Sony launches video-ready wide-angle lens
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Sony launches video-ready wide-angle lens

David Lee
21.3.2022
Translation: machine translated

Sony's new 16-35mm lens is best equipped for video recording. Of course, it is also suitable for photography. I tried it out briefly.

In recent years, mirrorless system cameras have improved significantly, especially in the video area. However, to fully benefit from this performance, you also need the right lenses. The Sony 16-35mm f/4.0 FE PZ is one such lens.

With an open aperture of f/4, the lens is not particularly fast. On the other hand, it only measures a good 88 millimeters and weighs only 353 grams. By comparison, the 16-35mm lens with f/2.8 weighs 680 grams, and Canon's counterpart weighs 840 grams.

Sony's previous 16-35mm with F/4 is also heavier, and it also lacks the features that are important for video recording.

Zoom suitable for video

The zoom is conspicuously unobtrusive. It is motor-driven, which allows regular movements in videos. The special feature here is that the XD linear motors work almost silently. They use the same technology as Sony's silent focus motors. When I tried it out, I first thought that the zoom didn't work. Because not only was there nothing to hear, there was nothing to see. The lens does not extend - the optical elements move inside the body. The following video shows a zoom movement - what can be heard I recorded with the camera microphone.

Of course, it is also possible to zoom manually. The zoom ring is the larger of the two rings. The fact that the rings are right next to each other takes a bit of getting used to - I missed a few times. After a short time, though, I became master of the rings.

Von links nach rechts: Blendenring, Zoomring, Fokusring. Die Blende lässt sich mit dem Click-Schalter auf stufenlos stellen. Iris Lock sperrt den Wechsel von oder zu automatischer Blende.
Von links nach rechts: Blendenring, Zoomring, Fokusring. Die Blende lässt sich mit dem Click-Schalter auf stufenlos stellen. Iris Lock sperrt den Wechsel von oder zu automatischer Blende.

Focus and aperture

The autofocus also works quickly and silently. The ring for this goes easily, but not too easily. It rotates independently of the rotation speed - in other words, a quarter turn always changes the focus the same.

Sony has made focus breathing disappear on this lens. In other words, the framing doesn't change when the focus changes. This is also important, especially when shooting video.

The third ring in the bunch is the aperture ring. Here, the click stop can be switched off, as with many newer Sony lenses. This allows for stepless aperture changes when shooting video. Another button called Iris Lock prevents the aperture ring from being unintentionally changed from automatic to manual or vice versa.

Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G (Sony E, full size)
1299,–

Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G

Sony E, full size

Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G (Sony E, full size)
Lenses
1299,–

Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G

Sony E, full size

The lens is expected to be available from the beginning of May 2022.

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My interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.


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