Sony FE 16-35mm F/2.8 GM [SEL1635GM]
Wide-angle zoom lens • Digital era
- Announced:
- · May 2017
- Production status:
- ● In production
- Country of design:
- · Japan
- Original name:
- · SONY FE 2.8/16-35 GM
- Class:
- · Fast full-frame wide-angle zoom lens
- · Professional model (Top class)
- · Part of the Holy Trinity of lenses
- · Travellers' choice
- System:
- · Sony E (2013)
Abbreviations
FE | The lens is designed for Sony 35mm digital mirrorless cameras but can be also used on APS-C digital mirrorless cameras. |
GM | Professional lens with high quality optics and robust build. Meets the highest standards and provides excellent performance and flawless image quality unachievable with traditional optical technologies. |
Model history (2)
■Sony FE 16-35mm F/2.8 GM [SEL1635GM] | A | 16 - 13 | 0.28m | ⌀82 | 2017 ● | |
■Sony FE 16-35mm F/2.8 GM II [SEL1635GM2] | A | 15 - 12 | 0.22m | ⌀82 | 2023 ● |
Specification
Optical design: | |
35mm full frame | |
16mm - 35mm [2.2X zoom ratio] | |
F/2.8 across the focal length range | |
16 elements in 13 groups | |
2 XA, 3 ASPH, 2 ED | |
Internal focusing (IF) | |
Floating element system | |
Sony E | |
107° @ 16mm - 63.4° @ 35mm (35mm full frame) | |
On Sony NEX/a/ZV APS-C [1.53x] cameras: | |
35mm equivalent focal length range: | 24.5mm - 53.6mm (in terms of field of view) |
35mm equivalent speed range: | F/4.3 (in terms of depth of field) |
Diagonal angle of view: | 82.9° @ 16mm - 44° @ 35mm |
Diaphragm mechanism: | |
Diaphragm type: | Automatic |
Aperture control: | None; the aperture is controlled from the camera |
11 (eleven) | |
Zooming: | |
Zoom mechanism: | Manual |
Zoom control: | Zoom ring |
Zoom type: | Rotary |
Zooming method: | Extends while zooming |
Focusing: | |
0.28m | |
1:5.26 @ 35mm | |
Focusing modes: | Autofocus (AF), Manual focus (MF) |
Autofocus motor: | Dual Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave Motor |
Manual focus control: | Focusing ring |
Focus mode selector: | AF - MF |
Direct Manual Focus (DMF): | Determined by the camera |
Optical SteadyShot (OSS): | |
- | |
Physical characteristics: | |
680g | |
⌀88.5×121.6mm | |
Dust-proof and water-resistant barrel | |
Yes | |
Accessories: | |
Screw-type 82mm | |
ALC-SH149 - Bayonet-type petal-shaped | |
Not compatible |
Source of data
- Manufacturer's technical data.
Manufacturer description #1
Sony Introduces Two New Wide-Angle Full-Frame E-Mount Lenses
Sony Electronics - 05/17/2017
SAN DIEGO, May 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world's largest image sensor manufacturer, has today announced two new additions to their growing lineup of full-frame E-mount lenses.
The new lenses include the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM large aperture wide-angle zoom lens (model SEL1635GM) and the FE 12-24mm F4 G ultra wide-angle zoom lens (model SEL1224G). The FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM lens brings the incredible high-resolution and beautiful bokeh of Sony's flagship G Master series to a wide 16-35mm focal length for exceptional landscapes, cityscapes, portraits and more, while the 12-24mm F4 G, Sony's widest full-frame E-mount lens to date, offers a dynamic new perspective for all Sony E-mount shooters. In total, Sony's full-frame E-mount lens lineup now covers from ultra-wide 12mm to super-telephoto 800mm (with teleconverter) focal length range.
New FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
The new FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM wide-angle zoom joins the acclaimed FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS to round out Sony's lineup of F2.8 large aperture zoom lenses. Equipped with a variety of Sony's most advanced lens technologies, it is the first wide-angle G Master model, making it ideal for an extensive variety of shooting situations - landscapes, architecture, close up portraits, sports, action and much more. It is also exceptionally lightweight and compact, maximizing portability and usability.
The new lens features exceptional corner-to-corner sharpness, with an optical design that includes five aspherical elements, two of which are Sony's original XA (extreme aspherical) elements that reduce aberration and delivers the ultimate resolution throughout the entire zoom and aperture range. The front XA element on the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM is the largest XA element ever produced, ensuring optimum quality. Additionally, two ED (Extra-low-Dispersion) glass elements keep chromatic aberration to a minimum while maximizing resolution, and Sony's original Nano AR coating suppresses internal reflections to ensure excellent image contrast and clarity.
The lens features a near circular aperture shape at all settings, and the combination of the aforementioned XA element with its 11 blade aperture design produces images with sharply focused subjects and beautifully defocused backgrounds or "bokeh". It also has two DDSSMs (Direct Drive SSM) that compose a floating focusing system and ensure that AF acquisition is speedy and quiet, making it an ideal choice for shooting still images as well as movies.
The FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM is also dust and moisture resistant1, has a fluorine coating on the front lens that helps to both prevent dust or grease marks and remove them easily if they do become a trouble. There is also a customizable focus hold button and a hood release button.
Manufacturer description #2
The first wide-angle G Master zoom lens offers performance that will take full advantage of the high-resolution potential of the latest and future camera bodies. The most advanced Sony optical and mechanical technologies come together to deliver extraordinary rendering and clarity.
Uncompromised optical design achieves extremely high resolution and contrast. Landscapes, architecture, interiors, and other expansive subjects are captured with outstanding corner-to-corner sharpness. Aspherical elements minimize distortion, while ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements effectively control chromatic aberration.
This lens features two Sony XA (extreme aspherical) elements with 0.01 micron surface precision. Distortion that tends to occur in wide-angle zoom lenses is meticulously controlled, as are astigmatism and field curvature. Unattractive onion-ring bokeh is effectively suppressed by XA (extreme aspherical) elements so that smooth, beautiful bokeh is achieved in out-of-focus areas.
Shooting up close at F2.8 can produce some extraordinary background bokeh. Use this capability to shoot portraits, for example, with dynamic, painterly backgrounds consisting of smooth, expressive bokeh that makes the subject stand out clearly.
Consistently high resolution is achieved from infinity to the closest focusing distance. This lens employs a floating focus mechanism with two independently driven lens groups. This system helps to reduce all types of aberration to minimum levels and thereby maintain sharp, high-resolution rendering from infinity focus for landscapes, for example, all the way down to close focus for portraits and similar subjects.
Class-leading size and weight reductions have been achieved while maintaining outstanding optical performance. This lens is an ideal match for compact E-mount bodies, providing a portable, manageable system that's easy to take along on hiking or mountaineering photo excursions.
Two DDSSM (Direct Drive SSM) systems employing original Sony piezoelectric motors directly drive two focus groups in a floating focus configuration. The focus groups are positioned with high precision for the highest possible focus accuracy. DDSSM is quiet too, making it ideal for shooting movies as well as stills.
Sony's original 11-blade circular aperture contributes to even greater bokeh quality. Design and materials have been revised to maintain a round shape, and strict circularity standards are applied to ensure that the full beauty of the lens's bokeh is achieved without compromise.
The lens's front element features a fluorine coating that helps to prevent fingerprints on the lens and stop dirt from sticking, and makes it easier to wipe away any dirt and fingerprints that do appear on the lens surface.
A focus hold button, manual focus ring, AF/MF switch, and other controls provide versatile fingertip operation. The focus hold button can be customized via a body menu that allows a variety of functions to be assigned to the button to match the user's needs.
The overall design of this lens is dust and moisture resistant for extra protection and reliable operation in challenging environments. Shoot with confidence in light rain or windy conditions.3
Compared to other wide-angle zoom lenses in the Sony E system
- Largest filter size (82mm), along with the Sony FE 16-35/2.8 GM II
Other wide-angle zoom lenses in the Sony E system
■Sony E mount (6) | |||||||||
Sony FE 12-24mm F/4 G [SEL1224G] | Pro | 2017 ● | compare | 2 | 5 | ||||
Sony FE 12-24mm F/2.8 GM [SEL1224GM] | Pro | 2020 ● | compare | 2 | 4 | ||||
Sony FE 16-25mm F/2.8 G [SEL1625G] • ⌀67 | Pro | 2024 ● | compare | 3 | 2 | ||||
Sony FE ZEISS Vario-Tessar T* 16-35mm F/4 ZA OSS [SEL1635Z] • ⌀72 | Pro | 2014 ● | compare | 2 | 2 | ||||
Sony FE 16-35mm F/4 G PZ [SELP1635G] • ⌀72 | Pro | 2022 ● | compare | 4 | 2 | ||||
Sony FE 16-35mm F/2.8 GM II [SEL1635GM2] • ⌀82 | Pro | 2023 ● | compare | 0 | 0 |