw for Sony's mirrorless cameras, while Sigma for its part to optimize costs must think of an optical structure that is also compatible with other formats. Sigma, like all other third-party manufacturers, essentially add an extension on the connection of a lens born with a scheme for reflex cameras.
Going into more detail, the Sony 14mm f / 1.8 GM optical design includes two elements XA (extreme aspherical), another aspherical lens and three very low dispersion elements.
In the small body of this Sony GM wide-angle lens, there are then two floating linear motors for focusing, which is internal so as not to affect the size of the barrel. Speaking of focusing, the minimum distance is 25cm, which allows you to get very close to your subjects and take advantage of the shallow depth of field for high-impact photographs.
Speaking of rings instead, the aperture can be left free or choose to activate the click. In the second case the shots are well defined every third stop and it is pleasant to use. Fluid, but not like the focus ring, instead if the click is disabled.
Generally speaking, the construction is of a good standard, although quite a bit of plastic has been used. But it's still weather resistant just like its siblings from the G-Master line.
Sony 14mm f / 1.8 GM review: the results in the field
We come to the point and then to the results obtained in this review of the Sony 14mm f / 1.8 GM. Mounted on the new one Alpha 1, of which the full review will arrive very soon, has shown its best with apertures between f / 4 and f / 8. However, this does not mean that it is not valid at other openings. Far from it. In fact, the first conclusion that we can draw is that at each aperture the results are very valid.
In general, the results are almost free of chromatic aberrations, some very slight hints of purple fringing on very thin edges, such as those of the branches on a very bright sky. But just switching to Edit, Sony's proprietary software, to delete every trace of it from the RAW file.
Then there are no glare or reflections even when shooting against the light. The credit goes to the Nano AR II coating of this 14mm f / 1.8 GM which does its job perfectly.
With such an extreme wide angle, you have to pay attention to distortions: by clicking on the axis, the lines are reproduced with extreme precision. There is therefore no trace of falling lines. This means that despite the size and weight reduced to the bone, this optic fully embodies the G Master philosophy. We are therefore in front of a goal that guarantees quality, precision and brightness. Even at the edges of the frame.
Edge detail
Image 6 of 8
A detail of the previous image showing the absence of purple fringing, typical of a situation of this kind.
The large aperture allows us to take full advantage of this perspective even at night. Due to its lightness it will in all probability become a faithful hiking companion for landscape photographers lovers of night scenarios. In fact, if in city situations you have to try to control the glare by closing the diaphragm, in conditions of total darkness you could certainly take advantage of this 14mm wide aperture even more.
A final important factor to keep in mind, especially for the more creative, is the ability to shoot just 25cm from the subject. This allows us to play with the shallow depth of field and the blurred planes for different and characterized results very nice bokeh.
Sony 14mm f / 1.8 GM: conclusions
Available on the market the new 14mm GM turned out to be a really interesting proposal, above all because there is always a space for him in his backpack. It may not be perfect, it accuses a little of vignetting, but in general it represents a won challenge for Sony. The company, in fact, has managed to create a product with a complex optical scheme while maintaining the low price. If we want to nitpick there is perhaps less attention, compared to other GM lenses, in the choice of materials, but somewhere a compromise had to be sought.
For € 1600, this is the list price, a Sony alpha user lover of architectural and landscape photography, but in general of broad views, I am sure he will not miss this perspective to expand his kit.
Discount
Sony SEL-1224GM - Full-Frame Lens with Ultra Zoom ...
- INCREDIBLE SHARPNESS: Three XA (extreme aspherical) elements and the large F2.8 aperture ensure ...
- WONDERFUL BLUR BACKGROUNDS: A 9-blade circular aperture creates wonderful blur effects with a great ...
- AWESOME CONTRAST: Sony Nano AR Coating II effectively eliminates light anomalies - such as ...
