The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm 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 24-70mm 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.
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM vs Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70 mm f/4 ZA OSS vs Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS is a great wide to telephoto focal length lens.
- The f/4 aperture is manageable 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 smoother, better bokeh.
- The lens does have 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
- Short Filmmaking
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM vs Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS vs Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
| Lens | Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM | Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS | Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art |
| Filter Thread | 82mm | 67mm | 82mm |
| Size | 87.6mm x 136mm | 73mm x 94.5mm | 87.8mm × 124.9mm |
| Weight | 886g | 426g | 830g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.38m / 1.24ft | 0.4m / 1.32ft | 0.18-0.38m / 0.59-1.24ft |
| Max. Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/22 | f/22 |
| Image Stabilization | None | OSS | None |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 7 blades | 11 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 84°-34° | 84°-34° | 84°-34° |
| Price | $2,198 | $698 | $1,099 |
The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is the biggest and heaviest of them all.
The Vario-Tessar variant only opens up to f/4 and has 7 blades, theoretically, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art 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. The Sigma also has a closer focusing distance, compared to the other two.
Here’s a resolution comparison:
The FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM has better performance than the Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 has a much quicker falloff than the rest.
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. It is advisable to test at least the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art before making a decision.
Features
Coverage
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm 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 24mm. This is considered wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 70mm. This is considered telephoto 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
The constant maximum aperture is f4 and the minimum aperture is f/22.
Having f/4 is manageable for low light. Especially when you pair it with Sony’s imaging sensors with high ISOs. However, you will not get the softest backgrounds at this small of a maximum aperture.
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) has 7 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 Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) is sharp enough in the center and stays pretty consistent in quality towards the end at 24mm f/2.8.
While at 70mm f/2.8 the MTF chart shows a dip towards the end, this was not so apparent at 24mm f/2.8.
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/3.5 or f/4 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 0.4 meters or 1.32 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 24-70mm 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 24-70mm 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 24-70mm 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 Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm 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. They claim that their new focus system are much 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 inside the in-camera menu to change that.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring allows you to manually change the focal length from 24mm to 70mm and anywhere in between. Being of telescopic design, the lens does extend at least a couple of inches at 70mm.
There is no zoom lock, unfortunately.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread of 67mm. This is an uncommon 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 one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element and six aspherical lenses.
Size and Weight
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 73.0 mm and a length of 94.5 mm. It weighs around 426 grams. It is pretty light for its class and lens construction. It is much lighter than the GM version.
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 G Master series lens and we cannot expect it to perform as such. The Vario-Tessar series is an old series and will perform accordingly.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Lens hood (ALC-SH130: 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 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) is a great wide to telephoto angle lens. The only alternatives are:
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) – Bigger aperture, no in-built stabilization, more blades, expensive, heavier, bigger,
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H) – Bigger aperture, More blades, expensive, heavier.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
