There are two lenses by Sony which might be each attention-grabbing and curious. The FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G and FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G are small, light-weight f/2.8 lenses with a restricted zoom vary. How do these lenses carry out, and are they value shopping for? Let’s discover out.
The thought is nice: introduce two light-weight zoom lenses with an f/2.8 aperture over the whole zoom vary. These lenses will likely be simple to hold round, inconspicuous, and user-friendly. There’s a catch, although. The focal vary will likely be restricted.
The FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G doesn’t attain 35mm, like comparable lenses on this vary do. The FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G misses not less than 20mm on the longer finish of the zoom vary. At first, this doesn’t appear to be a difficulty. Nonetheless, utilizing these lenses for an prolonged period of time made me want I had some additional focal size very often.
The Look
Regardless of the distinction in zoom vary, each lenses look precisely the identical. It’s a must to take a look at the textual content on the lens to determine which one is which. They each have an aperture ring and a programmable lens button. There’s a zoom ring and a spotlight ring that’s solely a fraction wider.
One of many two switches on the lens makes it attainable to modify between handbook focus and autofocus. The opposite swap turns off the click sound of the aperture ring. There is no such thing as a built-in stabilizer, so it’s important to depend on the digital camera’s personal IBIS system.
When zoomed in, the lenses change in size. The barrel of the FE 24-50mm extends a lot additional in comparison with the FE 16-25mm. Different variations are minor and never noticeable except you examine the specs. Within the checklist under, the primary quantity is for the FE 16-25mm, the second for the FE 24-50mm.
- Dimensions: 74.8 x 91.4 mm / 74.8 x 92.3 mm
- Weight: 409 g / 440 g
- Minimal focus distance (autofocus): 0.18 m (W) and 0.24 m (T) / 0.19 m (W) and 0.30 m (T)
- Minimal focus distance (handbook focus): 0.17 m (W) and 0.22 m (T) / 0.18 m (W) and 0.29 m (T)
- Magnification (autofocus): 0.2x / 0.3x
- Magnification (handbook focus): 0.23x / 0.33x
The opposite specs are the identical for each lenses:
- 11 aperture blades (round)
- Two linear AF motors that may make 120 calculations per second
- Mud and moisture resistance
- Fluoride coating with anti-fingerprint and water and oil repellant
Picture High quality
The general look of the photographs produced by each lenses is nice. They present good distinction and picture sharpness. Nonetheless, these lenses rely closely on in-camera lens correction. The distortion compensation can’t be turned off and is baked into the uncooked recordsdata.
Nonetheless, with Lightroom, the uncooked photographs nonetheless present distortion and a few vignetting. For the reason that lens profile is constructed into the uncooked file, there isn’t any choice to make use of a devoted lens profile. This makes it tough to take away all of the remaining distortion and vignetting in submit.
How necessary lens correction with these lenses is turns into seen by evaluating the outcomes, as proven under.
Chromatic aberration is seen with these lenses, however it may be eliminated fairly simply. Relating to flare, each the FE 16-25mm and FE 24-50mm carry out nicely, with good resistance to flare in most conditions. Typically flares did happen, however to not extremes.
Slender Depth of Discipline and Bokeh
Each lenses have an aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom vary. That is good for low-light conditions. A large aperture will lower the depth of subject as nicely. For the reason that focal size can be liable for a shallow depth of subject, these lenses received’t go into extremes.
You may obtain a fairly slim depth of subject with the FE 24-50mm at 50mm, however another focal size is not going to provide numerous background blur. I’ve examined the bokeh of each lenses to see the impact of the 11-blade round aperture.
Actual-World Use
As talked about, the large aperture makes these lenses appropriate for low-light conditions. Nonetheless, don’t anticipate wonders from an f/2.8 aperture. In darkish conditions, you continue to want excessive ISO values, and it’s important to depend on the IBIS system of your digital camera or use a tripod.
The draw back of those lenses is the restricted zoom vary. Not a lot for the FE 16-25mm, however extra so for the FE 24-50mm. In numerous conditions, I wanted the lens would provide a bit extra attain.
That is the worth you pay for a light-weight and compact lens, in fact. I have to say, I bought used to the restricted zoom vary, which made it a bit just like photographing with a main lens.
The autofocus is quick and quiet, and the aperture ring works easily. The press sounds are good to have whereas photographing, and I like the power to modify the pontificate. The lens button is a pleasant addition.
The lenses usually are not that efficient for a blurry background as a result of focal lengths they provide. In fact, this additionally is dependent upon your distance to the topic and the topic’s distance to the background. Nonetheless, if there was any blurry background, it usually was not blurry sufficient.
My Conclusion About These Lenses
I like these lenses for his or her light-weight and compact type issue. They’re simple to take with you, and there’s no cause to not pack each. Nonetheless, the zoom vary is simply too small to make them versatile lenses, particularly the FE 24-50mm. It was irritating at instances to be restricted to that 50mm focal size.
As a consequence of this limitation, it’s tempting to pack a 3rd lens with you that covers the longer focal size, thus decreasing the advantage of a small and compact set of lenses. However, the restricted zoom vary might power you to be extra inventive in your composition. Then once more, a main lens could be significantly better for that process, I feel.
The f/2.8 aperture doesn’t provide a terrific blurry background with these zoom ranges. The large aperture is finest suited to low-light conditions. Maybe some portrait pictures with 50mm and f/2.8 might provide some good bokeh. Nonetheless, I would favor an excellent wider aperture if a slim depth of subject is desired.
After utilizing these lenses for a while, I’m not fairly positive if I like them or not. Each the FE 16-25mm and FE 24-50mm are attention-grabbing lenses, and I consider they’ve their goal. However, for me personally, a 16-35mm and 24-70mm, or perhaps a 24-105mm zoom lens, could be preferable, even when it’s a bit heavier and the utmost aperture is f/4.
What I Like
- f/2.8 aperture throughout full zoom vary
- Total picture high quality
- Dimension and weight
- Aperture ring
- Off swap for aperture clicking sounds
- Quick autofocus
- Lens button
- Related lens diameter for filters
What I Don’t Like
- Restricted zoom vary
- Depends too closely on in-camera lens correction
- Picture correction profiles not accessible on uncooked recordsdata in Lightroom Traditional
- Slender depth of subject shouldn’t be outstanding resulting from zoom vary
Gallery
