Top 3 Best Lenses for Sony Full Frame Mirrorless Underwater [VIDEO]

Featuring Logan Wood 

Sony makes some of the best full frame mirrorless cameras for underwater photographers and videographers. Ikelite Video Producer Logan Wood shares the top three best performing lenses that he packs for every expedition. 

 

If you've been watching the Ikelite YouTube channel or have seen any of my videos, you'll quickly notice that I shoot mostly Sony full frame cameras. It's the system that I learned on and over the years I've tested a fair amount of their lenses for both underwater and top side shooting. So let's go through my go-to lenses for Sony full frame cameras for shooting underwater.

 

Sony FE 12-24mm F/4 G

 

So let's start wide with the Sony 12-24mm F/4 G lens. Now you're not gonna see much of an optical difference between the F/4 and the F/2.8 version since underwater you'll be shooting at higher apertures anyways. So I opted for the less expensive F/4 version.

Now, typically underwater when we're shooting wide angle, we wanna go as wide as possible to get as much of the environment in our frame. However, anywhere from 12-14mm is what I would consider ultra wide. You're going to get a really distinct look that in my opinion should be reserved for specific shots.

I'm not reaching for this lens for general wide angle shooting. I found that at 12mm the corners are a bit too soft for my taste and it distorts subjects in a weird way when they swim to the frame. However, if I am looking for an ultra wide shot, I will throw this lens on and punch into around 14mm to clean up some of the softness in the corners.

 

Sony FE 16-35mm F/4 PZ G

 

So that brings me to my next wide angle lens, which is the Sony 16-35mm F/4 PZ. Now this is probably the most popular wide angle lens for underwater shooting due to its useful focal range, minimal distortion. And the power zoom function allows for zooming internally using custom buttons on the back of the camera. Its size offers an extremely streamlined setup.

Similar to the lens before, you won't see much of an optical difference between the F/2.8 and the F/4 version. So take it from someone that invested in that 2.8 version and barely touches it underwater, pick up the F/4 PZ version and save some money. This lens goes in my bag for every trip and every shoot. And if any of your travel plans involve a plane, again, the size of this lens cannot be overstated.

 

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art

 

Moving down the focal ranges, my next go to lens is the Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8. Topside shooters will recognize this lens as the first recommendation for a great all around focal range and underwater it's no different. 24mm is wide enough to capture the environment around me while 70mm is tight enough to capture details. It's not quite macro but it's enough to fill the frame with my subject. I have the older Sigma version which I found no issues using on newer Sony cameras. But there are now more compact and sharper options available both from Sigma and Sony.

 

Sony 90mm F/2.8 Macro G OSS

 

Jumping into macro we have what has been said to be the sharpest lens on the market which is the Sony 90mm F/2.8 Macro. It's definitely an older lens but it will be hard to find a Sony macro shooter that isn't still shooting with it. I shot a ton of blackwater with this lens and I'm happy with the results that I came back with. Recently Tamron released a 90mm macro which will have some more updated specs at a bit of a cheaper price. But either way the 90mm is the go-to macro lens for Sony full frame cameras.

 

So those are my go-to lenses for shooting underwater on a Sony full frame camera. Hopefully in the future we'll have some new lenses come out and I can update this video. But in the meantime if you have any questions you can shoot us an email to ikelite@ikelite.com.

 

Additional Viewing

Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS Review and Results

Sony 90mm Macro Focus Gear Installation // Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing [VIDEO]

POWER ZOOM Your Sony PZ Lens Underwater [VIDEO]

Sony ZV-E1 Underwater at Blue Heron Bridge with 16-35mm PZ Lens [VIDEO]

Sigma 24-70mm for Sony Setting It Up // Ikelite 200DL Zoom Gear Assembly [VIDEO]

My South African Ikelite System for Sony a1 // Logan Wood's Underwater Photo Gear [VIDEO]

Logan Wood is a published photographer, cinematographer, and Producer at Ikelite. Stemming from a great appreciation for the outdoors and living an active lifestyle, his work focuses on capturing and sharing the natural world through the latest technologies. When not in the studio, Logan can be found cruising on his bike, going to concerts, and researching where to go next. You can see more of his work at loganwood.net and on Instagram @jlowood