The Sony 16-35 mm f/2.8 is my favourite lens for the Sony E mount. In truth, it comes on all my journeys and is the one lens I take if I can solely convey one.
I’ve used this lens to {photograph} every thing from mountain climbing to weddings and it fits my artistic model very nicely.
The focal size vary may be very versatile. The lens captures huge open landscapes at 16mm and intimate moments at 35mm. I completely love the pliability of the zoom vary whereas additionally getting a comparatively quick aperture of f/2.8.
Extremely Really helpful
Tremendous sharp, sturdy and with a flexible focal vary, this lens simply earns its place in your equipment.
If you would like a really high-quality wide-angle lens for Sony that is my prime suggestion. I’ve owned the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 for over 4 years now and am on my second copy after dropping the primary one. Oops!
It’s a fairly sturdy lens and I’ve taken it up mountains and over cliffs, however I assume it’s not “drop within the car parking zone” proof!
Let’s dive into the construct of this lens.
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 Specs
- Very sharp
- Light-weight for the focal vary
- Rugged and sturdy
- Versatile focal vary
- Costly
- No Picture Stabilization
- Sony E-Mount/Full Body Lens
- Aperture Vary: f/2.8 – f/22
- Minimal Focus Distance: 11.02″ / 28 cm
- Weight: 1.5 lb / 680 g
- Size: 4.8″ / 121 mm
- Diameter: 3.5″ / 88 mm
- Filter dimension: 82mm
Construct & Ergonomics
Sony A7 III with the Sony 16-35 f/2.8
Being a G-Grasp lens, the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 is Sony’s premium high quality wide-angle zoom.
G-Grasp lenses are lenses with the “Gold Grasp” designation. They’re designed to focus shortly in maintaining tempo with Sony’s spectacular quick focus know-how.
Naturally, being a wide-angle zoom lens means it’s on the bigger facet, however this lens nonetheless feels balanced on the digicam. Generally, I like my gear to be light-weight and never cumbersome, which is without doubt one of the huge causes I’m a Sony shooter.
The zoom ring and focus ring have good rubber grips. And the lens has a weather-sealed rear mount permitting for worry-free capturing within the parts. I like to have the ability to take my gear in every single place and never be hesitant to make use of it, so sturdiness is a giant plus.
The lens has an auto/handbook focus change which is sweet for video shooters. And it has a spotlight maintain button which I feel is sweet when programmed for eye AF.
This lens doesn’t have picture stabilization however I’m happy with that. The shortage of optical stabilization hasn’t been an issue for me for the reason that in-body stabilization is getting so good.
Lenses and the cameras they sit on work collectively as a group – and the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 is an effective teammate to have.
The lens nonetheless gives customary entrance thread-on filters, in contrast to another tremendous vast zoom lenses. This is a bonus to me since there are positively occasions that I’m utilizing filters and threading them on is handy.
The Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 lens does prolong as you zoom out however solely a minor quantity. This enables the lens to be slightly extra compact when zoomed in to 35mm.
Total, the construct and ergonomics of this lens are very passable for the dimensions required of a wide-angle zoom. As I discussed, I take this lens in every single place and belief it to do the heavy lifting.
However, once more, don’t drop it within the car parking zone!
Focus Efficiency
Sony A7 III + Sony 16-35 f/2.8 | 1/250 f9 ISO 100
Subsequent up is focus efficiency, which on this lens is great. The Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 lens performs nicely each in low mild and when monitoring quick motion. Win-win.
The AF is silent and really fast. That’s a giant bonus once I’m making an attempt to seize a shifting goal in my adventures on the paths or on a marriage day.
Total, I’ve by no means had any points in capturing every thing from mountain biking to weddings. This lens simply works relating to focusing, which is one thing I actually recognize.
Not solely does it pair nicely with my artistic model nevertheless it doesn’t let me down on recreation day.
Picture High quality
Sony A7 III + Sony 16-35 f/2.8 | 1/2000 f4 ISO 160
In the case of picture high quality, the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 lens actually shines. It gives incredible sharpness all through the zoom and aperture vary.
Bokeh is one thing you received’t get until you deal with a really shut topic. However that’s the character of a wide-angle lens. Carry this lens together with the Sony 88mm f/1.8 to cowl these cases whenever you need bokeh or compression.
Like all wide-angle lenses, this lens does have some distortion nevertheless it’s simply correctable in lightroom or photoshop making this a non-issue.
Chromatic aberration is nicely managed and there are actually no issues with picture high quality. This GM lens lives as much as its designation.
The flare with this lens is minimal and solely seen when deliberately pointing it straight towards the solar. Some individuals could benefit from the flare however for probably the most half, it stays invisible.
Total, that is the perfect 16-35mm lens I’ve owned and as my favourite focal size for over a decade, that’s saying one thing!
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 Pattern Pictures
Listed below are some pattern pictures which have been taken with the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8, utilizing a Sony a7 III (reviewed right here).
A7 III + 16-35mm f/2.8 | 1/4000 f/2.8 ISO 800
A7 III + 16-35mm f/2.8 | 1/1000 f/2.8 ISO 400
A7 III + 16-35mm f/2.8 | 1/500 f/2.8 ISO 500
A7 III + 16-35mm f/2.8 | 1/1000 f/4 ISO 100
A7 III + 16-35mm f/2.8 | 1/250 f/5.6 ISO 100
A7 III + 16-35mm f/2.8 | 1/4000 f/4 ISO 100
A7 III + 16-35mm f/2.8 | 1/1000 f/8 ISO 100
Alternate options to Sony 16-35mm f/2.8
In the case of wide-angle zoom lenses, not many alternate options can be found. Nonetheless, I’ll speak by way of a couple of that will help you along with your determination.
Sony makes a 12-24mm f/2.8 however it is a little too vast for my desire.
Sigma additionally gives a 14-24mm f/2.8 however once more, too vast for me.
Tamron gives a 17-28mm which is getting nearer however I’ve by no means favored the reversed zoom/focus rings. Nonetheless, this lens is sweet worth in case you’re on a funds.
You might have a look at getting two prime lenses within the focal vary. Perhaps you have a look at getting a 20mm and a 35mm. You might lose the flexibility of the zoom. Or relying in your capturing model and the conditions you’re in, possibly you solely want the 35mm.
In case you’re not anxious about low mild efficiency, the Sony 16-35mm f/4 PZ was simply launched and will get good critiques.
The Sony 14mm f/1.8 is a superb ultra-wide angle lens that I reviewed beforehand for Shotkit, however being a hard and fast ultra-wide focal size, it’s of restricted use.
And lastly, the Sony 16-35mm f/4 ZA is an previous however nonetheless stable lens. It is usually very reasonably priced however sacrifices some sharpness and low mild efficiency.
As with all digicam gear, it’s about deciding the worth to your particular wants. Since that is considered one of my most used lenses, I’m not prepared to make compromises. However let’s dive into worth that will help you resolve if it’s value it for you.
Worth for Cash
Sony A7 III + Sony 16-35 f/2.8 | 1/2000 f4 ISO 100
Let’s be actual, at round US$2,200, the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 is sort of costly. What number of shoots do you must do in your particular style simply to pay for this lens? Keep in mind, you don’t have a enterprise in case you don’t have revenue.
As virtually all the time, you do get what you pay for and this lens may be very top quality.
As we mentioned above there are usually not a whole lot of alternate options that don’t make sacrifices in a method or one other. You’ll need to resolve what sacrifices you might be or aren’t prepared to make.
As a facet observe, usually lenses will drop in value over time. However the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens has stayed the identical value. Sony is aware of they’ve the market cornered on this lens and it’s holding worth.
On the one hand, a superb high quality lens will maintain its worth. It could be a excessive value of entry however you may all the time promote and get well most of your value in case you resolve you don’t prefer it, use it sufficient, or must money out for some motive.
If you would like the perfect in high quality/efficiency for this focal size, the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 is it. It’s not a reasonable lens so that you’re not getting a discount. However you might be getting an ideal lens.
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 Lens Evaluation | Conclusion
Sony A7 III with the Sony 16-35 f/2.8
Though it’s my most costly lens, I’ll be maintaining this one round. It’s considered one of my most used items of drugs and is value its weight and price ticket.
The Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 comes out with me on virtually each photoshoot and has carried out exceptionally in a wide range of circumstances.
I’d estimate that at the very least half my portfolio of pictures and nearly all of my favourite private pictures have been taken with this lens.
I proceed to take pleasure in utilizing this lens and extremely advocate you test it out in case you’re searching for a sturdy, versatile, high-performance lens.
Extremely Really helpful
Tremendous sharp, sturdy and with a flexible focal vary, this lens simply earns its place in your equipment.
Assets
