Join me on Patreon for the best Alpha Support and Guidance. A single $10 Membership fee includes access to my 500-page camera-specific eBooks, member-only Q&A Forums + Over twenty 1-hour member-only seminars + cameras settings files & access to the Raw files from the lens and camera reviews (there is no contract or commitment beyond the first month). www.patreon.com/markgaler
Best review of the 24-70 f2.8 from a photography pov. Everyone else is just explaining the specs where Mark shows a flood of real world pictures taken to really show what this lens is capable of in the hands of a pro.
Thanks for noticing - I am always a little shocked when I see a reviewer test a lens with XD linear focus motors to photograph their pet dog asleep on the kitchen floor or a pot plant.
Hey Mark. Another well produced review. I really like how you provide hi-res images and that your images are not studio-based or contrived scenarios but real-world photography. Will be buying this lens.
Photographer first and foremost, educator second and reviewer third. I am pleased when viewers notice that my willingness to take a new camera or lens onto a shoot with me is an important part of the review.
Great review Mark (as usual!!). It is so easy to follow, understand and make a conclusion in the way you explain and illustrate the video. Thanks for continue producing so great content. Cheers!
Thanks for the great video Mark. Sony really nailed it with the new 70-200 gm ii that I got immediately when i tested it. Super impressive and now with this 24-70 2.8 gm ii i think I'll have to upgrade for those fast AF motors, smaller size and weight. Also really love that iris lock and lens hood filter slot. Probably trade in my sigma 24-70 dg dn for it. Really awesome package!
Thanks for another great video, Mark! Always so helpful. Now I need to decide if I should replace my 24-105 with this as it appears to have a size and weight similar to the 24-105. But I must admit that I value that extra reach with the 24-105. Maybe they will come out with a mark 2 for that lens some day! Anyway, I placed an order for the 24-70 with B&H but with 2 months to think about it I can always cancel.
Pre-order early or be prepared to wait. There is a world chip shortage which is impacting everything from fridges and microwaves right through to cameras and lenses.
It's certainly a lot better than the original 24-70 in terms of size and weight, but I personally prefer to use two or three smaller primes. e.g., check out my weight watchers video tutorial where I take a look at some really tiny compact full frame lenses or my extended A7C camera review where I explore how to keep an A7C camera kit to the least possible size and weight. I also offer personal support on Patreon.com/markgaler where I can go into more detail.
And this is why I always check Mark Galer’s reviews. When it comes to Sony equipment, you’re always my sensible analyst. You don’t dump on the earlier versions. Of course it’s better, but how, to what extent and value. Do you know if Zeiss has any plans for a 14 or 16mm 1.4 or 1.8?
Although I own two Zeiss Batis lenses I have found them to be an incredibly difficult company to deal with. They are not supportive or helpful. They have also not designed lenses for Sony for many years.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you… that explains their slow rollout. Although I’m sure with SONY’s aggressive lens deployment, it’s probably frustrated Zeiss. BTW: I have several Voigtlander lenses that I enjoy shooting with. I think my Pentax K1000 manual shooting days shaped my habits. Having grown up washing dishes by hand follow me today. Thank you, your da best!
Love the real world examples with movement Mark. With the full frame sensors now is there an ISO threshold where you are concerned with the noise levels?
Sony don’t make this sort of information available to Ambassador or regional managers until a few days before announcements. World chip shortages may delay future announcements.
@@AlphaCreativeSkillsthanks a lot for ur feedback it seems I’ll stay with Nikon then, Sony roadmap is not clear and this is a big change for me, don’t want to buy complete new system and few weeks later a new model is announced
Thanks for the review, Mark. Would you consider this better than a combination of 35 GM 1.4 and 50mm 1.2 for say landscape, portrait, video and everyday shooting because of its flexibility? Like you, bokeh is important to me when I shoot for it. Is it easy to distinguish bokeh from the above mentioned lenses vs. 24-70 GM II or hardly noticeable?
My personal lens preferences are often not a ‘good fit’ for others. I often use two wide-aperture primes and two camera bodies in preference to a standard F2.8 zoom but will often choose a small lightweight zoom when travelling. Advising my Patrons about gear choice on Patreon.com/markgaler often requires an in-depth conversation. There is no single best lens choice - just ones that are suitable for an individual’s preferred workflows.
Hi Mark thanks for the review. One thing I never hear lens reviews mention is if the lens can continuous track focus on a subject while zooming? I'm often shooting people running towards me and I found the Sony 24-105 isn't able to zoom and track focus at the same time.
Mark, is there a sweet spot f stop for this lens. Could be any where between 8 to 16. Do you have a preference shooting with the A7RM5? Also is it necessary to turn off the ibis system when shooting from a tripod? Thanks in advance!!
It's very sharp across the aperture range, as you can see from my ultra high-resolution sample images in the supporting gallery. Personally I prefer to shoot at the aperture that gives me the desired depth of field and ISO I require and I am not drawn to shooting with apertures that may only be noticeable if some has access to the full resolution file and is zoomed to 100% - that would be me and nobody else in most instances. If you have multiple questions about workflows you can join me on Patreon.com/markgaler where you download a 600-page eBook and camera settings file for your A7RV camera and ask questions on Q&A forum.
I am a Lumix S5 with a Sigma 24-70 as only lens (and i love it!). However, Sony did everything right with that GM2. Lighter, sharper and more controls. Only downside is the price. Good video again, thank you!
yes i know, but the Sony has the most controls and lowest weight (as said, I have the Sigma and its also great for the 1000€ price!)@@AlphaCreativeSkills
since I have to have a 24-70 in my hands for hours in the majority of my jobs, I can tell the half pound weight difference alone will be worth the upgrade for me
There’s an obvious difference in size and weight. I ultimately sold my copy because I wasn’t fully happy with the bokeh quality as it was too busy for my taste. I replaced it with Sony’s 50 GM.
I can only compare it to lenses I have used extensively and Sigma don’t go out of there way to lend or sell me lenses. I am not sure taking the Sigma to a sporting event would have been a good idea. At the end of the day I have to use gear that I can trust will get the job done.
Hi Mark, there are some rumours going on from people having tested the new lens telling that the new Gmaster 24-70 II would be sharper then the 24mm Gmaster 1.4 Prime. I consider this not true. But as I can't check it I wanna know from you. Could you tell me about this comparison. That would be great to know!
You will need to wait for lens rentals to create MTF charts for the new GM ll for a definitive answer to this question. I post ultra HD images where you can visually assess sharpness - see link in info section.
I am not that interested in bench testing a 24-70 with a 24, 35, 50 and 85 primes. That is the work for a company like lens rentals who measures sharpness by photographing pairs of lines. I shoot my reviews on commercial jobs. Can you imagine testing a lens with four primes at a sporting event using a tripod? The lens is either sharp enough when reviewing my images while zoomed in on a large 4K monitor or it is not. That, in my opinion, is the test that matters.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Hi Mark, your videos are always very nerdy and full of information. It always seems to me that you are very interested as well in the newest gear. So I'm suprised that you are not willing to take 5 minutes checking the new power of the 24-70 in comparison to the primes at home. I guess you don't have any problems borrowing the lenses for free from sony for your own photo works but we people out there that you are making these videos for are not Sony ambassadors and can't borrow the lenses for free from sony. For us it matters a lot if we spend the money on a Zoom lens and save the money on the other hand. Not all of us are able to effort na A1 with all possible GM lens line up. I hope you understand that is the point for most of us so it would be interesting for many fans of your channel to get the info from you if the 24-70 II. is able to beat the 24mm in sharpness.
I used to own the Nikon 24-70 mm 2.8 VR. As a Sony user now is this 24-70 mm GM ii as big and heavy ? Trying to decide if I should sell my 24-105 mm G, 35 GM and or 50 mm GM for this new GM ii 24-70 mm. What do you think ? I am shooting with the A9ii
This advice is best tailored to the type of things you shoot, your budget and if you prioritise size and weight or optical performance. Check out my lens Choice video as this may give you some of the answers you are looking for. For ongoing support + the option to download a 500-page eBook for your camera consider joining my Patreon.com/markgaler Alpha support group. There are no ongoing contracts or commitments and a single US $10.00 payment will give you a month to access over 20-hours of member only photography seminars + a host of other additional learning resources and get personal advice from the Q&A forums.
Due to world chip shortage, which is causing supply issues for all electrical products (not just cameras and lenses, the only way to be sure to secure the new GM II is if you pre-order it. If you wait for your local store to have boxes behind the counter then 2023 is most likely the correct answer.
Mark, I bought the 24-70 gm II, and none of my photos are sharp no matter what I do. I have excellent results with the 70-200 gm II and the 16-35 gm II but not the 24-70. Could the lens be defective, or do you suspect user error? Have you ever experienced focusing issues regarding a Sony lens with all your experience? Thank you
As outlined in the review I used this lens to shoot sports without issue. Get Sony to check the lens. To work out if its was user error, it would take an extended discussion on my Patreon Premium Plus support channel - Patreon.com/markgaler
If you are a Premium Plus subscriber to my Patreon support channel you should be having this conversation on the Patreon monthly Q&A forum and not here on a public TH-cam channel. I don't receive notifications from TH-cam as I never have time to deal with the hundreds of questions I am receiving every day. If you have good performance from the other GM lenses I would start by contacting Sony to check your lens (as mentioned previously). Lens errors are, however, extremely rare. Focusing error are usually the fault of the user, e.g. inappropriate choice of focus area, not enough light focus accurately because the aperture is too small, the wrong choice of tracking options etc. etc. Pinpointing focus errors can require an online consultation while discussing specific images and their associated camera settings. Most users just choose to watch more of my video tutorials and hone their skills independently.
I ended up getting the - most expensive - but is it? $300/$400 more than Version 1 but how much are you gonna feel that price vs weight lugging it around for a few hours… 🤔 But I think what convinced me was trying this out on my Alpha One on my studio shoots where I wanna zoom in/out in video with the best autofocus in Sony Tech at this moment… I’ve been pulling focus with 24mm, 35mm and 50mm and it’s okay but this lens sounds like it could up for the lack Sigma’s parafocul by autofocusing on an active Zoom shoot… Finally, while I really only plan to shoot stage works with my new Sony Gear… I’m so psych’d by the Alpha that I bought a (cheaper) L Mount and I have the Nikon 5 that I used to shoot to death in the 90s - chrome - and this might convince this to go back and start shooting ‘stills’ with other than my iPhone! 🥴
When you cover the close focus capability and refer to wedding photographers taking pictures of rings, either what you said or the way you said it got pretty confusing. "...this lens isn't going to get you in close enough, your not going to have to be dishing out the macro..." - at least that is what I'm hearing, and I confess I don't know what you are saying.
If you are just a few inches from the rings I would say that you are close enough without having to use a Macro lens. You may need to crop tighter in post production but given that most of us can throw 3/4 of the pixels away and still have enough for a 4K screen or 8 x 10 inch print this would suffice for the job in hand.
Don't get fooled by Mark's reviews folks, he can make even a crappy lens produce some masterpieces. And every time I watch his videos, I end up purchasing the lenses. Ugh... pre-ordered.
@@AlphaCreativeSkillsthe 20-70 is amazing. I had it but I returned it and got this instead. And price completely aside, it still wasn't an easy decision to make. I simply appreciate that I am able to use the f2.8 indoors and get better results in low light and outdoors I'm able to shoot at wider field of views and have slightly better background separation. The cons are the worse maximum magnification, worse weight, worse wide angle FOV, and worse price. The 20-70mm is a very good choice if you can deal with the small number of times that you need better low light performance. For me it means I'll be able to sell my f1.8 primes because f2.8 is close enough that I won't have to bring them along with the f4 and I won't have to worry about switching lenses when the sun goes down. I go to Disney World a lot with my family so being able to bring just this lens is the main attraction for me. Also photo stiching is so easy to do that 24 vs 20mm isn't a big deal. The main drawback is the added weight. I honestly wouldn't have even considered the Sigma 24-70 or the GM version 1. This version II on the other hand is a manageable weight and I think it gives me slightly better photos but I think it did enjoy taking photos and video more with the 20-70 because of the better size and weight. Also the active stabilization at 20mm was a big plus because the crop is less of an issue vs 24mm.
It's disappointing that the Hong Kong grey import companies have no problems getting this lens and other products to sell off Sony and yet all the official retailers in the UK, can not get any. It annoys me more because Sony will refuse to repair under warranty if I buy a grey import. So I bought the Sigma instead
It's unfortunate that we are suffering supply change shortages all around the world. My run flat tyre on my car just got a puncture and there were no replacements in the country. It took my garage five days just to get a tyre of the size needed. if you look at the gaps on the supermarket shelves and the shortages of electronic products because of the world semiconductor shortage you will see the trading environment Sony is currently working under. Grey importers do have the options to sell a product with an International warranty so it may be that you could have purchased the Sony lens from overseas after all. B&H in New York ship overseas so need this as an option.
Mark, please ask Sony to get Adobe's attention! It's been 6 month's since the 24-70 GM II has been on sale. There still is no full lens profile (including distortion correction) available for Adobe Camera Raw. This is no way for Adobe to treat its paying customers or one of Sony's premier lenses! Thank you Sir.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Oh, I'm certain that it's a superb tool. It's lighter. It's sharper. It has good contrast. I've just seen a lot of sample images and when you look at the images with circular highlights in the background, you notice the "onion-ring" shapes and even some strange dots. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's there. For a lens that is $2300 and that's twice as expensive as the best third-party alternative..I'd like for the bokeh to be more pleasing. Others may find this to be a minor thing to quibble about. All the best!
It's a balancing game between weight and maximum aperture. As this is the lightest and smallest f/2.8 zoom Sony prioritised weight over maximum aperture. I use f/1.4 and f/1.2 primes so f/2 is not going to particularly excite me.
The Canon RF 28-70 f2.0 is huge and weighs 1.43 KG or 3.2 pounds. So if Sony did it from 24mm it could easily weigh 2 kilograms and be enormous, no thanks. Plus cost 6K
@@AlphaCreativeSkills thanks for your insight Mark. You are right, weight would’ve been a problem. I didn’t consider that into equation as I’m used to my current 24-70 gm’s weight.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills, agree with you here. The tradeoffs are always price vs performance vs weight and size/form factor. If Sony or Canon or any of the camera manufacturers are focused on high price and high performance, then weight and size will be bigger. If it is high price and small weight and size, performance will be adjusted in the case of Sony’s 24-70/2.8 ii vs Canon’s 28-70/2.0 If it is keeping higher performance and lower weight and small sizes, then the G-series options are the way to go as they’re more affordable or GVFM (good value for money).
Join me on Patreon for the best Alpha Support and Guidance. A single $10 Membership fee includes access to my 500-page camera-specific eBooks, member-only Q&A Forums + Over twenty 1-hour member-only seminars + cameras settings files & access to the Raw files from the lens and camera reviews (there is no contract or commitment beyond the first month). www.patreon.com/markgaler
Best review of the 24-70 f2.8 from a photography pov. Everyone else is just explaining the specs where Mark shows a flood of real world pictures taken to really show what this lens is capable of in the hands of a pro.
Thanks for noticing - I am always a little shocked when I see a reviewer test a lens with XD linear focus motors to photograph their pet dog asleep on the kitchen floor or a pot plant.
Hey Mark. Another well produced review. I really like how you provide hi-res images and that your images are not studio-based or contrived scenarios but real-world photography. Will be buying this lens.
Photographer first and foremost, educator second and reviewer third. I am pleased when viewers notice that my willingness to take a new camera or lens onto a shoot with me is an important part of the review.
Great review Mark (as usual!!). It is so easy to follow, understand and make a conclusion in the way you explain and illustrate the video. Thanks for continue producing so great content. Cheers!
Thanks for the positive feedback Renata 👍
Big respect to you sir! Always have the best, most evidence based reviews.
I appreciate that!
by far the best review I've seen on this lens so far
Thanks
Fantastic video and review Mark, thank you. Will be ordering.
Awesome, thank you!
Great review. This has be convinced to purchase it. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Just did my first portrait session with the 2470GM2 last night. It was a joy.
An excellent upgrade to the original GM
Great review. Like others have said love the real world images. Great photos of Melbourne!
Glad you enjoyed it
Fabulous shots, was a pleasure to watch for that alone.
Thanks for the positive feedback
I realized i liked your video even before it started lol ! love your videos!
Wow, thank you!
what an extensive and complete review. Thank you...
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the great video Mark. Sony really nailed it with the new 70-200 gm ii that I got immediately when i tested it. Super impressive and now with this 24-70 2.8 gm ii i think I'll have to upgrade for those fast AF motors, smaller size and weight. Also really love that iris lock and lens hood filter slot. Probably trade in my sigma 24-70 dg dn for it. Really awesome package!
Excellent review and samples. Thank you. The lens looks very tempting. Good job Sony.
Thanks for watching
Hi Mark. Thank you for the review. Can you tell me how you think the sharpness compares to the 50 mm GM ?
Thanks for another great video, Mark! Always so helpful. Now I need to decide if I should replace my 24-105 with this as it appears to have a size and weight similar to the 24-105. But I must admit that I value that extra reach with the 24-105. Maybe they will come out with a mark 2 for that lens some day! Anyway, I placed an order for the 24-70 with B&H but with 2 months to think about it I can always cancel.
That's an interesting idea... Would it stay the same aperture too I wonder? Many have said a 24-105 2.8 would be great, but quite heavy I imagine.
Did you come to any conclusion? I was considering the same.
Excellent infomercial! Looks interesting :)
Wonder when it will be available - the 70-200 GM II still backordered
I got my 70-200 GM II last year December, already. Great lens, BTW.
@@GeertDelmulleLucky! It is currently not available in Germany, Hong Kong and US. :) I have been on a waiting list for 3 mths now.
Pre-order early or be prepared to wait. There is a world chip shortage which is impacting everything from fridges and microwaves right through to cameras and lenses.
Can't wait to get my hands on it again and actually use it. 🙂
Hi Mark, excellent review as always! How does it compare for solar stars, with the aperture largely closed?
I was unable to test this during my 48 hour testing window.
I appreciate the depth of your review!! Would this lens be too cumbersome for the Sony a7c?
It's certainly a lot better than the original 24-70 in terms of size and weight, but I personally prefer to use two or three smaller primes. e.g., check out my weight watchers video tutorial where I take a look at some really tiny compact full frame lenses or my extended A7C camera review where I explore how to keep an A7C camera kit to the least possible size and weight. I also offer personal support on Patreon.com/markgaler where I can go into more detail.
Holy hell. It's basically the size of the 24-105/F4. Time to check local black market listings for current kidney prices. Gonna be putting one up.
Wow that image at 13.56 is handheld?! 2 sec and it’s sharp. You’re rock solid, amazing.
That one is the only image in the test captured using a tripod. I typically only hand-hold down to 1/5 second.
And this is why I always check Mark Galer’s reviews. When it comes to Sony equipment, you’re always my sensible analyst. You don’t dump on the earlier versions. Of course it’s better, but how, to what extent and value. Do you know if Zeiss has any plans for a 14 or 16mm 1.4 or 1.8?
Although I own two Zeiss Batis lenses I have found them to be an incredibly difficult company to deal with. They are not supportive or helpful. They have also not designed lenses for Sony for many years.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you… that explains their slow rollout. Although I’m sure with SONY’s aggressive lens deployment, it’s probably frustrated Zeiss. BTW: I have several Voigtlander lenses that I enjoy shooting with. I think my Pentax K1000 manual shooting days shaped my habits. Having grown up washing dishes by hand follow me today. Thank you, your da best!
you are an exceptional photographer no wonder Sony chose you as their ambassador
Thanks for the positive feedback - I am always a little saddened when some gear reviewers take pictures of pot plants and brick walls.
Love the real world examples with movement Mark. With the full frame sensors now is there an ISO threshold where you are concerned with the noise levels?
I shoot in Pre-dawn light and more than happy to shoot at ISO 8000 - check out my DxO Pure Raw 2 software review.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Will do thanks!
Great stuff! Did you have the people sign any waivers to be in this video? Curious videographer here.
People don’t have the right to privacy in a public space. You need model releases if you are creating an advertisement.
Hey Mark, thanks for your efforts
Really helpful
Any idea on a9iii release date
Sony don’t make this sort of information available to Ambassador or regional managers until a few days before announcements. World chip shortages may delay future announcements.
@@AlphaCreativeSkillsthanks a lot for ur feedback
it seems I’ll stay with Nikon then, Sony roadmap is not clear and this is a big change for me, don’t want to buy complete new system and few weeks later a new model is announced
Mark, another good preview. Do you know when it goes on pre-order?
Pre-order starts today at B&H Photo: bhpho.to/3vMc2lE
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you
Thanks for the review, Mark.
Would you consider this better than a combination of 35 GM 1.4 and 50mm 1.2 for say landscape, portrait, video and everyday shooting because of its flexibility?
Like you, bokeh is important to me when I shoot for it. Is it easy to distinguish bokeh from the above mentioned lenses vs. 24-70 GM II or hardly noticeable?
My personal lens preferences are often not a ‘good fit’ for others. I often use two wide-aperture primes and two camera bodies in preference to a standard F2.8 zoom but will often choose a small lightweight zoom when travelling. Advising my Patrons about gear choice on Patreon.com/markgaler often requires an in-depth conversation. There is no single best lens choice - just ones that are suitable for an individual’s preferred workflows.
Hi Mark thanks for the review. One thing I never hear lens reviews mention is if the lens can continuous track focus on a subject while zooming? I'm often shooting people running towards me and I found the Sony 24-105 isn't able to zoom and track focus at the same time.
The 24-105 is fairly old lens technology for Sony. You won’t have issues with any of the modern lenses featuring linear XD focus motors.
Mark, is there a sweet spot f stop for this lens. Could be any where between 8 to 16. Do you have a preference shooting with the A7RM5? Also is it necessary to turn off the ibis system when shooting from a tripod? Thanks in advance!!
It's very sharp across the aperture range, as you can see from my ultra high-resolution sample images in the supporting gallery. Personally I prefer to shoot at the aperture that gives me the desired depth of field and ISO I require and I am not drawn to shooting with apertures that may only be noticeable if some has access to the full resolution file and is zoomed to 100% - that would be me and nobody else in most instances. If you have multiple questions about workflows you can join me on Patreon.com/markgaler where you download a 600-page eBook and camera settings file for your A7RV camera and ask questions on Q&A forum.
Thank you, Mark.
You are very welcome
I am a Lumix S5 with a Sigma 24-70 as only lens (and i love it!).
However, Sony did everything right with that GM2. Lighter, sharper and more controls. Only downside is the price. Good video again, thank you!
Fortunately we have Sigma and Tamron to offer alternative options for the photographers who are on tighter budgets.
yes i know, but the Sony has the most controls and lowest weight (as said, I have the Sigma and its also great for the 1000€ price!)@@AlphaCreativeSkills
Picked this up but might want to get a 50mm GM f1.2 for sharpness.
A wide aperture prime is always a good idea when more figure/ground separation (bokeh) is required
since I have to have a 24-70 in my hands for hours in the majority of my jobs, I can tell the half pound weight difference alone will be worth the upgrade for me
A full frame camera feels more balanced with this weight reduction.
Mine is in the customs...I had the Canon v.II for a couple of years with a great pleasure.
Hopefully it has now cleared customs
What if any filters do you use? Do you sell your presets?
All of my downloads are available on Patreon.com/markgaler
I mostly use Freewell Quick Swap filters but have reviewed NiSi filters as well.
I'm interested in the comparison with Sigma ART. They are more similar.
Same here!
There’s an obvious difference in size and weight. I ultimately sold my copy because I wasn’t fully happy with the bokeh quality as it was too busy for my taste. I replaced it with Sony’s 50 GM.
I can only compare it to lenses I have used extensively and Sigma don’t go out of there way to lend or sell me lenses. I am not sure taking the Sigma to a sporting event would have been a good idea. At the end of the day I have to use gear that I can trust will get the job done.
Hi Mark, there are some rumours going on from people having tested the new lens telling that the new Gmaster 24-70 II would be sharper then the 24mm Gmaster 1.4 Prime. I consider this not true. But as I can't check it I wanna know from you. Could you tell me about this comparison. That would be great to know!
You will need to wait for lens rentals to create MTF charts for the new GM ll for a definitive answer to this question. I post ultra HD images where you can visually assess sharpness - see link in info section.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thanks. But did you compare both by doing the same shot on a tripod just for curiosity?
I am not that interested in bench testing a 24-70 with a 24, 35, 50 and 85 primes. That is the work for a company like lens rentals who measures sharpness by photographing pairs of lines. I shoot my reviews on commercial jobs. Can you imagine testing a lens with four primes at a sporting event using a tripod? The lens is either sharp enough when reviewing my images while zoomed in on a large 4K monitor or it is not. That, in my opinion, is the test that matters.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Hi Mark, your videos are always very nerdy and full of information. It always seems to me that you are very interested as well in the newest gear. So I'm suprised that you are not willing to take 5 minutes checking the new power of the 24-70 in comparison to the primes at home. I guess you don't have any problems borrowing the lenses for free from sony for your own photo works but we people out there that you are making these videos for are not Sony ambassadors and can't borrow the lenses for free from sony. For us it matters a lot if we spend the money on a Zoom lens and save the money on the other hand. Not all of us are able to effort na A1 with all possible GM lens line up. I hope you understand that is the point for most of us so it would be interesting for many fans of your channel to get the info from you if the 24-70 II. is able to beat the 24mm in sharpness.
I used to own the Nikon 24-70 mm 2.8 VR. As a Sony user now is this 24-70 mm GM ii as big and heavy ? Trying to decide if I should sell my 24-105 mm G, 35 GM and or 50 mm GM for this new GM ii 24-70 mm. What do you think ? I am shooting with the A9ii
This advice is best tailored to the type of things you shoot, your budget and if you prioritise size and weight or optical performance. Check out my lens Choice video as this may give you some of the answers you are looking for.
For ongoing support + the option to download a 500-page eBook for your camera consider joining my Patreon.com/markgaler Alpha support group. There are no ongoing contracts or commitments and a single US $10.00 payment will give you a month to access over 20-hours of member only photography seminars + a host of other additional learning resources and get personal advice from the Q&A forums.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Appreciate the response thank you !
Great review convinced me to
Enough to change from 24-105 at double the price !
😂
Depends on what you shoot. I tried to be fair to the original MK 1 in this review as some photographers won't need the GM II
@@AlphaCreativeSkills what shooting styles do you think warrant the move from the 24-105?
It’s really hard to take a clear photo compare to prime
Cos of shutter
Hey can I ask do u use wide focus or centre or ?
What has the shutter got to do with the lens focusing on a zoom or prime lens
Mark great as usually !
Glad you think so!
Does the Sony 1.4xTC work on the new GM II lens? Thanks
The 1.4x TC is compatible with all the white telephoto zooms and primes except the 70-200 F4 G. It is not compatible with any Sony lens that is black.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you. That's exactly what I needed to know!
excellent, thanks a lot
You are welcome!
Wondering when is it going to be available in the store for us normal photographer. 2022 or 2023 ?
Due to world chip shortage, which is causing supply issues for all electrical products (not just cameras and lenses, the only way to be sure to secure the new GM II is if you pre-order it. If you wait for your local store to have boxes behind the counter then 2023 is most likely the correct answer.
That’s fast !
You are showing A1 for fast movement, what about this lens and the A7R5???
Check out my A7RV camera review where I took the A7RV to shoot speeding motorbikes.
Will it be really good with Sony A7III?
Yes
Mark, I bought the 24-70 gm II, and none of my photos are sharp no matter what I do. I have excellent results with the 70-200 gm II and the 16-35 gm II but not the 24-70. Could the lens be defective, or do you suspect user error? Have you ever experienced focusing issues regarding a Sony lens with all your experience? Thank you
As outlined in the review I used this lens to shoot sports without issue. Get Sony to check the lens. To work out if its was user error, it would take an extended discussion on my Patreon Premium Plus support channel - Patreon.com/markgaler
Thank you, Mark. Appreciated. I am a premium member subscriber
If you are a Premium Plus subscriber to my Patreon support channel you should be having this conversation on the Patreon monthly Q&A forum and not here on a public TH-cam channel. I don't receive notifications from TH-cam as I never have time to deal with the hundreds of questions I am receiving every day.
If you have good performance from the other GM lenses I would start by contacting Sony to check your lens (as mentioned previously). Lens errors are, however, extremely rare.
Focusing error are usually the fault of the user, e.g. inappropriate choice of focus area, not enough light focus accurately because the aperture is too small, the wrong choice of tracking options etc. etc. Pinpointing focus errors can require an online consultation while discussing specific images and their associated camera settings. Most users just choose to watch more of my video tutorials and hone their skills independently.
I ended up getting the - most expensive - but is it? $300/$400 more than Version 1 but how much are you gonna feel that price vs weight lugging it around for a few hours… 🤔
But I think what convinced me was trying this out on my Alpha One on my studio shoots where I wanna zoom in/out in video with the best autofocus in Sony Tech at this moment… I’ve been pulling focus with 24mm, 35mm and 50mm and it’s okay but this lens sounds like it could up for the lack Sigma’s parafocul by autofocusing on an active Zoom shoot…
Finally, while I really only plan to shoot stage works with my new Sony Gear… I’m so psych’d by the Alpha that I bought a (cheaper) L Mount and I have the Nikon 5 that I used to shoot to death in the 90s - chrome - and this might convince this to go back and start shooting ‘stills’ with other than my iPhone! 🥴
I always feel that premium glass pays for itself when you are still using it in 10 years time.
i would love to see a Sony prime 12mm f1.2 without distortion in the near future
the 14mm 1.8 is the best we have so far. Maybe one day.
When you cover the close focus capability and refer to wedding photographers taking pictures of rings, either what you said or the way you said it got pretty confusing. "...this lens isn't going to get you in close enough, your not going to have to be dishing out the macro..." - at least that is what I'm hearing, and I confess I don't know what you are saying.
If you are just a few inches from the rings I would say that you are close enough without having to use a Macro lens. You may need to crop tighter in post production but given that most of us can throw 3/4 of the pixels away and still have enough for a 4K screen or 8 x 10 inch print this would suffice for the job in hand.
Don't get fooled by Mark's reviews folks, he can make even a crappy lens produce some masterpieces. And every time I watch his videos, I end up purchasing the lenses. Ugh... pre-ordered.
Thanks for noticing I am a photographer who occasionally reviews gear rather than the other way around
Superb 24-70 if not the best because also of size and weight.
We also now have an excellent FE 20-70 F4 G for those who want to travel even lighter.
@@AlphaCreativeSkillsthe 20-70 is amazing. I had it but I returned it and got this instead. And price completely aside, it still wasn't an easy decision to make. I simply appreciate that I am able to use the f2.8 indoors and get better results in low light and outdoors I'm able to shoot at wider field of views and have slightly better background separation. The cons are the worse maximum magnification, worse weight, worse wide angle FOV, and worse price. The 20-70mm is a very good choice if you can deal with the small number of times that you need better low light performance. For me it means I'll be able to sell my f1.8 primes because f2.8 is close enough that I won't have to bring them along with the f4 and I won't have to worry about switching lenses when the sun goes down. I go to Disney World a lot with my family so being able to bring just this lens is the main attraction for me. Also photo stiching is so easy to do that 24 vs 20mm isn't a big deal. The main drawback is the added weight. I honestly wouldn't have even considered the Sigma 24-70 or the GM version 1. This version II on the other hand is a manageable weight and I think it gives me slightly better photos but I think it did enjoy taking photos and video more with the 20-70 because of the better size and weight. Also the active stabilization at 20mm was a big plus because the crop is less of an issue vs 24mm.
Anyone know what the click on button does?! Can’t seem to find it anywhere 😊
You either click when changing the aperture or you declick to slide the aperture wider or smaller
Does this lens have image stabilisation? Thank you!
No - it doesn't really need it when the camera has IBIS
It's disappointing that the Hong Kong grey import companies have no problems getting this lens and other products to sell off Sony and yet all the official retailers in the UK, can not get any. It annoys me more because Sony will refuse to repair under warranty if I buy a grey import. So I bought the Sigma instead
It's unfortunate that we are suffering supply change shortages all around the world. My run flat tyre on my car just got a puncture and there were no replacements in the country. It took my garage five days just to get a tyre of the size needed. if you look at the gaps on the supermarket shelves and the shortages of electronic products because of the world semiconductor shortage you will see the trading environment Sony is currently working under. Grey importers do have the options to sell a product with an International warranty so it may be that you could have purchased the Sony lens from overseas after all. B&H in New York ship overseas so need this as an option.
How much is it?
USD $2,299.00 from B&H Photo: bhpho.to/3vMc2lE
Mark, please ask Sony to get Adobe's attention! It's been 6 month's since the 24-70 GM II has been on sale. There still is no full lens profile (including distortion correction) available for Adobe Camera Raw. This is no way for Adobe to treat its paying customers or one of Sony's premier lenses! Thank you Sir.
I’ll be sure to do that - 6 months is way too long
Thank you!
next will be 85 1.2 gm
FIRST!!!
I find the bokeh to be a bit too busy.
Thanks for your opinion. Most find this to be a good upgrade to the MK 1 and a step up in AF performance from other non-Sony lenses.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Oh, I'm certain that it's a superb tool. It's lighter. It's sharper. It has good contrast. I've just seen a lot of sample images and when you look at the images with circular highlights in the background, you notice the "onion-ring" shapes and even some strange dots. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's there. For a lens that is $2300 and that's twice as expensive as the best third-party alternative..I'd like for the bokeh to be more pleasing. Others may find this to be a minor thing to quibble about. All the best!
Was really hoping for a 24-70 f2 lens from Sony. Canon did it right with their 24-70 f2.
It's a balancing game between weight and maximum aperture. As this is the lightest and smallest f/2.8 zoom Sony prioritised weight over maximum aperture. I use f/1.4 and f/1.2 primes so f/2 is not going to particularly excite me.
The Canon RF 28-70 f2.0 is huge and weighs 1.43 KG or 3.2 pounds. So if Sony did it from 24mm it could easily weigh 2 kilograms and be enormous, no thanks. Plus cost 6K
@@AlphaCreativeSkills thanks for your insight Mark. You are right, weight would’ve been a problem. I didn’t consider that into equation as I’m used to my current 24-70 gm’s weight.
@@ayfj4572 You are right, weight would’ve been a big problem.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills, agree with you here.
The tradeoffs are always price vs performance vs weight and size/form factor.
If Sony or Canon or any of the camera manufacturers are focused on high price and high performance, then weight and size will be bigger.
If it is high price and small weight and size, performance will be adjusted in the case of Sony’s 24-70/2.8 ii vs Canon’s 28-70/2.0
If it is keeping higher performance and lower weight and small sizes, then the G-series options are the way to go as they’re more affordable or GVFM (good value for money).