28 millimeter F/2.8 lens for the Z Mount system. I've had this lens for quite a while.
Been using it for various types of photography, but my main focus has
been at conventions taking photos of cosplayers. Basically like a higher quality snapshot lens.
It's been working out pretty nicely but I do have some thoughts on image quality and other aspects.
Let's go over the technical specifications of the 28 millimeter F/2.8 lens.
It is full frame capable. If you're using a DX aps-c size sensor-ed
camera you'll get a 53 degree field of view if you're using a full frame camera it is 75 degrees.
Maximum reproduction ratio of 0.2x. 9 lens elements in the lens with 8 groups.
Aperture range from F/2.8 to F/16. Has seven diaphragm blades that are rounded.
Does have their super integrated coating, but it is not an S-Type lens.
So it's on the lower end of their z-mount lenses. Has two STM Motors inside apparently,
which are stepping motors. It is very quiet.
I like that aspect of the lens so it's good with video situations.
However we can check that out and see what it looks like.
And also I did a test with focus breathing and the two lenses you can see the differences.
Does have a 52 millimeter filter thread on there which is a very common easy to find size.
Approximate dimensions of the lens 2.8 inches or 70 millimeters by 1.7 inches or 43 millimeters.
Another negative of this lens, if you want to consider a negative, this has a plastic mount...
You might be asking why would you get the 28 millimeter F/2.8 lens
compared to something like the kit lens, which is 24 to 50 millimeter F/4 to 6.3.
The big difference is here is the maximum aperture you're getting a benefit of f/2.8
compared to f/4.5 of the kit lens, and then that changes the shutter speed so 1/80th of
a second or 1/30th of a second. Or you can compensate with ISO.
Surprisingly in the center of the frame F/2.8 on the prime lens is very similar to the kit
lens at F/4.5 around that focal length. That's a nice benefit is that you still
get high quality at F/2.8 in the center of the frame at least.
Here you can see a nice benefit of the 28 millimeter F/2.8 to the
kit lens with those different apertures and the background point source lights.
Bokeh, whatever you want to call it. Much rounder larger better looking in
that background with the 28 millimeter. With both lenses at F/4.5 you can see
that the prime lens is not quite as rounded as the kit lens, so it looks
like there is some focus variation here I think. I think the prime lens here is slightly front
focused the kit lens is slightly back focused. Here are both lenses at F/5 for the aperture.
Ah, I think there's a little bit more detail in the prime lens than the kit lens at this aperture.
However there is a little bit more fringing as well on the prime lens.
You can clearly see the fringing on the prime lens.
Looking at the background point source lights the prime lens
actually is not as rounded as the kit lens here. This prime lens is not quite as good on edges as
that kit lens, which is not great... At F/8 they're very similar.
I think the prime lens cleans up a little bit better at F/8.
Nah, it still has more fringing on the edges... At F/8 the prime lens is definitely improving.
It's not quite as good at the edges of the frame as the kit lens.
You can see more color fringing although the kit lens there is definitely some as well.
Same situation here you can see there is a little bit higher quality at F/8 with the
kit lens compared to this F/2.8 prime lens. But you are getting the benefit of larger
aperture range and it's pretty compact... I guess I don't know...
My first test with this lens was outdoors just doing a
nature photo walk, see the results there... Even with F/2.8 you can get some pretty nice stuff
as long as you focus close enough to the camera. Consider the minimum Focus distance,
but the benefit is the internal focus. I really like that feature in lenses!
The sun star capabilities of this lens are not great even at F/16 you can see that there aren't
really strong lines coming out. I was not thrilled with this
first nature photo walk. Definitely could be better
however I think the main thing that I'm going to use this lens for is going to convention.
Taking photos of cosplayers. It's compact.. it's lightweight.. it's convenient!
The focal length is nice for that specific situation where I can get
full body photos of people.. closer photos.. and it just works out well.
Especially since a lot of the time they'll be around the center of the frame.
I really wish it was a little bit faster aperture...
I also use this lens at a Japanese garden. You can see it's good for snapshotsm
especially situations like this. Go to event.. it's convenience..
it's compact.. it's quiet.. works well! Of course you can use the kit lens,
but then you miss out on that large aperture range which I do think is a benefit.
Here's Anime Magic, you can get an idea of what I think this lens
is best for with these cosplay photos. So you can get full body photos of the
person. Get up closer it still looks pretty decent even though it's relatively wide angle.
Usually with conventions lighting is not the best, so I'm definitely going at the F/2.8
aperture most of the time. It's worked out well.
I don't need to care too much about the edges of the frame.
You know, where the person's face is going to be usually in a vertical photo works out nicely.
Definitely sufficient especially in these situations where I'm relying on the higher ISO
performance of the camera... optical quality is not going to be a huge consideration.
I also took this combination with 1.4 firmware to try out at another convention called c2e2.
Same situation it worked out well. I enjoyed using it!
The 28mm F/2.8 Z mount lens, I think it's an interesting option.
I think it's good for snapshots, documentary style photography, relatively wide angle on full frame.
For nature photography.. nature situations.. I'd say there are definitely a lot of better
options than this lens, but if cost is a large consideration you can at least check it out/
Because you can use smaller apertures and improve that optical quality from 2.8 to F/8.
Hope you enjoyed the video. I'm Scott of Photography Banzai, thanks!