Sony FE 16-35 F2.8 GM II Lens Review 

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Thanks - you are welcome

Great to hear!

Glad you think so!

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Good choice!

I wouldn't draw a 20-40 into a comparison with a 16-35, which has been a classic focal range for decades. 20 would not suit it for someone looking for a 16-35.

I just said the same thing above. Plus the PZ is an internal zoom so less dust. I also have the 24mm 1.4 and its a dream with both lenses esp the 24mm in low light especially for milky way captures where 2.8 is limiting.

Thanks for sharing

Yes got both those too and the 14mm GM, so arguably I don't need the mkii GM f2.8 trinity zoom either. But, strangely I want one. I'm lucky that I can afford to buy one, but will wait a few months for the 'must have now' rush to ease and discounts to appear (eg BF, NY or trade show deals). I already own more Sony glass than I can carry on any one occasion, so for me it's a case of picking the 'best tool' for the task in hand. I also own both the other trinity mkii GM zooms, both outstanding, so that's why I'm interested in this. For travel and street I can see that the convenience and versatility make it attractive. But, I like to buy 'smart so will wait. I managed to sell my original mk 1 16-35GM recently at a good price too. Although the PZ f4 is good (especially for videography) it's not great for lower light street or 'blue hour' use and it's not always ideal to use with a prime for low light (14, 20, 24 or 35mm). If I'm doing astro landscape then forsure a prime 14 or 20 makes more sense. The f2.8 mkii GM at circa 16mm would do 'astro' at a push but not the f4 PZ. Equally a 50mm f1.4 (one prime not yet bought) might mean I could travel lighter, leaving my 24-70 at home. I don't feel my best shots come from the 'normal mid zoom and find I typically make more dramatic images with wider or more tele options.

12-24GM, 14GM & 16-35PZ G

It's difficult to defocus the background when using a wide angle lens unless you are extremely close to the foreground subject. At the 35mm zoom end this is possible but I tend to be using my 35mm F1.4 GM to do this. F2.8 will give you the option to shoot astro and hand-held in locations with low ambient light (that would be more challenging with an F4 option).

A good update to the MK1

I found that to be the case

The FE 20mm F1.8 G is one of Sony's bargain lenses, in my opinion, and opens the door for low light photography and Astro with low noise, all in a compact and lightweight form factor.

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you for confirming my thinking. I was not surprised to see the FE 20 F1.8 G featured in the comparison section of this video. I have seen some excellent astrophotography shots taken using the 20mm prime and it is excellent value for what it offers. Thank you for continuing to push out great content, Mark; I'm glad to be one of your Patreon supporters.

Most welcome

Glad I could help!

I own the 12-24 2.8 GM. I use it rarely (for astro, I prefer the gorgeous 14mm GM), but the 12-24 still is a phenomenal lens (but weight). Highly recommended if you find it at a good price (the Mark II version seems to be ante portas)... .

I always make available ultra high definition images on my Flickr Pro account and share the Raw files with my Patrons on Patreon.com/markgaler - i don’t think reviewers should offer opinions without independent MTF charts. I can, however, provide purchasing guidance on my Patreon support channel.

Exactly what we would expect from a GM lens from Sony

Cambridgeincolour.com

Not forgotten, but with its fixed lens hood, no acceptance of screw-on front filters and 40% extra weight over and above the 16-35 GM II I would compare the Sigma 14-24 with the Sony 12-24 F2.8 GM

I own the sigma 14-24 lens and it will be the first one that I sell. Sigma’s optics are fine but the excess weight of their lenses, with the exception of the 18-50 for APSC, means I rarely if ever use it.

Different strokes…just mentioning it so people know it exists and it’s an option. It offers a different set of advantages/disadvantages from other wide zooms. Might work for some, and not for others…but you can’t argue with the quality.

It's the Sony commander that can trigger a second Sony camera. You will also need one receiver mounted to the second camera. You are advised to join my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel for pro support rather than asking question on my lens review videos. Thanks

I always say that it is as sharp as the Ultra High Definition Images I share with these reviews or the Raw images I share with Patrons. To say it is sharper than another lens I would have to wait for a company like lens rentals to bench test 10 units, then take an average to eliminate sample deviation so that we can compare it to the 10 units of another model they have tested in the same manner.

I will choose an aperture for preferred depth of field rather than maximum optical sharpness - which can usually only be appreciated when zoomed to 100%, viewing on an 8K monitor or a 1.5 metre wide print. I would wait for someone such as lensrentals.com to bench test 10 sample units and produce an MTF chart to see where maximum sharpness resides. I only upload ultra high-definition images to Flickr and Raw images to my Patreon support site for users to assess sharpness.

@@AlphaCreativeSkills thx for answering, greets peter

Mirrorless cameras cannot back or front focus because the focus points are on the sensor and therefore on the plane of focus (hence the menu is greyed out). The adjustment you speak of is for adapted lenses where the focus is in the LA-EA4 adapter. If you feel your lens has a focus problem please contact Sony. The 70-200 GM II is an excellent performing lens (as evidenced in my lens reviews an ultra high-definition examples I have posted to support the review). You can gain a greater understanding of your Sony gear from my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel.

There is no quick answer to that question and there is no one 'best lens'. Some will choose primes rather than zooms. Some will choose lightweight G zooms instead of GM zooms. Some will even choose APS-C camera and/or lenses. Some will be restricted by their available budget. Check out my 'Lens Choice' video on this channel or get individual support on Patreon.com/markgaler. Before I can tell you which lens I need to have a conversation to work out who you are and what your priorities are.

Sometimes we can admire a lens design without the need to own it. The 14 GM is a great choice.

@@AlphaCreativeSkills exactly.. technology is always interesting.

Sound like your control wheel is malfunctioning - unfortunately you will need to book this camera in with Sony for a service.

@@AlphaCreativeSkills thank you for your response. After playing with it I've confirmed that I cannot change the drive mode anymore with either toggle wheel or the on screen regular setting menu. It's stuck on the 10 second timer. Fortunately the 3 memorized setting buttons gives me the drive modes that I set with them. Was thinking about the Sony A7iv. I guess it is time.

It’s so that when you are holding the camera in vertical orientation the button is still sitting directly underneath your thumb

I was keen to point out the alternatives towards the end of this review (including the PZ 16-35). There are now many excellent choices if you don't need an F2.8 maximum aperture or zoom. Some GM users will prefer to invest in a lens that is free from distortions without using lens profiles to correct distortion (found in the Raw images when using the PZ). Some may choose the GM II just because it allows them to shoot Astro while others will choose it to complete their Trinity of GMs. There is no 'best' lens as there is no 'best' camera.

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Agree, but there is the law of diminishing returns and best bang for the buck. I completely understand the way in which you do your reviews. Some of the best around.....But my comment (And some others on here) can offer a more comparative perspective to let viewers think long and hard about what they would gain vs lose in spending 2.3x more. I said the same thing about the Sony 85 1.4 vs the 85 1.8.

Perspective is always good which is why I am keen not to rubbish the MK1 versions

This is not a Sony forum. Sony do not read the comments made on this channel.

As mentioned in this review Sony have an FE PZ 16-35 F4 G. Check out the review on my RU-vid channel.

Go to cambridgeincolour.com and search for the depth of field calculator and then enable the advanced options. Increase the default size from 10 inches to something like 26 inches as most of use are most critical when viewing images on our 4K desktop monitors at close viewing range. Check out my Landscape Masterclass video tutorial and/or consider doing me on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel. I have four decades worth of commercial photography and lecturing experience to impart to my Patrons.

We are very lucky to have aligned ourselves with a company that make the finest sensors and are now proving they can also make the finest lenses.

Please add the link so I can “check it out”

Aperture ring, faster AF motors and better optically beyond 24mm than the MK1