The Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 28mm f/2 and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 28mm f/2 vs Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM vs Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 28mm f/2 is a great wide focal length lens.
- The f/2 aperture is good enough for low light work.
- It’s smaller and lightweight compared to the alternatives, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
- 11 blade aperture for softer, better bokeh.
- Aperture ring on the lens makes it easier to ride the aperture.
- Focus hold button makes it easier for videographers to use autofocus while shooting.
- The lens doesn’t have OSS, but you will get some stabilization with a Sony a7S III or the Sony Alpha 1 that has IBIS.
- Great Eye AF autofocus for video.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wedding filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Gimbal use
Sony FE 28mm f/2 vs Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM vs Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G
| Lens | Sony FE 28mm f/2 | Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM | Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G |
| Filter Thread | 49mm | 67mm | 49mm |
| Size | 64mm x 60mm | 75.4mm x 92.4mm | 68mm x 45mm |
| Weight | 200g | 445g | 162g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.29m / 0.96ft (AF) 0.25m / 0.82ft (MF) | 0.24m / 0.79ft | 0.24m / 0.79ft (AF) 0.18m / 0.59ft (MF) |
| Max. Aperture | f/2 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/16 | f/22 |
| Aperture ring | Absent | Present, de-clickable | Present, de-clickable |
| Customizable button | Absent | Present | Present |
| Manual focus mode | Focus by wire | Fly by wire | Fly by wire |
| Converter compatibility | Compatible with ultra wide converter 21mm and fish eye converter 16mm. | N/A | N/A |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 11 blades | 7 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 75 | 84 | 84 |
| Price | $619 | $1,298 | $598 |
The Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) is biggest and heaviest of them all. When compared to the Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G (Amazon, B&H), the Sony FE 28 f/2 is heavier and bigger but not by much.
The obvious difference is that the FE 28mm f/2 has a narrower field of view.
The Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) opens up to f/1.4, and gives you an extra stop of light when compared to the Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G. That, and the 11 aperture blades should give you a smoother bokeh and creamier out of focus backgrounds.
Both the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM and the Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G have their manual focus mode set to fly by wire while the Sony FE 28mm f/2 has it default and only setting as focus by wire.
The Sony FE 28mm f/2 opens up wider than the Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 and has more blades to help it achieve a theoretically better bokeh.
The Sony FE 28mm f/2 is also missing an aperture ring and a customizable button on the body.
The FE 28mm f/2 is compatible with ultra wide and fish eye converters and that can change the focal length to 21mm and 16mm respectively.
However, the FE 24mm f/2.8 G lens does have a closer minimum focusing distance in manual mode than the rest.
Sony has released the FE 24mm f/2.8 G as a series of lenses (along with the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 and the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5). These lenses are of roughly the same size, weight and possess the same qualities.
Being of the same dimensions, the Sony G series might be a preferable lens series to use on gimbals or drones.
Theoretically, you could use the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H). It is of superior optical quality, and one can argue you get a longer reach with just one lens. However, for gimbals, the downsides are: heavier weight, and the lens extends as you zoom, which force you to rebalance the system.
With these new lenses, you can switch the lens and keep shooting. Hopefully, Sony might release more focal lengths but for now it’s a tough call.
Here’s a resolution comparison:
They 24mm f/2.8 G seems to be sharper, but at f/2.8 so will the GM!
For those who need f/1.4 and GM quality, there is no doubt which is the better lens. You get what you pay for.
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The focal length is 28mm. This is considered wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for long shots and wide shots.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/2 and the minimum aperture is f/22.
The lens is missing an aperture ring.
Having f/2 is great for low light. Most people will use it at f/2 or even f/2.8 for the purpose of getting optimum sharpness, and to get soft, out of focus backgrounds.
The Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) has 9 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Amazon, B&H) is sharp enough in the centre and has a dip towards the end. The lens shows its age with this optical design.
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh won’t be as smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off keeping it at f/2 or even stopping down to f/2.8 for best results.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance differs when in autofocus mode and when in manual focus mode. If you choose to use autofocus, then your closest focusing distance will be 29cm or 0.96 feet, but if you use manual focus then your closest focusing distance will be 25cm or 0.82 feet.
This will allow you to get some great close up shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have OSS. This is a disappointment, because that would have made it a lot better than its competitors. Using it with the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III can provide it with some image stabilization.
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Sadly, it does not have the option to switch from fly by wire to focus by wire.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
The exclusion of fly by wire manual focus system will turn away many cinematographers away from this lens.
Autofocus system
Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. They claim the new AF actuators are three times better than the previous autofocusing systems. There is no switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus. You will have to go into the in-camera menu to make any adjustments.
A precision linear actuator built into the lens drives the focusing mechanism smoothly and quietly, and inner focus means that the lens does not extend while focusing. Quiet operation and stable handling are significant advantages when shooting movies.
Sony
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 49mm. This is an uncommon filter diameter. You might be well served to buy a larger filter and use a step-up ring.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 9 elements in 8 groups, including one AA (advanced aspherical), two aspherical elements and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 60mm and a length of 64mm. It weighs around 200 grams. It is pretty light for its class and lens construction.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that all its lenses are weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
This is not a G Master series lens and we cannot expect it to perform like one.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Hood (ALC-SH112)
The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens. I’d keep it on unless you have good reason not to.
Converter Compatibility
The Sony FE 28mm f/2 is compatible with two converters which enables it to widen its field of view:
- Ultra Wide Converter (Amazon, B&H): This will convert the 28mm lens to a 21mm lens making it an ultra wide lens. Your maximum aperture will go down to f/2.8.
- Fish Eye Converter (Amazon, B&H): This will convert the 28mm lens to a 16mm lens making it a fish eye lens. Your maximum aperture will go down to f/3.5.
To be honest these are fun adapters but for serious work you’re better off buying better lenses for the extra cost.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens
Honestly, the Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Amazon, B&H) does not have an exact alternative because of its peculiar focal length and aperture. The closest alternatives are:
- Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) – Bigger aperture, more blades, will burn a hole in your waller, heavier and bigger, better optical performance, GM series lens.
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) – Variety of focal range, smaller aperture, but not really apples to apples.
- Cheaper alternative: Sony 24mm f/2.8 G (Amazon, B&H) – Cheaper, lighter, fly by wire lens with a smaller aperture.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
