SongRaw Moonlit Simplified Edition Lens Introduced – 50mm and 85mm F/1.2 at Half the Price

by Alexandra ThompsonApril 27^th, 2026

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SongRaw is back at NAB 2026 with a budget-friendly twist on its Moonlit autofocus prime lineup. The new Simplified Edition keeps the same optical recipe as the original 50mm and 85mm F/1.2 lenses but drops the aperture ring, sheds 100g (3.5oz), switches to a silver finish, and lands at roughly half the price of the original “flashy” versions.

We first introduced you to SongRaw at NAB 2025, when the young Chinese lens maker launched its AF 50mm f/1.2 Moonlit, the very first product from the new company. We picked up the story at IBC 2025, when SongRaw expanded the lineup with the Moonlit 85mm f/1.2. On the NAB 2026 show floor, we caught up with Hannah Han at the SongRaw booth, where she walked us through the company’s latest move: a Simplified Edition of both Moonlit lenses, aimed at lowering the entry point for fast f/1.2 autofocus glass.

What’s been simplified

According to Hannah, three things separate the Simplified Edition from the original Moonlit lenses. First, the new lenses come in a silver finish rather than all-black. Second, the aperture ring has been removed from the lens barrel, so shooters now set the f-stop from the camera body. Third, the Simplified Edition is 100g (3.5oz) lighter than its more elaborately built counterpart.

What stays unchanged is the optical formula. Hannah confirmed that the glass elements, materials, and overall rendering character carry over from the original Moonlit versions; the cost reduction comes from streamlined external controls and finish rather than a different optical design.

Specs and mount support

For context, the original 50mm Moonlit is built around 15 elements in 10 groups with two aspherical elements, while the original 85mm Moonlit uses 18 elements in 10 groups with one aspherical, five extra-low dispersion (ED), and 11 high-refractive index elements. Both lenses feature a 13-blade aperture diaphragm and an STM stepping-motor autofocus system, with eye-tracking support on compatible bodies. According to SongRaw, the lenses are built into an aerospace-grade aluminum housing. Hannah also confirmed that the 85mm Simplified Edition has an 86mm front filter thread.

At launch, the Simplified Edition will be available in Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount, with an L-mount version following later. That L-mount support matters for a growing share of cinematographers, given the L-Mount Alliance now extending to Panasonic Lumix bodies and Blackmagic cinema cameras. Canon RF mount remains off the table, since Canon does not currently allow third-party manufacturers to release full-frame autofocus RF lenses. Hannah also told us that a 35mm prime and a zoom lens are currently in development, though no further details were shared at NAB.

Who is this for

For working filmmakers and hybrid shooters who already set aperture from the camera body, the absence of a physical aperture ring may not meaningfully change daily operation. For shooters who rely on a stepless de-clicked aperture ring for in-shot exposure pulls, the original Moonlit lenses remain in the catalog. SongRaw is essentially offering a choice of how much external control you want to pay for, with the same optical quality available at two price points.

Price and availability

According to Hannah, the Simplified Edition 50mm f/1.2 will sell for approximately $550, and the 85mm f/1.2 for approximately $650. For comparison, the original Moonlit 50mm f/1.2 launched at $999 and the original 85mm f/1.2 at $1,299, putting the Simplified models at roughly 55% to 65% of the original retail. Hannah indicated availability between Q2 and Q3 2026. For more information, visit the SongRaw website.

Does dropping the aperture ring for a meaningfully lower price make the Moonlit Simplified Edition more interesting for your kit? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!