Sony has announced their second generation FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens which they are claiming to be the World’s Smallest and Lightest F2.8 Standard Zoom Lens.
The new lens will start shipping in May 2022 for European shooters and just a few weeks later in June for the US. The retail price is $2,299.00 in the US, £2,099.00 in the UK and €2,400 in Europe.
The Mk2 lens features a new optical construction that consists of 20 elements in 15 groups, including five aspherical elements (two of which are high-precision extreme aspherical (XA) elements), two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements and two Super ED elements.
Autofocus is driven by four of Sony’s extreme dynamic (XD) linear motors which Sony claims is ‘approximately two times better’ at focussing when zooming in and out than the Mk1.
For video shooters Sony has minimized focus breathing, focus shift and axial shift when zooming. It also works with Alpha cameras that offer breathing compensation such as the Sony a7 IV.
There are independent focus and aperture rings and a Linear Response MF ensures direct, linear focus ring response when focusing manually. The dedicated aperture ring also offers clickless iris control.
Other new features include an updated lens hood that now includes an opening for controlling variable filters and an 11-blade aperture diaphragm. Dust and moisture resistance has also been improved according to Sony.
The minimum focusing distance is 21cm at 24mm and 30cm at 70mm and the filter diameter is 82mm.
The lens is now smaller at 87.6mm in diameter by 120mm long and weighs only 695g (1.53lbs). This is around 22% lighter than its predecessor so quite a substantial weight saving!
Early Reviews
Here’s a collection of early video reviews.
Gerald Undone
Mark Galer
Gordon Laing
DPReview
Julia Trotti
Further details about the new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens can be found on Sony’s product page here. DPReview also has a sample gallery here.
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