Sony powerzoom lenslist

“Breakthrough sent me an evaluation filter along with some very strong claims including: “The X4 ND is the world’s sharpest and most color neutral ND filter.” Well, that is exactly what I’m looking for, so I was persuaded to spend the time testing the X4 head-to-head against my previous favorite, the Singh-Ray Mor-Slo. Turns out they were right.”

Sony has announced a new power zoom lens for its Alpha range of mirrorless cameras. The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f4 G Series lens is suitable for full-frame cameras.

Sony powerzoom lens

"There is absolutely nothing bad to say about the quality of this filter; it is really exceptional. The SCHOTT© B270 glass is wonderful, and the brass metal construction gives a great, high quality feel to the unit.

Powerzoomcamera

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You can operate the power zoom lens by turning the zoom ring or with the rocker switch on the body of the lens. You can also remotely control the camera’s zoom while mounted on a gimbal. The FE PZ 16-35mm f4 G Series lens has four XD linear motors for the power zoom. Sony says these give precise and quiet zoom control. The lens has up to eight levels of adjustable zoom speed with compatible cameras. You can set the zoom speed to a constant rate. You can also make the speed depend on how far you push the rocker or how fast you turn the zoom ring. The length of the lens does not change when zooming.

Sony powerzoom lensE mount

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The color cast seen in most neutral density filters on the market can be seen on a spectral graph as deviations from a flat curve - usually a color cast that results in an increase in transmission throughout the visible spectrum. The X4 ND has the flattest transmission curve throughout the visible range and well into infrared, leading to a more color neutral performance.

Sony powerzoom lensfull frame

And thanks to years of research and development, the X4 ND is incredibly precise to the ideal optical densities. An optimal 10-Stop (3.0) ND filter has a light transmission of 0.1%. With an average light transmission of 0.108% across the both visible and infrared spectrums, the X4 ND hits the mark with great accuracy giving you a more dependable baseline to set up shots.

Sony powerzoomAdapter

"Certain details were noticed right away, which speak to the effort put into the product … The ‘traction frame’ really is a superb idea."

The FE PZ 16-35mm f4 G Series lens weighs only 12.5 ounces. It is 3 ½ inches long and 3 ¼ inches in diameter. The lens body has a dust and moisture-resistant design to protect it when you are shooting outdoors. The filter diameter is 72 mm.

Our X4 ND filters are designed to hold up for years of regular use in the field. Each filter is weather-sealed and can withstand extreme wind, salt water, dust and other abrasive elements and conditions.

PowerZoom lensCanon

The X4 ND delivers the most color neutral performance and precise optical density thanks to years of research and advanced manufacturing methods. Featuring our spectrally flat coatings and a precision machined brass traction frame, the X4 ND is designed to be incredibly sharp and built to last a lifetime.

Eight layers of our proprietary MRC are evenly applied to both sides of the glass disk which reduces reflections and improves image quality and contrast by eliminating stray light. Additionally our MRC16 layers protect the filter surface since the coating is structurally harder than the glass itself.

Low light transmission and green flaring are common problems with uncoated glass. The Breakthrough X4 line of filters feature our state-of-the-art 16-layer Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC16) and our nanotec© Nano Coatings which combine to improve optical performance and durability.

I can earnestly and confidently say that I have found the X4 ND filter from Breakthrough Photography to be nothing short of exceptional.”

Nikon powerzoom lens

Our breakthrough nanotec© Nano Coatings are also applied to each side of filter to further defend against the elements. The nanotec© coatings repel dirt, water and other debris by beading up on the surface rather than absorbing - making the filter easy and fast to clean.

The FE PZ 16-35mm f4 G Series lens has two additional high-thrust XD linear motors, which should deliver fast, responsive autofocus. Sony state that the autofocus is stable up to 4K 120 fps. The lens also has minimal focus breathing. The close focus distance is 0.92-0.79 feet, depending upon where you are in the zoom range. The FE PZ 16-35mm f4 G Series lens includes two advanced aspherical elements, a Super Extra-low Dispersion element and an ED element to suppress distortion and aberration effectively.

Each filter incorporates our state-of-the-art nanotec® Nano Coating technology which repels dirt, water and other debris by beading up on the surface rather than absorbing and smearing.

“It is a truly rare happening when I run across a product and can’t seem to find anything negative to add in the review. In the course of bringing you an unbiased and honest commentary I usually find some minute problem which I feel is worth sharing.

Sony aims the FE PZ 16-35mm f4 G Series lens squarely at filmmakers. It has separate rings for focus, zoom and aperture. There is also a switch on the lens, allowing you to select whether the aperture ring is smooth or clicked. In addition, there is an iris lock switch that prevents accidental shifts in exposure.

We engineer every one of our filters to withstand a lifetime of use in the field. That's why the X4 ND is precision machined from high-quality brass with our signature ultra-thin, double-threaded traction frame. The filter forms a weather-seal on the lens and is built to withstand extreme wind, salt water, dust and any other abrasive elements found in nature. And our rugged design makes it easy to securely attach and remove the filter - even with gloves in cold conditions.