SongRAW Moonlit 85mm f/1.2 Lens Announced – Challenging the 85mm Classics

A brand new 85mm f/1.2 lens is right here. The reasonably giant new lens comes from a brand new participant – SongRAW, a lens producer from Shenzhen, China. With a quick aperture, strong construct, advanced optical design, and autofocus capabilities, the lens is designed to problem among the legends within the area, claiming optical prowess and a aggressive worth (if not as inexpensive as some others). Will it handle to carve a distinct segment on this basic focal size section?SongRAW is a younger model nonetheless constructing recognition outdoors of China. In accordance with Hannah Han, the corporate rep, the model was based by a number of companions with backgrounds within the digicam gear business and already operates its personal manufacturing facility. Their focus is solely on lenses, and to date they’ve launched two fashions: a 50mm f/1.2 and the brand new 85mm f/1.2.SongRAW Moonlit collection – 50mm and 85mm f/1.2. Picture credit score: CineDOptical design and buildThe Moonlit 85mm f/1.2 is just not a light-weight lens: at 1.5kg (3.3 lbs), it’s significantly heavier than many competing primes (as an illustration, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM weighs 1.195kg (2.6 lbs). SongRAW attributes this to the lens building, which incorporates one aspherical factor, 5 ED glass components, and 11 HR glass components. This advanced optical design is meant to ship excessive picture high quality with sturdy correction in opposition to distortion and chromatic aberration. The corporate can also be happy with their use of Nano-Coating on the lens. We’ll have to attend and see how the lens fares in real-world eventualities, however it appears the corporate has made a commendable effort right here.SongRAW Moonlit 85mm f/1.2. Picture credit score: CineDBuild and featuresIn a reasonably uncommon transfer, SongRAW’s lenses are constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum. This could make them pretty sturdy. The lens boasts each focus and aperture rings, and an STM motor drives its autofocus. This could allow eye-tracking for people and animals, however apart from that, we don’t know but about velocity or accuracy. Whereas designed as a stills-centered lens, it will possibly absolutely be used as a cine lens with all its shallow DOF glory.A big one – SongRAW Moonlit 85mm f/1.2. Picture credit score: CineDHow does it examine?The basic 85mm section is sort of aggressive, with some sturdy choices already obtainable. When it comes to pure specs, we will have a look at the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L and Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S. These are flagship portrait lenses priced simply shy of $3,000. The brand new SongRAW Moonlit 85mm f/1.2 is inexpensive as compared, however these come from two of the main optics producers with a few century of expertise. Whereas each of them are thought-about giant, the brand new SongRAW Moonlit dwarfs them, with a few 40% weight improve.In case you are keen to compromise 2/3 cease of aperture, the SIGMA 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork provides among the best price-to-performance ratios on this class, with a long-established fame for optical excellence. SongRAW’s pricing locations it straight in competitors with SIGMA, however as a newcomer, it might want to show whether or not its optical efficiency can match. The SIGMA can also be lower than half the SongRAW dimension, at 630g (1.38 lbs).SongRAW Moonlit 85mm f/1.2. Picture credit score: CineDConclusionAlthough SongRAW continues to be a brand new participant, their method of mixing quick apertures, autofocus, {and professional} coatings suggests they’re aiming to carve out a novel spot within the aggressive lens market – one which’s not low-cost, however not exorbitantly costly, with a powerful optical efficiency besides (on paper at this level). Ought to it show its high quality within the area, the SongRAW Moonlit 85mm f/1.2 might grow to be an interesting possibility.Worth and availabilityThe SongRAW Moonlit 85mm f/1.2 will initially be obtainable in Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount variations, with an L-Mount model deliberate for later launch. The worth is ready at $1,299, with availability anticipated by the finish of 2025.Will you go for such a lens, with its average worth, big dimension, and theoretically pristine optics? Or will you are taking the overwhelmed path and keep on with well-known manufacturers? Tell us within the feedback.