Over the last three weeks I was fortunate enough to get to try out a pre-release copy of the new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II lens. Sony gave the lens to a few different photographers with various genres and they asked me to photograph some wildlife with it to I could share my thoughts.
What’s New?
The biggest update to the lens is the weight. It is 1/3 less weight than the previous version which is HUGE. A 70-200mm is a staple in many people’s kits and the previous version was just plain heavy. You’ll find Internet forums and reviews that all talk about this.
Well, they managed to make a lens that actually takes even better quality photos and weights 1/3 less. I realize these are all numbers, but the main thing I can say is that it’s noticeable. When you pick up version 1 of this lens, it just feels heavy. When you pick up this lens it feels like a feather compared to the other one. If you’re some one that holds this lens all day, you WILL notice this in a heart beat.
Aperture Ring
They also added an aperture ring to the lens. It’s something that none of my wildlife zoom lenses have, and I had no idea I would like. But after using it, I actually became a big fan of the aperture ring for wildlife.
Video
At this point I could share more photos and write a lot but I found it a lot easier to do a video. In the video I’ll share more photos, the good and bad about the lens as well as whether or not I’ll end up keeping it in my wildlife bag.
I love teaching and photography... In that order. I feel that enjoying photography, and photo editing can get WAY too complicated. So my personal mission (and favorite thing to do), is to create education that simplifies the process of taking great photos, and how to edit them to get the results you’ve always wanted.
You mentioned you used a teleconverter, did the autofocus function as well with it as without?
Yep. Worked great.
Matt, Canon R lenses already have the control ring that can be programmed to change Aperture or any other values of choice. I mention this since you were raving about the Aperture ring on this lens.
So?
I was just looking at this the other day, wondering whether to go from my (lighter) 70-200mm 4.5-5.6 to this one. After much discussion and arguing with our son, I think I will get this one. Anyway, your video here has gotten me much closer to making that decision. Thank you (although not sure my pocketbook thanks you)
Good information.
Thanks for evaluating this lens.