FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Braving the rugged wilderness of the Catlins Coast with Stefan Haworth | Capture like an Alpha Traveller

Calvin — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:39:59 +0000

Braving the rugged wilderness of the Catlins Coast with Stefan Haworth | Capture like an Alpha Traveller

Calvin Tue, 02/27/2024 - 14:09

Article Categories

Tips

Body Category

Alpha 7CR

Lens Category

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

What’s in my backpack

Must-see attractions and highlights

Weather, climate and shooting conditions

Embark on your adventures like an Alpha Traveller

Based in Queenstown, New Zealand, Stefan Haworth is a Sony Digital Imaging Ambassador specialising in action, sports and travel photography. However, his passion lies in exploring the great outdoors in his backyard and beyond.

IG: @stefan_haworth

The Catlins in the deep south of New Zealand is where the forest meets the ocean. It’s a raw and powerful coastline. Choosing the right equipment is crucial for making the most of this wild destination.

What’s in my backpack

Photographing the diverse wildlife of the Catlins requires a camera that can capture the nuances of their behaviour and expressions. I used the latest Full-frame compact 61MP Alpha 7CR to ensure stunning, high-resolution shots. Even though it has a smaller and more compact body than other Alpha cameras, it doesn’t compromise image quality. It was always at my side to capture every moment on The Catlins Coast. Its fast autofocus system and 8 frames-per-second continuous shooting speed make it a great choice.

When paired with the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II, the Alpha 7CR provides the reach and speed needed to capture wildlife moments that are fleeting and unpredictable. From fur seals in motion to penguins emerging from the water, this camera-lens combination ensures you never miss a shot. Be careful not to mistake any sleeping sea lions for logs as you walk along the beach. You might need some running shoes. I did!

Another lens I used on my trip was the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II. It’s a versatile workhorse well-suited to a wide range of shooting situations. Whether you're capturing the lighthouse against the dramatic sunrise with the lens wide at 24mm or focusing on the intricate details of the structure during the golden hour at 70mm, this lens delivers sharpness and clarity. The F2.8 aperture lets you play with depth of field, creating images that pop with vivid detail while beautifully blurring the background.

Alpha 7CR | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 24mm | 1/160 sec | F7.1 | ISO 250

Must-see attractions and highlights

Nugget Point Lighthouse is a highlight among many people for good reason. It’s simply stunning, surrounded by cliffs with nesting birds and seals lazing underneath. The lighthouse dominates the panoramic view. I’ve ventured to this lighthouse on multiple occasions. The sun rising over the ocean is one of my favourite times to capture the lighthouse. Next on my list is to capture the lighthouse with the aurora under the starry sky.

Alpha 7CR | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/1250 sec | F2.8 | ISO 125

Alpha 7CR | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 103mm | 1/500 sec | F2.8 | ISO 80

The Catlins is home to the Yellow Eyed Penguin — the world’s rarest penguin. I waited hours in the dark for the small animal to appear at first light, only to appear on the other side of a shrub. Seals, on the other hand, are plentiful. You can find them sunbathing on rocks or rolling in the sand. If you’re lucky enough, October and November are the perfect time to see the baby seals play in the rock pools. Sometimes, in the distance, the odd Albatross with a giant 2m wingspan soars across the wave’s tops. It might be a harsh and raw environment, but there’s wildlife everywhere to capture.

Weather, climate and shooting conditions

The Catlins are known for having four seasons in one day. One moment it’s hot, next hailing, then raining, then snowing, then sunny again. It’s not just the downpours you’ll need a rain jacket for. It’s for getting close to the hidden waterfalls tucked along the coast. Exploring the waterfalls and enchanted forests of the Catlins demands a versatile camera system. The Alpha 7CR, with its adaptable features and impressive dynamic range, is perfect for such conditions. Whether you're experimenting with long-exposure shots at the crowd-favourite Purakaunui Falls or capturing the dappled light within Catlins Forest Park, the Alpha 7CR's flexibility shines through.

Alpha 7CR | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 24mm | 1/30 sec | F2.8 | ISO 320

Underneath the canopy, it gets darker, and an F2.8 aperture becomes particularly crucial for capturing in low-light situations. The camera’s ISO capabilities are exceptional, but even in the forest, an overhead thick cloud could challenge the shooting situation if you don’t have a tripod. I recommend a lens with an aperture of F2.8 or wider.

Alpha 7CR | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 100mm | 1/5000 sec | F4.5 | ISO 320

Being remote and raw, the Catlins can be challenging but beautifully rewarding for photographers. The Alpha 7CR, paired with the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II lenses, is a setup I found perfect for travelling along the Catlins coast as it’s ideal for capturing the beauty, wonder, and magic of this extraordinary destination.

Embark on your adventures like an Alpha Traveller

The grandest voyages begin with a reliable set of gear that can keep up with your travelling pace and photographic needs. Equipment aside, it’s essential to be adaptable, adventurous and always ready to capture the world’s wonders.

Read more on Stefan’s journey around New Zealand.

Navigating the Majestic Mt. Cook with Stefan Haworth | Capture like an Alpha Traveller

Fly high above the Southern Alps of New Zealand with Stefan Haworth | Capture like an Alpha Traveller

Products

Featured

Alpha 7CR

6,100 萬像素輕便型全片幅相機

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

G Master 全畫幅標準變焦鏡頭

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

G Master 全畫幅遠攝變焦鏡頭

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Travel

Fly high above the Southern Alps of New Zealand with Stefan Haworth | Capture like an Alpha Traveller

Calvin — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:03:51 +0000

Fly high above the Southern Alps of New Zealand with Stefan Haworth | Capture like an Alpha Traveller

Calvin Tue, 02/27/2024 - 13:33

Article Categories

Tips

Body Category

Alpha 7CR

Lens Category

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

What’s in my backpack

Must-see attractions and highlights

Weather, climate and shooting conditions

Embark on your adventures like an Alpha Traveller

IG: @stefan_haworth

Flying amongst the Southern Alps of New Zealand is a breathtaking adventure that offers unparalleled views of the stunning alpine landscape. It’s an absolute dream for many photo-enthusiasts as well as professionals.

Alpha 7CR | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 180mm | 1/1600 sec | F3.5 | ISO 250

What’s in my backpack

Capturing this once-in-a-lifetime journey with the Sony Alpha 7CR, equipped with the two G-master lenses; the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lenses that proved to be a masterstroke. These two lenses offered a perfect blend of diversity, allowing for both detailed, close-up shots of the mountain's intricate features, and expansive, wide-angle views of scenes like the sunrise over Mount Aspiring.

Alpha 7CR | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 56mm | 1/500 sec | F2.8 | ISO 160

Must-see attractions and highlights

Mount Aspiring is a sharp mountain top that dominates the scene surrounded by glaciers and big cliffs that loom over the Matukituki River. The first light’s glow upon this peak was easily one of my favourite photos. The fast F2.8 aperture of these lenses played a crucial role, as it was still challenging with bumps and low light scenes. In the low light conditions experienced, a slower aperture like F4 would have posed a significant challenge even with amazing ISO. With the versatility of the F2.8 lenses, I was able to adapt to the rapidly changing lighting conditions and capture the essence of this majestic landscape in all its glory. As the last thing you want to do is land and realise some images are blurry from turbulence.

Alpha 7CR | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 24mm | 1/1250 sec | F3.2 | ISO 800

Weather, climate and shooting conditions

You can’t always guarantee the wing strut and wheel won’t get in the way of your framing so having the zoom helps navigate obstructions and snap an opportunity when it arises. It saves cropping in post and losing valuable pixels. Don’t forget to also embrace it and make the window part of your framing too.

Treated with an open window was great without glass reflection, but at that altitude the temperature was a bitterly cold -10 degrees Celsius. Make sure you don’t forget your gloves and have everything strapped in, you don’t want to lose your camera or loose items of clothing. Even take off your lens hood as that can get ripped off if you lean out the window.

Alpha 7CR | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 38mm | 1/1250 sec | F4.5 | ISO 160

The biggest importance when flying is preparation, making sure your SD cards are empty and lenses are clean. You can’t go back and reframe your photo with ease in an aeroplane. Having a responsive camera is just as vital. The Sony Alpha 7CR proves to be an ideal companion in these situations, boasting a remarkable burst shooting capability of up to 8 frames-per-second. This high FPS rate allows for capturing a rapid sequence of shots in quick succession, ensuring no moment is missed amidst the breathtaking landscapes and fleeting lighting conditions of aerial photography. Moreover, the advanced autofocus system of the Alpha 7CR ensures sharp and precise focus even in fast-paced, dynamic environments, allowing photographers to seize every detail with confidence and clarity.

Embark on your adventures like an Alpha Traveller

I’d highly recommend exploring the Southern Alps from the air if you really enjoy photography. Go capture a sunrise on your Sony Alpha 7CR where first rays of light paint the peaks and valleys with a warm, golden hue. If you’re lucky you may even land the plane on the glacier!

Products

Featured

Alpha 7CR

6,100 萬像素輕便型全片幅相機

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

G Master 全畫幅標準變焦鏡頭

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

G Master 全畫幅遠攝變焦鏡頭

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Nature/Landscapes

Travel

Navigating the Majestic Mt. Cook with Stefan Haworth | Capture like an Alpha Traveller

Calvin — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 05:54:41 +0000

Navigating the Majestic Mt. Cook with Stefan Haworth | Capture like an Alpha Traveller

Calvin Tue, 02/27/2024 - 11:24

Article Categories

Tips

Body Category

Alpha 7CR

Lens Category

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

What’s in my backpack

Must-see attractions and highlights

Weather, climate and shooting conditions

Embark on your adventures like an Alpha Traveller

IG: @stefan_haworth

Mount Cook National Park, home to towering mountains and vast glaciers, including Aoraki (the Māori name for Mount Cook) itself, presents a paradise for photographers to capture stunning landscapes.

What’s in my backpack

I paired the Sony A7CR alongside the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lenses, which proved indispensable allies for capturing the essence of the awe-inspiring landscapes. From the serene blues of Lake Pukaki to the rugged beauty of the Hooker Valley walk and the stunning vistas of Tasman Lake, this Sony setup demonstrated its worth at every turn.

Alpha 7CR | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 28mm | 1/640 sec | F5.6 | ISO 100

Must-see attractions and highlights

Driving towards Mount Cook National Park, travellers are drawn to the captivating allure of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's tallest peak at 3,724 meters. Surrounded by dramatic landscapes, this area is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Renowned for its glaciers, turquoise lakes, and rugged mountain ranges, the park attracts adventurers drawn to the pristine beauty of an alpine wilderness.

Alpha 7CR | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/200 sec | F2.8 | ISO 320

The road meanders alongside Lake Pukaki, famed for its vivid, surreal blues. The mirror-like surface of the lake reflects the stunning silhouette of Mount Cook, captivating travellers with its awe-inspiring presence. Taking a moment to capture this breathtaking panorama, the Sony A7CR, paired with the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II lens, meticulously frames the intricate details, unveiling the profound beauty of the region. The gear's advanced image stabilisation technology subtly ensures that each shot remains sharp, preserving the essence of this extraordinary landscape even during a moving journey.

Alpha 7CR | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 25mm | 1/800 sec | F5.6 | ISO 125

One of the most accessible gateways into the raw and wild mountains, the Hooker Valley walk offers an exhilarating adventure within minutes. This scenic trail traverses swing bridges and wooden walkways and meanders alongside glacial torrents, revealing the rugged beauty of glacial moraines. Along this journey, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens is an indispensable tool for capturing the essence of the untamed terrain.

Alpha 7CR | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 24mm | 1/100 sec | F5.6 | ISO 400

Renowned for its versatility, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II effortlessly adapts to varying landscapes, offering a spectrum of focal lengths encompassing both tight and wide angles. From the grand vistas of the Southern Alps to the intricate details of the glacial moraines, this lens encapsulates sweeping views and intricate details, ensuring an immersive photographic experience amidst the raw beauty of New Zealand's untamed landscape.

Alpha 7CR | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 42mm | 1/2000 sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Weather, climate and shooting conditions

While snowfall prevented an ascent to the famous Mueller Hut, the lesser-known alternative track, Red Tarns Track, unveiled stunning views over Mount Cook village with both Hooker Valley and Tasman lakes with the Icebergs. The sharpness rendered by the 61-megapixel sensor of the A7CR enhanced by the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens revealed unparalleled details of the old braided river beds covered in tussocks on the valley floor. This camera gear combination delivered a visual feast, preserving every detail from the crystal-clear reflections of the mountains surrounding the valleys.

Alpha 7CR | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 47mm | 1/800 sec | F6.3 | ISO 100

Embark on your adventures like an Alpha Traveller

For adventurers seeking to encapsulate the raw magnificence of Mount Cook National Park, Sony’s gear stands ready, offering precision and reliability to turn each frame into a timeless testament to this pristine wilderness.

Read more on Stefan’s journey around New Zealand.

Braving the rugged wilderness of the Catlins Coast with Stefan Haworth | Capture like an Alpha Traveller

Fly high above the Southern Alps of New Zealand with Stefan Haworth | Capture like an Alpha Traveller

Products

Featured

Alpha 7CR

6,100 萬像素輕便型全片幅相機

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

G Master 全畫幅遠攝變焦鏡頭

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

G Master 全畫幅標準變焦鏡頭

Article Theme

Nature/Landscapes

Travel

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | Review by Mobile01 | Lightest In Its Class!

sneha — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 10:10:39 +0000

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | Review by Mobile01 | Lightest In Its Class!

sneha Thu, 03/24/2022 - 15:40

Article Categories

Reviews

Lens Category

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II (SEL70200GM2) is not only the 65th new member of the E-Mount ring, but also the first second-generation G Master lens. It’s been more than five years since the launch of the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS. In that time, Sony’s G Master lens portfolio has continued to grow, with the FE 35mm F1.4 GM (SEL35F14GM), FE 50mm F1.2 GM (SEL50F12GM), and FE 14mm F1.8 GM (SEL14F18GM) the envy of FE-Mount users this year! With just over a month to go before the end of 2021, the SEL70200GM2 might just close the final chapter of this year’s G Master lenses!

Let’s get down to business! The SEL70200GM2 is not only a popular focal length in portrait photography as it. The also features frequently in landscape photography competitions. The most impressive part of this redesign is its “lightweight” build that improves mobility for any kind of photo shoots. It The lens has been reduced in weight by 29%, leaving the SEL70200GM2 weighing a mere 1045 grams. The focus mechanism has been enhanced with the XD Extreme Dynamic (XD) linear focus motor, making the second-generation lens four times faster than the first iteration. By comparison, the feeling is superb as it also significantly suppresses the effects from breathing. The It has a total of seven special lenses, with an ED aspherical lens added to the FE for the first time. The lens also has a magnification of 0.3x, which makes it much more practical for close-up photography.

Appearance and Features

▲ (Left) SEL70200GM2, (Right) SEL70200GM

At first sight, you will be impressed by the hood of the SEL70200GM2. It features more modern barrel- shaped hood with a rubber ring on the front designed to resist impact and scratching. I wonder if you’ve noticed that both lenses are of the same height and size, at 88.0 x 200 (mm), but the weight difference is considerable.

Originally a massive 1480 grams, the weight has been reduced by 29% to 1045 grams, and the SEL70200GM2 is also the lightest 70-200mm F2.8 in the world.

But do you think the SEL70200GM2 is simply designed to be lighter? No, not at all! The original manufacturer has put a lot of effort in weight distribution, so that its weight is concentrated at the tail end. This ensures that the centre of gravity is positioned on the tripod mount and that the lens is not top-heavy when shooting handheld. Compared to the previous FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS, the second -generation FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is more photographer-friendly in terms of weight and distribution.

Continuous shoots

SEL70200GM2

The SEL70200GM2 has the same level of dust and moisture resistance as the FE 400 mm F2.8 GM OSS (SEL400F28GM) and FE 600-mm F4 GM OSS (SEL600F40GM) and uses magnesium alloy barrel components. The reason is simple! It is because most of these lenses are used for outdoor photography, and the lens body tends to get hot when exposed to the sun for a long time, which affects the quality of the image. Therefore, white is chosen for its least heat-absorbing colour. The colour of the “white cannon” varies across manufacturers, with some being whitish and others greyish, but it is a way to reduce heat absorption.

SEL70200GM2

The SEL70200GM2 has a 77mm front lens diameter, 11 aperture blades, closest focusing distances of 40cm and 82cm for wide-angle and telephoto, respectively, and an optimum magnification of 0.3x, which is probably one of the best in its class.

SEL70200GM2 SEL70200GM

With the help of special lenses, the number of optical structures has been simplified from 18 groups of 23 to 14 groups of 17. For the first time, we see the inclusion of ED aspherical lenses in the special lens specification, with one XA lens, one aspherical lens, one ED aspherical lens, two ED lenses and two super ED lenses. The coating technology used is Nano Anti-Reflection (AR) II to suppress flare, with fluorine coating is added to the front lens to prevent moisture and oil adhesion.

SEL70200GM2

The SEL70200GM2 includes an aperture ring, which is a standard feature on the second-generation G Master lenses, to allow for more natural aperture reduction and smoother transition between brightness and depth of field when using the click switch. The SEL70200GM2 has an aperture range of F2.8 to F22 and an “A” option, with the aperture value controlled by the camera when the aperture ring is switched to “A.”.

However, if you have used the aperture ring before, you must have encountered some accidental touch, right? For example, you may have set it to “A,”, but because of the accidental touch, the aperture ring is switched to F22 or other aperture values by mistake. Yet the SEL70200GM2 includes an IRIS / focus-range limiter switch for the first time, allowing the aperture to be fixed at “A” or “F2.8 to F22.”. However, I think it’s a pity that since it’s called the focus-range limiter switch, it should be able to be fixed at all aperture levels!

SEL70200GM2

The front end of the lens body is equipped with three “focus hold buttons” at 90 degrees to each other. This is because the SEL70200GM2 lens is most often used for animal or sports photography, and the combination of AF-C continuous focus and high-speed continuous shooting is pretty common. As such, the right index finger is essentially half-pressing on the shutter continuously. This is where the “focus hold buttons” function comes in handy. It simply stops the focusing action temporarily to fix the focus distance for the moment. But if you really don’t need this function, you can customise it to other functions via the menu

SEL70200GM2

Does “Full Time DMF” sound confusing to you? Simply put, when Full Time DMF is switched on, the manual focus is activated when the focus ring is operated, regardless of your AF-S/AF-C/MF/DMF focus mode. It doesn’t matter which of the above is selected. The Full Time DMF setting takes priority so that the photographer can quickly correct the focus distance without the focus range limiter interfering with it.

The focus range limiter SEL70200GM2 also has the options of “FULL” and “∞-3m.”. The OSS optical image stabilisation has no official level of lens stabilisation. Sony currently only calculates the combined image stabilisation level of the body and lens, and the consensus is that it is 5.5 on the 5-axis with the Alpha 1, for example. I didn’t do any special testing here, but I could at least feel the image stabilisation.

The SEL70200GM2 has three OSS modes to choose from: Mode 1 is universal and suitable for most scenes;, Mode 2 is designed to optimise panning shots;, and Mode 3 emphasises compositional stability when shooting dynamic, unpredictable movements, so photographers can switch freely according to the subject matter.

SEL70200GM2

The SEL70200GM2 uses the same tripod ring mechanism as its predecessor, with a screw and positioning hole at the bottom. The tripod ring can be temporarily removed to reduce weight for prolonged hand-held operation, although the ARCA mounting system is not included. In addition, the tripod ring can be switched between “vertical” and/ “horizontal” during operation. However, there is no feedback for the positioning, so you have to align them yourself

The SEL70200GM2 has a metal ring and a thin rubber ring around the rear of the lens to improve the seal and prevent moisture or dust from entering the lens. As you can see from the picture above, there is plenty of space between the rear lens and the ring, which allows the SEL70200GM2 to be used with 1.4x or 2x rangefinder lenses.

Indoor Portrait Comparison | SEL70200GM2 vs. SEL70200GM

SEL70200GM2: 200mm ISO320 F2.8 1/160s SEL70200GM: 200mm ISO320 F.8 1/160s

We were unable to work outdoors due to the typhoon. So I could only compare the bokeh whilst shooting indoors. Despite this, I still put them up for your reference. The exposure parameters are the same for both photos.

Focus Speed Comparison | SEL70200GM2 vs. SEL70200GM

The SEL70200GM2 is equipped with four high powered XD linear motors and advanced control technology, giving it an overwhelming advantage over the SEL70200GM’s original conventional RDSSM ring-driven ultrasonic motor, with an overall focusing speed of up to 4 four times faster and much better accuracy. The following video comparison will give you a better idea.

SEL70200GM2

SEL70200GM

Focus Breathing Comparison | SEL70200GM2 vs. SEL70200GM

The SEL70200GM2 has also been enhanced to suppress the “effects of breathing” to better meet the needs of video recorders. As you can see from the video below, when the SEL70200GM2 changes its “focus distance”, the size of the subject and the background remains almost the same, except for the change in visibility. However, when the SEL70200GM changes its focus distance, it looks like a “zoom” and the changes in the foreground and background can only be described as “extremely dramatic!”!

SEL70200GM2

SEL70200GM

Resolution Comparison | SEL70200GM2 vs. SEL70200GM

SEL70200GM2

While The SEL70200GM already has a high standard of performance, the SEL70200GM2 is delivers even better performance, especially in terms of clarity. I’ve paired it with Sony’s flagship Alpha 1, which comes in at 50MP, so I’m sure it’s a good match for a double-lens! Here is a comparison of the 70mm and 200mm performance of the first and second generations. We also cropped the centre and the fringes for comparison.

Dispersion Suppression Comparison | SEL70200GM2 vs. SEL70200GM

The results of the dispersion test below have some variation because it was done outdoors., However, we did our best to keep the variation to a minimum as it was not easy to focus accurately on the same position with the windy interference, especially when comparing two telephoto lenses. However, you can see in the picture below that the SEL70200GM2, which is slightly out of focus, has less purple fringing at F2.8 than the SEL70200GM. This alone is convincing! The other point is that both the Generation I and II lenses are the choice at the time of launch, so it is only natural to want an upgrade. The test is just a way to whet your appetite for a good buy. I don’t even need to push it!

Flare Suppression Comparison | SEL70200GM2 vs. SEL70200GM

SEL70200GM2 and SEL70200GM are two lenses with AR II coating and AR coating, respectively, mainly because of the difference between the former and the latter coating, which can effectively suppress the possible effects of strong light or spotlight sources. The difference should be visible from the open aperture, as the SEL70200GM2 starts to show ghosting at F5.6, while the SEL70200GM is at F2.8, which can be seen at the bottom left of the centre of the image.

Experiential Tips and Concluding Remarks

In fact, the SEL70200GM2 arrived a little earlier than the Alpha 7 IV, but the official launch sequence was somewhat controlled, so the photos taken with the Alpha 7 IV and the SEL70200GM2 could not be shown at the same time. Since the Alpha 7 IV had arrived late and I had to post this article before the SEL70200GM2 launch, I felt that this test was not as thorough as it could have been... I wished they were launched at the same time.

Let’s get back to the main topic. As the first GM II lens, the SEL70200GM2 has been completely overhauled from the inside out with lots of features. The 70-200mm F2.8 lens with internal zoom and internal focus weighs in at 1045 grams, which is a feat in and of itself. The weight has been tailored for you, so you don’t have to worry about it being top-heavy, whether you’re operating on a tripod or hand-held

The SEL70200GM2 is also superb in terms of focus speed. Whether working with a single lens or with a 2.0x magnification lens to shoot black kites, with the combination of “AF-C + birds”, the Alpha 1 can be left to handle the continuous shooting. Basically, as long as the shutter speed is above 1/2000s, it has a 90% hit rate. With the 2.0x magnification, the image quality is somewhat affected. However, with the aperture forced down to F5.6, the AF speed is almost unaffected, which I find quite impressive. General portrait shooting is a piece of cake for the SEL70200GM2, especially with the Real-Time Eye AF.

The SEL70200GM2 has taken the image quality of this series a step further! The SEL70200GM is already good enough, but with consumers demanding better quality, there’s no stopping it! If you’re a motion photographer, the SEL70200GM2’s breath suppression performance is definitely a worth while buy. The price of the SEL70200GM2 in Taiwan was revealed yesterday at an MSRP of NT$76,980. Just like the SEL70200GM, the price of the first-generation lens should be reduced soon, right? But However, there is no news on the official website yet. It took a lot of time to take the samples below, so make sure you click on the larger images when you have time to enjoy them!

Sample Shots (JPG)

Sony Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 123mm | 1/160 sec | F2.8 | ISO 250

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/2500sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/2000sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 101mm | 1/5000sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 |FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II |70mm | 1/160sec | F2.8 | ISO 200

Alpha | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 1 200mm | 1/2500sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/200sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 1 200mm | 1/4000sec | F2.8 | ISO 400

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 100mm | 1/100sec | F2.8 | ISO 200

Alpha | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 1 200mm | 1/8000sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/500sec | F7.1 | ISO 100

Alpha 7 IV | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 70mm | 1/200sec | F2.8 | ISO 320

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/320sec | F4.5 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 70mm | 1/2500sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 197mm | 1/160sec | F2.8 | ISO 320

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 70mm | 1/4000sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 70mm | 1/1600sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 1 400mm | 1/1600s | F7.1 | ISO 640

Alpha 7 IV | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 102mm | 1/125sec | F2.8 | ISO 320

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II |400mm | 1/2000sec | F5.6 | ISO 500

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/640sec | F7.1 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 162mm | 1/200sec | F2.8 | ISO 320

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 400mm | 1/1600sec | F7.1 | ISO 500

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 82mm | 1/800sec | F5.0 | ISO 100

Alpha 7 IV | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 100mm | 1/200sec | F2.8 | ISO200

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 170mm | 1/200sec | F5.6 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 70mm | 1/160sec | F4.5 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/200sec | F2.8 | ISO 320

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 70mm | 1/2000sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/2500sec | F2.8 | ISO 200

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/400sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 7 IV | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 100mm | 1/160sec | F2.8 | ISO 200

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/2500sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 125mm | 1/4000s | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/125sec | F2.8 | ISO 400

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/320sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/2500sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 100mm | 1/160sec | F2.8 | ISO 250

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/1600sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/800sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 197mm | 1/125sec | F2.8 | ISO 400

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/500sec | F5.6 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/1600sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 150mm | 1/160sec | F2.8 | ISO 250

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 200mm | 1/800sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 400mm | 1/1600sec | F7.1 | ISO 800

Alpha 1 | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 70mm | 1/6400sec | F2.8 | ISO 100

Alpha 7 IV | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II | 70mm | 1/125sec | F2.8 | ISO 320

Read Mobile01’s original review of the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Review here. Please note that the original review is in Traditional Chinese, and was translated for the purpose of this article