The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (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 28-60mm f/4-5.6 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.
Here’s an official video of Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6:
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS vs Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 vs Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 is a good enough wide to telephoto focal length kit lens.
- The f/4-5.6 variable maximum aperture is good enough for low light work.
- It’s small and lightweight for its lens class and construction, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
- 7 blade aperture for softer, better bokeh.
- The lens does not have OSS, but you will get some stabilization with a Sony a7S III or the Sony Alpha 1 that has IBIS.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wedding filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Gimbal use
- Short Filmmaking
Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS vs Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 vs Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary
| Lens | Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 | Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary |
| Filter Thread | 55mm | 40.5mm | 67mm |
| Size | 72.3mm x 83mm | 73mm x 94.5mm | 72.2mm×103.5mm |
| Weight | 295g | 167g | 470g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.3m-0.45m / 0.99-1.48ft | 0.3m-0.45m / 0.99-1.48ft | 0.19-0.38m / 0.59-1.24ft |
| Max. Aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | f/4-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22-36 | f/22 | f/22 |
| Image Stabilization | OSS | None | None |
| Aperture Blades | 7 blades | 7 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 75°–34° | 75–40° | 75°–34° |
| Price | $398 | $698 | $899 |
The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary (Amazon, B&H) is the biggest and heaviest of them all. The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 is the lightest of them all and could be the preferred lens for gimbal and handheld use.
The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary opens up to a constant f/2.8 and has a much closer minimum focusing distance by at least 10cm. The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN has 9 aperture blades which should, theoretically, give you a better bokeh.
However the Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS does have in built image stabilization which can make it a preferred lens for run and gun shoots.
Here’s a resolution comparison:
The FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 has the worst performance of them all. If money is not a problem for you, then you are better off with the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8. If you need that stabilization, then the FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is the lens for you.
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (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 minimum focal length is 28mm. This is considered wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 60mm. This is considered normal on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for long shots and wide shots. It also provides you the versatility to get up close to your subjects.
Aperture
At 28mm, the maximum aperture is f/4 and the minimum aperture is f/22.
At 60mm, the maximum aperture is f/5.6 and the minimum aperture is f/32. Below is how the aperture varies depending on the focal length you are using.
I cannot figure this out:
- 24-26mm – f/4.0
- 27-36mm – f/4.5
- 37-49mm – f/5.0
- 50-62mm – f/5.6
- 63-79mm – f/6.3
- 80-105mm – f/7.1
Not having a constant aperture can be crippling at times for video and cinematography. Imagine you’re covering a scene or event where the light doesn’t change. You cannot move quickly from wide to telephoto at a variable aperture without compensating for exposure. That’s a difference of almost 2 stops of light!
The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (Amazon, B&H) has 9 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (Amazon, B&H) is sharp enough in the center but has a steep falloff at 28mm f/3.5, this lens really shows it age.
While at 70mm f/5.6 the performance is much better than at 24mm f/3.5. Matching footage can be a problem.
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 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 is 0.3 meters or 0.99 feet at 28mm. At 60mm, the closest focusing distance is 0.45m or 1.48 feet. That’s nice for this focal length because you can use it for close ups as well as wide shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (Amazon, B&H) lens does not have OSS. This is a disappointment since the Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS has OSS, so it does not give you a lot of reasons to pick this lens.
Is it Parfocal?
The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 is not a parfocal lens. To know what a parfocal lens is, check this out:
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Unfortunately, the 28-60mm f/4-5.6 does not have Linear Manual focus or fly by wire focus set by default.
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.
This decision to exclude Linear MF in this lens by Sony can turn away many professional videographers and cinematographers.
Autofocus system
Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. Sony claims that their new AF actuators are much better than their previous ones. 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 settings.
A linear AF drive motor provides the fast and accurate AF performance required by the latest full-frame cameras. The quietness of the drive makes it well-suited to both still and movie shooting, while the speed and precision ensure maximum performance from camera AF functions such as Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF.
Sony
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring allows you to manually change the focal length from 28mm to 60mm and anywhere in between. Being of telescopic design, the lens does extend at least a couple of inches at 60mm.
There is no zoom lock, which will prevent the lens from extending while traveling.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread of 40.5mm. This is an uncommonly small filter diameter.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 8 elements in 7 groups, including aspherical lenses.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 66.6 mm and a length of 45 mm. It weighs around the length 167 grams. It is pretty light for its class and lens construction.
Weather resistance
Sony makes claim that the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 is weather and moisture resistant. However, this is not a GM series lens and you cannot rely on it as much as a GM lens.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Lens front cap: ALC-F405S
- Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
No hood, no case.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 Lens
The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (Amazon, B&H) is a poor lens for professional video work. The only alternative is the Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS (Amazon, B&H), but that fails too. It has a larger aperture in the wide end, greater telephoto reach, cheaper but with image stabilization.
If you need a good lens I recommend the Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Amazon, B&H).
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
