A high-end ultra-wide lens with very spectacular optical efficiency
Introduction
The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is a high-end, ultra-wide zoom with a brilliant most aperture of f/2.8 all through the zoom vary. It was introduced in 2023 because the successor to the unique Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, a lens that debuted in 2017. The brand new model is smaller and lighter, and it options all-new optics. How does the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II maintain up within the subject and within the lab? That’s the query I’ll reply in as we speak’s overview!
Needless to say the unique model of the lens hasn’t been discontinued and continues to be promoting new for $2200 (no less than on the time of this overview’s publication; you possibly can examine its present value and availability right here). By comparability, the GM II prices $2650. Whether or not that’s definitely worth the distinction is one thing I used to be keen to check.
Actually, on paper, the brand new model of the lens has received some attention-grabbing options. It’s 20% lighter, focuses extra intently, and provides an aperture ring. The optical components can also be fairly loopy: 15 components in 12 teams, and of these, a whopping eight components have some particular qualities to them! We’re 2 ED glass, 1 Tremendous ED glass, 1 ED aspherical, 1 aspherical, and three excessive aspherical components. That’s sufficient particular components to begin a brand new periodic desk.
However does this new optical components translate to higher efficiency for the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II? And did Sony make any compromises on their path to the second model of this lens? Learn on to seek out out!
Construct High quality
The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is a well-built lens with tight tolerances and good climate sealing. A lot of the lens barrel is fabricated from high-quality plastics, with the lens mount being steel – all as anticipated.
At 547 grams (1.21 kilos), this lens is on the sunshine facet for an ultra-wide f/2.8 zoom. It’s additionally moderately small at 112 millimeters lengthy (4.4 inches). As you possibly can see, it doesn’t look imbalanced or misplaced on a Sony mirrorless digicam, on this case the a7R III:
Right here’s how its weight compares to a number of the alternate options:
- Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8: 420 g (0.93 lbs)
- Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 G2: 440 g (0.97 lbs)
- Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8: 450 g (0.99 lbs)
- Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II: 547 g (1.21 lbs)
- Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S: 650 g (1.43 lbs)
- Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM: 680 g (1.50 lbs)
- Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 A for L-mount: 795 grams (1.75 lbs)
- Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L: 840 g (1.85 lbs)
- Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 GM: 847 g (1.86 lbs)
Not unhealthy! It’s meaningfully lighter than the earlier model of the lens, and the one opponents that weigh much less even have a smaller zoom vary. (The 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II additionally measures about half an inch shorter than the earlier model, though each have the identical 82mm filter thread measurement.)
Like most ultra-wide zooms, the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II extends whereas zoomed – a small adverse, however not a giant deal. The entrance barrel of the lens is prolonged essentially the most at 16mm, regularly retracting till you attain 35mm. There is no such thing as a significant wobble when the lens barrel is prolonged, and it doesn’t lengthen very far, so it’s nonetheless fairly weatherproof on the finish of the day.
Dealing with
The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II handles very properly. It has the standard zoom and focus rings, in addition to a M/A swap and a customized perform button. All of that’s inherited from the earlier model of the lens, however the GM II provides two new dealing with options of its personal: an aperture ring (with click on/de-click choices) and a replica of the perform button on the highest facet of the lens.
That’s all good to see, and there isn’t a lot lacking within the dealing with division at this level. It’s a totally skilled lens that handles easily with out getting in your method.
Observe that this lens doesn’t have an optical stabilization system. Nonetheless, I don’t contemplate lens-based picture stabilization to be crucial in case your digicam already has IBIS. I had no bother capturing handheld with the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II at sluggish shutter speeds.
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Specs
- Full Title: Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
- Focal Size: 16-35mm (2.2x zoom)
- Most Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimal Aperture: f/22
- Lens Parts: 15
- Lens Aspect Teams: 12
- Filter Thread Dimension: 82mm
- Most Magnification: 0.32×
- Minimal Focusing Distance: 0.22 meters (0.72 toes)
- Picture Stabilization: No
- Aperture Blades: 11, rounded
- Fluorine Coating: Sure
- ED Glass Parts: 2
- Tremendous ED Glass Parts: 1
- Excessive Aspherical Parts: 3
- Aspherical Parts: 1
- ED Aspherical Parts: 1
- Focus Motor: Linear focus motor
- Inside Focusing: Sure
- Inside Zooming: No
- Rings: Zoom, focus, and aperture (switchable between clicked and de-clicked)
- Perform Buttons: Two
- Switches: AF-MF swap, aperture de-clicking swap, aperture locking swap
- Dimensions (Size x Diameter): 112 x 88 mm (4.4 x 3.5 inches)
- Weight: 547 g (1.21 lbs)
- MSRP: $2648 (examine present value)
The subsequent web page of this overview covers the optical traits of the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II, together with focusing efficiency and sharpness checks within the lab. So, click on the menu under to go to “Optical Options”: