I really like mine but I did return my first copy. For me it is a dual purpose lens. Wide open is great for wide environmental portraits and low-light work (sharp central area, decent bokeh; you don't want people off center once you get this wide anyway). Stopped down my copy sharpens up nicely across the frame.
I may someday pick up a Zeiss or Samyang 35mm 2.8. The extra-small size would be nice for snapshots and the FE28 doesn't have the Zeiss colors (although it does have excellent flair resistance). IMO the FE28 is a great value.
Dj R wrote:
I replaced mine with the batis 25mm, which is actually 23mm.
it's not much bigger or heavier, a lot more expensive.
but cost is not a factor for me.
for me, 25mm and 55mm make a wonderful pairing, for when I want a small and light kit.
25 (23) is wide enough to be my widest prime. excellent indoor FL.
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the 28 is a fine lens for street/travel
for cost/weight it's great for the avg consumer.
I just wanted a little more.
Actually I got my 2/28mm is mainly due to my inability to choose between Batis 25 and ZF 25. ZF 25 (perhaps now Milvus 1.4/25mm) was what I really wanted for a while since I like MF WA prime. If I buy the Batis my "opportunity cost" would be the ZF 25 . The ZF has better coma, with hard stop infinity (still dislike focus-by-wire, although I recently find the 24-70GM MF is ok) and I wasn't so sure about leaving Nikon..
Another vote for the Sony 28/2. I love the rendering, and would be interested in a Sony FE 35/2 with the same look. On top of that, it's small, light, and cheap. It's got a special look, high contrast, yet very smooth. Love the in to out of focus transition for closer images. My main kit is 28/45/90. My main use for a 28mm is people, but it works for landscapes as well.
I've considered replacing it with the Batis 25/2 but have decided against it. Mostly because I like the images of the Sony more. If I was planning to only shoot landscapes and wasn't concerned about bokeh, I'd probably get the Batis if I was willing to spend the extra money.
It's worth noting that I'd actually prefer a manual focus lens. But I've not found any manual focus lens that comes close to what the Sony FE 28/2 gives me in terms of look, size, and price.
+1 for the 28/2. Great little lens. I went back and forth vs. the smaller Sony 35/2.8, but since I have the 55/1.8 I think the 28/2 is a better compliment to the 55. Like someone else mentioned, it's a great 2-lens kit, and shooting on an A7rII gives sharp results. I crop it down without hesitation.
Would you guys choose the Batis 25mm f2 or the Sony 28mm f2? money aside...The reviews I've read on these lenses is that they are very closely matched with a bit of a bump for the Batis due to a bit wider view but a big bump for the Sony due to the price and comparable performance.
I ordered a cheap (around Eur140) used 28 f2 because I want a pair for 50 F2 Air, and I'm quite curious about this lens. On Lenstip reviews it seems quite sharp, at least in compact range.
Peak resolution (centre-edges lpmm), according Lenstip:
28 2: 67-46 (f5.6)
24 2.8G: 72-41 (f4)
24 2DN: 68-55 (f5.6)
24 3.5DN: 58-45 (f8)
24 2.8 Sy: 50-41 (f8)
24 1.8 Sy: 62-53 (f5.6)
24 2.8 Tamron: 67-45 (f4)
Only Samyang 1.8 and Sigma f2DN has better edge sharpness, both are considerably larger, especially Sigma is at the edge if you can afford 24GM, it may be better choice if we only consider size/performance.
Only lens in compact range I'd expect significant better results is the new Voigtlander 28 APO, but it's an MF lens (problematic shooting kids), but if I wouldn't have GFX100RF, I'd buy that lens for landscapes without hesitation.
Of course sharpness is not the only optical preference in overall decision, 28 F2 is an old design so not corrected to CA and edges are soft wide open, but considering it's a compact F2 with decent and pleasant separation, highly competitive resolution stopped down, linear motor AF, and affordable used prices, it seems quite a bargain.
In the what-you-pay-for category, IMO, the Sony 28 is not the best flowers and portrait lens because of the sorry backlit razzy bokeh among the trees and bushes. Nor really sharp like the Samyang 24 1.8 or the Samyang 35 1.8 either.
But it does have something of its own nature specialty when it comes to pink and grey clouds over the ocean, surfers paddling out at dawn patrol, etc. As a cross-reference, the ultra-lowly Samyang 24 f2.8: Something painterly happens to save the day amongst the colors of the coconut palms and then you can't unsee the good ones. Even if you might think to almost always go with something else.
. The ZF has better coma, with hard stop infinity (still dislike focus-by-wire, although I recently find the 24-70GM MF is ok) and I wasn't so sure about leaving Nikon..