Anyone try the SEL 10-88 f4?

C

Chad N

Active member
This lens seems to get very good reviews, but i can find anyone talking about using it for video. It's all photo talk, and NEX photo cameras have distortion correction built in.

I'm wondering how barrel distortion is for video with the SEL1018f4. Anyone happen to know?
 
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OK, I'll answer, since no one else does...

I like it!!

I use only E-mount lenses on the FS700, and only the ones with OSS, since I do mostly run & gun, sports, events and so on. The 10-18 is nice for super wide angle shots, it gives a great field of view, similar to 14mm or 15mm on full frame. It does have the usual perspective distortion that you can always see on very wide angle lenses. My previous experience with wide angle was the Canon 10-22 on a EOS 7D. The SEL10-18 does not seem to create as much distortion on the FS700 as the Canon lens does on the Canon body (no distortion correction in the 7D, just as there is none in the FS700).

I guess it depends a lot how you want to use the lens. If you are hoping for perfect, straight lines, you shoot only geometrically perfect items, and you want to see those items just like your eye does, then you are not going to like it. For me, I like the perspective distortion, it creates a fun atmosphere to the video when you need to shoot in a very small place.

It is hard to tell another person how they will like something... some people say that the FS100/FS700 kit lens is horrible, don't buy it. But it gives a great range of zoom, it auto-focuses, and it supports *active* steady shot, so for me, the kit lens is very important. For a cinematographer who can plan everything ahead of time, do many re-takes as he needs, probably it's junk.

Ultimately, you have to decide for your needs, but I do like the SEL1018 lens a lot on both my NEX6 and my FS700 (and I like it distortion correction on *or* off on the NEX6). Some people say it's too expensive, but if you hand hold the FS700 ever, then the OSS is really a requirement, not an option, no matter how wide angle the lens. I have the 16mm f2.8 E-mount prime, and I never use it for anything - the lack of OSS makes the video unusable unless on a tripod.
 
Hey Juan,

I ended up oreding the SEL1018f4. After a few short tests, i already love it. I find there's a bit of distortion on at the 10 and 18 ends, but it wasn't as bad as i was expecting. At 14mm, however, it seemed to me there was little to no distortion at all. Very impressive.

Also, it's a very sharp lens. I didn't do any special testing, but one look at a couple quick test shots in the back yard and it struck me as being very sharp.

Oddly enough, it's nice to have OSS on such a wide angle. Usually you'll hear that it's not needed, but i kind of like it!

I have the NEX 5R (along with the FS700) so i like having these E-Mount lenses with all the features working. At first, i wondered if i was sacrificing too much image quality by sticking with E-Mount, but with this SEL1018f4 and also my new SEL35f1.8 i've been really impressed.

Thanks for the feedback, glad you like yours. It's a very good lens!
 
I picked it up for the fs700 couple days ago, haven't actually tested on that yet except 2 shots comparing to the canon 16-35 on speed booster. Actually been using the lens in crop mode on the A7s. <br><br>But if anyone still wants to see samples, I can whip something up.
 
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