Like the 70-200 mm F2.8 GM, Sony has also thoroughly revised the 24-70 mm F2.8 GM. The result is a more compact and lighter lens. The new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II weighs almost 200 grams less and is 16mm shorter than the previous model. It offers a minimum focus distance reduced to 21 to 30 centimeters and a maximum magnification of 0.32 compared to the previous factor of 0.24.
The redesigned optical construction of the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II includes five aspherical elements, including two high-precision XA (Extreme Aspherical) elements. In addition, two elements made of ED glass (Extra-low Dispersion) and two Super ED glass elements are installed. In combination with a new floating focus mechanism, the lens is able to effectively compensate for chromatic aberrations, aberrations, coma and distortion. The manufacturer promises a very high resolution over the entire image area for all zoom and aperture settings. The interaction of the optical system with the newly developed aperture with eleven blades creates an almost perfectly circular bokeh over the entire zoom range.
Four Sony XD linear motors ensure reliable and fast autofocus. The autofocus should work accurately even with series of photos with up to 30 frames per second and 4K/120p video recording. The lens enables full AF tracking performance even when shooting with a small aperture. This allows greater depth of field to be achieved to ensure moving subjects are in focus even when shooting continuously. Zoom tracking is about twice as good as the previous model, according to Sony.
The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has also been optimized for filming. Thanks to the XD linear motors and a newly developed aperture unit, the autofocus is extremely quiet. Sony has also reduced focus breathing, focus shift and axis shift when zooming. An additional advantage when shooting video is the linearly responsive manual focus, which ensures that the focus ring responds directly and linearly to the slightest movement during manual focus, thus ensuring high repeatability. In addition, the lens features an aperture ring for fast, immediate and easy manual aperture control.
The new standard zoom also offers a switch to adjust the zoom ring torque (high or low), a newly added aperture ring with ON/OFF click switch and an aperture lock. Other features include two adjustable focus hold buttons, a focus ring that implements fine adjustments immediately and precisely when focusing manually, and a new lens hood with an opening for circular polarization filters (Ø 82 millimeters).
Shifting the center of gravity backwards on the new FE 24-70 millimeters F2.8 GM II ensures more comfortable handling.
As usual, the lens is designed to be protected against dust and moisture. The buttons and switches have rubber grommets, and a rubber ring seals the lens mount. In addition, the front lens element has a fluorine coating that protects against water, oil and other contaminants.
The FE 24-70 millimeter F2.8 GM II (SEL-2470GM2) will be available from May 2022 for around 2400 euros. For more information, see the Sony websites.
