SONY FE 20mm f/1.8 G Field Test: Northern Lights, Astrophotography, Landscapes, and More!

[@Nateinthewild]

What do you all think? Is this going to earn a spot in your bag?

[@M-Swede]

Next week - B & H

[@Nateinthewild]

@@M-Swede What about it?

[@M-Swede]

Nateinthewild I’m to get the lens from B & H next week. Perfect for my landscape photos. Thanks

[@Nateinthewild]

@@M-Swede Oh awesome! Happy shooting!

[@robertcoppard2010]

Love your reviews and I just bought this lens for Northern lights and I can't wait to chase them.

[@dariordz688]

First 20mm 1.8 review I've seen using the freaking lens for what it's intended, and it's delivered by a guy with only 550 followers? And even better, it's not cringe to watch? I'm still in youtube right??! This is great!! Keep going Nate!

[@Nateinthewild]

Haha yeah, I'm pretty new to the KZbins alright. Thanks for the kind words and for the subscribe! If you'd like to see more of my work I'm on Instagram under the same name :)

[@mlentsch]

@@Nateinthewild Hah - I looked down expecting to see like 150K subs and was wondering why youtube hadn't suggested your channel long ago. Well done - you'll be one of the big ones if you keep it up.

[@Nateinthewild]

Mike Lentsch Thanks for the kind words! I’d love to get to 150k subs eventually - tell all your friends 😉

[@ogonzilla]

Mark my words, this channel is going to blow up. 🔥🔥🔥😉

[@Nateinthewild]

Thank you for inspiring me, Omar!

[@ogonzilla]

@@Nateinthewild DITTO

[@rauri1077]

Agreed!

[@nsanchez32]

Dude, you’re really good doing reviews. You did a great job. I love this real-life review, much better than the studio and blablabla reviews that you can find around KZbin. This is the kind of reviews that I like, where the lens is going to be used... In the field. Good job buddy!

[@Nateinthewild]

Appreciate it! Thanks for the watch!

[@betodeth]

This vs the 24mm F/1.4 please!!!

[@pvtejasvi]

This is by far the best review I've on KZbin for the 20mm 1.8 for it's practicality. It's a lens made for landscape photographers and you discussed the advantages of it extremely well. I was specifically interested in hearing about the dispersion elements which seen almost on par with a GM. You've certainly solidified my order in my mind. Great work overall man 👍. Subscribed.

[@Nateinthewild]

I appreciate that! It's an incredible lens, you'll be very happy with it.

[@dinagalall]

Cameras and camera gear are driving me CRAZY! I want them all! 😂😂

[@jjny121257]

You had me at “spicy lens”...already pre-ordered!

[@AlaskaComedy]

Holy Crap. Well done guys. Look forward to sharing the hell out of this. Sooooo good

[@SasidharPamganamamula]

I have the 18mm Batis 2.8 but you've still got me interested in this one... Great review

[@tt__shin]

I think you deserve much more than 600 subscribers, keep going!

[@learningcameras]

So awesome!

[@Nateinthewild]

Thank you sir!

[@TLYRIDER]

Definitely! It earned a spot in my camera bag for Video, especially for closeup BROLL video

[@adriandoko]

Fantastic review and great production, loved the Aurora time-lapse outro! Keep em coming!

[@Nateinthewild]

Thanks for watching! Going to be doing more stuff like this in the future for sure.

[@thirdman-productions]

After this review... we pre-ordered one! Loved the in-depth analysis (*edit and subscribed)

[@Nateinthewild]

Appreciate it!

[@sizzlemann]

Played with this lens at WPPI yesterday. Loved it. It'll be in my travel bag as soon as I can find one to buy.

[@henrik6151]

Great review, thank you!

[@davidduncan1226]

Great review! And good job balance being professional and yourself, it was funny.

[@dwaynenikulla2520]

beautiful shots.bought lense after seeing your work .

[@DanHawk]

Fantastic review Nate! I'm definitely putting in a preorder.

[@Nateinthewild]

Thanks, Dan, appreciate the support! I'd love if you used the link above for that :)

[@lucmena8463]

great useful review thx for all the infos .i was about to get the 24mm 1.4 but i like the 20mm field of view better i will definitely buy this lens for my low light and astro work.

[@Nateinthewild]

Same here. I love the 24mm, but this is definitely going to be my lens this summer! Preorders open today via the link above :)

[@lucmena8463]

@@Nateinthewild thx for the link happy shooting!:)

[@Rolphe2y]

Very nice review.

[@keith-knittel]

Awesome review - exactly what I was looking for and at the perfect time! I've been looking for a lens to shoot the northern lights in a few weeks, I hope it releases before my trip!

[@Nateinthewild]

Oh you're going to have a blast! This lens will be perfect for that, good luck!

[@007hofi1]

Thank you for the review, i was very interested in the astro aspect of this lens.

[@Nateinthewild]

Thanks for watching! This lens is KILLER for astro!

[@Spartacus1975]

Haha! Wo man sich trifft 😁 Bin im Moment auch auf der Suche nach größerer Blende für Astro.

[@007hofi1]

@@Spartacus1975 Die Welt ist echt klein :-)

[@Spartacus1975]

@@007hofi1 Was ich vergessen habe zu fragen: Was hälst du von dem Objektiv?

[@007hofi1]

@@Spartacus1975 Eigentlich bin ich mit dem Batis 18mm zufrieden. Somit bleibt dieses bei mir. Blende f/1,8 wäre schon nett aber mir würden denn die 2mm mehr Weitwinkel fehlen.

[@harrimakelaDOTcom]

Nate - That was one of the best and at times very funny reviews I have watched - Great Job and I will 100% sure get this lens as well! Liked, Subscribed! Thank You!

[@Nateinthewild]

Thank you so much, I appreciate the support! It would mean a ton if you used the link above for the purchase.

[@Panzardi]

Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. Subbed!

[@davidporter9904]

Bro!! Amazing review. Video structure perfect. Fast points, fast examples, no bullshit. Well done. Subscribed.

[@allenberman8446]

Great review Nate. Thanks so much. Heading to Yosemite with my new 20mm f1.8 this weekend!

[@secretaryofsimplification]

Great review, Nate. Fun to watch and educational. Glad you got to make it to Norway before COVID. BTW the intro to the vid (images and music) are inspiring!

[@gregbullen9973]

Love your enthusiasm and the great images to demonstrate the capabilities of this fine lens. You sealed the deal for me, Nate. About to order the 20mm f/1.8 G for my Sony a9 body. First lens beyond the initial 24-105 f/4.0 G that I got with the camera two years ago. Planning a trip in late March to Big Bend National Park in remote southwest Texas. High, dry and virtually no light pollution, so it should be a great opportunity for my first go at astrophotography, as well as super sharp big landscapes in the golden and blue hours. Thanks!

[@mohammadel-mohammadi5666]

SPEECHLESS! You have a new subscriber and fan, Nate! Thank you very much for you phenomenal reviews on this astonishing lens!

[@niceyesplease]

Awesome awesome review. Beautiful photos. Keep up your good work! 👌✌

[@DjimmyTrovy]

Man that first picture is amazing. I want this lens now.

[@midfidelity7180]

"With the lens I can do it!" "Nah, I don't have time to go there."

[@rotojo2]

@@midfidelity7180 I am from Harstad in Norway, just a stone throw away from Lofoten…and I have been there 1 time in 30 years, and it was when I was a kid 😂

[@Collin2377]

I just bought the Sony A7C with FE 35mm 1.8. Now seeing your video, I feel that I would like to send it back and get the 20mm.

[@Nateinthewild]

The 35mm is a great lens! The 35mm and the 20mm occupy very different uses in my life so I wouldn't trade one for the other, personally.

[@vincebaldwin2829]

Got mine. I love it

[@daleboettcherphoto]

My typical Astro lens is the Sigma 20mm Art. It’s hard to beat but a new lens that’s very close and can accept filter threads is awesome

[@Nateinthewild]

The Sigma Art lenses are spectacular for sure, but filter threads is a huge plus, and the Sigma is literally 3x the weight :-o

[@daleboettcherphoto]

Nateinthewild haha! I was just on my way back here to edit my comment about the weight saving alone 🤙🏼. The Sigma is a tank

[@Nateinthewild]

@@daleboettcherphoto Haha it totally is. We use the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art and while the images are beautiful, it definitely makes you work for it!

[@MatthewSaville]

@@daleboettcherphoto Yeah, considering the /insane/ coma of the Sigma 20 at 1.4-2.8 in the corners, this Sony G lens is clearly taking the lead in the corners, even though the Sigma is pretty dang sharp in the center. Also, the Sigma 14-24 2.8 DG DN is an insane lens, too. Really loving it on the A7R4, it's smaller and ligheter than the 14 1.8 Art and 14-24 2.8 Art DSLR version, ...and yet sharper at 2.8 in the corners. Witchcraft! If you don't need to shoot at f/2, don't bother with any primes, that Sigma is nuts. (And there's allegedly another 2.8 zoom coming, too.) I'm only left wondering, if this is a "G" lens, ...do we have a 20 1.4 "GMaster" coming someday too? Or maybe Sigma will start making FE primes too, now that they've got a 14-24 FE and 24-70 2.8 FE.

[@CRAIGSCHULER]

This lens has a very bad reputation for aberrations in the corner. I love my Sigma 50 1.4 but ended up giving the 20 a miss

[@jackryder6732]

Great review Can I use this with family pictures and videos. Indoor and outdoor.

[@bobpaulson9r72fk24]

Thanks for this! Nice lens!

[@OnBorrowedTime]

first time here. great quality video. looking to get this lens as well. subscribed!

[@zirk6392]

Thank you for the review ! Absolutely love the content. Immediately subbed ! 😊

[@tonymontana24596]

Fantastic work mate. Subbed!

[@JohnScaneArt]

Great stuff, nice review! Mine should be shipped tomorrow, I can't wait!

[@zethiel]

641 Subscriber here. Thanks for the Astro part of the review. This is the first and only review I could find about how the lens performs for astrophotography. A fast lens like this, is obviously meant for astro among other things. Keep up with the great videos Nate!

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

I am confused... why don’t you have several million followers, useful review, fun to watch... great enthusiasm

[@Nateinthewild]

Thanks man! If you tell 500,000 of your closest friends about my channel then we can get there quickly!

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Nateinthewild Consider it done

[@clintans]

I'm here 2 years later and getting super hyped :D - A good fit for my A7R IV?!

[@Nateinthewild]

An AMAZING fit for your a7R IV! All the images in this review were shot on the a7R III, so I have no doubt the newer camera model will be even better.

[@juanfernino]

Thanks for the video! It was really helpful!

[@LisaSaffell]

Great review Nate. I took a chance before seeing this review and preordered. Got it two days ago. Can’t wait for some dark skies!

[@stephanieoutside]

Excellent and in-depth analysis! If I shot Sony, I'd be adding it to the wish list.

[@SChapps]

3:25 where is your jumper from?

[@Nateinthewild]

I bought it in Cusco, Peru

[@mohamedyazidbitam]

WHAT an impressive video love the way you speak about photography ; i just buy this lens and i am really happy ,with it .thanks for your advice i just sucribed to your channel

[@SachithWithana]

Subbed! Great photos and a great review! That combo is hard to find in youtube. Keep it up 👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾

[@Nateinthewild]

Appreciate that very much! More on the way!

[@MatthewSaville]

Looking pretty decent! Can't wait to get my hands on this for review...

[@antistiolabeo8950]

Almost broke the bank for the 24 1.4 for astro...now I'm getting wider for less with this 20 1.8. So happy :)

[@Nateinthewild]

I'm happy too! Don't forget to click the link in the description when ordering :)

[@BrianCho]

Great stuff Nate!

[@timelapsebylkunl72]

Thank for a great review.

[@DavidTwomey3]

Just came across this in 2024. Man your content is so good, witty, but professional regarding why we all want to know about the lens. You smashed it. I’ve got the 24-70 sigma art and adore it but would love something wider to really tick off landscapes and Astro, I think this is a no brainer especially after your review 🙌🙌🙌

[@stephenflynn]

Such a tempting lens!

[@sic04250f]

Great review. Astro is the reason I buy fast wide. I use the 24gm and 18batis and from this review they look to perform better but this is a great option for us Sony shooters to have.

[@Nateinthewild]

The 18 Batis is great, but f/2.8 isn't fast enough for me when it comes to Astro. That extra 1.3 stops goes a long way!

[@cepessino]

Where to get that cool Strap???

[@JIMMY_NEMESIS]

great review for the SONY FE 20mm f/1.8 G

[@MrRes999]

Great video - subscribed

[@garbun0629]

Great video! Mine just came in today after waiting for 1.5 week shipping. This is my first wide angle lens and i love the weight of this lens. I still need to shoot more with this lens as I kinda missed many photos today.

[@visionsmediia]

Amazing, definitely going to have a look into buying this lens

[@rauldelossantos7464]

Thank you

[@stevenjones4835]

Love my lens. Brother you do a great job and I really appreciate your work because I can’t get to these areas you go. I’m in the Navy

[@Nateinthewild]

Appreciate the kind words, my friend!

[@moisesc.8314]

Really nice video Nate! which camera do you recommend for the northern lights? A7III or A7RIII?

[@Nateinthewild]

I've shot the aurora with both cameras a dozen times and honestly you can't go wrong. I'd lean towards the a7R iii though because I like a little extra resolution.

[@Vegard-Driving-Somewhere]

Thanks for the great review! really enjoyed watching it :) Happy you enjoyed the Northern Norway, which is where I grew up 👍 You got a new sub!

[@fzeo]

I am a freelance photographer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I love to travel around the world and take some good starry and landscape photos. But for now, weddings & events are only my sources of income. I would love to change my career from that to landscape photography. Any tips? I love the 7:14 photo!

[@Panzardi]

Great.. you made me laugh and check the "must buy spicy lens" box. Thanks a lot. haha. Great review and content. Loving the channel. Keep it up.

[@Nateinthewild]

You bought the spicy lens? Nice!

[@NguyenJulian]

Between the 20, 24, and 16-35 - what’s your go to nowadays?

[@elviskruze912]

What are you using for addicting puctures?

[@Muchtoobizy]

Absolutely stunning photographs.Subscribed! I share your passion and enthusiasm for this lens. I am delighted Sony understand that users of their compact, lightweight mirrorless cameras, also need high quality lightweight lenses (Take note Canon). Can you identify the music you used at 1:04?

[@rt4581]

Definitely next after i get my 85 this weekend!🔥

[@aportraitontech5218]

Great review on the 20mm1.8G! Recently did some filming at night. Keeping the iso as low as possible and using a light setup, the primes were sharper, more vivid with better color, than the zooms. Thus, my purchasing of the 20mm1.8G. Within the return period. So, still testing the 20mm1.8 against the 16-35GM and 12-24GM. Daytime usually have no issues. But if the lens performs better during night, it's a keeper.

[@FitzMichael]

Did you review the 24 GM?

[@Nateinthewild]

I sure did. Not as a standalone, but I get pretty deep into it here; kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5KQfWyVaZh2ocU

[@cryhavoc38]

those corners look soo much better than what I get with my Sigma 20mm F1.4 art which makes stars look like Saturn in the corners. I may have to get this 20mm, especially since it's on sale now.

[@whipsyofficial]

I just got it for 585$ used but in mint condition. Can't wait to try it out when it's delivered.

[@wm17959]

I actually bought this lens just prior to watching this video, but I felt a lot better about my decision, thank you for this. I hope to get the lens tomorrow and I also have an A7iii

[@apicharjiratanan4285]

Looks amazing! I just got my 20mm! For A7C! I also have the 24-105 and i found that i am using 24 95% of the time so im excited about this lens

[@Taunus_Sound]

Thanks for the good video. Do you have any samples of using this lens as a video lens in a home studio? How does the autofocus works in videos?

[@Carolyne_games]

The new lenses from Sony are really amazing. I was in Japan two months ago with my new 1655G, and for the very first time I looked at the ARW files and felt that unless I wanted a very specific artificial look, doing stuff to the photos might actually ruin them.

[@locidemos]

I think I know this mountain :D Is it Hauklandstranda on Lofoten? I just ordered the lens, but it's of course out of stock everywhere here in Norway. I hope I get it in time before the Northern Light season is over.

[@Nateinthewild]

Impressive eye, you're absolutely correct!

[@johncallery814]

Great review. I have the Zeiss Loxia 21mm f2.8 which I like for astro. What I'm hoping for is a Sony 15mm f1.8 for an even wider field of view. Any idea if Sony will go wider at f2 or below?

[@skipper4114]

I use the Loxia 21mm f2.8 for Northern Lights and it's amazing. Cheers.

[@kolapyellow7631]

Now that's amazing photo Of the stars. I loke to do that obe day. Maybe i have to suckup and get this lens when it's readily available. Need to forage for food for a year to buy this lens

[@filmzfilmz]

Do u prefer the 20mm over the 24mm?

[@Nateinthewild]

That I do

[@genghis2510]

I’ve had my small hand-holdable live view Sony a6300 and the only 20mm 2.8 pancake lens it had for sometime now. I acquired the duo used from eBay. I guess I got used to it for my initial test and preview shoots supplementing my bulky Nikons.

[@seantayms]

Nice video , how does the 24 gm compare to this 20 g ? In terms of Astro , is the gm still better ?

[@Nateinthewild]

I think they're comparable and both have strengths and weaknesses. I much prefer the 20mm field of view, but f/1.4 is an amazing aperture for astro, so you have to weigh the options and decide which is more important to you. I did a full review video for three other astro lenses (including the 24mm GM). Check it out and let me know what you think!

[@ClareGPhotos]

For video, would you go for the 20 still or the 24?

[@TristanBarrocks]

This is dope

[@VeeTravels]

Nate, I think you have done a fantastic job showcasing the low light capabilities of the new Sony 20mm F1.8 GM. I liked the video and subscribed to your channel. Do you think the low light capabilities of the 20mm F1.8 GM outweigh the 16-35mm F2.8 GM for outdoor low light video conditions drastically? I do a lot of low light virtual walk tours with the 16-35mm F2.8 GM right now (Using A7iii body + Zhiyun Crane 2 Stabilizer). I usually set the focal length to around 17mm or 18mm to compensate for the Sony 4K video crop and Adobe Premiere software stabilization crop while still providing a true virtual wide angle experience. Despite being absolutely blown away by the 20mm F1.8, I am concerned it is simply not wide enough for my style of videos. I definitely welcome your opinion if you know any better alternative. Anyway I would greatly appreciate if you could check out my recent videos and provide HONEST feedback. Subscribe if you enjoy :)

[@thisissammis]

damnit man! I'm sold.

[@theFATEfactory]

Your images are 🤯🔥🔥🔥💯🌄🌌🌌🌌 I’m personally adding the 24GM to the roster and waiting for a 16 prime from Sony. Already have the 16-35GM but would love 1.4(?) for 16mm lol! You’ve got a new sub from this Cali Adventurer! Cheers!

[@xjuhnx]

oh my god I was about to get the 24mm 1.4 and you convinced me otherwise!!! I like shooting landscapes and astro :) your review nailed it! Only thing that held me back was the GM label and the 1.4 aperture. Yet ppl say Sony is coming out with a 16mm 1.8 in 2021..

[@ToKiniAndy]

I agree. It's spicy. Sold. lol Seriously though, those are some sick shots. Definitely picking this up soon. And embrace the "weirdness" ;-)

[@EveKronen]

I own the a7C and did buy the 20mm. I enjoy both at 75 years. Here is my question - headed to Alaska in August. You convinced me that the 20mm will do wonders for landscapes (I shoot in the desert of AZ). Would you also take the 24-105mm on the off chance you will be able to see possibly a clear view of a bear and whales are a given? Hope you will respond - thanks very much for this very informative video.

[@Nateinthewild]

Hi there! I LOVE the 20mm, but it's very much a specialty lens, I would not recommend it as your only lens, or as a do-everything lens. I would absolutely recommend the 24-105 for that trip, and if you're wanting to photograph bears you should bring a 100-400 also. Please do not try to get close enough to the bears to photograph them at 100mm.

[@MnkyButlr]

I have been using the FE 28 F2 on my a7iii for just about everything lately, (astro, landscape, walk around) given its price, size and performance. Can you comment on / recommend replacing it for this lens? Is there reason to own both? Judging by your closing comments, the 20 seems like it will be a permeant fixture on your a7iii... Have you purchased it? Is it everything you hoped?

[@Nateinthewild]

Great question! I also own the 28mm f/2, and I have to say that after using the new 20mm I will be selling the 28. It’s like comparing a Lamborghini to 1968 Chevelle. They’re both fun to drive, but it’s pretty clear which is better.

[@DJKISSchitown]

I have the exact scenario. I have been using the 28 F2 on the A7ii and think the 20mm will be the next best for myself and traveling. I also like the ability to not have to move out on shots when I need it a bit wider. I prefer primes when shooting. This will give me the opportunity to do a bit of video as well with the A7ii.

[@ScottJonesDOP]

What was the reason for green screening the only shot of you in "Norway"?

[@Nateinthewild]

Lol what? Nothing in this is green screened. The entire video is filled with shots from Norway so I was clearly in Norway when I filmed this.

[@AiurMedia]

waaaaaaaaaaah amazng pictures!

[@MrsCap2]

Nice review ! It’s a bit of noise on your star picture what ISO did you used ?

[@Nateinthewild]

ISO 4000. I was trying to keep the shutter speed short in case the northern lights came out, but alas, no luck that night.

[@pjbiggleswerth8903]

If $$ isn't an issue, the 24 1.4 gm or this one?

[@shazmalik1]

Just got myself an A7III and am wanting to get seriously about Milky Way shooting. Get this or the Sony FE 24mm f1.4?! Confused now!