Sony FE 28mm f/2, featherweight wonder

November 23, 2018

When I purchased an a7III to dip my toes into the Sony FE world, I decided that I needed a native lens to go with it. I’m a prime guy, and if I’m going to have one lens, it’s going to be a wide to normal length prime. The 28 f/2 seemed like a reasonable candidate to get me by, while I contemplated switching systems and pondered the world of FE lenses.

Coming from Canon EF primes, the 28 feels feather light. It’s really incredible, and on the camera it’s barely noticeable in terms of weight. I quickly found that this freed me up to shoot in ways that I rarely would or could before. The 28 f/2 combines with the a7III for a system that allows one to shoot from the hip with the flick of the wrist. The combo is super light, and the autofocus system can keep up with just about anything I could find to test it on.

Thoughts on the Sony FE 24mm f1.4 GM

November 10, 2018

The newly released Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM is creating quite a buzz. It’s been called a unicorn. It’s being compared to the Loxia 25mm f/2.4 and the Batis 25mm f/2…solid company indeed. While I think it can be valuable to delve into detailed optical comparisons (and justifiable at this price point), the 24 GM stands out to me from a practical standpoint and that is what I want to focus on here.

I’ve been shooting with the Sony a7III for a few months now, and I’m dipping my toes slowly into the FE lens universe. The first native FE lens that I purchased was the diminutive and impressive Sony 28mm f/2. The 28/2 is extremely small and lightweight, very sharp, and has excellent autofocus performance. It’s a very appealing lens for a hybrid (photo/video) shooter, anyone who does gimbal work, street shooters, or anyone who wants a very lightweight kit or low profile. Great little lens. All of that said, I found myself spending much more time with the Zeiss 55 f/1.8. As impressive and versatile as the 28/2 is, I just wasn’t consistently thrilled with my images from it. I had previously owned the lovely Canon 24mm f/1.4L, and maybe I was missing the extra stop, or the wider field of view, the shorter minimum focus distance, all of the above? It’s as if Sony could read my mind…enter the 24 GM.

Langly Multi Camera Pack Review

October 14, 2016

Langly is a company founded on the idea that form can meet function in camera bag design. While the early Alpha and Delta models were certainly great looking bags, in my opinion, they leaned a little too hard on form and had some functional problems that kept them out of my consideration. The Multi Camera Pack tilts the scale back towards an almost seamless balance of form and function. It’s a workhorse bag that is aimed at professional and serious amateur photographers that need to carry a hefty amount of gear in a bag that scores highly on access to gear and convenience in use, but is not without its flaws.

Doby Watson, ZXO, Kevin Hambrick @ CS3 - 10/21/14

November 15, 2014

Full set available here.

Water Liars, Either/Or, Aadia @ the Brass Rail - 10/19/14

November 15, 2014

Full set available here.