Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM

Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM

As far as APS-C cameras are concerned this is more of a wideangle zoom than an ultra-wideangle model but it offers full-frame coverage and in that sense its range is directly comparable with that of a 12-24mm zoom on an APS-C body. It also has a fixed f/2.8 maximum aperture that sets it apart from the crowd. Although the lens shares the same uniformly cylindrical form as its 11-18mm stable-mate the same drawbacks do not apply to the 16-35mm lens. In particular, the rearward zoom ring falls readily to hand and the manual-focusing ring does not rotate during AF operation. Equally importantly, the manual-focusing ring can be used at any time (except in AF-C mode) and exhibits just the right amount of resistance for quick and reliable use. Automatic focusing is also quick, quiet and reliable. Although the lens is fairly big and heavy, so might not be best suited to a long hike, these characteristics give it a very solid feel. It has also been nicely thought-out, with a focus-lock button provided on the left side of the lens (seen from behind) just where the user's left thumb would normally fall.