SHOOTOUT: Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II vs Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO: Rare Pond, White Mountains

2023-11-08 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: apochromatic, Inyo National Forest, peak bagging, Sony, Sony FE, Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II, Sony Lenses, Voigtlander, Voigtlander FE, Voigtlander FE APO-Lanthar 35mm f/2 Aspherical, Voigtlander Lenses, White Mountains

This shootout from f/2 to f/11 pits the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II at 35mm against my reference lens, the Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar.

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II vs Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO: Rare Pond, White Mountains

Includes images from f/2 through f/11 at up to full camera resolution, plus crops.

Never in my 15 years of experience testing all manner of gear have I ever seen a zoom lens perform this poorly. It takes the “bad sample of the century” prize. F/11 has little effect! That Sony can ship this dumpster material to customers suggests a total lack of a quality control process. It’s so deliciously godawful that I’ve elected to show its results as a “reference lens” of another kind!

Wide Lenses for Sony mirrorless

Sony Mirrorless wish list • Deals on Sony

$2948 Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 FE GM IN STOCK in Lenses: Mirrorless

$1723 Sony 12-24mm f/4 FE G IN STOCK in Lenses: Mirrorless

$1548 Sony 14mm f/1.8 FE GM IN STOCK in Lenses: Mirrorless

$2248 Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 FE GM II Lens (Sony E) IN STOCK in Lenses: Mirrorless

$1848 Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 FE GM IN STOCK in Lenses: Mirrorless

$898 Sony 20mm f/1.8 FE G IN STOCK in Lenses: Mirrorless

$1348 Sony 24mm f/1.4 FE GM IN STOCK in Lenses: Mirrorless

f2.8 @ 1/2500 sec EFC shutter, ISO 100; 2023-10-27 14:43:13
Sony A7R V + Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II @ 35mm
ENV: White Mountains, altitude 11700 ft / 3566 m, 48°F / 8°C
RAW: Adobe Color, Enhance Details, LACA corrected, vignetting corrected, WB 5000°K tint 10, +20 Whites, +10 Clarity, AI Denoise 10

[low-res image for bot]