The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (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 Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS 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.
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- TLDR;
- Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM vs Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS is a great wide to normal focal length lens.
- 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 has OSS, and you will get combined 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
- Architectural work and landscapes
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM vs Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS
| Lens | Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM | Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS |
| Filter Thread | 82mm | 72mm |
| Size | 88.5mm x 121.6mm | 78mm x 98.5mm |
| Weight | 680g | 518g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.28m / 0.92ft | 0.28m / 0.92ft |
| Max. Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Image Stabilization | None | OSS |
| Aperture Blades | 11 blades | 7 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 107°–63° | 107°–63° |
| Price | $2,098 | $1,098 |
The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is bigger and heavier compared to the the Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) lens.
The Vario-Tessar variant only opens up to f/4 and has 7 blades. Theoretically, the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM should give you a better, creamier bokeh with its 11 blades aperture and an extra stop of light. On the other hand the Vario-Tessar version does have Optical SteadyShot in built.
Here’s a resolution comparison:
While the Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 might seem sharper but at f/4 so will the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, at f/4.
For those who need f/2.8 and GM quality, there is no doubt which is the better lens. You get what you pay for.
Features
Coverage
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (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 16mm. This is considered wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 35mm. This is considered normal on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for long shots and wide shots.
Aperture
The constant maximum aperture is f/4 and the minimum aperture is f/22.
Having f/4 is good enough for low light. Most people will use it at f/4 for the purpose of getting optimum sharpness. Pairing this with Sony’s imaging sensor, low light shoots should not be a hassle.
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) has 7 circular diaphragm blades. You can’t expect the best bokeh. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) is sharp enough in the center and has a steady decline in quality towards the end at 16mm f/4.
While at 35mm f/4 the falloff is much worse. This lens shows its age here.
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 stopping down to f/5.6 to f/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 is 0.28 meters or 0.92 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 Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) lens does have OSS. This makes it a huge advantage for run and gun shoots. Using it with the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III can provide it with even better image stabilization. There has been no official claims of the image stabilization’s performance.
Built-in Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilisation compensates for camera shake that can blur images when shooting handheld. Sharp, clear night scenes or indoor shots in dim lighting can be captured without the need to boost ISO sensitivity and risk increased noise.
Sony
Is it Parfocal?
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS is not a parfocal lens. To know what a parfocal lens is, check this out:
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Unfortunately, the 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS 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. However, no official claims have been made with regard to the Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS’s autofocus capabilities. There is no switch to switch from autofocus to manual focus on the lens body. You will have to go in menu to work that out. This will come off as a huge disadvantage to many videographers and cinematographers on the field.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring allows you to manually change the focal length from 16mm to 35mm and anywhere in between.
There is no zoom lock, unfortunately.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread of 72mm. This is the most popular large filter diameter.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 12 elements in 10 groups, including three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements, one large AA (advanced aspherical) lens.
Size and Weight
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 78.0 mm and a length of 98.5 mm. It weighs around 518 grams. It is pretty light for its class and lens construction.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that all their 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 GM or a G series lens and we can only expect so much out of it.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Lens hood (ALC-SH134: petal shape, bayonet type)
- Lens front cap
- Lens rear cap
- Case
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.
Alternatives to the Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) is a great wide angle lens. The only alternative is the expensive Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H). It’s a heavier lens with a wider aperture, but no OSS.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35 mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
