INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:

Sony's Alpha A7 full-frame mirrorless cameras became an instant hit when they were launched back in 2013

However, a limiting factor of any star-quality system camera is the depth and breadth of lenses and accessories to back it up

Initially, the small selection of full-frame E-mount lenses gave a distinct lack of versatility, but it hasn't taken long for Sony to

develop an enticing range of optics that enable the Alpha A7 range of mirrorless cameras like the Alpha A7R III (along with the flagship

Alpha A9) to really take the fight to professional DSLRs.There are still a few holes in Sony's more specialist lens line-up, but they are

being quickly plugged, while third-party manufacturers like Sigma are not making dedicated E-mount lenses as well.From wide, standard and

tele zooms to high-class prime lenses, there's some seriously attractive glassware on offer

With that in mind, here's our pick of the best Sony lenses for full-frame Alpha-series cameras you can buy right now

in brackets.Best Sony lenses 20181

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GMA premium wide-angle prime for full-frame Alpha camerasFocal length: 24mm (36mm APS-C) | Maximum aperture: f/1.4 |

Aperture blades: 11 | Weather seals: Yes | Filter thread: 67mm | Dimensions: 74 x 92mm | Weight: 445gExcellent image qualityBeautiful

bokehExpensiveNot much elseThe FE 24mm f/1.4 GM is Sony's new wide-angle prime lens and also the company's eighth high-end G Master lens

Sony has designed the lens around four key criteria: resolution, bokeh, speed, and a compact and lightweight design

It doesn't disappoint

Image quality is stunning, with excellent sharpness across the frame, while the 11-blade circular aperture renders smooth and

natural-looking bokeh

Focusing is swift thanks to the Direct Drive SSM (DDSSM), while it weighs in at only 445g (15.7oz)

That's quite a bit lighter than Canon's 24mm f/1.4 (650g / 22.9oz), Nikon's 24mm f/1.4 (620g / 21.9oz) and Sigma's 24mm f/1.4 (665g /

23.5oz)

The only real downside is the hefty price tag.2

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GMThe ultimate wide-angle zoom lens for Sony photographersFocal length: 16-35mm (24-52.5mm APS-C) | Maximum aperture:

AFExpensiveHeavyThe Zeiss-badged Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS has been the main choice for Alpha users after a high-quality

wide-angle zoom lens, but the arrival of the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM now makes that decision much harder

A stop faster at f/2.8, this is a larger piece of glass that weighs in at 680g

Build quality is excellent and includes a full set of weather-seals, while the 11 blade rounded aperture diaphragm delivers ultra-smooth

bokeh

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GMEverything you could hope for in a portrait lens, and more besidesFocal length: 85mm (127.5mm APS-C) | Maximum

bokehIncredibly sharpnessBig and heavyExpensiveThis is a stunning lens and the perfect optic for beautiful portraits

The 11 blade rounded diaphragm helps produce sumptuously soft and dreamy bokeh in defocused areas

The focus hold button and de-click aperture ring option are nice bonuses, with the latter working very well when shooting video.4

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8Sony's very own 'nifty fifty'Focal length: 50mm (75mm APS-C) | Maximum aperture: f/1.8 | Aperture blades: 7 | Weather

seals: No | Filter thread: 49mm | Dimensions: 69 x 60mm | Weight: 186gCompact and lightweightGood image qualityBuild feels basicVignetting

market

Measuring just 69 x 60mm, weighing a mere 186g and full-frame compatible, it definitely has something to offer APS-C format shooters, where

The stepping motor autofocus system is quick and very quiet, although not completely silent

However, vignetting is noticeable unless you stop down to f/2.8.5

Sony FE 85mm f/1.8Sensibly priced optic that delivers great bokehFull-frame compatible: Yes | Focal length: 85mm (127.5mm APS-C) | Maximum

sharpnessNo distance and DOF scalesSome flareThis fairly chunky optic nonetheless only weighs in at a pretty modest 371g thanks to a

predominantly plastic construction, but balanced really nicely on the Alpha A7R II we tested it with

The design is very clean - so much so that there's no distance or DOF scales, but those niggles aside, it's a cracking portrait lens

Focusing is nice and brisk while the nine-blade diaphragm delivers to really beautiful bokeh

Optically, there's little to fault it on either - it's incredibly sharp at the centre of the frame through the aperture range

If you can't justify one of the more exotic Sony portrait lenses, this is a great option.6

Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 GIf you want to get everything in the frame, this is for youFull-frame compatible: Yes | Focal length: 12-24mm (18-36mm

565gUltra-wide coverageGood sharpnessNo filter threadCorner sharpness wide openThis ultra-wide 12-24mm lens delivers a phenomenal viewing

angle of 122 degrees, with a rectilinear design aiming to keep distortion to a minimum

Autofocus is practically silent and well suited to both stills and movie capture, while the fly-by-wire manual focus ring operates smoothly

and with excellent precision

zoom range, and negligible at mid-zoom settings

Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZASony's big fast prime comes up trumps Full-frame compatible: Yes | Focal length: 35mm (52.5mm APS-C) |

image qualityClick or no-click aperture ringMuch heavier than Sony 35mm f/2.8Very priceyThe first 35mm prime lens to be launched for

full-frame E-mount bodies was the dinky little FE 35mm f/2.8, designed along Zeiss's Sonnar principles

The newer f/1.4 Distagon lens is massive by comparison, measuring 79x112mm and weighing 630g

However, it's two f-stops faster and has a much more sophisticated feature set

Unusually for an E-mount lens, there's a manual aperture ring

As a bonus, you can select one-third click steps or click-free rotation, the latter being ideal for shooting movies

Sharpness is exemplary, right across the whole image frame, chromatic aberration is only slight and barrel distortion is extremely low for a

Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSSThis may only be a 'standard' zoom, but its quality is outstanding Full-frame compatible: Yes |

73 x 94.5mm | Weight: 426gFairly compact and lightweightOptical 'SteadyShot' stabilizationf/4 widest aperture7-blade diaphragm not

well-roundedUnlike most up-market zoom lenses for DSLRs, this one has a widest available aperture of f/4 rather than f/2.8, which helps to

make its size and weight a better match for the comparatively small A7 series bodies

As with most Zeiss-badged optics, the physical design looks minimalist, without any switches for auto/manual focus modes or on/off for the

OSS (Optical SteadyShot) stabilizer

Even so, the metal lens barrels feel beautifully engineered and the build is dust/moisture resistant

Sharpness is good and very consistent throughout the zoom and aperture ranges although the corners become a little soft at longer zoom

Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSSBig-up the little things in life with this macro lens Full-frame compatible: Yes | Focal length: 90mm (135mm

602gSuper-sharp for extreme close-upsUseful as a fast, short telephoto lensExpensive for a macro lensDistance scale inactive for autofocusAt

its closest focus distance, this 90mm lens gives full 1.0x macro reproduction, ideal for monstrous enlargements of tiny bugs and other small

objects

Attractions include top-quality glass, quick and ultra-quiet autofocus, OSS (Optical SteadyShot) stabilization and a nicely rounded

nine-blade diaphragm

Image quality and handling are excellent, and the lens isn't just a one-trick macro pony

The combination of a 90mm focal length and fairly fast f/2.8 aperture make the lens equally useful when you want to minimise depth of field

for portraiture or still life.10

Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSSA high-quality telephoto zoom, ideal for action sports and wildlife Full-frame compatible: Yes | Focal length:

| Weight: 840gOn-board, quick-access controlsTripod collar included as standardCorner sharpness could be betterNew 70-200mm f/2.8

availableTwo rear-mounted OSS (Optical SteadyShot) stabilization switches select on/off and static/panning modes

A further two switches are on hand for auto/manual focus modes, and to lock out the close autofocus range below three metres

Unusually for this class of 70-200mm f/4 lens, there's also a set of three focus-hold buttons towards the front of the lens, plus a tripod

mounting collar

The optical path includes plenty of premium glass, plus Sony's Nano AR Coatings

Sharpness and contrast are generally very good, although extreme edge and corner-sharpness drops off at 70mm when using an aperture of f/4,

and at 200mm throughout the aperture range

Ultimately, this lens is a highly competent telephoto zoom with excellent handling.11

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSSSony's longest lens for its mirrorless camerasFull-frame compatible: Yes | Focal length: 100-400mm

Weight: 1395gHigh levels of sharpnessZoom rangeVignetting wide openUnbalanced with APS-C cameraThe FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS is Sony's

only lens for it's mirrorless cameras that covers a focal length greater than 200mm, so it's just as well it's a great lens

Until more dedicated telephoto primes become available, this is a great partner of the Alpha A9, and isn't much bigger than Sony's 70-200mm

f/2.8

results are very good

Don't expect results to match rival primes, but sharpness is very good.A8dWsF8GjwGm2DRcyzYs3.jpg#

Best Sony lenses 2018: 11 top lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras