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

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Handling and Features

The lens is big and heavy, weighing a fairly substantial 886g. It is clearly very well made, all controls are smooth and without excess play. If we start at the front of the lens, the petal lens hood provided bayonets securely into place and has a release catch to ensure it does not work loose. There is an 82mm filter thread taking standard screw-in filters.

Behind this we find the manual focus ring, which is electronic in operation. This is very smooth and placed so that it is unlikely to be moved accidentally. Just behind this, conveniently placed, is a single focus lock button. This allows the focus point in AF to be locked prior to recomposing and shooting.

The zoom ring is slightly broader and quite firm, presumably because it is moving a lot of glass. There is a lock switch that can be employed at 24mm, to ensure the lens does not extend under its own weight whilst carrying. Finally, the AF/MF switch is close to the camera body. The metal bayonet mount looks solid and should carry the weight of some quite heavy optics without concern. A mask over the rear element helps ensure that flare is kept to a minimum.

The optical formula comprises 18 elements in 13 groups. There is one XA (extreme aspherical) element, with a quoted surface precision of 0.01 microns. There are two aspherical elements, plus one ED (extra low dispersion) and one Super ED element completing the line-up of special glass. The whole lens is dust and moisture resistant. Sony Nano AR coatings reduce flare and improve contrast and colour. Bokeh is enhanced by the use of a nine blade circular diaphragm.

AF is driven by a Direct Drive SSM motor of high precision, offering speed, accuracy and virtual silence in operation. Focusing is down to 0.38m (1.25 feet), a maximum magnification of 0.24x.

The 24-70mm zoom is a mid-range standard optic and as such very versatile, usable from landscapes to portraits, street photography to sport. Coupled with the fast f/2.8 aperture this makes for a very practical lens indeed.

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