Sony Updates GM 24-70mm f/2.8 Standard Zoom
The Mark II version of Sony’s GM series 24-70mm f/2.8 is a similar upgrade to the 70200mm f/2.8 GM, further leveraging the size and optical performance benefits available with the mirrorless camera configuration. There have also been a number of ergonomic refinements based on, says Sony, feedback from professional photographers.
At 695g, the new lens is a significant 20% lighter than the previous model and approximately 18% less bulky with the overall length reduced by 16mm. In fact, it’s claimed to be the smallest and lightest 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom for a full-frame mirrorless camera system. The construction has been designed so the zoom’s centre of gravity is now further back towards the lens mount to improve the handling balance. Sony says the weather protection measures have been increased and now includes a rubber gasket around the lens mount and a fluorine coating on the exposed surface of the front element to help repel moisture.
The new zoom has a manual aperture collar that's switchable between click-stopped (in one-third stop increments) and seamless operation, and has an iris lock. The zoom control is adjustable for torque, which can be set to either Tight or Smooth. The manual focusing collar is linear in its adjustment, allowing for finer control, and there are two customisable focus hold buttons.
On the inside, the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II has an all-new optical construction that uses 20 elements in 15 groups and includes a total of nine special types. Five of these are aspherical elements – two being the highprecision XA or eXtreme Aspherical types – and four have extra-low dispersion (ED) characteristics. Two of the latter are of the stronger Super ED variety. In combination with a ‘floating’ focus arrangement, the optical design is said to effectively control chromatic aberrations, astigmatism, distortion and coma. Sony’s latest Nano AR Coating II is applied to minimise reflections, and so suppress ghosting and flare.
Autofocusing is via a quartet of Sony’s XD (eXtreme Dynamic) linear motors to give fast and near-silent operation, and provide support for 30fps shooting with continuous AF adjustment (and 4K video at 120fps). The new lens’ AF tracking performance is said to be twice as better than that of the previous model. Additionally, focus breathing, focus shift and axial shift when zooming are all improved. The minimum focusing distance is 21cm at 24mm and 30cm at 70mm, giving a useful maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1. There’s an 11-blade diaphragm for fullyrounded and smooth out-of-focus effects.
The new Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II is available in Australia now, priced at $3,299.
For more information visit www.sony.com.