The new Chinese lens manufacturer SongRaw has announced its debut product on the market: the SongRaw AF 50mm f/1.2 Moonlit, currently showcased at NAB 2025 in Las Vegas. This prime lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras is claimed to be the first Chinese-made 50mm f/1.2 autofocus lens, offering an affordable alternative to higher-end models from established brands. The lens is compatible with Sony E, Nikon Z, and L-mount, with the company prioritizing the Sony model, while Nikon and L-mount users may need to wait a little longer for availability.

The SongRaw AF 50mm f/1.2 Moonlit features a wide f/1.2 aperture, which promises excellent low-light performance and a shallow depth of field for stunning background blur. The aperture diaphragm has 13 blades, while the whole lens incorporates 15 elements arranged in 10 groups, including two aspherical elements, which should help reducing chromatic aberrations and distortions. It can focus as close as 0.52 meters, which is standard for a lens of this type, offering a maximum magnification of 0.12x.

The lens is mainly constructed from aluminum and weighs approximately 900 grams, which is lighter than the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 but heavier than the Sony and Sigma counterparts. It also features an internal autofocus system, so the front of the lens does not move during focusing, and it uses STM stepping motors for stabilization. This system is fully compatible with all camera autofocus modes, including eye-tracking, making it suitable for both stills and video applications.

One of the unique aspects of the lens is its manual control ring, which includes a de-clickable aperture ring for smooth adjustments that could be particularly appreciated by videographers. There is also an AF/MF switch to toggle between autofocus and manual focus modes. Additionally, the lens accepts 72mm filters.