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Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS - Review / Test Report |
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Lens Reviews -
Sony Alpha (Full Format)
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Page 1 of 2
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published February 2017
Introduction
When it comes to publicity and excitement, we are usually talking about lenses such as the Zeiss 24-70mm f/4 OSS or Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM. However, in sheer sales volume, it is quite likely that the low-profile Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is first in line. It is often sold as part of a camera kit with the Sony A7 (II) but you can also buy it separately for around 450 US$/EUR. On eBay you can find white box variants for much less than that. However, even so - is it worth it? Technically the chances should be good because slow-speed lenses tend to be perform pretty well but the proof is, of course, in the pudding.
The build quality of the Sony lens is actually pretty decent. Most of the lens body is made of quality plastics based on a metal mount. Surprisingly Sony did also implement weather sealing. The broad, rubberized focus and zoom control rings operate smoothly. They are collecting dust like hell though (see the product images). In inner lens tube extends marginally towards the extreme ends of the zoom range. The shortest physical length is reached around the 45mm setting or so. A petal-shaped lens hood is provided.
The AF works pretty fast and silently. Manual focusing is performed “by-wire” thus you are driving the AF motor by turning the focus ring. We didn’t find any official efficiency figure for Sony’s Optical Steady-Shot (OSS) system but 3 f-stops should be realistic.
| Specifications |
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| Optical construction | 9 elements in 8 groups inc 3x aspherical and 1x ED element |
| Number of aperture blades | 7 (circular) |
| min. focus distance | 0.3-0.45m (1:5.3) |
| Dimensions (L x W) | 72.5.4x83mm |
| Weight | 295g |
| Filter size | 55mm |
| Hood | petal shaped, supplied |
| Other features | image stabilizer, weather sealing |
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