I believe this is an all time low for this lens. You may be able to get Sony to price match, although maybe not since it's on back order.
A premium lens to be sure, but positive reviews. Alternatives to consider are Tamron / Samyang's 35-150mm f2-2.8, or canon's 28-70mm offering if you're not locked into a system. A prime (or two) may also be a better choice.
Agreed, love my Tamron. But this lens does have some advantages particularly in terms of weight! I couldn't justify the price for myself though.
TBH 28 vs 35mm isn’t much different for most people.
28mm is actually significantly wider than 35mm - if you shoot with primes on those focal lengths often, you can see quite significant differences in composition and the feeling of the shot.
That said, I think what's best depends on what other lenses you have - the Tamron 35-150mm is useful because it dovetails well with common 16-35mm wide-angle zooms, so it'll be more useful than something like a 24-70mm if you are carrying a wide-angle zoom. The trade-off is that as a singular lens, I think it's much less a useful focal length than a 24-70mm (or even this 28-70mm).
if you shoot with primes on those focal lengths often, you can see quite significant differences in composition and the feeling of the shot.
I think it's much less a useful focal length than a 24-70mm (or even this 28-70mm).
28mm feels like a crippled 35mm tbh. there's a reason why 35mm is the more popular focal length, along with 50mm.
If you're on Sony, you could get a smol 24mm to go with the 35-150mm. I had a 24-70mm once, most of the photos were shot between 35mm to 50mm lol.
I use the Viltrox 16mm and the 35-150mm.
I could get a 16-35 but I’ve already got 35mm covered by the 35-150 and the 35/1.2
The 14-24 would be alright but bulky filters.
All in all the 16mm/1.8 is sharp, light and works well indoors.
I know everyone’s needs are different but the Tamron covers me for most social and travel stuff.
When I really want to go wide I just pill out the 16mm.
Eventually If Sigma ever get their 12-24 up to a performance I can be happy with I might get it
jeez that kinda money buys some nice faster primes and an f4 zoom lens
Yeah but then I'd have to carry all of them…
Also potential downtime between shots swapping lenses or bodies… I've shot a concert before this was released using three bodies with a 50 1.4, 85 1.4 and 24-70 2.8. Would have much rather stuck this lens on one body and called it a day (with 2nd body acting more as a backup).
Got the F4 version and it's superb.
I just had the worst shopping experience with these guys. 6 weeks and sparse communication to get an order and it was eventually refunded. But I had to be at them constantly. Never again
![[Backorder] Sony 28-70mm F2.0 GM $3740.11 + $35.63 Fee + $9.90 Delivery @ Georges Cameras](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/90/896290.jpg?h=135fa8c3)
If you need F2.0 at 70mm otherwise the Tamron has twice the reach at almost 50% less. TBH 28 vs 35mm isn’t much different for most people. You won’t be winning any landscape competitions for wide angles, but it’s enough for scenes and groups