As somebody who carries their digital camera on lots of outings, it’s vital to have a compact light-weight lens that may seize quite a lot of topics nicely.
The Sony 28mm f/2 is changing into my go-to lens if I can solely take one small lens or I need a prime that’s just a bit wider than the 35mm.
It’s an ultralight and compact Sony lens however provides wonderful efficiency in so many situations.
Extremely Advisable
Compact, light-weight lens providing wonderful picture high quality with out breaking the financial institution.
Many individuals, together with me, love the 35mm and 50mm focal lengths for his or her versatility however I just lately re-discovered the Sony 28mm f/2 and I’m very proud of what it provides.
In lots of instances, 35mm is just a bit too slender of a focal size for my out of doors journey pursuits. At 28mm I can seize lovely landscapes in addition to close-ups of motion.
As a focal size, it’s not too broad or too telephoto – the right stability. Should you haven’t checked this lens out, learn on to listen to why I feel it’s a wonderful alternative for anybody with a full-frame Sony mirrorless digital camera.
Sony 28mm f/2 Broad Angle Lens Specs
- Very compact
- Light-weight
- Tack sharp within the middle
- Quick minimal aperture
- Cheap
- No auto/guide focus swap
- No additional options (focus maintain button, stabilization)
- Not as sharp at fringe of body
- Sony E-mount/full-frame lens
- Aperture vary: f/2 – f/22
- Minimal focus distance: 11.4″ / 29 cm
- Weight: 7 oz / 200 g
- Size: 2.4″ / 60 mm
- Diameter: 2.5″ / 64 mm
- Filter measurement: 49 mm
Construct & Ergonomics
The Sony 28mm f/2 is impressively compact and light-weight.
The Sony 28mm f/2 is so simple as it will get. This lens is not any frills, it makes use of only a easy guide focus ring. Nevertheless, what it lacks in options it makes up for in measurement and weight.
At solely 200 grams (7 oz), the Sony 28mm f/2 lens weighs about the identical as a median iPhone or about 1/third of the burden of the brand new Sony A7 IV. This implies it balances very nicely and makes a brilliant compact setup when mounted.
It might be good to have an auto/guide focus swap on this lens however I can positively recognize the minimalist design.
Though it has a steel mount, I believe the vast majority of this lens is constructed from plastic. However, regardless of its light-weight design, it has held up fairly nicely to my rugged utilization.
In order for you an ultra-simple and compact lens, positively take a look at the Sony 28mm f/2. There’s one thing to be mentioned for easy and minimalistic – there’s not a lot that may go mistaken.
Focus Efficiency
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/2000 f/2 ISO 2500
Regardless of being greater than seven years previous, this lens focuses very nicely. The main focus is snappy and responsive. It grabs focus shortly no matter the place within the body you place your topic.
With a minimal aperture of f/2, it additionally focuses nicely in low mild. The main focus motors are basically silent which video shooters will recognize.
The guide focus ring can be utilized to override the autofocus when utilizing the “direct guide focus” setting on Sony cameras. This may be helpful in conditions the place you need to shortly get focus after which fine-tune to lock focus precisely the place it must be.
For such a small and inexpensive lens, I used to be happy with the main focus efficiency.
Picture High quality
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/800 f/4 ISO 100
For a cheap and compact prime lens, the Sony 28mm f/2 has nice picture high quality.
It has good sharpness within the middle of the body in any respect apertures however tends to be a little bit smooth on the perimeters at wider apertures.
In order for you corner-to-corner sharpness with a 28mm lens, I’d take a look at the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, however for most individuals, the Sony 28mm f/2 will probably be greater than enough.
In terms of chromatic aberration, this lens does have some shade fringing. In a sensible sense, it’s not that noticeable, however you might discover it in the correct circumstances.
For almost all of photographers, issues like chroma aren’t going to be the rationale you select a lens – so for probably the most half, that is irrelevant.
As for distortion, this lens has some however it’s simply corrected in Lightroom. That is virtually at all times one of many first steps I apply when modifying images and it’s constructed into my commonplace preset for modifying all my pictures.
General, for the value, this lens provides wonderful picture high quality. Should you’re taking your first steps into full-frame lenses, it is a nice choice for a midrange prime.
Sony 28mm f/2 Pattern Photographs
Listed below are some pattern pictures taken with the Sony 28mm f/2, utilizing a Sony A7 III.
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/640 f/5.6 ISO 250
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/320 f/2.8 ISO 2000
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/200 f/4 ISO 400
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/40 f/3.2 ISO 100
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/320 f/11 ISO 1000
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/8000 f/3.5 ISO 640
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/640 f/4 ISO 320
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/80 f/4.5 ISO 100
Sony A7 III + Sony 28mm f/2 | 1/500 f/2.8 ISO 100
Alternate options to Sony 28mm f/2 Lens
Though this lens has been round for over seven years, I’m not conscious of any alternate options which have the identical traits. Typically the dearer native Sony lenses will get copied by off-brand producers and bought for decrease costs.
On this case, there is just one different 28mm lens accessible: the Sigma artwork 28mm f/1.4 which is far bigger and dearer.
Many individuals contemplate the 35mm lens a comparable choice to the 28mm focal size. So, should you’re prepared to extend the focal size when taking a look at alternate options to this Sony lens, many choices exist.
There are lots of 35mm prime decisions ranging in minimal aperture from f/1.4 to f/2.8. I’d say probably the most comparable is the Sony 35mm f/1.8 which is just a few hundred {dollars} dearer.
Optically, the Sony 35mm f/1.8 goes to be a little bit increased high quality with most different traits being comparable.
Moreover, there may be the Samyang 35mm f/1.8 for round US$330. The Samyang is much like the Sony 35mm f/1.8 however at a lower cost (probably sacrificing some optical high quality).
Should you’re set on the 28mm focal size, the Sony 28mm f/2 will probably be your best option. Because it has been round so lengthy there are additionally some nice offers on used digital camera gear web sites.
Worth for Cash
Sony 28mm f/2 mounted on the Sony A7 IV
At round US$450 (see the newest value right here), this lens is a strong worth. It strikes a pleasant stability between high quality and value.
Certain, you would get dearer lenses with increased optical efficiency however they’d price rather more. Conversely, there are cheaper lenses accessible however they’re not going to be as nicely designed.
The Sony 28mm f/2 is a wonderful entry level for a “do all of it” prime lens for full-frame Sony mirrorless cameras.
As I discussed above, should you’re searching for much more worth, you would store on second-hand web sites. Usually, the longer a lens has been round, the higher deal you will discover on websites like eBay.
There’s some threat concerned in shopping for used gear however I discovered my copy of the Sony 28mm f/2 for $180, which is a considerable saving. For that value, I’m pleased with some threat so as to have the ability to justify making house for it on my gear checklist.
Given I’ve zoom lenses that cowl the focal size, I don’t drastically want a 28mm broad angle lens. That mentioned, it’s a very nice lens to have round for these instances when it’s the right resolution for my wants.
There’s one thing superior about capturing with a main lens – the simplicity of solely having one alternative and utilizing your toes to zoom is one thing that may make the expertise of capturing really feel easy.
Should you’re studying this evaluate, perhaps you’re already a fan of primes like I’m.
Sony 28mm f/2 Lens Evaluate | Conclusion
As you’ll have observed, I’m a giant fan of the Sony 28mm f/2. There are such a lot of costly and flashy zoom lenses popping out just lately that it may be simple to overlook a traditional prime just like the Sony 28mm f/2.
Typically a traditional and easy lens is all you want for the job, particularly when it’s small and comparatively cheap.
I’ll positively be maintaining this lens in my bag as a result of it’s so compact, light-weight, and helpful that I can’t be bothered to go away it behind.
I discover myself utilizing it after I want a very good all-around lens that may shoot quite a lot of topics and never be obtrusively massive.
Should you’re available in the market for a strong, cheap prime lens, the Sony 28mm f/2 is unquestionably price consideration.
The focal size is a enjoyable one as a result of it’s just a bit wider than 35mm, permitting you to seize landscapes that the 35mm is typically too slender for, whereas nonetheless being nice for close-ups.
Extremely Advisable
Compact, light-weight lens providing wonderful picture high quality with out breaking the financial institution.
