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HomeProfessional VideoLenses & Lens AccessoriesDigital Cine LensesSony FE C 16-35mm T/3.1 G

Sony FE C 16-35mm T3.1 G E-Mount Lens

BH #SO163531C • MFR #SELC1635G
5 reviews
Sony FE C 16-35mm T3.1 G E-Mount Lens
Key Features
  • Full-Frame Format E-Mount Cine Lens
  • Large T3.1 Aperture
  • Detachable Servo Zoom
  • Two Extra-Low Dispersion Elements
If you're looking for a fast and flexible wide-angle cine zoom for your full-frame cinema camera, the flagship FE C 16-35mm T3.1 G E-Mount Lens from Sony features a constant T3.1 aperture with consistent performance throughout its 16 to 35mm zoom range and provides high-quality imagery in low-light conditions. You can operate the zoom manually or use the detachable servo unit to help create dramatic fast or slow zooms with ease. It can also be controlled by a compatible camera's handle or an optional external grip zoom. The lens's constant T3.1 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range means consistent exposure as you change focal lengths in a scene, so you don't have to re-light just to get enough exposure when zooming in.
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Sony FE C 16-35mm T/3.1 G Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4Cine Style Zoom
  • 5Organic Look with Fine Detail
  • 6nano AR Coating
  • 7Focus Control
  • 8Servo Unit
By B&H Photo's
If you're looking for a fast and flexible wide-angle cine zoom for your full-frame cinema camera, the flagship FE C 16-35mm T3.1 G E-Mount Lens from Sony features a constant T3.1 aperture with consistent performance throughout its 16 to 35mm zoom range and provides high-quality imagery in low-light conditions. You can operate the zoom manually or use the detachable servo unit to help create dramatic fast or slow zooms with ease. It can also be controlled by a compatible camera's handle or an optional external grip zoom. The lens's constant T3.1 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range means consistent exposure as you change focal lengths in a scene, so you don't have to re-light just to get enough exposure when zooming in.

Cine Style Zoom

The FE C 16-35 features a true cine design with its 0.8 MOD gear and 114mm lens diameter to fit standard cine follow focus units, lens motors and matte boxes. Wide-angle zoom designed for full-frame E-mount cine cameras, this lens is also compatible with full-frame cinema cameras such as the PXW-FX9. The constant T3.1 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range means consistent exposure as you change focal lengths in a scene, so closeups don't have to be relit just to get enough exposure.

Organic Look with Fine Detail

  • Rounded 11-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh with smooth focus fall off.
  • Two extra-low dispersion elements reduce chromatic aberrations
  • Two XA elements and three aspherical elements significantly control spherical aberrations for a high degree of image sharpness and clarity.

nano AR Coating

  • A nano AR coating has been applied to reduce surface reflections, flare, and ghosting for increased contrast and color rendering in strong lighting conditions
  • Compare the clarity and contrast of the image on the right taken with the nano AR coating versus the image on the left without the nano AR coating.

Focus Control

  • Push/Pull AF/MF is easier than trying to find a button or switch while shooting, merely grab the ring and push it forward for AF or pull it back for MF, no need to fumble about or take your eye off the viewfinder to change from AF to MF and back again
  • The focus ring provides 120° rotation with fine control, and distance is marked in feet
  • The Linear response manual focus and Enhanced Hybrid autofocus offer quick, quiet, and precise focusing performance to suit cine applications

Servo Unit

The included detachable servo unit provides comfortable fingertip control for smooth, gradual zooms suitable for a slow-moving drama or promotional video. Servo and manual control are switchable by the button on the lens unit, and while set to servo you can control zoom via camera's handle or grip zoom.

Sony FE C 16-35mm T/3.1 G Specs

Focal Length16 to 32mm
Lens MountSony E
Lens Format CoverageFull Frame
Maximum ApertureT3.1
f/2.8
Minimum ApertureT25
f/22
Horizontal Angle of ViewFull Frame: 97 to 54°
Minimum Focus DistanceFrom Unspecified Point in Lens: 11.02" / 0.28 m
Optical Design16 Elements in 13 Groups
Diaphragm Blades11
Gear MOD & PitchFocus: 0.8 MOD / 32 Pitch
Front Diameter114 mm
Focus ScalesImperial
Focus Rotation120°
Electronic CommunicationYes
Image StabilizationNo
Lens SupportLens Support Foot
Length5.8" / 14.7 cm
Packaging Info
Package Weight4.975 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)11.6 x 7.5 x 7.5"

Sony FE C 16-35mm T/3.1 G Reviews

This is my first cinema lens.

By Edgar
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-12-01

This lens cost $5,500. I had concerns after seeing arguments on youtube that this is or isn't a cinema lens. This delayed my purchase for a long time. Then I realized that many of these youtube reviewers were only familiar with f stop lenses on DSLR rigs. This lens is Sony's 1st cinema lens designed for FX cameras. I'm pretty much the guy that this lens is targeted by Sony. First time cinema lens purchaser, already own FX9/6/3 or A7S, operates solo, wants the ability to quickly swap lens but in reality needs the zoom features. Bottom line, I bought it. I like it. It is a cinema lens, meeting cinema follow focus/zoom gearing and cinema size matt boxes sizes. It uses T-stops allowing for accurate matching between angles and cinema lens swaps. The build quality is excellent. This is a big lens! Big chunk of glass! I can't overstate how monterous a 114mm wide lens feels attached to a Sony DLSR body. I had to purchase a block of small rig plates just to get rails underneath this lens. If you intend to run a matt box and filters be prepared to go big as well. Be prepared to drop some additional coin if you want to look like pro-cinema shooter with rails and matt boxes and stacked filters. All of these factors likely give negative reviews from youtubers who suddenly figure out their traditional DSLR rig is too small. Now why I like it, I really don't need all that expensive rig stuff to get into cinema shooting with the FX lineup. You can fly this lens with zoom on a gimbal. You can run and gun. Don't need an entire studio or production team to step-in cinema shooting but can plug into a larger production when that time comes. The image is excellent. Zoom is smooth. Bunch of other stuff yada yada. I look forward to seeing a 24-70mm cinema soon.

Not much to add that is not in the first user review

By Dominic
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-04-17

The reason I bought this lens over its smaller mirrorless counter part was the manual iris. The previous reviewer is correct. Having the lens slip into auto near the wide open setting of 3.1 is a major failure on Sony's part. Perhaps placing it past f22 would have been the better option. Strangely I use this mostly on my FX3. Handheld and gimbal work mostly, but in many ways it does not match up well the FX3. The FX3 a gnat compared to this elephant of a lens. The FX3 needs a positive locking E mount to work well with this lens. Having to twist this large barrel lens creates problems when working with the FX3 vs the FX9. Rods consistently get in the way. Certain Fluid heads get in the way unless you use a camera riser. I decided to give it 5 stars because even with these issues, what it needs to do it does extremely well. Lens Clarity, Auto Focus and build are all 5 stars.

Good (but pricy) lens with one annoyance

By Rohan
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-01-11

This is not a cheap bit of kit so make sure it fits your needs. It does pair well with the FX9 camera, on the FS5 it feels way too big & heavy. Pictures are sharp, crisp and very pleasing. The servo zoom works very well with the FX9 hand grip allowing nice steady movements but no crash zooms - have to go manual for that. While using the servo the lens acts as parfocal holding focus through out the (short) zoom range. If you crash zoom in manual you can get it to drop focus momentary but it catches up and is not really noticeable, you really have to look for it. Leave the zoom speed switch on low - it doesn’t effect the hand grip speed but means you can do super slow smooth zooms using the lens control. Auto focus with the FX9 is really good - I’m finding myself using it more and more as I gain confidence in its abilities, something I didn’t think I would ever do. The annoyance comes with the iris ring and the placement/behaviour of the auto setting. If you are pulling iris, you get to T3.1 and then without any warning (there is no bump) you slide into ‘A’. This wouldn’t be a real issue except that once it hits ‘A’ the iris jumps down a stop to T4.5 (f4) ruining your nice smooth iris pull. I’m assuming this could be corrected with a firmware update but until it is I’m taking points off.

Super comprehensive control

By Simons
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-08-12

It has great autofocus. (I use FX6) Great quality for the lens itself and footage. Almost no focus breathing problem. I like 16-35mm a lot. f2.8 is not perfect but OK for my projects. Switch full manual very easily. I can say its only downside is price.

IRIS LOCK!

By Zachary
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-05-10

Few of the reviews here have everything right except their issues with the iris slipping into "A" or auto. That's why the lens has an iris lock switch on it.....

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One option is to use this adapter ring: Schneider 114mm SSLR to 4.5" Adapter Ring BH #SCFH11 and on that Schneider adapter ring place this 4.5" polarizer: Schneider 4.5" One-Stop Circular Polarizer Drop-In Filter BH #SCOSCP4.5
Answered by: Daniel
Date published: 2021-07-14

If I switch this lens from automatic focus to ...

If I switch this lens from automatic focus to manual focus, do I need to go into my Sony menu and change the camera setting from auto to manual too?
Asked by: John
No. The interface is linked to the servo/manual toggle switch, so if you change it on the lens, it electronically switches it on the camera as well.
Answered by: Jeremy
Date published: 2021-01-17

How many degrees is the focus throw?

How many degrees is the focus throw?
Asked by: NICHOLAS
this is a fly by wire lens and the focus throw can be set to 300 degrees
Answered by: Sean
Date published: 2020-07-21

Is this expected to be compatible on APSC cameras ...

Is this expected to be compatible on APSC cameras with appropriate crop factor or full frame only?
Asked by: Derek
this will work with APSC cameras
Answered by: Sean
Date published: 2020-09-03

Is there going to be a 70-200 sony Cine style ...

Is there going to be a 70-200 sony Cine style lens?
Asked by: Mitchel
Unfortunately, we are not privy to Sony's roadmap for new Cine-style lenses.
Answered by: Jeremy
Date published: 2021-04-14

The servo mechanism can be removed. Can the ...

The servo mechanism can be removed. Can the position of the servo mechanism also be moved to a different position on the lens as well?
Asked by: Derek
The servo motor mechanism can be removed from the lens, though it is only intended to mount to one position for zoom control on the lens.
Answered by: Eric
Date published: 2021-02-21

Is the servo zoom speed stepped, or continuously ...

Is the servo zoom speed stepped, or continuously variable?
Asked by: Aaron
This lens offers a servo zoom that is stepped and has a de-clicked iris feature.
Answered by: hectorm
Date published: 2021-08-13

What is the best support rig for this lens when ...

What is the best support rig for this lens when using a mirrorless camera to attach to a tripod?
Asked by: Derek
Since the this lens has a support adapter, you can use a professional video rod support bracket, support rods, and a camera cage for added stability.
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Date published: 2020-12-29
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