Published: February 3, 2016
Sony launches their new ultra-premium flagship G Master lens line-up with three FE lenses that many Sony a7-series camera users loudly requested:
• Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 G Master Lens – Pre-Order Now for $2,199 USD
• Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master Lens – Pre-Order Now for $1,799 USD
• Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 G Master Lens – Available in May 2016 (Price TBD)
I can finally say it. They are real and they are SPECTACULAR!
In the past, there was always a trade-off between sharpness and bokeh. You could get one or the other – but not both. Sony G Master lenses are designed to combine both the ultimate in sharpness with spectacular bokeh.
XA Extreme Aspherical Lens Elements are designed to resolve an industry-best 50 line pairs per mm and with surface polished within tolerances of 0.01 microns for extremely smooth falloff in out-of-focus areas.
These lenses look and feel SOLID just as you’d expect from a top-end pro lenses. Mirrorless camera design has allowed Sony’s lens designers to place larger than normal lens elements closer to the body for better optical performance than possible with a DSLR with a mirror box. This also improves the camera-lens balance placing the heft of the lens right in the palm of your hand.
Ok, that’s enough tech. The fun is in shooting. So, last week I headed to New Orleans to put Sony’s FE 24-70mm F2.8 G Master and FE 85mm F1.4 G Master lenses to the test. Here are the shots…
Benny Jones, Sr. of the Treme Brass Band
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 24mm • 1/10 sec • F8 • ISO 100
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 26mm • 1/160 sec • F11 • ISO 100
Big Chief Kevin Goodman of the Flaming Arrows
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 35mm & 70mm • 1/640 sec • F4 • ISO 100
James Southern on his porch in Houma, Louisiana
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 24mm • 1/200 sec • F4.5 • ISO 100
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 24mm • 1/100 sec • F9 • ISO 100
Sony a7RII + Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master • 1/200 sec • F7.1 • ISO 100
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 31mm • 1/2 sec • F8 • ISO 100
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 35mm • 1/125 sec • F13 • ISO 100
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 38mm • 1/80 sec • F5 • ISO 100
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 35mm • 1/80 sec • F11 • ISO 100
Sony a7RII + Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master • 1/125 sec • F4.5 • ISO 100
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 28mm • 1/125 sec • F11 • ISO 100
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 27mm • 1/500 sec • F8 • ISO 100
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 24mm • 1/160 sec • F5.6 • ISO 100
Chef Elray Holmes at Kermit’s Treme Mother-in-Law Lounge
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 26mm • 1/125 sec • F9 • ISO 100
Here’s the smooth bokeh and out-of-focus highlights at F1.4
Sony a7RII + Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master • 1/160 sec • F1.4 • ISO 400
Krewe of Chewbacchus | Mardi Gras New Orleans
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 24mm • 1/200 sec • F2.8 • ISO 6400
Krewe of Chewbacchus | Mardi Gras New Orleans
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 38mm • 1/640 sec • F2.8 • ISO 6400
Krewe of Chewbacchus | Mardi Gras New Orleans
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 40mm • 1/320 sec • F2.8 • ISO 6400
Krewe of Chewbacchus | Mardi Gras New Orleans
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 28mm • 1/80 sec • F2.8 • ISO 6400
Krewe of Chewbacchus | Mardi Gras New Orleans
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 24mm • 1/200 sec • F2.8 • ISO 6400
Sony a7RII + Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master • 1/640 sec • F1.4 • ISO 100
100% Crop of the photo above showing the sharpness and shallow depth of field at F1.4
Krewe of Barkus | Mardi Gras New Orleans
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 70mm • 1/200 sec • F2.8 • ISO 100
Krewe of Barkus | Mardi Gras New Orleans
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 70mm • 1/200 sec • F2.8 • ISO 100
Krewe of Barkus | Mardi Gras New Orleans
Sony a7RII + FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master at 70mm • 1/200 sec • F2.8 • ISO 100
If you’ve been patiently (or impatiently) waiting for these lenses, you wait is nearly over and in my opinion they are well worth the wait.
• Order Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master Lens from B&H Photo | Amazon
• Order Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master Lens from B&H Photo | Amazon
• Order Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens from B&H Photo | Amazon
• Order Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter from B&H Photo | Amazon
• Order Sony FE 2X Teleconverter from B&H Photo | Amazon
For more tips and tricks about getting the most out of your Sony a7 series camera, check out my book ‘Sony a7-Series: From Snapshots to Great Shots’. It’s your guide to all of the Sony a7 Series I & II cameras. While the camera manual explains what the camera can do, it doesn’t show how to use the camera to create great images! Starting with the Top Ten things users need to know about the cameras, author Brian Smith, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and Sony Artisan of Imagery, carefully guides you through the operating features of Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7II and a7RII and how to use them. Get practical advice from a pro on which settings to use when, great shooting tips, and assignments at end of chapter to practice what you’ve just learned.
‘Sony A7 Series: From Snapshots to Great Shots’ is available NOW from Amazon
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55 thoughts on “Sony G Master Lens Field Test: FE 24-70mm F2.8 & 85mm F1.4 GM”
Hi Brian, is the 2x converter compatible with other lenses, e.g. Batis 85 mm? Thank you!
No, only with the 70-200 2.8 G Master (for now, more telephoto lenses will probably follow)
No it is not. It’s specifically designed for the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 G Master. Though I’m guessing it will be compatible with future telephoto G Master glass.
What a great image with great quality! This is really great news. Now we can shoot almost any photo session with a7 series. Great for my shoulder, I am very happy:)
Brian beautiful pictures, but you seem to have quite some dust in the sensor. Check images like Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. The 85mm seems like a wonderful lens.
Thanks. Had a lot going on yesterday. Should be better now…
Great images! Cannot wait to see more from you and these new lenses! 😀
Great images that hint at what these images are really capable of.. Although that Portrait in the cemetary suggests that body is due a sensor clean.. makes me feel better that it happens to the best of the pros too 🙂
Busy day yesterday with the press announcement. It should be cleaned up now.
Stunning Brian! I LOVE when I see your photojournalistic roots come out in your images–you still have it 😉
Thanks Craig. Much appreciated…
Brian,
Are you saying that the 2x converter is not even compatible with the 70-200 f4 lens?
That’s correct. Both the Sony FE 2X & 1.4X Teleconverters are designed specifically for the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 G Master
Brian,
Thanks for your clarification. If Sony doesn’t come out with a full frame e-mount lens with a longer reach, it looks like there may be a surge in the sales of used 70-200mm f4 lenses for those who are desperate for a wildlife lens.
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Nice work Brian, you rep Sony well. I have one question. Does the 24-70 f2.8 G Master have the same plastic exterior of the 24-70 2.8 Zeiss A-Mount? It was something that always bugged me about that lens given it’s price as it scuffed easily.
Totally new design from A-mount. All the G Master lenses have a very nice satin finish that feels quite nice to the touch.
I am so excited about these 3 new lens. I can’t wait to add them to my camera kits.
Loving my home state in these great photos, Brian! Gosh, I THINK I might receive my October order for the Batis 85 this weekend and just cringed when I saw yesterday’s announcement. I’m sure I’ll be good either way – Batis 1.8 or the G baby 1.4.
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Hi Brian,
thanks for the great news!
I have a question concerning this image: https://briansmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/New-Orleans-3752.jpg
Though it’s a bit noisy the out of focus highlights don’t look as uniform as Sony explicitly stated in text and videos. They look more like my Batis. 😉 Have you noticed this lens behaviour in other situations as well? The 85, just 2 images above, is far better.
Thanks,
Dirk
The bokeh looks pretty smooth to me but I suppose its a matter of taste. As for noise that was shot at IS0 6400 with only the lights inside the helmet to illuminate the face.
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These are wonderful – thx! All your 24-70 shots at f2.8 are either at night at 6400 ISO or of … dogs. 🙁 Any chance you took any 24-70 at f2.8 of people at a low ISO, so we can see how those look?
Wait…Dogs aren’t people???
Hey Brian,
I actually saw you clicking away during barkus, or its someone else testing the new lenses. Anyway, I wanted to know is the price tag for the 85mm 1.4 justified when compared to the Batis 85mm? I realize that its 1.4 vs 1.8, but is it worth the extra 600 to go to 1.4?
That would be me. Those are both great lenses, but I prefer the G Master.
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Does the new 24-70 have less distortion than the f/4? How about versus the A-mount version?
Distortion is about the lowest criteria of lens design these days as it’s easily corrected by applying the lens correction profile either in-camera or in post. Corner-to-corner sharpness and the “look” of the lens can’t be fixed so easily.
Distortion correction results in stretched pixels which lowers clarity and some loss of the edges. The more distortion there is to correct, the higher the image degrades. Such is the case with the f/4. I’m surprised and disappointed that a Sony Artisan had the “just fix it in post” mentality. It should not be a crutch for good lens design. I will have to test it for myself.
You are confused about what causes un-sharp edges. They are not caused by applying lens profile corrections. Aside from Zeiss Otus (which does not make a zoom) every modern lens I’ve tested benefits from some degree of lens profile corrections – particularly zooms. Lenses that are un-sharp at corners cannot be improved with lens profile corrections – distortion can.
I never said lens profile correction caused un-sharp edges. I was talking about overall image clarity with the pixel stretching. Bad edges are by the lens design from the start. I don’t understand what you meant by distortion can improve un-sharp corners. Also what are you’re thoughts on the FE 24-70 F4 distortion?
Hi Brian,
Thank you for the reviews! I am traveling to Europe, and I’m trying to decide between the 24-70 f2.8 G or 16-70 f4 zeiss. I want to purchase one of these to take with me along with the 55 f1.8 prime. I’m shooting on the A7II. Just curious what you’re thoughts would be?
Hey Nick, I’m all in on the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master Lens.
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Great pictures!
How do you feel the GM 24-70 compares to the Batis 25mm? Pretty similar?
Canadian prices are supposedly going up in April so I’m totally in a toss up between the Batis 25/2mm + Zony 55/1.8 or ordering the 24-70 GM for approximately the same money.
What are your feelings regarding this choice?
Let’s see, Sony 24-70mm F2.8 G Master -vs- Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2 Lens:
Are the zoom lenses parfocal, like the PZ 28-135mm?
Thanks.
Sony will no officially be calling it parfocal like the FE 28-135 F4 PZ , but I’m told that is closer to parfocal than Canikon 24-70s.
Brian,
Am going for an a6300.
I love my 24-70mm F4 it is normally “glued” on to my a7RII as it does most everything I need, then I use one of my primes or the 70-200mm F4. Basically I took up on most of your advice, when I got my a7RII for lenses (even got your ebook).
Feel like getting the 24-70mm F2.8 GM to go on my a7RII as it has not OIS and the body has IBIS, so that should work well.
Then use the 24-70mm F4 on my (soon-as-I-get-it) a6300.
Is this a totally crazy idea, what are you going to use on your a6300 (when-you-get-it?)
I have used most of my FE mount lenses on my a6000 and find it fun.
Thank you,
Russ
Hi Brian. Does the 24-70 G Master barrel extend during zoom, or during focusing, or is it all internal? I could not find this information anywhere. Also, I presume the front element does not rotate during focusing. Thanks in advance for any info. Best regards, Henry
Zoom extends. Focus does not. Front element does not rotate.
The 24-70 f2.8 was the lens I was waiting for before switching to the A7rII. These pictures prove that it was worth waiting for…
Thanks Kris. It’s definitely been worth the wait!
Hey Brian, I used to use a Canon DSLR with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM ]and Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lenses for motion (50%) and still (50%) pictures (videos at 1080p 24fps usually, and photos not necessarily at high formats). Now I finally have the chance to upgrade not to a DSLR but to a mirrorless. So, after debating in my head either to go with the a7r ii or a7s ii, I’ve kind of settled on going with a7s II (but still not entirely sure and want advice from you on this as well). Also, with whatever body I get, I was wondering what lenses to get Specifically:Sony G Master 24-70mm f/2.8 vs Zeiss EF 24-70mm f/4. What clear pros and cons are there for video/photo in your opinion? I’m used to the bulkiness of 24-105 L, but how was your experience of having that same big size lens on a small mirrorless body? Sorry about this long series of questions, and thank you so much!
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master Lens is my All-Time favorite lens – not just for E-mount – but All-Time! It balance very well as much of the heft is moved closer to the body (where the mirror box would be on a DSLR).
Thanks Brian – good review. For some reason the custom key I established for eye autofocus (AEL Button) on my Sony a7rII no longer activates that feature when using the Sony 24-70 2.8 GM lens regardless of what focus mode I’m using. Is it still possible to activate eye autofocus using custom key setting in camera or do you have to do a custom setting to use the focus hold button on the lens to activate that feature? Any tips on setting either options for this lens?
I prefer the C1 or C2 button for Eye AF. Remember that the AEL Button shares dual functions depending on which position the switch is in.
Hi Brian,
great to hear from you on the comments on 85mm F1.4.
I have recently purchased this lens and surprisingly that the Eye – AF or AF-eye mode doesn’t responded when I paired it off with Sony A7r2. wondering why? the AF eye in the menu are not brightened up.. no response to activate it..
will appreciate and look forward to hear from you for advice. thanks
hi, it might be a silly question but i am new to photography and i bought this sony fe 2.8/90 macro g oss lens. i have been experimenting around. I would like to know how to use the g master button on the lens.
TIA
Ismail
That’s the Focus Hold Button.
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