Sony Fe 70-200mm F/28 Gm Oss Lens Review

Sony Atomic number 26 70-200mm f/2.viii GM OSS II Hands-on Review

Tin can Sony ameliorate upon one of its original G Main lenses with its beginning Mark II version?

past Jeremy Gray | Posted ten/thirteen/2021

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 156mm, f/ii.8, 1/640s, ISO 125. This image has been converted and processed to sense of taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the total-size paradigm. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony has announced its outset Marking II version of a G Master lens, and the company selected a popular lens to update, the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM. The new seventy-200mm f/two.8 GM OSS II lens incorporates numerous new features and improvements, including a lighter pattern, better controls, a new 11-blade discontinuity unit, a faster autofocus system, improved functioning when recording video, and more.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/2.8, 1/640s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The original 70-200mm f/2.viii GM lens released in 2016, and since then, Sony has developed significant advancements across multiple areas, including optical blueprint and autofocus performance. Sony believed its progress across these key technologies justified making a mark Ii version of the seventy-200mm f/two.eight GM lens. Withal, the new lens isn't replacing the old ane. They will coexist in Sony's lineup, at to the lowest degree for now.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Alee of the seventy-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II's declaration, we were able to go hands-on with the new lens alongside the Sony A7R IV and Sony A1 cameras. These cameras put the new optic's resolving power and improved autofocus performance to the examination.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/4, 1/125s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony 70-200mm f/ii.eight GM OSS Two cardinal features

• 65th Sony E-mount lens
• First marker II G Master lens
• Full-frame telephoto zoom with abiding f/2.eight aperture
• Physical controls for zoom, focus and aperture
• New OIS mode iii selection
• 29% lighter than its predecessor at 1,045g
• New optical design with 17 elements in 14 groups
• Includes 2 ED, 2 Super ED, 1 aspherical element and 1 XA element
• New autofocus system with dual floating focus groups and 4 linear actuators
• Upward to 4x faster AF than original 70-200mm f/2.8 GM lens
• $2,799.99 USD / $3,499.99 CAD

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 200mm, f/3.5, 1/500s, ISO 125. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size prototype. Click hither for the RAW file.

Lens pattern and handling: A surprisingly lightweight lens with excellent build quality

The showtime affair you find when you option up the new seventy-200mm II lens is its weight. And by that, I hateful that information technology doesn't experience heavy at all. Information technology is a very lightweight 70-200mm f/ii.eight lens. The new version is 435g lighter than the original 70-200mm f/ii.8 GM, an impressive 29% weight reduction. To take a lighter lens that simultaneously performs better is quite the accomplishment by Sony'south engineers.

The Sony Fe 70-200mm f/two.8 GM OSS II lens has the same dimensions as the original 70-200mm f/ii.viii GM OSS lens. However, the new verson has an discontinuity control ring, a few new bells and whistles and weighs 29% less.

The 1,045g GM 2 lens has essentially identical dimensions as the original 70-200mm GM. The lens is 200mm (7.87") long, and its maximum diameter is 88mm (3.46"). The lens has a 77mm filter thread. Taking a quick look at the lens, it looks identical to the original. In that location are some differences, though, including a new OIS Manner three selection. When you pick up the lens, afterwards immediately noticing the weight divergence, you may also notice that the zoom ring has improved torque. It'due south swift and smooth to rotate through the zoom range. The wide ridged rubber focus ring feels good also.

The new lens includes SteadyShot Fashion three. There'southward besides an IRIS LOCK switch beneath it. There are a lot of switches on the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.eight GM Two lens.

You'll also notice the new dedicated discontinuity control ring. It feels overnice and tin be gear up for clicked or smooth (de-clicked) modes. I similar using it clicked, only the smooth ring rotation may be better for video applications. So unlike its predecessor, the new lens lets you arrange focal length, focus and aperture all via dedicated controls. The aperture can also exist locked to 'A' using the IRIS LOCK switch on the lens. And the discontinuity control ring straight controls the aperture diaphragm. The lens isn't communicating with the camera first, just rather, information technology's offering direct electronic control of the discontinuity.

The aperture command ring can be clicked or smoothen. The ring feels great in use. The focus and zoom rings also feel splendid. The zoom ring has a revised torque mechanism and the resulting rotation is polish and quick.

For comparison, the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.eight 50 IS USM lens is merely 25g heavier than the Sony 70-200mm f/2.viii II and is smaller when complanate at only 146mm (5.74") long. Granted, the lens extends when zooming, which impacts the overall balance of the lens in the easily. The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/ii.eight VR S lens weighs 1,360g and is slightly longer than the Sony zoom at 220mm (8.66"). The Nikon lens has a nice OLED information console, something the Sony lens lacks, just that's unlikely to be a huge selling point for many photographers. All three lenses deliver strong performance, but it is interesting to encounter the overall size and shape difference.

The lens hood has a new design. There's a rubber edge and there's a sliding door to access a screw-on filter (77mm).

I've already discussed how light the Sony 70-200mm f/ii.8 GM II lens is, which is great, but information technology also balances very well, making it experience even lighter in practice. The build quality feels very good, too. The lens is sealed confronting grit and wet, and the front element has a fluorine coating.

The lilliputian details of the lens's design pay dividends. The lens includes a focus limiter switch, a focus way switch, including with DMF option, and a revised lens hood. The lens hood has a sliding door to easily rotate a filter while the hood is attached, which is a prissy affect. It also has a rubberized edge, improving durability. The Sony lxx-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Ii looks and performs like a professional lens, and importantly, information technology feels similar i as well.

Paradigm quality and performance: Superb sharpness headlines overall impressive paradigm quality

The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Ii lens incorporates 17 elements in 14 groups. This is significantly fewer elements than the original GM lens, which has 23 elements in 18 groups. Sony'southward progress with glass is on total brandish with the new, more efficient design. Less glass equals less weight, and more advanced optical blueprint ways, all else equal, improved image quality.

The GM 2 includes 2 ED lenses, two Super ED elements and an aspherical ED element. Plus, it has an XA element. The original GM lens includes the same types of elements, although in greater quantities. The new version includes Nano AR Blanket II to suppress ghosting and flare.

How do these elements impact actual prototype quality? In real-world testing and in my typical outdoor test scene, the 70-200mm f/ii.8 GM Ii lens excelled. It is a remarkably sharp lens. Let'southward take a closer await.

All the crops seen below are 100 per centum crops from raw prototype files converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings and built-in lens correction profiles enabled. I have selected specific images to evidence, merely you can download the full-size raw files for each test scene and aperture in the Gallery.

70mm

Shot on Sony A7R Four at 70mm, f/two.viii, i/2500s, ISO 100. Sharpness exam shot - 70mm - total scene. Click for the full-size image. Click hither for the RAW file.

At 70mm, epitome quality is excellent. Looking at the unabridged frame, there'south a small-scale vignette. It's barely noticeable and not at all distracting. At f/ii.8, aberrations are well controlled, too. The railing in the foreground occasionally brings out purple fringing or longitudinal chromatic abnormality (LoCA), simply the 70-200mm f/2.eight GM 2 exhibits excellent command of these optical problems.

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 70mm, f/2.8, 1/2500s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 70mm - 100% center crop. Click for the total-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 70mm, f/2.8, i/2500s, ISO 100. Sharpness exam shot - 70mm - 100% bottom right corner crop. Click for the total-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Considering sharpness, the lens is very precipitous broad open up in the center and extreme corner of the image area. The corner performance is fantabulous, particularly considering that lxx-200mm lenses sometimes struggle slightly at the wider finish. The Sony doesn't struggle at all.

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 70mm, f/4, one/1250s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 70mm - 100% center crop. Click for the total-size epitome. Click hither for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 70mm, f/4, 1/1250s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 70mm - 100% bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Stopping downwardly the lens increases overall sharpness slightly. It improves from fantabulous to "slightly more splendid." Stopping down to f/4 improves the consistency of exposure across the frame, eliminating the pocket-size vignette yous can see at f/two.8.

135mm

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 133mm, f/2.8, 1/2000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 135mm - full scene. Click for the full-size image. Click hither for the RAW file.

At 135mm (133mm, technically), the lens performs even better than at 70mm. In that location's no visible vignette and sharpness remains excellent. Control over aberrations besides remains very expert. I can't find whatsoever evidence of fringing or chromatic aberrations.

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 133mm, f/2.viii, 1/2000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 135mm - 100% center ingather. Click for the total-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R 4 at 133mm, f/ii.8, 1/2000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 135mm - 100% bottom right corner ingather. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

I don't think I tin can differentiate the f/2.eight and f/4 images in terms of center sharpness. There's maybe a touch more dissimilarity and dial in the extreme border of the frame, but information technology's tough to tell fifty-fifty at 100% view on the files from the A7R IV. Excellent operation over again from the lxx-200mm GM Ii.

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 133mm, f/4, 1/1250s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 135mm - 100% center crop. Click for the total-size paradigm. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 133mm, f/iv, 1/1250s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 135mm - 100% bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size epitome. Click here for the RAW file.

200mm

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 200mm, f/ii.8, 1/2000s, ISO 100. Sharpness exam shot - 200mm - total scene. Click for the total-size paradigm. Click here for the RAW file.

At 200mm, which is where I constitute myself shooting quite a bit with the seventy-200mm f/ii.eight GM Ii, operation is good, yet once again. Like at the extremely wide stop, at that place's a slight vignette, although I think it'south fifty-fifty less noticeable than the already-barely-noticeable vignette at 70mm f/2.viii.

Shot on Sony A7R 4 at 200mm, f/ii.8, i/2000s, ISO 100. Sharpness exam shot - 200mm - 100% center ingather. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R Iv at 200mm, f/ii.8, one/2000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 200mm - 100% bottom correct corner crop. Click for the full-size paradigm. Click here for the RAW file.

While center sharpness remains excellent at f/2.8, I remember that extreme corner performance is worse at 200mm than 70mm or 135mm (133mm). That isn't to say that the performance is bad, merely there's slight a softness present at 200mm in the corners that isn't visible at other focal lengths. Stopping downwardly helps a bit.

Shot on Sony A7R 4 at 200mm, f/4, 1/1000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 200mm - 100% centre crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R IV at 200mm, f/4, one/1000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 200mm - 100% bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Withal, performance at 200mm is very good. The meridian detail level is really proficient at f/2.8. It's cracking that you tin can take full advantage of the lens's impressive resolving power without stopping downwardly at all, assuasive photographers to harness the light-gathering capabilities of the lens without any compromise in image quality.

Overall

The Sony 70-200mm f/ii.8 GM OSS 2 lens delivers incredible image quality. The lens is sharp at f/2.eight from 70mm to 200mm. The only negative thing I tin can say about the image quality is that there's a slight vignette when shooting broad open at the farthermost focal lengths and modest corner softness at 200mm, and that is nearly every bit nitpicky as information technology gets. The lens's resolving power and command over aberrations is excellent. Is a part of this fantastic performance due to fancy software corrections in-photographic camera? Perhaps. Regardless of precisely how Sony pulled it off, the combination of intelligent optical and software design results in top-notch imaging functioning that is nothing short of fantastic.

Shot on Sony A7R Four at 95mm, f/two.8, ane/400s, ISO 400. This epitome has been converted and candy to gustatory modality in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size paradigm. Click hither for the RAW file.

Autofocus: Amazing autofocus operation across the board

Sony is breaking new footing with its first GM II lens by including four XD Linear Motors for autofocus. The 70-200mm GM II is the first big-aperture tele-zoom lens with 4 linear AF actuators. The impact of the novel autofocus organization in existent-earth use is significant, equally autofocus is incredibly fast on the A7R Iv and A1 cameras.

Shot on Sony A7R 4 at 175mm, f/ii.viii, i/640s, ISO 250. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Photographic camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The lens acquires focus very quickly and is swift when adjusting to a moving subject field. It'south also very accurate. Sony promises an improved hit charge per unit, and for what information technology's worth, I am very impressed by the hit rate I achieved during my hands-on time with the zoom.

Part of the reason for improved AF speed is the new optical design. The lens's focusing groups are in two smaller independent groups, allowing for faster autofocus. Information technology's difficult to enlarge just how quick the focus is when shooting. Sony says information technology'south almost four times faster in internal testing. I tin can't comment on that, equally I didn't have admission to the original GM lens during my testing, but I can say that the GM Ii is incredibly fast. At least when zooming, the focus tracking performance is improved, too, by upwards to 30%.

Shot on Sony A7R Four at 200mm, f/2.eight, 1/500s, ISO 2000. This image has been converted and candy to gustatory modality in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Although I'1000 non a big video shooter, the new lens is worth discussing inside the context of videography. The new autofocus organization should deliver reduced focus breathing, reduced focus shift while zooming, and reduced axis shift while zooming. This all adds up to a lens that will be a ameliorate choice for video work than the original GM lens. Not to mention that the GM 2'southward lighter weight could exist a big bargain when working on a rig.

Shot on Sony A1 at 173mm, f/3.5, i/640s, ISO 100. This paradigm has been converted and processed to gustation in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size prototype. Click here for the RAW file.

Considering close-focus performance, the GM Ii lens focuses to 0.4m at 70mm and 0.82m at 200mm. The maximum magnification is 0.3x, which is better than the original GM lens, which has a max magnification of 0.25x. It'southward not a macro lens, merely its close-focusing capabilities are nonetheless impressive. It opens quite a few possibilities with different types of photographic subjects.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/2.eight, one/250s, ISO 800. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the total-size epitome. Click here for the RAW file.

The lens includes Sony'southward Directly Transmission Focus (DMF) applied science, and its focus ring offers linear rotational focus. The focus ring has a nice feel, and manual focusing feels natural and easy to practice. The autofocus is then good that in that location are very few times I would want to focus manually, merely if I did, the lens would be up to the job.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/two.8, ane/50s, ISO 160. This prototype has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click hither for the RAW file.

Overall, the Sony 70-200mm f/two.eight GM OSS Two lens delivers upon its promise of top-notch autofocus performance. Information technology is excellent. The lens focuses extremely chop-chop and very accurately. It handled everything I threw at it with aplomb, including low-light AF, close-up focusing, subject tracking, and more than. I have perhaps never been quite as impressed with a lens'southward autofocus capabilities.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/2.8, 1/500s, ISO 320. This image has been converted and processed to sense of taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the total-size paradigm. Click hither for the RAW file.

In the field: Many improvements brand the lens peculiarly fun to utilize

Across an improved design, new optical blueprint and avant-garde autofocus operation, the 70-200mm GM Ii incorporates a new xi-bladed discontinuity unit. The new aperture unit combined with the XA chemical element, which is congenital to surface precision down to 0.01 microns, delivers good bokeh.

The out-of-focus expanse is soft, and out-of-focus highlights are mostly circular, smooth and free from distracting aberrations. As you get nearer the border of the frame, bokeh is less circular and a bit more oblong, but it's far from poor functioning. When y'all get shut to your subject, which is fairly easy with the impressive close-focusing distance, bokeh is even more impressive. Out of focus objects both in front of and backside the subject are rendered nicely.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/two.8, one/250s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to sense of taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the total-size prototype. Click hither for the RAW file.

Unsurprisingly, the lens includes optical epitome stabilization (OIS). The lens includes three OIS modes. Mode 3, not bachelor on the original 70-200mm f/2.viii GM lens, adds even more stability and keeps the viewfinder epitome very steady. The image stabilization mode works well across the board, although I oft stick with the standard way 1. All the same, the more options, the better.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/two.8, one/400s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Using the lens is a generally enjoyable experience. The lightweight blueprint pays dividends when out in the field. When shooting from my kayak, having a lightweight lens is great. Information technology'south an easy lens to handhold for extended periods.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/8, i/200s, ISO 200. This image has been converted and processed to gustatory modality in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Working on a tripod with the 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II lens is adept too. The lens has a removable tripod foot that is robust and rugged. In that location's a locking punch to rotate the lens around its foot, and at that place are 4 markings every 90 degrees. A adept tripod human foot doesn't seem too of import until you've used a bad one, and the Sony has a practiced i.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/8, 1/1000s, ISO 100. This epitome has been converted and candy to sense of taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the total-size image. Click hither for the RAW file.

Some other design element that is helpful in the field is the new lens hood. The reversible lens hood is like shooting fish in a barrel to put on and remove, but it also includes a sliding door slot to permit filter rotation while using the lens hood. For someone like me who loves shooting with polarizing filters, this is a helpful characteristic.

The 70-200mm focal length range is a versatile one. The 70-200mm f/2.eight GM OSS 2 works well for a wide range of photography applications. The combination of an f/2.viii aperture and first-class autofocus means the 70-200mm lens is good for sports and upshot photography. Information technology's also proficient for wildlife, although 200mm is a chip brusk for many wildlife opportunities. The lens is compatible with Sony's i.4x and 2x teleconverters, of course, which would be worthwhile additions to a kit.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/2.8, 1/640s, ISO 200. This image has been converted and candy to gustation in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the total-size epitome. Click here for the RAW file.

With prissy bokeh and a good close-focusing distance, the lens also works well for many dissimilar portrait situations, including total-body, half-body and close-up portraits. Paired with Sony's skilful eye-discover autofocus and tracking, it'southward a cracking portrait lens.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/ii.8, 1/500s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the total-size image. Click hither for the RAW file.

Although not ofttimes thought of as a traditional landscape lens, a lxx-200mm lens can piece of work well for landscapes. In the example of the new Sony lxx-200mm f/two.eight GM II, the excellent image quality and good control of aberrations and vignette go far a great option for mural and nature photography.

Shot on Sony A1 at 70mm, f/8, 4s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size prototype. Click hither for the RAW file.

There's no doubt that the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens is a great lens to use in the field. Information technology is lightweight and well designed. Information technology's also well-suited to a broad range of situations.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/ii.8, 1/200s, ISO 200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/ii.8 GM OSS II Easily-on Review Summary

A fantastic upgrade to an already excellent zoom lens

What I like nigh:

• Good build quality and pattern
• First-class image quality
• Very abrupt wide open
• Splendid autofocus
• Adept close-focusing performance
• Well-suited to many photographic situations

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/3.5, ane/640s, ISO 100. This epitome has been converted and candy to gustation in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the total-size epitome. Click here for the RAW file.

What I dislike:

• I wish bokeh was more round across the frame
• Expensive

As you can encounter past my 'What I dislike' list above, in that location'southward very little not to dearest about the Sony 70-200mm f/ii.viii GM OSS lens. It is a fantastic lens. The excellent functioning comes at a steep cost, but not one that's incommensurate with its peers. Should everyone spend nearly $3,000 on a 70-200mm zoom? No, of course non. But for those who choose to buy it, it's coin well spent.

Shot on Sony A1 at 200mm, f/two.eight, one/200s, ISO 320. This image has been converted and processed to gustatory modality in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the total-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

• • •

Pricing and Availability

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/ii.8 GM OSS G Master Two lens is scheduled to go on sale in December 2021 with a retail price of $2,799.99 USD ($three,499.99 CAD).

Sony Fe 70-200mm f/ii.viii GM OSS Two SEL70200GMII

Sony FE 70-200mm f/ii.viii GM OSS Two SEL70200GMII User Reviews

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.viii GM OSS 2 SEL70200GMII doesn't have whatever user reviews notwithstanding!

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Source: https://www.imaging-resource.com/lenses/sony/fe-70-200mm-f2.8-gm-oss-ii-sel70200gm-ii/review/

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