Redesigned Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Announced

[Tim Mayo]

Sony has announced a new redesigned FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Mark II lens (SEL70200GM2), 5 years after the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS (SEL70200GM) hit the shelves.

Weighing in at 1045g (2.3lbs) the new Mark II version is nearly a third lighter than the original Mark I lens, but its external dimensions at 88 x 200mm (3.5 x 7.9″) remain the same.

The 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II will cost $2799 in the US, £2,600 in the UK and €3,000 in Europe. It will start shipping in November but can be pre-ordered from today in Europe and from 10am ET, Thu Oct 14 in the US.

Further details and early reviews in the blog post

Redesigned Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Announced - Alpha Shooters

Sony has announced the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Mark II lens (SEL70200GM2) 5 years after the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS (SEL70200GM) hit the shelves. Weighing in at 1045g (2.3lbs) the new Mark II version is nearly a third lighter than the original Mark I lens, but its external dimensions at 88 x 200mm …

www.alphashooters.com

 

[Andrew]

Is there a market for up to 200mm at £2,600? Surely F2.8 would be better suited around 100-400 range.

 

[Tim Mayo]

The 70-200 F2.8 is a pretty versatile lens, it can be used for sports, events, wildlife, landscape and even portrait shooting. I don't think a 100-400 F2.8 even exists, if it did it would be pretty big and very expensive. But yep, it's not a cheap lens and I expect the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 Di III VXD lens at half the price will satisfy most people, although that lens doesn't support teleconverters.

 

[Andrew]

Fair enough, guess when you get paid for that line of work it’s a non event

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

Is there a market for up to 200mm at £2,600?

Wedding photographers will go gaga over this lens for sure, regardless of price.

 

[Clix Pix]

The fact that this new 70-200mm GM will work nicely with Sony's two teleconverters, the 1.4x and the 2.0x, may be for many photographers a strong selling point.....

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Ouch at that price.

 

[Tim Mayo]

The fact that this new 70-200mm GM will work nicely with Sony's two teleconverters, the 1.4x and the 2.0x, may be for many photographers a strong selling point.....

The Mk1 also worked with the teleconverters but they will soften the image slightly. Looks like it's the same with the Mk 2 going off Gerald Undone's review.

 

[Paul stuart]

The Mk1 also worked with the teleconverters but they will soften the image slightly. Looks like it's the same with the Mk 2 going off Gerald Undone's review.

It will affect performance (sharpness) ,but the new lens may handle the t/c better for auto focus ,i will probably purchase and sell my mk1 but i am in no hurry the mk1 still works well for me ,but then if sony develop a 300mm f2.8 i would rather save for this type of lens or a 180 macro .

 

[pointreyes]

It will affect performance (sharpness) ,but the new lens may handle the t/c better for auto focus ,i will probably purchase and sell my mk1 but i am in no hurry the mk1 still works well for me ,but then if sony develop a 300mm f2.8 i would rather save for this type of lens or a 180 macro .

My mk1 with 1.4 TC on the A1 did very well at an event in low light conditions (many of the shots were taken from ISO 2500 to 16000). Out of 4,000+ photos, two were out of focus. I'm more frustrated with not being able to use the zoom for close focus strong backlit situations. The CA was so bad that I finally got the 135 GM and the old Sigma 180 f2.8 macro as a work around. CA was not an issue for any other conditions. And from what I have read, most 70-200 zooms will have this problem due to the complexities of the glass when being used wide open. The mark II has closer focusing than the mark I but I like having my primes. Really wish Sony would release a 180 GM macro (the Sigma 180 is bigger and heavier than the zoom). Ever since I got the primes, I rarely reach for the zoom.

 

[Paul stuart]

My mk1 with 1.4 TC on the A1 did very well at an event in low light conditions (many of the shots were taken from ISO 2500 to 16000). Out of 4,000+ photos, two were out of focus. I'm more frustrated with not being able to use the zoom for close focus strong backlit situations. The CA was so bad that I finally got the 135 GM and the old Sigma 180 f2.8 macro as a work around. CA was not an issue for any other conditions. And from what I have read, most 70-200 zooms will have this problem due to the complexities of the glass when being used wide open. The mark II has closer focusing than the mark I but I like having my primes. Really wish Sony would release a 180 GM macro (the Sigma 180 is bigger and heavier than the zoom). Ever since I got the primes, I rarely reach for the zoom.

looks like the new 70-200mm is prime quality in a zoom c/a looks really well controlled especially at 70mm even at .40m basically a near flawless lens for a zoom ,but hard to to get of the hype train the 135mm f1.8 is also exceptional and half the price ,still the price of the lens it should be good ,

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

looks like the new 70-200mm is prime quality in a zoom c/a looks really well controlled especially at 70mm even at .40m basically a near flawless lens for a zoom ,but hard to to get of the hype train the 135mm f1.8 is also exceptional and half the price ,still the price of the lens it should be good ,

At 2.5 K it needs to be exceptional. I'm with you, we need a 300 2.8 or even a 300 f4

 

[Paul stuart]

At 2.5 K it needs to be exceptional. I'm with you, we need a 300 2.8 or even a 300 f4

It looks near perfect other than some flare that gets controlled better on some prime lenses ,also it would double as a macro type lens ,the big sell is the 4 linear af motors which only get given to the gm series and only the primes up until this point ,but there will be 3rd party competition from sigma which will be as good and probably half the price ,as well as the very good tamron 70-180 at around 3rd the price ,if you do not need 30fps or 20 fps or want/need t/c options these are very good choices .but then at this price nearly half way to a 300mm f2.8 which will give more of the exotic look to images than a 70-200mm f2.8 ever will ,but for sony wedding sports photographers this is the best option and will gather a good solid reason to shoot sony ,the nikon is slow focusing and heavy the canon is not as good optically ,does not accept t/c and is pumper lens all costing similar prices .lens prices have increased though when first released a 70-200mm f2.8 cost £1500

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Yep, Nikon have really lost track in the last 3 years. I think they've given up on wildlife shooters. I actually haven't used my Nikon fit 70 200 anywhere near as much as I thought I would, so I'm not now going to get one for the Sony. Macro next for me.

 

[J.Duffy]

Yep, Nikon have really lost track in the last 3 years. I think they've given up on wildlife shooters. I actually haven't used my Nikon fit 70 200 anywhere near as much as I thought I would, so I'm not now going to get one for the Sony. Macro next for me.

Love macro!

 

[Clix Pix]

Back in my Nikon days once I got my hands on longer lenses beyond 70-200mm I found that I was rarely touching my 70-200mm. With my current Sony gear I use the 100-400mm fairly frequently and I think that in my case it would be a waste of money going with a 70-200mm so I'll be sitting that lens out.....

If Sony comes out with a 300mm f/2.8 or a 180 or 200mm macro lens, I'd be all over any of those in a heartbeat!

 

[awdbugga]

I’ve put a deposit down on the new 70-200mm f2.8 GM OSS MkII. Looking forward to getting my hands on it.

 

[Paul stuart]

I’ve put a deposit down on the new 70-200mm f2.8 GM OSS MkII. Looking forward to getting my hands on it.

good purchase the crowned king of the 70-200mm f2.8 in all systems ,

 

[Spiderx1]

Put my order in with BH, est arrival 16 Dec. I currently have a 70-200 GM V1. I am looking forward to the increased focusing speed and reduced weight of the VII. Using the A-1 at 30FPS It usually misses the first 2-3 frames before in focus if not currently tracking the subject. 100-400 would be nice but I shoot a lot of indoor sports where lighting becomes an issue. I usually do not shoot wide open but close. 3.2-3.5. Speed is usually 1250-1600. I used to use my 24-70 but found some venues where there was not enough reach. So out of the 24-70, 70-200, 200-600 I find I usually defer to the 70-200 GM. Hope its worth it, guess I will find out. BTW any thoughts on a tele converter for the 200-600 G, 1.4 or 2.0???

 

[Paul stuart]

Put my order in with BH, est arrival 16 Dec. I currently have a 70-200 GM V1. I am looking forward to the increased focusing speed and reduced weight of the VII. Using the A-1 at 30FPS It usually misses the first 2-3 frames before in focus if not currently tracking the subject. 100-400 would be nice but I shoot a lot of indoor sports where lighting becomes an issue. I usually do not shoot wide open but close. 3.2-3.5. Speed is usually 1250-1600. I used to use my 24-70 but found some venues where there was not enough reach. So out of the 24-70, 70-200, 200-600 I find I usually defer to the 70-200 GM. Hope its worth it, guess I will find out. BTW any thoughts on a tele converter for the 200-600 G, 1.4 or 2.0???

The t/c will be better suited to the new 70-200mm than the 200-600mm the t/c with the 200-600mm has very specific options/needs like good light ,no atmospherics ,and a steady set up mono pod or tripod ,and af not needed to be at its best performance ,but it still has its uses objects that are still and not moving fast that you have to crop into the the t/c lens combo .If none of these apply you are better of cropping

 

[Spiderx1]

Your opinion on 1.4 vs 2.0. Seems 1.4 functions better but is that really worth the money with only 1.4 magnification? If you only bought 1 which??

 

[Paul stuart]

unless you shoot big bright primes i would only get the 1.4 t.c as general rule the 1.4 t/c have a smaller impact on acuity

 

[Jeff A]

Just going from memory (a really dangerous thing) You lose 1 stop of light with a 1.4 TC but 2 stops with the 2.0. I'm sure someone who has used these devices will confirm this or correct me.

 

[Paul stuart]

Just going from memory (a really dangerous thing) You lose 1 stop of light with a 1.4 TC but 2 stops with the 2.0. I'm sure someone who has used these devices will confirm this or correct me.

that is correct i also thik it is a mathmatical equation the square root of pi of the top of my head

 

[darrenwhitley]

The 70-200 F2.8 is a pretty versatile lens, it can be used for sports, events, wildlife, landscape and even portrait shooting. I don't think a 100-400 F2.8 even exists, if it did it would be pretty big and very expensive. But yep, it's not a cheap lens and I expect the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 Di III VXD lens at half the price will satisfy most people, although that lens doesn't support teleconverters.

As a photojournalist, this was the most important lens I carried during my career. Under the basket, inside the 20 yard line, in classrooms, guest speakers and press conferences to name a few things I used it to photograph. I called it my bread and butter lens.

 

[Jeff A]

As a photojournalist, this was the most important lens I carried during my career. Under the basket, inside the 20 yard line, in classrooms, guest speakers and press conferences to name a few things I used it to photograph. I called it my bread and butter lens.

First of all, welcome to the Forum, Darren. We would like to see some of the examples of your work. Where in the country are you, Sir?

 

[Paul stuart]

As a photojournalist, this was the most important lens I carried during my career. Under the basket, inside the 20 yard line, in classrooms, guest speakers and press conferences to name a few things I used it to photograph. I called it my bread and butter lens.

It is the lens that defines a system and the sony mk2 wears the crown.

 

[erikbock]

Sony has announced a new redesigned FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Mark II lens (SEL70200GM2), 5 years after the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS (SEL70200GM) hit the shelves.

Weighing in at 1045g (2.3lbs) the new Mark II version is nearly a third lighter than the original Mark I lens, but its external dimensions at 88 x 200mm (3.5 x 7.9″) remain the same.

The 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II will cost $2799 in the US, £2,600 in the UK and €3,000 in Europe. It will start shipping in November but can be pre-ordered from today in Europe and from 10am ET, Thu Oct 14 in the US.

Further details and early reviews in the blog post

Redesigned Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Announced - Alpha Shooters

Sony has announced the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Mark II lens (SEL70200GM2) 5 years after the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS (SEL70200GM) hit the shelves. Weighing in at 1045g (2.3lbs) the new Mark II version is nearly a third lighter than the original Mark I lens, but its external dimensions at 88 x 200mm …

www.alphashooters.com

Probably the nest lens on my list.

 

[AlphaWorld]

that is correct i also thik it is a mathmatical equation the square root of pi of the top of my head

Not pi. The square root of 2.

Each extra f stop halves the amount of light reaching the sensor, but f stops are based on the diameter of the aperture, not its area. To halve the area of the aperture you divide its diameter by the square root of 2 (area is pi multiplied by the square of the radius, so that square root of 2 gets squared to get 2).

The square root of 2 is approximately 1.414. We round it to one decimal place for f stops, and that’s why full f stops go 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, …

The square root of pi is approximately 1.77 (no, I didn’t remember that - had to calculate it).

 

[Paul stuart]

Not pi. The square root of 2.

Each extra f stop halves the amount of light reaching the sensor, but f stops are based on the diameter of the aperture, not its area. To halve the area of the aperture you divide its diameter by the square root of 2 (area is pi multiplied by the square of the radius, so that square root of 2 gets squared to get 2).

The square root of 2 is approximately 1.414. We round it to one decimal place for f stops, and that’s why full f stops go 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, …

The square root of pi is approximately 1.77 (no, I didn’t remember that - had to calculate it).

yes correct