Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens

Key Features

• Constant f/2.8 zoom weighing just 695g
• Around 18% lower volume than its predecessor
• Four XD Linear Motors with advanced AF tracking
• 20 elements in 15 groups, including XA, aspherical, ED and Super ED glass
• 11-blade circular aperture for smooth bokeh
• Nano AR Coating II reduces flare and ghosting
• Minimised focus breathing, focus shift and axial shift while zooming
• Linear Response MF with de-clickable aperture ring
• 21cm minimum focus at 24mm and 30cm at 70mm
• 0.32x maximum magnification
• Smooth/Tight adjustable zoom torque
• Dust and moisture-resistant construction with fluorine front coating
• 82mm filter thread

Product Summary

Covering one of the most useful focal ranges in full-frame photography, this professional zoom moves from wide environmental compositions to short-telephoto framing while maintaining a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout.

Two XA elements are joined by aspherical, ED and Super ED glass, with a floating focus mechanism helping deliver prime-rivalling resolution from infinity through to close range. An 11-blade diaphragm contributes to smooth, rounded bokeh, while Nano AR Coating II helps maintain contrast when shooting towards strong light sources.

Video receives equal attention, with quiet operation and reduced breathing and image shifts during focusing and zooming. Linear Response MF, a de-clickable aperture ring and adjustable zoom torque provide additional control for hybrid and dedicated filmmaking.

Sample 1: Mounted on the a1 body focal length 24mm. Settings: 1/200sec. f/4. ISO 500.

SEL2470GM2 in More Detail

Highly evolved image quality

The updated Lens boasts a new G Master optical formula, which renders high resolution across the entire frame and throughout the zoom range. This is delivered by an arrangement of 20 lens elements in 15 groups, with several special lenses. These include x3 aspherical, x2 ED Glass (extra-low dispersion), x2 XA (extreme aspherical) and x2 Super ED elements. These render well controlled chromatic aberrations, distance related aberrations, coma and an internal floating focusing mechanism provides sharper results at all distances. This allows the second generation to keep up with the ultra-high resolution A7R IV and other cameras with extremely high resolution sensors.

The latest Nano AR Coating II is employed on lens surfaces for more effective flare and ghosting control, while the optical design reduces internal reflections to maintain contrast even in difficult lighting situations.

Sample 2: Mounted on the a1 body focal length 42mm. Settings: 1/1000sec. f/4. ISO 100.

Improved close-up capability

With professional videographers, portrait, wedding and nature photographers counted amongst the many users, Sony has improved minimum focusing distances and magnification with the new model. You can now shoot as close as 21cm at the wide end and 30cm at the telephoto end with a 0.32x magnification ratio. This allows you to capture beautifully detailed shots of anything from food, nature, wedding bands and any other subjects in frame-filling close-up.

High performance autofocus

Technology has come a long way since the release of the original and the focusing system is upgraded in the mark II lens with four XD (Extreme Dynamic) linear focus motors within a floating focus mechanism. This delivers incredibly fast, accurate and quiet focusing as required for both stills and video, particularly welcome in hybrid cameras like the a7 IV or video-centric a7S III. Tracking while zooming has also been significantly improved, which works seamlessly with the low weight of the lens for perfectly balanced shots when using a gimbal or stabiliser.

Sample 3: Mounted on the a1 body focal length 70mm. Settings: 1/200sec. f/4. ISO 400.

Enhanced video capabilities for creators

The rise in moviemaking, vlogging and other content creation requires a different set of tools, which are integrated. To begin with, focus breathing has been reduced for better focus pulls on the updated model. A Zoom smoothness switch also provides refined control with ‘smooth’ and ‘tight’ torque adjustment, ideal when switching between stills and video shooting.

For manual focusing there’s linear response MF, which enables control over the angle of rotation and how it affects focus adjustment. Users can of course program Touch focus and AF assist onto programmable buttons as required. Whichever type of focusing you use, it’s noticeably quicker and more accurate in AF, while delivering the versatility and fine MF control, which hybrid shooters in particular benefit from.

Outstanding control and durability

The G Master name has been maintained through optical capabilities, professional control for streamlined workflows and excellent build quality. Dust and moisture weather sealing has been included for outdoor use, with sealed seams, silicone rubber gaskets on switches and buttons, as well as a rubber ring on the lens mount. Debris, oils and dirt are repelled by a Fluorine coating on the front element, which also offers easy maintenance when cleaning the optics.

A redesigned petal lens hood (ALC-SH168) accompanies the updated model, with a lens filter slot. This makes it far easier to adjust variable ND filters and circular polarisers while the hood is attached.

Sample 4: Mounted on the a1 body focal length 70mm. Settings: 1/200sec. f/4. ISO 500.

Controls on the barrel include:

• Aperture ring with f-stop engravings
• Aperture click switch – switch on/off clicks and 1/3-stop adjustment
• IRIS lock switch – removes the chance of accidental aperture changes
• x2 customisable Focus hold buttons
• Focus mode switch AF/MF
• Zoom ring
• Zoom smoothness switch with two torque settings

11-Bladed circular diaphragm for beautiful bokeh

Capture smooth out of focus areas and beautiful rounded bokeh throughout the zoom range with the bright f/2.8 constant aperture found in the professional 24-70mm GM II lens. The 11-blade rounded aperture design renders smooth round bokeh balls with minimal onion rings thanks to two XA lens elements. The results are beautiful whatever your subject and can be enhanced by the close minimum focus distance resulting in even more exaggerated defocus effects.

What's in the Box

• Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens for E-mount
• Front and rear lens caps
• New petal lens hood ALC-SH168
• Soft case and Case strap