Introduction

When Sony first showed an array of new FE lenses to fit its Alpha 7 series of full-frame compact system cameras in January, our attention was perhaps understandably drawn to the big guns – particularly, the fast 35mm f/1.4 and the 90mm f/2.8 macro.

In comparison, the more modest FE 28mm f/2 wideangle optic slipped slightly under the radar – even with its dedicated bayonet-mount ultra-wide and fisheye converters. But after a couple of weeks shooting with it, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s worthy of rather more serious consideration.

At around £400, the 28mm f/2 is the least expensive FE lens. Sony calls it an excellent choice as a second lens to supplement a kit zoom, but I’m not quite so sure – personally, I’d suggest the 55mm f/1.8 as a better general-purpose option. Instead, as a fairly fast wideangle prime, it’s an interesting choice for low-light shooting of landscapes, interiors and the like.

The 28mm f/2 (left) with the fisheye (centre) and ultra wide converter (right)

More interestingly, with its matched converters the 28mm becomes three lenses in one. Add the £220 (SEL075UWC) Ultra Wide Converter and you get a 21mm f/2.8, and with the £280 (SEL057FEC) Fisheye converter you get a 16mm f/3.5 fisheye with a 180° diagonal angle of view.

In effect, you get three lenses for the same price as the FE 24-70mm f/4 OSS zoom alone. We’ll examine the converters in detail later in this article, but for now let’s take a closer look at the 28mm f/2 prime lens.