The following chart presents a comparison between basic parameters of different full frame 14-15 mm lenses. It is especially interesting when you stack up the new Sony and the Art series Sigma: compared to the G Master device the Sigma is like a huge and heavy monster. What's curious, also other lenses, presented in this chart, are heavier than the Sony even if they feature slower apertures.
In the following photo the Sony FE 14 mm f/1.8 GM is positioned between the Sigma A 35 mm f/1.4 DG HSM and the Sony 50 mm f/1.4 designed for SLR cameras.
The tested lens starts with a metal mount that surrounds a black, plastic 27.5 x 22 mm frame with embedded contacts; then you see a rear element. From this side, everything looks as it should - dark, properly matted, and sealed.
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The proper body of the lens starts with a black ring made of plastics which diameter increases as you move further from the mount. On that ring you can find a white dot, making the alignment with a camera easier, the mount type (E-mount), the symbol of the lens, its serial number, and its place of production, China in this case.
Then you see an aperture ring as wide as 18 mm, covered by ribs and moving every 1/3 EV step. It performs properly well and its working mode can be click-stopped every 1/3 EV or clickless, certainly a piece of good news for those who like shooting video movies.
Another immobile ring features a silvery inscription 'FE 1.8/14 GM'. On its right you get the Sony logo, a CLICK ON/OFF toggle that allows you to control the aperture ring. On the left there is a red G series mark, an aperture lock button (that, additionally, can be programmed from the camera menu level), and a focusing mechanism mode switch AF/MF.
Then you find a manual focusing ring, as wide as 21 mm, covered by rubber ribs that feel nice to the touch. The ring is a focus-by-wire construction and its focus throw amounts to about 130-140 degrees, depending on how fast you turn it. With such an angle of view and DOF as it is offered by the lens we find that value more than enough to ensure very precise settings.
Behind the ring you also find an immobile part of the barrel made of plastics, that turns smoothly into a petal-type hood, fixed permanently to the lens.
The front element is 53 mm in diameter, it doesn't move and is distinctly convex. That convexity, along with a significant angle of view amounting to 114 degrees, makes it impossible to attach classic filters but you can always make use of dedicated rear lens filters.
When it comes to optical construction you deal here with 14 elements put in 11 groups and the producers weren't skimpy when it comes to elements made of special glass. There are two low dispersion ED glass elements, one element made of Super ED glass, two XA aspherical and one classic aspherical element as well. Inside you can also find a round aperture with 9 diaphragm blades; it can be closed down to a value of f/16 at the maximum.
Buyers get in the box with the lens: both caps, and a very solid and stylish hard case.
