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, stable construct, advanced optical design, and autofocus capabilities, the lens is designed to problem a few of the legends within the subject, claiming optical prowess and a aggressive worth (if not as reasonably priced as some others). Will it handle to carve a distinct segment on this traditional focal size phase?
SongRAW is a younger model nonetheless constructing recognition outdoors of China. In line 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 unit. Their focus is solely on lenses, and to this point they’ve launched two fashions: a 50mm f/1.2 and the brand new 85mm f/1.2.
SongRAW Moonlit sequence – 50mm and 85mm f/1.2. Picture credit score: CineD
Optical design and construct
The Moonlit 85mm f/1.2 isn’t 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 aspect, 5 ED glass parts, and 11 HR glass parts. This advanced optical design is meant to ship excessive picture high quality with sturdy correction towards 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 situations, nevertheless it appears the corporate has made a commendable effort right here.
SongRAW Moonlit 85mm f/1.2. Picture credit score: CineD
Construct and options
In a fairly 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: CineD
How does it examine?
The traditional 85mm phase is sort of aggressive, with some sturdy choices already accessible. By way of pure specs, we will take 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 reasonably priced as compared, however these come from two of the main optics producers with a couple of century of expertise. Whereas each of them are thought of giant, the brand new SongRAW Moonlit dwarfs them, with a couple of 40% weight enhance.
In case you are prepared to compromise 2/3 cease of aperture, the SIGMA 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork gives among the finest price-to-performance ratios on this class, with a long-established repute for optical excellence. SongRAW’s pricing locations it immediately 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: CineD
Conclusion
Though SongRAW remains to be a brand new participant, their strategy 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 formidable optical efficiency as well (on paper at this level). Ought to it show its high quality within the subject, the SongRAW Moonlit 85mm f/1.2 could turn out to be an interesting possibility.
Worth and availability
The SongRAW Moonlit 85mm f/1.2 will initially be accessible in Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount variations, with an L-Mount model deliberate for later launch. The worth is about at $1,299, with availability anticipated by the finish of 2025.
Will you go for such a lens, with its reasonable worth, large dimension, and theoretically pristine optics? Or will you’re taking the overwhelmed path and follow well-known manufacturers? Tell us within the feedback.
