Sony has added a new lens for full-frame shooters to include in their kit bag but the question is.. who is for and what is its best use case? Those answers later but first, let’s check out this new Sony glass.
The FE 24-50mm f/2.8 is a compact, lightweight standard zoom lens with a wide maximum aperture of f/2.8 through the entire zoom range. This isn’t a G-Master lens but it’s very good from all sample images I’ve seen. But is it good value at A$1,999 RRP when the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens is currently going for a great price – A$2,399?
Personally I’d be trying find the extra $400 for the GM II but I think the compact nature of this lens may better suit travelling shooters using one of the various A7C bodies. The lens has a filter diameter φ67 mm, maximum diameter 74.8 mm, length 92.3 mm, weight approximately
440g.
KEY SPECS
- Customisable focus, hold button, aperture ring, aperture click ON/OFF switch, and focus mode switch.
- Filter diameter of φ67 mm, maximum diameter 74.8 mm, length 92.3 mm, weight approximately 440 g.
- Four aspherical lenses and two pieces of ED (Extra low Dispersion) glass
- 11-blade circular aperture providing beautiful, soft and smooth bokeh
- Minimum shooting distance of 0.19 m (AF) at wide-end and a maximum magnification of 0.30 x (AF)
- Supports in-body Active Mode image stabilisation for steady shooting
- Compatible with camera focus breathing compensation
The FE 24-50mm F2.8 G uses an 11-blade circular aperture which produces decent but not great bokeh.
Of course you get all the outstanding Sony autofocus benefits. The FE 24-50mm F2.8 G uses two linear motors for fast, accurate and quiet focusing. It also supports high speed continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking of up to 120 frames per second for the full-frame mirrorless camera Alpha 9 III.
VIDEO
AF tracking is available for high frame rate 4K 120p or FHD 240p movie recording. The lens also supports in-body Active Mode image stabilisation. It’s also compatible with the focus breathing compensation when paired with a compatible body. This is needed by the way, so I would strongly recommend you have a camera body that has breathing compensation in the menu.
The FE 24-50mm F2.8 G has a customisable focus hold button, aperture ring, aperture click ON/OFF switch and focus mode switch. It’s dust and moisture proof with a fluorine coating which prevents dirt from sticking to the front surface of the lens.
USES
The FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is a fantastic lightweight lens perfect for travel photography. It’s also suited to street and portrait photography – especially in low light. It’s f/2.8 all the way and that is ideal for weddings that go into the night. I’d also give it a go with some landscape photography. And I’d reckon it’s a great gimbal lens for video.
Availability & Price
The new FE 24-50mm F2.8 G will be available in Australia from April 2024 for SRP: A$1,999.
