If you happen to’re contemplating including a portrait lens to your package, discovering the best steadiness between high quality, efficiency, and value is not at all times simple. Third-party lens makers are quickly bettering, supplying you with spectacular choices that will not drain your pockets.
Coming to you from Mark Bennett’s Digital camera Disaster, this informative video introduces the brand new Kase 85mm f/1.4 lens, the corporate’s first autofocus lens. Recognized for his or her filter programs, Lase is stepping boldly right into a aggressive market. Weighing considerably lower than its closest competitor (the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4), this lens appears preferrred if portability issues to you. Bennett highlights the lens’ spectacular optics, noting clear, impartial colours and glorious distinction immediately out of digital camera. Sharpness at f/1.4 even manages to edge barely previous the Viltrox, making this an attention-grabbing choice for detail-oriented portraits.
However it’s not all reward: the lens hood design, Bennett notes, is simply okay, feeling much less premium than the Viltrox’s sturdier, better-shaped hood. You will additionally need to keep watch over focus respiration, which might change into noticeable in video work or in depth focus stacking. One other vital element Bennett shares: like different third-party lenses, this lens will not leverage Sony’s proprietary options like focus respiration compensation or the complete burst body charges present in Sony-branded lenses. This limitation may very well be vital when you’re capturing fast-paced motion or particular skilled video kinds.
Key Specs
STM Auto Focus Motor for quick and quiet autofocus, plus handbook focus override
Aperture vary: f/1.4 to f/16, with a metallic aperture ring that includes distinct click on stops
Multicoated optical glass to attenuate flare and ghosting
Two customizable operate buttons (FN2 preset for minimal focus distance)
72mm filter ring, suitable with magnetic filters
Lens development: 13 parts in 10 teams (5 low-dispersion and a couple of high-refractive-index parts)
Dimensions: 82mm diameter, 99mm size
580 g weight
13-blade aperture diaphragm
USB firmware improve port
Steel and polycarbonate physique development
Features a bayonet lens hood, normal and magnetic lens caps, rear cap, and storage pouch
Mount compatibility: Sony E, Nikon Z
Bennett additionally notes the Kase lens excels above the Viltrox in controlling flare, ghosting, and chromatic aberration, supplying you with cleaner backgrounds and fewer optical distractions. The extra advantages of easy-to-use magnetic filter compatibility are a singular characteristic due to the corporate’s present experience in filters. The lens additionally supplies two customizable buttons—an uncommon characteristic on this class—which you may respect if fast entry to features issues in your workflow.
Nonetheless compelling this lens may look, there are concerns: construct high quality, whereas stable, would not match the marginally extra polished really feel and design touches of the Viltrox. The lens hood problem Bennett identified may influence your day-to-day usability when you deal with lenses roughly or worth premium touches. And at $738, you may want to contemplate if these enhancements outweigh the cheaper price level of the $598 Viltrox. Take a look at the video above for the complete rundown from Bennett.
