South Korean Alpha Professional OlivePage puts the lightest full-frame F4 ultra-wide-angle SELP1635G lens to the test.
Hailing from South Korea and based in Singapore, OlivePage is an Alpha Professional and lens reviewer who specialises in portrait, landscape and nature photography. He has published a book on flower photography and was the editor of a photography magazine.
The FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G (SELP1635G) is the successor to the FE 16-35mm F4 ZA (SEL1635Z).
This lens introduces a unique power zoom technology and inner zoom mechanism, ensuring a consistent appearance even when you zoom in. It's also remarkably compact and lightweight. The XD Linear Motors elevates its autofocus (AF) performance, making it one of the best choices available for photography and videography today.
Focal Length
Alpha 1 | FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G | 16mm | F8 | 1/1600s | ISO 100
- Focal length: 16-35mm
- Angle of view (35mm): 107°- 63°
- Max. magnification ratio (X): 0.23
- Min. focus distance: 0.28-0.4m
Ultra wide-angle zoom lenses can tell many stories at once. They reveal facets of a photo that often go unnoticed by the naked eye, adding depth and grandeur to the scene.
Take a look at the photo above. The geometric floor tiles in the foreground draw the viewer's eye into the scene. As your gaze follows this, it leads to a woman praying at a shrine. The colourful temple makes you feel like you've travelled back in time. Yet, the backdrop is a bustling cityscape set against a canvas of sheep's wool-like clouds in a deep blue sky. This photo is a captivating visual treasure hunt.
Aperture
Alpha 7 IV | FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G | 16mm | F16 | 1/30s | ISO 125
- Aperture: F4~22
- Aperture blade: 9 (Circular type)
The aperture remains constant at F4-22 across all focal lengths. While an aperture of F4 may not be exceptionally bright, it should be sufficient for more scenarios, especially when using this lens for landscape photography.
Motor
- Motor Type: XD Linear
- Number of motors: 6
- Linear Response MF: Yes
The four XD Linear Motors ensure extremely precise, fast, and quiet autofocusing in both photos and videos. The two XD Linear Motors smoothly and quickly drive the power zoom.
Size and Weight
- Dimensions: 80.5 x 88.1mm
- Weight: 353g
- Filter diameter: 72mm
At just 353g, you can take the SELP1635G lens everywhere you go.
Design and Build
This small lens boasts a myriad of features. It includes a focus ring, a zoom ring, an electronically controlled zoom lever, a lock focus button, and an AF/MF switch. Positioned behind these controls is the aperture ring. It's a highly intuitive lens with many controls catering to beginners and professionals, making it a joy to use.
On the opposite side of the lens, you'll find the IRIS Lock switch, which securely locks the aperture between [A] to [22], and the Click On/Off switch, which controls the aperture click.
The lens has a 72mm filter thread.
The lens mount has a great build quality.
Like the lens itself, the hood is designed to be compact and lightweight. This ensures comfortable handling even when stored in a bag.
The SELP1635G mounted on Alpha 7R V.
Now, let's embark on a journey with this remarkable lens.
Samples and Tips
Ultra-wide expression
Alpha 1 | FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G | 16mm | F11 | 1/640s | ISO 100
Ultra-wide-angle lenses have an exaggerated sense of perspective, causing subjects closer to appear larger while those at a distance seem smaller.
Alpha 1 | FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G | 16mm | F8 | 1/200s | ISO 100
A nice trick is to depict vanishing points resulting from perspective. Try positioning the road's endpoint in the centre of the frame and visualise the radial lines extending from it.
Alpha 1 | FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G | 16mm | F14 | 1/2500s | ISO 100
It's actually a handrail alongside a staircase, but it gives the illusion of a massive pipeline. This is precisely the type of image that ultra-wide-angle lenses excel at capturing.
Fighting against the Sun
Alpha 1 | FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G | 16mm | F14 | 1/2500s | ISO 100
When photographing the sky with an ultra-wide-angle lens, it usually picks up the Sun. The SELP1635G has low flare, eliminating the need to steer clear of the sun.
Alpha 1 | FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G | 16mm | F16 | 1/60s | ISO 100
The sky is heavily overcast, with the sun directly in view. Such scenes can easily evoke a sense of gloom, yet they also offer a dramatic opportunity. To add depth to the composition, I positioned a steel bridge in the foreground and captured the sun framed against the distant buildings.
Wide-angle close-ups
Alpha 1 | FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G | 33mm | F4 | 1/80s | ISO 500
The SELP1635G demonstrates a decent level of close-up performance, with a magnification of 0.23x. Additionally, its 9-element circular aperture design ensures a creamy background blur.
Night travel
Alpha 1 | FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G | 35mm | F11 | 13s | ISO 100
Photographing cityscapes at night is one of my favourite genres. Even the same place undergoes a dramatic transformation after dark, especially when employing long shutter speeds to capture light trails of cars passing through the city. I highly recommend a portable tripod to capture night scenes effectively.
Night cityscapes can be more vibrant than you might expect. I recommend shooting in RAW format, followed by post-processing. Sony cameras, in particular, can capture a wide range of information, from shadows to highlights. By using dedicated software for retouching, you can enhance the brilliance of your cityscape photographs even further.
Discover new perspectives with the SELP1635G lens, the ultimate ultra-wide-angle power zoom lens for photographers of all skill levels. Its compact, lightweight design offers versatility, enabling you to explore a wide range of genres, from capturing stunning landscapes to embarking on exciting travel and street photography adventures.
