Sony AF 28 F2.8  reviews

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 3 

user: johnboy   review date: August-25-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 24-85
Minolta 50mm 1.7

price paid:

£100

positive:

Compact
Well build
Very good value

negative:

Flare!

comment:

What a great lens... well built, compact & great image quality. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer, I find sharpness to be very good even at f2.8. Flare is a problem though, the built in hood is useless and you need to be careful on sunny days, this is the only negative I can think of for what is a budget lens. The equivalent focal length of 42mm on my A200 is very useful and the camera handles beautifully, I haven't used anything else since I bought it 2 months ago!
I picked this up brand new for the bargain price of £100 so Im very happy!

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Karel   review date: August-22-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta zoom lenses and other 28 mm primes

positive:

Weight
Small size
Fast AF

negative:

Not that sharp below 5.6
Hood

comment:

I bought this lens a few weeks ago, new, from a major Sony dealer.
They could not tell me if this lens would work on a 7xi Minolta. I was not shure about the electronics but this lens is OK on an older camera.

I took a few rols with this lens, in combination with a 28-85. The colours look better on the fixed 28 mm: sort of warmer, better colours, better definition, less over saturation of blue and green etc. Contrast is better than a zoom, especially in the corners.

The coating of the glass is better, Sony did a good job on that.

If you keep the lens at f>5.6 the results are "prime". Below 5,6, you do not get the prime result (but with a 28 mm, stopping down usually isn't the problem).

The hood of this lens could be improved.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: touareg   review date: January-05-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sigma 105 f2.8
Minolta 50 f1.7

price paid:

260$ C (new)

positive:

Sharp, compact and inexpensive.

negative:

Flare control needs more attention when shooting in daylight.

comment:

A very nice little portrait lens for APS-C. Prone to flare when shooting outside. All around pretty good lens for the price.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: eggnogg   review date: July-24-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

price paid:

269 USD (new from so

positive:

small size
fast auto focus
sturdy feel
sharp

negative:

pricey
built in lens hood

comment:

This lens is great for city photography. The whole feel of the lens is sturdy and the grip has a better feel than the kit lenses. I actually fell on this lens going top speed on my skateboard and there is not a crack nor visible break.It just doesn't focus all the way down; completely my fault though. The pictures are sharp and the auto focus is fast. The only down side is the unnecessary built in lens hood that really does not reduce flare at all since it protrudes less than half an inch.

sharpness: 3 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: AsuAmo   review date: March-24-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony 18-250, Minolta 50/1.4, Sigma 30/1.4

positive:

Size, price

negative:

Soft, should be 1.4

comment:

The copy I had was as sharp as my 18-250 zoom lens and at 2.8 it's not fast for the prime. Returned on the next day.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: jaytee   review date: December-06-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony 18-70 Kit
Sony SAL 18-250 f3.5-6.3 DT
Tamron 28-75 f2.8 asp di
min,50mm f1.7 (old version)
min,35-70 f4 (old version)
min,28-100 f3.5-5.6 (RS)
Beercan
min,75-300 f4.5-5.6
min,28-105 f3.5-4.5

price paid:

210 new at sony

positive:

Sharpness
Size
Internal focusing
AF speed
Bokeh

negative:

a little too much plastic for my liking

comment:

This little lens is pretty nice. The sharpness is pretty good, even at f/2.8. The colour rendering is pretty nice, and it gives a good level of details. At f6 to f10 sharpness is superb.

Grate for indoor shooting and group shots

Anyway, for the price I've paid, I'm very happy. It's a good lens for evreyday pic's

This lens is the same size as minolta 50mm-f1.7 in highth and width.The hood is kind of useless but it does help,

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: MartinM   review date: June-03-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

20/2.8
24/2.8
24/2.8 RS
50/1.7

price paid:

160 CHF

positive:

Sharpness
Weight
Handling
Build
focal lenght on APS-C

negative:

no circular Aperture
no D Lens

comment:

Very nice built lens. I would not buy it new. Too expensiv. But had luck on ebay.

Fits perfectly with my lineup
20/2.8 | 28/2.8 | 35/2.0 | 50/1.4

The sharpness is, like all primes, excellent. The APS-C adjusted value of 42mm makes it ideal or indoor foto shootings. I'ld whish Sony makes a D lens. A pitty it has not circular aperture.

I definitely can recommend it.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: jmco   review date: February-01-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

KMinolta kit lens, KMinolta D lenses

price paid:

225 USD (new)

positive:

small
light
simple

negative:

none

comment:

Like all primes, this is such a nice lens. The images are sharper and just look better than zoom images. I like the smooth but very grippy rubber grip. I wish all lenses used the same grip rubber material.