Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens for Video

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.

In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.

The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.

Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.

Here’s Sony’s official video for the FE 14mm f/1.8 GM:

Click to what you want quickly:

• TLDR;
• Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM vs Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art
• Features:
  1. Coverage
  2. Focal Range
  3. Aperture
  4. Resolution
  5. Close Focus Distance
  6. Image Stabilization
• Control:
  1. Manual focus system
  2. Autofocus system
• Basics:
  1. Filter thread
  2. Build quality
  3. Size and weight
  4. Weather Resistance
  5. What’s in the box
• Alternatives to the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM

TLDR;

What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H):

• The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM is a great ultra-wide focal length lens.
• The f/1.8 aperture is amazing for low light work.
• It’s relatively lightweight.
• 9 blade aperture for smoother bokeh.
• Linear MF or Fly by wire manual focus response.
• Aperture ring on the lens makes it easier to ride the aperture.
• Customizable button on the lens.
• Cannot attach filters due to the protruding front lens element.
• The lens doesn’t have OSS, but you will get some stabilization with a Sony a7S III or the Sony Alpha 1 that has in built stabilization.
• Sony claims the Eye AF is precise and quick for video.
• It exhibits breathing.

Can be great for most following types of filmmaking:

• Astro filmmaking
• Night wildlife and any wildlife
• Adventure and sports

Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM vs Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) has major advantages over the Sigma 14mm f/1.8DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H). It is only a third of the weight of the Sigma variant, and it is smaller. This makes it the preferred lens for handheld or gimbal use out of the two.

The FE 14mm f/1.8 GM has aids on the lens body such as the aperture ring and a customizable button. It makes it more versatile and handy than the Sigma Art 14mm f/1.8. The de-clickable aperture ring and better focusing distance are icing on the cake.

Here’s a resolution comparison at f/1.8:

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM seems to be sharper and has better corner to corner performance than the Sigma Art 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM. At f/1.8.

For me, the Sony wins. It’s peerless.

Features

Coverage

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.

If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:

Focal Length

The focal length is 14mm. This is considered wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.

This focal range is very useful for wide angle shots and drone work.

Aperture

The maximum aperture is f/1.8 and the minimum aperture is f/16.

There is an aperture ring on the lens. The aperture can be de-clicked with the turn of a switch on the lens. This helps you ride the aperture in a smooth manner to control exposure during a shot.

Having f/1.8 is great for low light. Most people will use it at f/2 or f/2.8 for the purpose of getting optimum sharpness, and to get soft out of focus backgrounds.

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) has 9 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:

Resolution

From Sony’s official MTF charts:

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is sharp in the center and has a low fall off at the edges. It’s an amazing performance at f/1.8. Shows you how far modern lens design has come. Stopped down it’s dead sharp.

With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh should be buttery smooth. Would love to see some of the close up work with this lens.

If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/2 or even f/2.8 for best results, but it’s no slouch at f/1.8. I expect this lens to make even the most demanding cinematographers happy.

If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.

Close Focus

The closest focusing distance of this lens is 25cm or 0.82 feet. That’s great for this focal length because you can also use it for close ups.

Image Stabilization

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have OSS. This is not a huge disappointment for an ultra wide lens. Using it with the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III can provide it with some image stabilization.

Control

Manual focus system

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Fortunately for videographers and cinematographers, the FE 14mm f/1.8 GM is set to Linear MF or fly by wire by default.

What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?

Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).

Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.

Linear Response MF ensures that the focus ring responds directly and linearly to subtle control when focusing manually. Focus ring rotation translates directly to a corresponding change in focus, similar to the response of a mechanical focus system. Control is immediate and precise, so your creative intent is manifest without delay.

Sony

This decision to include fly by wire or linear MF by Sony makes this lens a great choice for cinematographers and videographers.

Autofocus system

Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. They claim the new AF actuators are much better than the previous autofocusing systems. There is a switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus.

The FE 14mm F1.8 G Master lens incorporates a precision internal focus mechanism consisting of two XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors that easily keep up with the high-speed capabilities of today’s most advanced camera bodies, taking advantage of their full autofocus speed, precision, and tracking potential to capture the most dynamic subjects. New control algorithms make it possible to drive the lens’s focus group smoothly and without delays for responsive, silent, precise and continuous autofocus in both still and video modes.

Sony

Basics

Filter Thread

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is not compatible with any of the filters due to its protruding front lens element.

Build Quality

The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.

The optical design consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, including Extreme aspherical lens (XA lens), aspherical lens, super ED glass and an ED (extra-low dispersion) glass.

Size and Weight

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 83mm and a length of 99.8mm. It weighs around 460 grams.

Weather resistance

Sony claims that all GM lenses are weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.

This is a GM series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.

What’s in the box

This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):

• Lens front cap: Supplied
• Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
• Soft case
• Filter template

The hood is integrated in the lens.

Alternatives to the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is peerless. As mentioned above, it’s better than the Sigma 14mm f/1.8DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) so I strongly suggest you get it. Done deal.

If you don’t need the ultra-wide focal length, the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) should be considered.

I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.