PHOTO YODOBASHI

YODOBASHI CAMERA ONLINE PHOTO MAGAZINE

SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2, 1/1250, F2.5, ISO 100, Photo by Z II

SONY SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2

[Zoom] Wide-zoom | Standard-zoom | Tele-zoom | High-zoom
[Fixed-focal] Wide angle | Standard | Telephoto | Macro

SONY's growing E-mount lens lineup for the full frame Alpha 7 series is joined by this new prime 28mm. despite the fast F2 speed, it's small, light, and reasonable. And yet, the image quality is great. Plus, with two dedicated converter lenses, it widens to 21mm and diagonal fisheye 16mm. This report covers the SEL075UWC which realizes the angle of view equivalent to 21mm.

( Photography : Z II / Text : 4beats )

SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2, 1/100, F2.8, ISO 100, Photo by Z II

The glazed sliding door in the tranquil Japanese room is captured minutely with a great 3D quality. Even though it's a wide 28mm lens, the F2 speed realizes unexpectedly shallow depth of field which generates bokeh.

Although the distortion of the JPEG images is correct by the camera, it's present on the RAW data. I appreciate the smart correction because the straight lines are kept just as they were and I think it's very important for a shot like this.

SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2, 1/640, F2, ISO 100, Photo by Z II

The gentle rain adds to the emotional rendering of the bamboo leaves. There's a slight vignetting wide open, but it's not something we should worry about too much. Actually, it works to shed a spotlight on the main subject.

SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2, 1/640, F2, ISO 100, Photo by Z II

Shot wide open. The 3D quality is great despite the insufficient light. The bokeh of the fence is sweet because it blends naturally into the background.

SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2, 1/640, F2.5, ISO 125, Photo by Z II

The minimum focus distance is 29cm with AF and 25cm with MF. The tonal gradation between the highlight and the shadow is wonderfully wide and smooth, and it matches the body's dynamic range.

SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2, 1/800, F5.6, ISO 100, Photo by Z II

The diagonal angle of view is 75 degrees, which is said to be similar to the one when we see things with no aim. Since it may include more things than you think, you want to be careful about the composition and perspective, and try to find the best angle. But, this is the real thrill of using a wide angle lens, too.

SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2, 1/800, F4.0, ISO 100, Photo by Z II

It doesn't have to be any narrower or wider. It also expresses the flow of time of the location. Some scenes are meant to be captured only by a 28mm lens, don't you think?


SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2 + SEL075UWC, 1/1600, F2.8, ISO 100, Photo by Z II

With the ultrawide converter SEL075UWC released together with the lens, the angle of view becomes equivalent to 21mm F2.8. The image quality is higher than I expected from a converter: there's a minimal loss of image quality. I didn't find any electronic conact points or switches, but the camera automatically detects it by knowing how the sensor behaves. And, it's reflected on the EXIF data. How smart and convenient!

SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2 + SEL075UWC, 1/200, F5.0, ISO 100, Photo by Z II

Even with the converter, the tonal gradation between the highlight and the shadow is great. This is a wonderful lens demonstrating the high performance of the Alpha 7 series.

PHOTO YODOBASHI

The 21mm equivalent focal length comes in handy when you cannot step back or want to use a vast composition. So, I strongly recommend this converter for a partner of this lens. Later, we will report on the SEL057FEC fisheye converter which realizes the diagonal 180-degree angle of view with the equivalent focal length of 16mm F3.5.


SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2, 1/400, F2.8, ISO 100, Photo by Z II

SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2, 1/1250, F2.0, ISO 100, Photo by Z II

SONY α7R, SEL28F20 FE 28mm F2, 1/800, F2.0, ISO 64, Photo by Z II


PHOTO YODOBASHI

There're many ways to enjoy this prime lens.

The compact metal barrel feels nice and the torque of the focus ring is just right. The resolution and the bokeh are wonderful. The tonal gradation and the color reproduction are great. And, the clear focus peak helps shooting. Plus, the cost performance is wonderful. That said, I have nothing to complain. This lens can also be used with the Alpha-series or NEX bodies with the APS-C format and the angle of view becomes equivalent to 42mm in 35mm format, which makes a convenient and slightly wide normal lens. In addition, you have the converters to enjoy!

The combination of this lens and the converter is like a 3-step zoom, which will bring you a new experience that you haven't had with conventional zoom lenses. And, the max aperture doesn't change even with the converter attached. Of course, with a fixed focal lens, you cannot change angle of view instantly and this may sound inconvenient. But, it lets us rethink about angles. With a zoom lens, we don't move relying on the convenience. So, I recommend you to attach or detach the converters only after trying to find the best angle by moving as much as you can. And, just take a time in shooting and enjoy the process. If you relax, the outputs will change.

( 19.04.2015 )