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Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Sony |
Focal Length Description | 16-35 millimeters |
Lens Type | Wide Angle |
Compatible Mountings | Sony E |
Camera Lens Description | 16-35mm |
About this item
- Ideal for landscapes and the a7 series of full frame cameras, ZEISS T (T star) coating to reduce flare and ghosting
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.92 feet (0.28 m), Maximum Magnification ratio: 0. 19x, Focal-Length: 5/8 - 1-3/8 Inches
- Three ED glass elements suppress chromatic distortion, constant F4 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range
- Built-in Optical Steady Shot image stabilization, dust and moisture resistant design
- Angle of View (35 mm)107°-63° Angle of View (APS-C) 83°-44°. Weight- 18.3 ounce.Optical Design : 12 Elements in 10 Groups
- Mounting Type: Sony E
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SERIAL #1828077 FYLL 14 DAY NO HASSLE SATISFACTION GUARANTEE AND A 90 DAY PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTY.
Top Brand: Sony
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Price | $998.00$998.00 | $2,298.00$2,298.00 | $1,198.00$1,198.00 | -9% $820.99$820.99 List Price: $899.00 | $1,398.00$1,398.00 | $699.00$699.00 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 5 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 5 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 5 | Get it Mar 11 - 14 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 5 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 5 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon Global Store UK | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
lens type | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Standard | Standard |
compatible mountings | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E |
lens design | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Prime | Zoom |
focus type | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto/Manual | Auto Focus |
minimum focal length | 16 millimeters | 16 millimeters | 16 millimeters | 16 millimeters | 35 millimeters | 20 millimeters |
max focal length | 35 millimeters | 35 millimeters | 35 millimeters | — | 35 millimeters | 20 millimeters |
fixed focal length | 35 millimeters | 35 millimeters | 35 millimeters | 28 millimeters | 35 millimeters | 40 millimeters |
real angle of view | 107 degrees | 83.25 degrees | — | 83.2 degrees | 44.8 degrees | — |
model name | SEL1635Z | SNSEL1635GM2 | SELP1635G | 16-28 F2.8 DG DN Contemporary Sony-E Mount | SEL35F14GM | Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD |
min aperture | — | 22 f stop | — | 22 f stop | — | 22 f stop |
max aperture | 4 millimeters | 2.8 f stop | 4 f stop | 2.8 f stop | 1.4 millimeters | 2.8 f stop |
From the manufacturer
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Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens
Specifications
- ZEISS 35mm Full Frame wide-angle zoom lens
- Constant F4 maximum aperture throughout zoom range
- ZEISS T* (T Star) anti-reflective coating minimises flare
- Built-in OSS (Optical SteadyShot) image stabilisation
- Dust and moisture resistant design
- Minimum focus distance: 0.28 m (0.92 ft)
- Maximum Magnification ratio (x): 0.19x
- Filter Diameter (mm): 72 mm
- Weight: 518 g (18.3 oz)
Wide-angle impact over a useful zoom range
A 16mm to 35mm wide-angle zoom range coupled with effective built-in optical image stabilisation makes this lens an excellent choice for snapshots, indoor scenes, group shots, landscapes, and more, especially with a full-frame α7 series body. The ZEISS Vario-Tessar configuration offers outstanding performance in a compact, lightweight design.
Refined optics deliver stunning images
Superior clarity and minimal distortion are achieved by an advanced optical design that includes one large AA element and three ED elements. The legendary ZEISS T* (T-star) coating enhances performance even further by effectively suppressing reflections so that crisp, natural contrast is maintained, especially when shooting landscapes.
Constant exposure at any zoom setting
Constant aperture at all focal lengths means that the user can zoom and shoot at any aperture without having to worry about changes in exposure settings or depth of field, concentrating on the image rather than technical details. Maximum aperture is F4 through the zoom range.
Reliable and easy in any conditions
Reliable operation in a variety of conditions is ensured by a design that prevents dust and moisture from entering the lens.
Sharp and clear from corner to corner
Aspherical lens technology maximises portability without sacrificing imaging power. The lens combines five aspherical elements (including one AA - advanced aspherical lens), with 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements to deliver high-precision shots and breathtaking rendering, without the bulky design usually associated with similar DSLR lenses.
Sharp and clear in any situation
Built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation compensates for camera shake that can blur images when shooting handheld. Sharp, clear night scenes or indoor shots in dim lighting can be captured without the need to boost ISO sensitivity and risk increased noise.
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 3.9 x 3.07 x 3.07 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1.14 pounds |
ASIN | B00NGTN25C |
Item model number | SEL1635Z |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #495 in SLR Camera Lenses |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | September 14, 2014 |
Manufacturer | Sony |
Country of Origin | Thailand |
Warranty & Support
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Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens
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What's in the box
Product Description
Vario-Tessar T FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS.
Product guides and documents
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers praise the camera lens for its sharpness and ability to capture details and colors well. They find it a great lens for landscapes and wide photography. The lens has a solid build quality with consistent quality shots. However, opinions differ on its functionality, size, weight, and value for money.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the lens quality. They find it has a solid build, is sharp, and great for landscapes and wide photography. The lens works well for video as well, producing brilliant images.
"...the bokeh is great, don't get me wrong it's typical Zeiss buttery, creamy goodness with just a touch of nervousness, but forget trying to erase..." Read more
"...This lens works well for video too. I really love my prime lenses because you can set them up hyperfocal and then never have to worry about focus...." Read more
"...When stopped down, sunstars are much better looking. Construction is solid (I actually wish it was lighter). It feels as heavy as the Canon 17-40...." Read more
"...This lens is great, it is fairly light, sharp, and I have gotten great color through the lens. Pros: -This lens is sharp...." Read more
Customers appreciate the lens' image quality. They find it sharp, capturing details and colors well, adding magic to their photos. The lens handles low light well, providing good contrast and color across the entire frame. It is perfect for real estate videography with a wide field of view.
"...Opened up, meh, it's a little soft in the corners and still provides more depth of field than you probably want in most situations...." Read more
"...Images appear to be sharper and have more detail upon magnification (of course, that is also the product of using a much better camera in the a7R)...." Read more
"...I think the colors look great through this lens and have never had problems. Cons: -F4 may be limiting for some people...." Read more
"Comes with a nice pouch and a lens hood. Image quality is stunning on my SONY A7R V full frame camera." Read more
Customers appreciate the camera lens's build quality. They find the construction solid and the optics reliable. The lens feels good, with a quality feel to the zoom and focus rings. It creates consistent quality shots and is well-composed.
"...is on a camera, on a tripod it creates more considered and well composed shots...." Read more
"...When stopped down, sunstars are much better looking. Construction is solid (I actually wish it was lighter). It feels as heavy as the Canon 17-40...." Read more
"...The lens feels good, has a quality feel to the zoom and focus ring, comes with a lens bag and lens hood...." Read more
"...Its construction is very well executed with actual machined knurling on its metal focus and zoom rings (not rubber)...." Read more
Customers appreciate the sharpness of the camera lens. They find the corners look crisper, with minimal color fringing and vignetting. The lens allows them to take high-quality pictures at sunset with great detail and clarity. It has good image stability and is perfect for close to mid-range shooting.
"...It's sharper, has better pop, and all that deliciousness that Zeiss brings to the table but it is a full stop slower and has no telephoto reach to..." Read more
"...Images appear to be sharper and have more detail upon magnification (of course, that is also the product of using a much better camera in the a7R)...." Read more
"...This lens is great, it is fairly light, sharp, and I have gotten great color through the lens. Pros: -This lens is sharp...." Read more
"...The corners look sharper, very little CA's and about the same vignette as the Canon...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the size of the camera lens. Some find it reliable, with an ideal range and weight for wide shots. Others say it's somewhat large and takes the place of three prime lenses. While some say it's a solid ultra-wide zoom, others feel it could be wider and faster.
"...The lens focused quickly and rendered colors naturally. Its small size and light weight balanced well in my hands...." Read more
"...In that it is a very standard super-wide with all the baggage that entails, the distortion that has to be fixed in post, the softness when fully..." Read more
"...chose this one because I was looking for a lens that would be small and lightweight (because I planned to carry it for many hours at a time) and..." Read more
"...Needs to Go a BIT Wider - I am constantly faced wtih the issue that I need the lens to go to 14mm in small bathrooms...but it doesn't have it...." Read more
Customers have different views on the weight of the lens. Some find it lightweight and portable, while others consider it a bit heavy.
"...The Sony is slightly smaller, lighter, and uses 72mm filters (versus 77mm for Canon and Nikon)." Read more
"...This lens is somewhat large and heavy in the mirrorless camera world, but I've been using it on my Sony A6000 camera and the ergonomics of that..." Read more
"...This lens is great, it is fairly light, sharp, and I have gotten great color through the lens. Pros: -This lens is sharp...." Read more
"...Its small size and light weight balanced well in my hands...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the lens' functionality. Some find it works well with Sony A7R and A7 cameras, while others say it performs a bit worse than other lenses. The lens is not very responsive, and the OSS is not terribly effective at the wide end.
"...I use a tripod 80-90% of the time, but the OSS seems to work well...." Read more
"...The compromise here is that the lens is rather slow, and you quickly run out of options in the dark because the APSC series cameras get noisier..." Read more
"...The lens was clean and worked reliably, but the body has many big scratches, and the lens case is missing...." Read more
"...was very skeptical about getting this lens because of the poor performance of the 24-70 FE, there is talk that Zeiss cannot make a quality zoom lens..." Read more
Customers have different views on the value for money of the camera lenses. Some find them well-built and worth the price, while others say they are expensive but sharp.
"...But the price is right and for someone on a budget it will do the job nicely until you can build up the coin to get more specialized lenses for..." Read more
"Cost is certainly an issue (buy used if you can), but this lens gives excellent results across the whole image frame...." Read more
"...Great sharp lens at a much lower price than the G master. See photos for example of quality...." Read more
"...This is absolutely unacceptable for such an expensive lens...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Works Well for Stills and Video - But Could be a Bit Wider and Faster
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2016Style: BaseVerified PurchaseIf you own any of the E-series Sony digital cameras, stop looking around: this is your ultra-wide zoom. It's got the Zeiss pop, the tack sharpness, and great bokeh. Stopped down, and pushed to the super-wide portion of the zoom the depth of field goes on forever. On the full frame it covers every wide angle option, if with the normal amount of distortion typical of a ultra-wide zoom. No pain, no gain gentle reader.
If you own the APSC series of Sony cameras, this is still a worthy walk about lens that goes from normal to fairly wide with the penalty of a one stop over the competition. Over a prime 1.4 it gets a whole lot more painful, at F 4 this is nobodies idea of a night shooter. The compromise here is that the lens is rather slow, and you quickly run out of options in the dark because the APSC series cameras get noisier quicker than their full-frame stablemates. Pumping up the ISO on the 6000 / Nex series cameras (or any of the SLTs series other than the full frame A99) is just not the same as doing the same on the full frames. Sorry kiddies, physics is physics and photons are photons, there's no way around this. One stop can be the difference between a usable photo and something less so. Two stops, even more so.
Placed on a solid Tripod and used for its designed purpose, sweeping landscapes and architectural shots, this lens is just awesome. Jammed into a tight spot, you can zoom out and get shots that more "normal" wides just are unable to supply. You can get up close and personal with this lens and there hangs a tale. This means that cropping a marginal photo in post is not necessary, you can get it right in camera and without having to put life and limb in danger. This is a real world problem when things like barbwire and twisty roads power packed with motorcycles and zooming cars get in your way. It is also a real issue when working is super-tight environments where you subject is is in one place and a big honking obstruction like a wall or building is right next to it. I can not tell you how many images were possible only because of the reach of the lens.
This lens is one of my go-to lenses in my goody bag, there are almost no shoot where this little gem does not get placed on my full frame and the whole business get placed on a tripod. This is my weapon of choice when shooting landscapes and architectural shots, it gets more work than my 24-70 and spends more time on the camera than it's bigger brother. Because it almost always is on a camera, on a tripod it creates more considered and well composed shots. Your mileage may vary from mine but if you have a full frame this lens not only belongs in your bag or backpack but deserves pride of place. On a APSC shooter it's very worthy, if more limited, walk about option than the G series 2.8. It's sharper, has better pop, and all that deliciousness that Zeiss brings to the table but it is a full stop slower and has no telephoto reach to speak of. As a "normal" lens for the APSC cameras, it's a bust, get it's purpose-built brother the 35mm 1.4 or 35mm 2.8 if you are looking for a "normal" in APSC format. For the smaller format the lens is a sold four stars, maybe even four and half, but there are too many compromises here to give it five stars on the NEX / 6000 series cameras, that is a bridge too far; it's too slow, and lacks too little reach, any discussion of bokeh is a very mixed bag as the F 4 brings a bit too much depth of field to the game in even in full format. the bokeh is great, don't get me wrong it's typical Zeiss buttery, creamy goodness with just a touch of nervousness, but forget trying to erase either your foreground or background to nothingness, that is a job for the prime 1.4. This lens is in it's element stopped down to an 8 or 11, even 5.8 is more than decent. Opened up, meh, it's a little soft in the corners and still provides more depth of field than you probably want in most situations. In that it is a very standard super-wide with all the baggage that entails, the distortion that has to be fixed in post, the softness when fully open, serious weirdness in your shots when not absolutely level when at the widest part of the zoom. If you know about super-wides, you know the drill. If you love this type of lens this particular example is one of the best, and for Sony Full Frame Cameras-- it is the best, full stop; until Sony gets around to making a G Master 16-35 that clocks in at a 2.8.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2017Style: BaseVerified PurchaseI purchased this lens along with the Sony a7s2 about a month ago to use for my real estate photography business. I have been quite satisfied with it.
If you read my review on the camera body itself then you'll know that the camera was the driving force in the decision. I needed THAT camera in order to get the best dynamic range out of that slog3 picture profile for shooting video in houses. I wanted it for the smaller 12mp size that the camera puts out on still as compared to my a6000.
At the time, this 16-35mm lens was the clear choice. Here's why:
For Stills: you need a good wide angle lens for interiors. On my crop sensor lens I was using a 12mm prime lens from Rokinon...basically 18mm on a full frame camera. Once I got this lend I found that I actually liked shooting at 20mm a bit more and on larger homes, the ability to zoom to 24mm has been useful when I need to not shot the off-camera flash stands that are set up to light the scene and would otherwise creep into the filed of view at a wider angle.
This lens works well for video too. I really love my prime lenses because you can set them up hyperfocal and then never have to worry about focus. EVERYTHING is in focus on a real estate shot when hyperfocal. That's one thing less to worry about. But when shooting video in slog3 the camera will not shoot at an ISO lower than 1600. That is really quite high. On my very first attempt, I had really terribly overblown windows because I didn't know that you should put the s2 in "shutter priority" mode when filming.
Shutter priority allows the camera to stop down the aperture on the fly in order to restrict the amount of light coming into the camera when approaching high-light areas like exterior windows. But this only works if you have a fly-by-wire lens like this 16-35mm from Sony. Something like the 21mm Loxia would not work because it's a manual aperture lens.
The ability to shoot all the way to 16mm wide is a plus too. While 20mm is my normal preferred focal length for stills with this lens I shoot all my walk-through videos at 16mm. Continuous focus controlled by the camera keeps everything in focus as I walk through the house filming.
Here are the downsides:
1) Barrel Distortion - there's a good bit of it and it's not fully corrected with Lightroom profiles.
2) Needs to Go a BIT Wider - I am constantly faced wtih the issue that I need the lens to go to 14mm in small bathrooms...but it doesn't have it. It frustrates me.
At this point this is still my main lens. My a7s2 is permanently fixed to my video rig and I now have an a7iii as well which I use for stills. The lens jumps from one to the other when I shift gears. I do plan on purchasing the 12-24mm soon for my stills camera at which point this lens will remain permanently attached to the a7s2 on the gimbal.
Ultimately though I plan to get the 18mm 2.8 Batis for the video camera on the gimbal at which point this lens will be homeless and I plan on selling it. Even though it's going to be phased out of my camera bag I still rate it 5-stars in spite of the fact that I see it as a comprimise lens. It's not as idea for stills as I'd like and it's not as ideal for video as I'd like. But the price is right and for someone on a budget it will do the job nicely until you can build up the coin to get more specialized lenses for specific applications.
5.0 out of 5 starsI purchased this lens along with the Sony a7s2 about a month ago to use for my real estate photography business. I have been quite satisfied with it.Works Well for Stills and Video - But Could be a Bit Wider and Faster
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2017
If you read my review on the camera body itself then you'll know that the camera was the driving force in the decision. I needed THAT camera in order to get the best dynamic range out of that slog3 picture profile for shooting video in houses. I wanted it for the smaller 12mp size that the camera puts out on still as compared to my a6000.
At the time, this 16-35mm lens was the clear choice. Here's why:
For Stills: you need a good wide angle lens for interiors. On my crop sensor lens I was using a 12mm prime lens from Rokinon...basically 18mm on a full frame camera. Once I got this lend I found that I actually liked shooting at 20mm a bit more and on larger homes, the ability to zoom to 24mm has been useful when I need to not shot the off-camera flash stands that are set up to light the scene and would otherwise creep into the filed of view at a wider angle.
This lens works well for video too. I really love my prime lenses because you can set them up hyperfocal and then never have to worry about focus. EVERYTHING is in focus on a real estate shot when hyperfocal. That's one thing less to worry about. But when shooting video in slog3 the camera will not shoot at an ISO lower than 1600. That is really quite high. On my very first attempt, I had really terribly overblown windows because I didn't know that you should put the s2 in "shutter priority" mode when filming.
Shutter priority allows the camera to stop down the aperture on the fly in order to restrict the amount of light coming into the camera when approaching high-light areas like exterior windows. But this only works if you have a fly-by-wire lens like this 16-35mm from Sony. Something like the 21mm Loxia would not work because it's a manual aperture lens.
The ability to shoot all the way to 16mm wide is a plus too. While 20mm is my normal preferred focal length for stills with this lens I shoot all my walk-through videos at 16mm. Continuous focus controlled by the camera keeps everything in focus as I walk through the house filming.
Here are the downsides:
1) Barrel Distortion - there's a good bit of it and it's not fully corrected with Lightroom profiles.
2) Needs to Go a BIT Wider - I am constantly faced wtih the issue that I need the lens to go to 14mm in small bathrooms...but it doesn't have it. It frustrates me.
At this point this is still my main lens. My a7s2 is permanently fixed to my video rig and I now have an a7iii as well which I use for stills. The lens jumps from one to the other when I shift gears. I do plan on purchasing the 12-24mm soon for my stills camera at which point this lens will remain permanently attached to the a7s2 on the gimbal.
Ultimately though I plan to get the 18mm 2.8 Batis for the video camera on the gimbal at which point this lens will be homeless and I plan on selling it. Even though it's going to be phased out of my camera bag I still rate it 5-stars in spite of the fact that I see it as a comprimise lens. It's not as idea for stills as I'd like and it's not as ideal for video as I'd like. But the price is right and for someone on a budget it will do the job nicely until you can build up the coin to get more specialized lenses for specific applications.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2015Style: BaseVerified PurchaseThis is a great ultra-wide angle zoom lens. I previously used a Canon 17-40 on a Canon 6D. It was decent. Better than the wide angle lenses I've used on smaller crop sensor cameras. This Sony 16-35 produces a much better image than the Canon 17-40 in my personal experience. Images appear to be sharper and have more detail upon magnification (of course, that is also the product of using a much better camera in the a7R). I believe unwanted lens flare is better controlled. When stopped down, sunstars are much better looking. Construction is solid (I actually wish it was lighter). It feels as heavy as the Canon 17-40. I use a tripod 80-90% of the time, but the OSS seems to work well. If the ultra-wide lens offering is important to you in choosing a camera system, I believe these 16-35 f4 lenses are fairly equal between Sony, Nikon, and Canon in terms of image quality. The Sony seems to be the more expensive of the three. The Sony is slightly smaller, lighter, and uses 72mm filters (versus 77mm for Canon and Nikon).
- Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2020Style: BaseVerified PurchaseThis is a great travel lens. It can capture landscapes as well as close up portraits. The G Master may be better for night photography, but that feature was not worth double the price. This lens is great, it is fairly light, sharp, and I have gotten great color through the lens.
Pros:
-This lens is sharp. I have had no complaints or times I wished it was sharper.
- While not the lightest lens on earth, it is light enough to carry around all day with no problems.
- I think the colors look great through this lens and have never had problems.
Cons:
-F4 may be limiting for some people. I don't think most would utilize F2.8 of the GM lens, but if you truly need a lens for night photography then go for the nicer lens.
This is a great travel lens. It can capture landscapes as well as close up portraits. The G Master may be better for night photography, but that feature was not worth double the price. This lens is great, it is fairly light, sharp, and I have gotten great color through the lens.
Pros:
-This lens is sharp. I have had no complaints or times I wished it was sharper.
- While not the lightest lens on earth, it is light enough to carry around all day with no problems.
- I think the colors look great through this lens and have never had problems.
Cons:
-F4 may be limiting for some people. I don't think most would utilize F2.8 of the GM lens, but if you truly need a lens for night photography then go for the nicer lens.
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Top reviews from other countries
- Bob W.Reviewed in Canada on March 23, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars The lens came came quickly and in perfect condition. I like to deal with Zoom because ...
Style: BaseVerified PurchaseThe lens came came quickly and in perfect condition. I like to deal with Zoom because of their great prices. I have bought four Sony lenses in the past 18 months and never had a problem.
- Robert LeaperReviewed in Australia on May 24, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Full frame ultra wide angle zoom lens
Style: BaseVerified PurchaseGreat performing lens for the money!
-
猫田猫造Reviewed in Japan on January 2, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars 偏りが少ない希少なレンズ
Style: BaseVerified Purchase広角側も大変美しく、偏りが出にくい
つまりはカメラ側の補正があまり必要ではない、
軽くて扱いやすいレンズです。
こういうレンズが増えればEマウントファンが増えるはずです。
買って損なしのコスパ的にも良いレンズだと言えると思います。
- JCritterReviewed in Canada on May 29, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars It's a Sony.
Style: BaseVerified PurchasePerfect lens, great for landscapes and interiors. Or just a nice walk-around lens. Great for videography as well.
- Larry WReviewed in Canada on October 25, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Great lens
Style: BaseVerified PurchaseZeiss glass is the best