Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Review – digitalcameras.ie

The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM is a high-end, ultra-wide zoom with a big, fixed most aperture of f/2.8 all through the zoom vary. Whereas it options lots of Sony’s most superior options, the lens I’m reviewing at present is just the primary era of the lens, and Sony additionally has a “GM II” model introduced in mid-2023. Does the unique FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM nonetheless make sense at present? This overview will reply that query and extra!

Despite the fact that there’s a second era of the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, the unique model hasn’t been discontinued and continues to be promoting new for $1900 (a minimum of on the time of this overview’s publication; you may test its present value and availability right here). This represents a greater deal than the value of the GM II, which is $2300. For this value distinction, the brand new model provides an aperture ring, nearer focusing, and a brand new optical design. It’s additionally about 20% lighter.

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Specs

• Mount Kind: Sony E Mount
• Focal Size: 16mm to 35mm zoom (2.2× zoom)
• Angle of View (Full Body): 107° to 63°
• Most Aperture: f/2.8
• Minimal Aperture: f/22
• Aperture Blades: 11, rounded
• Filter Dimension: 82mm
• Lens Parts: 16
• Lens Teams: 13
• Particular Parts: 2 XA (excessive aspherical), 3 aspherical, 2 ED glass
• Anti-Reflection Coatings: Nano AR
• Fluorine Coated Entrance Factor: Sure
• Picture Stabilization: No
• Inner Focusing: Sure
• Management Rings: Zoom and focus
• Operate Button: Sure
• Inner Zooming: No
• Focus Motor: 2 Direct Drive SSM
• Minimal Focus Distance: 28 cm / 11 inches
• Most Magnification: 0.19× (1:5.3)
• Mount Materials: Steel
• Climate/Mud Sealing: Sure
• Dimensions (Size × Diameter): 122 × 89 mm (4.8 × 3.5 inches)
• Weight: 680 g (1.50 lbs)
• MSRP: $1900 (test present value)

These are some high-end specs befitting a Sony GM-series zoom. The intensive coatings, climate sealing, and twin XA components are all options of Sony’s prime glass.

Whereas the burden of the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM is just not the bottom that we’ve seen in an ultra-wide, it’s nonetheless respectable. Right here’s the way it stacks up in opposition to another mirrorless choices at present:

• Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8: 420 g (0.93 lbs)
• Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8: 450 g (0.99 lbs)
• Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II: 547 g (1.21 lbs)
• Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S: 650 g (1.43 lbs)
• Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM: 680 g (1.50 lbs)
• Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 A for L-mount: 795 grams (1.75 lbs)
• Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L: 840 g (1.85 lbs)
• Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 GM: 847 g (1.86 lbs)

Aside from the 2 17-28mm lenses, which have a extra restricted zoom vary, the massive winner right here is Sony’s newer GM II model of this lens. Nevertheless, the 16-35mm f/2.8 GM that I’m reviewing at present continues to be cheap, weighing in across the center of the pack.

Construct High quality

The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM is a well-built lens with tight tolerances and good climate sealing. Many of the lens barrel is manufactured from high-quality plastics, with the lens mount being steel – all as anticipated.

Like most ultra-wide zooms, the 16-35mm f/2.8 GM extends whereas zoomed. The entrance barrel of the lens is prolonged essentially the most at 16mm, steadily retracting till you attain 35mm. There may be extraordinarily little wobble when the lens barrel is prolonged.

Though extending barrels basically are a bit extra worrying in harsh climate circumstances, the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM’s intensive climate sealing permits it for use in wet or dusty circumstances with out concern. The fluorine-coated entrance ingredient can also be helpful for repelling mud and water in harsh environments.

I examined the 16-35mm f/2.8 GM for months of images in rain, snow, excessive wind, sub-freezing temperatures, and dusty environments. It by no means gave me any points in any way, and my copy of the lens one way or the other nonetheless appears to be like pretty much as good as new!

Now let’s cowl the dealing with options of the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM.

Dealing with

The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM handles properly. It has a zoom ring and focusing ring, in fact, in addition to a customizable operate button and an autofocus/handbook focus swap. All of this can be a welcome sight on a wide-angle lens, particularly one meant for superior {and professional} use.

That mentioned, this lens doesn’t have a distance scale, a further customizable ring, or picture stabilization. These will not be commonplace options in ultra-wide lenses, however you’ll discover them on some Canon and Nikon lenses, they usually assist elevate dealing with to the subsequent degree. Sony’s personal 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II provides an aperture ring, too, enhancing upon the unique zoom’s dealing with barely.

The final dealing with characteristic I’ll point out is stabilization. The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM doesn’t have an optical stabilization system, nevertheless it works effectively in tandem with the IBIS of at present’s Sony mirrorless cameras. I don’t take into account lens-based picture stabilization to be essential in case your digital camera already has IBIS, and I had no hassle taking pictures handheld with the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM at gradual shutter speeds.

The subsequent web page of this overview covers the optical traits of the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, together with sharpness assessments within the lab. So, click on the menu beneath to go to “Optical Options”: