Review: Sony SEL 28-70 F2 GM - The new standard benchmark

The most popular focal length of 2024 is probably the focal length range between 24 and 70 mm. Okay, we're also talking about one of the standard focal lengths in photography, which probably covers most applications and can be found in every photo backpack. Zoom lenses are a perfect compromise, especially for photographers who need maximum flexibility. In this article, we would like to introduce you to this special Lens.

Which Lens have been released this year in this focal length range?

This year alone there are 6 Lens that have been released so far, whether new version or new mount:

• Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Arts
• Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Arts
• Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Arts
• Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2
• Sony 24-50mm f/2.8
• Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM

Features +amp; form factor of the Sony SEL 28-70 F/2 GM

Yes, this lens with the identical focal length is also available from Canon (1.43kg), but the Sony version is much smaller and lighter, as the Sony 28-70 f/2 G Master weighs only 920g, which corresponds to a weight reduction of just over 40%. In length, it corresponds approximately to the dimensions of the Canon equivalent, while in width it is rather slimmer, which also reduces the size of the glass elements, among other things, which also leads to a weight saving.

As usual with the G Master Lens, this dream standard zoom has an aperture ring, which, as is so often the case, is clickable and declickable, which will certainly please videographers. What else we find on this Lens is a freely programmable button and a switch to adjust the zoom resistance from soft to stiff. When zooming, the Lens extends a little, which means that this G Master is not an internal zoom.

The autofocus performance of the G Master

We have now discussed weight and size, but it is actually clear to everyone that a lens with a zoom and an aperture of 2.0 is not going to be a lightweight, but what is essential is an autofocus that you can rely on, especially with the amount of heavy glass here, it has to be able to move a lot and as quickly as possible! Thanks to the XD Linear motors, which are on the Sony A9 III with up to 120 frames per second, this is also no problem with the new 28-70 GM. The focus is very smooth and pleasant when working with video recordings, as there is no annoying pumping or stuttering.

Focus breathing is not a problem thanks to the camera's internal correction, even if we switched this off in our test, the distortion was only minimal and not really annoying for us. We also put the new Sony SEL 28-70 f2 GM to the test with regard to parfocality; the Lens itself did not pass this test, but we were not surprised that it did not work. However, as the autofocus works very well and performs very well in this lens, this would probably not be noticeable to almost all users of this lens.

Close-up limit of the 28-70 GM f2

Depending on which focal length you are working at, the close-up limit is 23 cm or 38 cm, which can be considered very close considering the length of the Lens itself. This allows us to get some really interesting close-ups with buttery soft f/2 bokeh.

Aperture of f2, soft bokeh and its advantages

Anyone who has a 24-70mm with an aperture of F2.8 will certainly ask themselves, why should I be even more interested in a 28-70mm with an aperture of f2? Concert, event and wedding photographers in particular often work in situations where the lighting is poor and every little bit more aperture means a reduction in the noise behavior on the ISO side and the associated ISO noise. This means that you regain quality and, above all, even more cropping for the moment; of course, ISO noise can also be a look on the other side. But what does this mean for photographers in reality? Thanks to the f-stop of 2.0, the ISO is reduced by half in low light conditions compared to f-stop 2.8. This means that with an f-stop of 2.0 you can work with an ISO of 3200 instead of ISO 6400,

With its 11 built-in aperture blades, this Lens also offers a butter-soft bokeh, as usual with the G Masters.

The sharpness of the new standard zoom

What is really interesting for many photographers at this point is an assessment of the sharpness. For a zoom lens, the sharpness is on a par with a fixed focal length. But there is a catch, because the G Master Lens are known for their brutal sharpness, so sharp that Sony may have set the bar a little too high.

At f/2 it loses the battle against its own G Master fixed focal lengths, which should come as no surprise as we stopped down the fixed focal lengths for the sharpness test. If we now look at the aperture of the 28-70 and stop it down to f2.8, it can keep up with the 35mm GM at 35mm, which loses sharpness compared to the 28-70, especially at the edges. If we now zoom to 70mm and compare the whole thing with the new Sony 24-70 GM II, the 28-70 can keep up very well at f2.8, especially in the center of the image. Towards the edges, the 24-70mm GM2 wins.

Conclusion

If you need a Lens that provides a lot of separation or is dependent on a large amount of light, you will certainly live with the compromises in terms of sharpness. Of course, it's not the smallest or lightest lens, but it's important to keep in mind how big the equivalent Canon lens is and what other zoom lenses weigh. Sony offers an interesting alternative for the 24-70 GM. Especially for wedding photographers who rely on low-light lenses, this lens is the perfect companion and will certainly show off the advantages of the zoom lens.

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