Sony 16-35mm GM reviews by Imaging Resource and Colby Brown

We have two reviews of the new 16-35mm lens:

Imaging Resource writes:

I was very impressed with the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 despite the limited time I had with it. On both the Sony A7R II and the A9 it focused extremely quickly and with pinpoint accuracy while delivering extremely sharp photos with beautiful bokeh. This is most certainly a lens to be excited about when it releases later this year.

Colby Brown writes:

After using the Sony 16-35 f/2.8 GM this summer in Iceland and finally getting my own copy just before I published this review, I think it is safe to say that Sony knocked it out of the park with this lens. In a relatively small light body, they managed to pack in a ton of optical quality into this lens. Not only it is incredibly sharp corner to corner, but the images that come out of this lens are simply gorgeous. Between the bokeh, contrast and texture detail…there is a lot to love.

Lens store links: [shopcountry 60804].

Sony 24-240mm FE lens review by Ken Rockwell: “forget about any fixed-focal length lenses, macro lenses, this lens replaces them all”

Ken Rockwell tested the Sony 24-240mm FE lens and the conclusion is:

Get one! This lens does everything. Even better, get this lens and simply forget about any fixed-focal length lenses, macro lenses, or anything like the 24-70/2.8 GM or 70-200/2.8 GM; this lens replaces them all.
Get the lens at [shopcountry 61423].

He also tested the 28mm FE lens:

This is a swell little fast wide lens for full-frame, and a swell fast normal lens on APS-C. It’s tiny, nearly weightless and works great. If you want a tiny fixed lens, here you go.
Get the lens at [shopcountry 61424].

Lensrentals 16-35mm GM review: “I expected greatness from this lens, and it delivered in spades in the images I got”

Lensrentals compared three Sony’s Ultra Wides: the Sony 16-35mm f/4 ZA, 16-35mm f/2.8 GM & 12-24mm f/4 G. They liked all three lenses:

“I cannot stress enough that we’re splitting hairs. These are all excellent lenses, and I would recommend them for different reasons to different people.”

But it’s the 16-35mm GM that really impressed them:

The Canon has been my go to since it came out, but I really believe that the Sony bests it. Sharpness? Check. Contrast? Check. Great color? Check. Check. Check. It checks all the boxes. It should go without saying at this point, but I expected greatness from this lens, and it delivered in spades in the images I got.

16-35mm GM at [shopcountry 60804]
12-24mm FE lens at [shopcountry 60805]
16-35mm Zeiss at [shopcountry 61400]

New Laowa 15mm f/2.0 FE lens review by Adrian Murray

Adrian Murray tested the brand new Laowa 15mm f/2.0 FE lens which you can preorder since this week at Venuslens.net (Click here). The conclusion:

If you’re a landscape, astro, or architecture photographer shooting with a full frame E-mount system then I would recommend this be on your radar. It delivers fine results in a small package and a fair price. If I had to guess I think a lot of you reading this are probably comparing this lens to Sigma’s 14mm offering. Sure, you lose autofocus, 1mm and 1/3 of a stop when compared to the new Sigma 14mm f/1.8. However, this lens was built for Sony E-mount cameras so you end up getting a more nimble design. Autofocus? Really? This is 15mm, do you honestly need that? You’re not likely going to be using this lens to shoot fast moving subjects. You also gain the more manageable front element. Oh, there’s also the tiny fact that this lens costs about half that of the Sigma Art. Not to mention the weight savings. The Sigma 14mm comes in at 2.57 pounds (1170 grams), not including the weight of the adaptor which you’ll need to use it on a Sony camera. That’s over twice the weight of Laowa’s option. Either way, the Laowa is a performer and fits nicely in my camera bag. 

Venus Optics also made available full size image samples via Dropbox

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Reminder: No brainer deal alert! You get the brand new Rokinon 35mm f/2.8 FE autofocus lens for $299 only at BHphoto (Click here).