Very expensive. You can get two Tamrons - 28-75 and 70-180 for the price of one Sony standard zoom. Or you can get one 35-150 and one fast third party prime.
I've got the 28 75 G2 and it's every bit as sharp as the 16-35gm and the 100-400gm I have. Also got the Tamron 35-150 and it's actually better than my 2gm lenses, its a stunning bit of glass, although to be fair it is a few years more modern. 3rd parties can turn out some seriously good stuff
I haven't tested the 20-70G yet, so I can't say with certainty. I would expect the 24-70 to have a slight edge, mostly because it will have the advantage of being stopped down a full stop if you compare at F4.
One of my least used lens. While its an exceptional lens, I much prefer to use the 24GM and 50GM combo instead. I think a standard zoom is more suited for event and studio work or travel, where you'll need a deeper depth of field and the versatility of the zoom range.
When I was doing weddings I actually switched to using a 35mm F1.4 on one body (from a 24-70) and a 70-200mm F2.8 zoom on the other. I found I valued the flexibility of the F1.4 aperture more than the zoom range. I would typically bring along a macro lens and a wide angle lens for certain other creative shots.
That really depends on how important getting that extra 24mm is, or if you need the ability to get the full burst rate of a sports camera. The Tamron is quite competitive optically, but obviously isn't nearly as wide and has fewer features.
Hey Dustin, nice review, how are the new Sigma linear motors compared to the ones that Sony is using in these G Masters? Is there any real world difference in autofocus accuracy and speed?
The new Sigma motors are very fast, so I would say for most practical applications they are as good. The big difference will come if you are using a sports body like the Alpha 1 or a9 series, where the Sigma will only give you 15FPS while the Sony will give you (up to) 30FPS. The Sigma motors will just never get pushed the same way because of that.
What are your thoughts on this lens vs the Tamron 35-150? I'm an A1 owner, so the drive mode "speed limit" is a factor, though I do find the 35-150 focal range to be extremely useful (I already own the Tamron).
That's a solid question. If you are looking to unlock your full burst rate, then the Sony is appealing. But the focal length advantage of the 35-150 is undeniable. It is so incredibly useful for so many things...while doing them at a very high quality level.
Great review! 👏 I love the images you showed. And wow, what a lens. Also thank you for using a script / editing the audio. I’ve stayed away from your channel recently because of the many times you’ve said “you know” as filler and not taken the time to edit it out, but I’m delighted that phrase is absent in this video. I hope it’s gone for good in future videos because I’d love to be back more often.
@@DustinAbbottTWI I recommend editing every future video to remove filler words. I do that for my clients. Would you be willing do that for your videos?
Gold Standard is fitting because it's going to set you back much gold when you buy this. Maybe I can afford this if I hock my wife's jewelry. I hope she won't miss it.
Incredible lens, but I don't like that there is no zoom lock. A lens like this is meant to last for a long time, how does one know that over time the zoom isn't going to loosen up? Obviously there isn't yet a long term review.....
Over the last few years I have taken a DISLIKING to the uber corrected, distortion free, vignet free, aberration free, big aperture, bokeh optimized, zooms. It's not because they are expensive (I am at a point in my life where I can buy an Otus anytime if I want one). Rather it is because they lack the "pop" of lesser, older, designs. It is the imperfections around the edges and off the plane of focus that makes that which is sharp in the center jump out. When you optimize everything, it all seems dull and flat. The uber corrected lenses also tend to be big, heavy and use about twice the number of elements which doesn't help with carrying or with saturation or transmission.
@@MrFraiche The use of anamorphics when we are way past the need of stretching a 3:2 film area to fill a wide screen frame is all about out of focus imperfections highlighting the subject in focus in a way spherical lenses -- particularly those apochromatic, bokeh tuned, lenses with insanely synchronized MTF plots -- won't. -- I'll also distill the classic "Zeiss Pop" for you. It's basically VIGNETTING when wide open, plus a markedly higher saturation on the in focus subject over the less saturated out of focus bokeh. You can call it a unique set of flaws that make the subject catch your attention more than it otherwise would.
Hi Dwight, I read your description of the "Zeiss pop", and having reviewed many, many Zeiss lenses, I think you are on to something. My Zeiss contact once told me that the heavy vignette on Zeiss lenses was a feature, not a bug.
@@DustinAbbottTWI Well, for better or for worse, Zeiss has given up on the Sony FE platform after Sony ditched them on Sony branded glass in favor of products from the gays they inherited from Minolta and the failure of the Batis line. The 2/45CF is the last Batis and there won't be any more because (I suppose) the ROI had been terrible. This is not surprising given that anyone looking for value won't buy a Batis because there are plenty of primes a third the price with the same aperture and anyone looking for the the "best" glass buys the GMs. It's no man's land in between, nevermind the self-inflicted nonsense of trying keeping the same filter thread size and making half of those lenses fatter than they otherwise would have been.
Shot and sweet! Nice and to the point! Great job!!
Thank you, Jr.
Very expensive. You can get two Tamrons - 28-75 and 70-180 for the price of one Sony standard zoom. Or you can get one 35-150 and one fast third party prime.
It's a lens for working professionals and priced as such.
I've got the 28 75 G2 and it's every bit as sharp as the 16-35gm and the 100-400gm I have. Also got the Tamron 35-150 and it's actually better than my 2gm lenses, its a stunning bit of glass, although to be fair it is a few years more modern. 3rd parties can turn out some seriously good stuff
@Zenkat according to the LensTip review Sigma C DG DN I series lens 65mm f2 is the most resolving lens for Sony E mount as of now.
@Zenkat chillout
@Zenkat cool
Just purchased one after your great review Dustin. Gracias desde España!
Glad to help out.
Great review and a very impressive zoom lens if cost is no object.
Right on all counts.
Nice quick review, Dustin. Any idea how the 24--70 GMII compares with the new 20=70 G, in terms of sharpness?
I haven't tested the 20-70G yet, so I can't say with certainty. I would expect the 24-70 to have a slight edge, mostly because it will have the advantage of being stopped down a full stop if you compare at F4.
One of my least used lens. While its an exceptional lens, I much prefer to use the 24GM and 50GM combo instead. I think a standard zoom is more suited for event and studio work or travel, where you'll need a deeper depth of field and the versatility of the zoom range.
Standart zoom is boring. 99% 24-50ish will ne used which means its probably nicer to get 16.35 wide prime portrait lens and maybe long zoom
When I was doing weddings I actually switched to using a 35mm F1.4 on one body (from a 24-70) and a 70-200mm F2.8 zoom on the other. I found I valued the flexibility of the F1.4 aperture more than the zoom range. I would typically bring along a macro lens and a wide angle lens for certain other creative shots.
Great review Dustin. I have the Tamron 28-75mm G2. Do you thing the new Sony is a worth while upgrade ?
That really depends on how important getting that extra 24mm is, or if you need the ability to get the full burst rate of a sports camera. The Tamron is quite competitive optically, but obviously isn't nearly as wide and has fewer features.
@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks Dustin. I do admit that I miss the extra 24mm option 🙂
Hey Dustin, nice review, how are the new Sigma linear motors compared to the ones that Sony is using in these G Masters? Is there any real world difference in autofocus accuracy and speed?
The new Sigma motors are very fast, so I would say for most practical applications they are as good. The big difference will come if you are using a sports body like the Alpha 1 or a9 series, where the Sigma will only give you 15FPS while the Sony will give you (up to) 30FPS. The Sigma motors will just never get pushed the same way because of that.
Thanks for the review. Looks like a great lens for those who enjoy the range excellent focus speed and image/build quality.
Exactly.
What are your thoughts on this lens vs the Tamron 35-150? I'm an A1 owner, so the drive mode "speed limit" is a factor, though I do find the 35-150 focal range to be extremely useful (I already own the Tamron).
That's a solid question. If you are looking to unlock your full burst rate, then the Sony is appealing. But the focal length advantage of the 35-150 is undeniable. It is so incredibly useful for so many things...while doing them at a very high quality level.
Great review! 👏 I love the images you showed. And wow, what a lens. Also thank you for using a script / editing the audio. I’ve stayed away from your channel recently because of the many times you’ve said “you know” as filler and not taken the time to edit it out, but I’m delighted that phrase is absent in this video. I hope it’s gone for good in future videos because I’d love to be back more often.
My quick reviews are scripted. My definitive (long format reviews) are more interactive and detailed and are less scripted.
@@DustinAbbottTWI I recommend editing every future video to remove filler words. I do that for my clients. Would you be willing do that for your videos?
Gold Standard is fitting because it's going to set you back much gold when you buy this.
Maybe I can afford this if I hock my wife's jewelry. I hope she won't miss it.
LOL - your wife may not miss you...
Been waiting for this.
Thank you.
Incredible lens, but I don't like that there is no zoom lock. A lens like this is meant to last for a long time, how does one know that over time the zoom isn't going to loosen up? Obviously there isn't yet a long term review.....
I think you'll find that the tension ring does the job very well.
Sony Gold Master ? .....not Grand Master ? ....Either way ..... Great review !
Gold master is GM actually stands for
@@DustinAbbottTWI Huh.......I sell Sony and I didnt know that ....thanks !
So that makes g just gold but its actually looks silver lol. White gold though
Over the last few years I have taken a DISLIKING to the uber corrected, distortion free, vignet free, aberration free, big aperture, bokeh optimized, zooms. It's not because they are expensive (I am at a point in my life where I can buy an Otus anytime if I want one). Rather it is because they lack the "pop" of lesser, older, designs. It is the imperfections around the edges and off the plane of focus that makes that which is sharp in the center jump out. When you optimize everything, it all seems dull and flat. The uber corrected lenses also tend to be big, heavy and use about twice the number of elements which doesn't help with carrying or with saturation or transmission.
Absolute perfection is boring. That is why analog is so beautiful, imperfection is beautiful because it is a reflection of the imperfection in life.
@@MrFraiche The use of anamorphics when we are way past the need of stretching a 3:2 film area to fill a wide screen frame is all about out of focus imperfections highlighting the subject in focus in a way spherical lenses -- particularly those apochromatic, bokeh tuned, lenses with insanely synchronized MTF plots -- won't.
--
I'll also distill the classic "Zeiss Pop" for you. It's basically VIGNETTING when wide open, plus a markedly higher saturation on the in focus subject over the less saturated out of focus bokeh. You can call it a unique set of flaws that make the subject catch your attention more than it otherwise would.
Hi Dwight, I read your description of the "Zeiss pop", and having reviewed many, many Zeiss lenses, I think you are on to something. My Zeiss contact once told me that the heavy vignette on Zeiss lenses was a feature, not a bug.
@@DustinAbbottTWI Well, for better or for worse, Zeiss has given up on the Sony FE platform after Sony ditched them on Sony branded glass in favor of products from the gays they inherited from Minolta and the failure of the Batis line. The 2/45CF is the last Batis and there won't be any more because (I suppose) the ROI had been terrible. This is not surprising given that anyone looking for value won't buy a Batis because there are plenty of primes a third the price with the same aperture and anyone looking for the the "best" glass buys the GMs. It's no man's land in between, nevermind the self-inflicted nonsense of trying keeping the same filter thread size and making half of those lenses fatter than they otherwise would have been.
I am at a point in my life where I can dream or window shop an Otus.
Nice quick review. Too bad it is not the size of the 35mm zooms I grew up on. Yes they didn't have auto everything, but the size and weight was great.
Hard to complain about this particular lens when it is the smallest and lightest of the modern options.
What a fantastic lens.
I found it pretty impressive.
Gold master ??? 😮
That’s actually what GM stands for.
First
Maybe not - there was a comment before yours!