The Lightweight Heavy Hitter - Sony 70-200 2.8 GM ii Review

It seems like just yesterday that Sony dropped the original 70-200GM and we were all duly impressed, but lens design has progressed Rapidly since then and here we already find ourselves with a mark ii edition. How does it hold up? How long will my cat put up with this video? We'll find out now!

If you want to pick up one of these lenses, feel free to use one of my affiliate links, to help support this channel, and feed my fat cats:
Sony 70-200 GM ii
Sony a1 (review coming soon)

For more and higher resolution image samples, head over here:

A few of my favourite things:

Shot on a Sony a7iv in 4K30 10-bit 4:2:2 Slog 3
With the 35 1.4 GM:

Follow me on the faceplaces:

Thanks for stopping by!

*Disclosure: I am a member of Amazon, Camera Canada, Adorama and Pergear affiliate/associate programs, and anything that you purchase by clicking on/through my links could result in me getting a commission. That being said, I greatly appreciate you doing so, as it helps to fund this channel's operations, as well as feed my family.

[bjoernoswald]

"I mean it's my job to be picky... (child coughing in background?)... I mean it's my job to be picky..." So somebody forgot to delete this part? xD But a nice view into how those videos are made before editing haha ^.^

[vikesbenbetter]

I'm really happy with my purchase of this lens. The focus is so fast on my a7r3, the zoom ring short throw is perfectly designed to be used by my thumb for sports shots, and the weight means it's going more places with me. Great review!

[alhOOOO]

Really love the fairness of this review. So tired of the overly hyped ‘adverts’ that come out from so many YouTubers. Thanks for the great work

[eosuser]

Thx Wes, as always great review! I had the GM1 and now have shot sports with the GM2 for 2 months and the image quality and AF speed on my A1 makes it at least 60% better than the GM1. It may be lens variation but the extra money on the GM2 over the GM1 is worth it not to mention the weight and handling advantages of the GM2. Regards

[oasean]

For some users, maybe superior autofocus alone can justify the higher price. Comparing both GM models to Tamron's model on an α1 body, while tasking each lens to focus progressively nearer from background to midground to foreground, the Northrups report 81 sharp shots on the Tamon, 135 sharp shots on the old GM, and 263 sharp shots on the new GM [13 Oct 2021, /watch?v=bIqa8djHp68&t=380s].

[TW-iuzy]

… to summarize: the new 70-200 GM II is perfect like the 24-70 GM II – great job, Sony! 👍🏻 Thx for the review, Wes. 👍🏻👍🏻

[bulgariastan]

Between this review and a couple of others mentioning the price drop, I decided I was okay with the weight and slightly inferior image quality due to the savings since I didn’t already have a telephoto lens. Picked up the version 1 used in excellent condition from KEH for $1700. Really excited to get out and shoot with it.

[tonyhayes]

BTW great video as always Wes, been subscribed a long time now; love your work

[tonyhayes]

Yeah my Nikon 70-200 does not have an arca swiss foot on it either. Mind you I use a manfrotto tripod mount which screws onto the foot. If the foot was arca swiss compatible does that mean it would not have a screw hole in it and therefore be unusable with the manfrotto mount?

[Chris-wvcn]

is deze lens sneller dan de sony 135mm f1.8?

[GTOAJ]

Interesting Lens and Pats for your Cat😎👍🇨🇦

[donaldstuckey]

I think it's fair to say that after the introduction of the 135 GM Sony has been hitting it out of the park with their lenses. I own 135 GM. Other photographers who I was talking to say is that this lens is an excellent update. Unfortunately, the price out of range for my needs. The 135 and the 85 GM that are currently on doing more of the sufficient job for my portrait work. I certainly can see myself renting this lens.

[joesnj]

I have used mine on a handful of shoots and it performed excellently.

Also looking forward to seeing how it performs at landscape apertures.

[adicer]

Hi Wes...i have 24 1.4gm 35 1.8, 50 1.2gm 85 1.8 so what to chose between 135 1.8 and this 70 200 gmii? Or none :)))
( especially for weddings, portraits and some street (street for hobby)
Thanks

[chaser]

Wild question may interest some; is the tripod collar foot large enough it might be machined down to the preferred foot shape?

[LtDeadeye]

Character is what I’m after but at the 200 range, that’s hard to get unless you go f/2.0 or faster.

[terencemorrissey]

Obviously a good lens but I would prefer the 85 and 100-400.

[youknowwho]

I hate you so much. Had already firmly decided that I'm ok with just my 135 GM ... watched this, now I really want to spend 3 bloody grand on this insane 70-200. For heaven's sake. :D