Still Worth It In 2024?! Original Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM Lens Review
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master lens represents not only one of Sony's first ever released GM lenses, but also one of their most popular choices for wedding/event and other shooters look for the convenience and versatility that telephoto zooms provide. That said, this lens also bears the unique distinction of being Sony's first G Master lens to be replaced, as this lens is now succeeded by the 70-200mm GM II which improves upon the original GM in a number of ways. All of this begs the question: is the original SEL70200GM still worth it today, or whenever you're watching this?
In this lens review, I'll talk about the many specifications and features the original 70-200mm GM has, and how this performs on a general level. I'll follow this up by discussing my favorite aspects about the original 70-200mm GM ("The Good"), and those aspects of the lens where it lags compared to its new successor and other options ("The Not So Good"). Last, I'll address the question of whether this telephoto lens is still worth purchasing today, and some other options that exist that also compete with this lens and its performance in the same space and price category.
All in all, the SEL70200GM still has a unique place in the Sony system, and depending on your use case and budget, may still be an excellent option to consider.
If you like lens reviews and content around lenses feel free to like and subscribe, as I'll be covering a review on the new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II at a future date. Also, let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM: amzn.to/3He70Ts
0:00 - Intro, what's important about the 70-200mm GM today
0:29 - Overall lens specs and features
2:17 - Versatility of the 70-200mm range
2:51 - "The Good" about the lens...
4:06 - "The Not So Good"
5:59 - Is this lens still worth it?
7:11 - Conclusion
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My Current Kit:
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Cameras & Lenses:
Sony a7S III: amzn.to/3Gd87kK
Sony a7 IV: amzn.to/3g3Ipoq
Sony a7 III: amzn.to/3GcEX5x
Sony 20mm f/1.8 G: amzn.to/3AE7pMt
Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm f/1.8: amzn.to/3r6Lo5M
Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM: amzn.to/3HfLIoy
Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM II: amzn.to/3IPSge6
Audio:
Rode VideoMic NTG: amzn.to/3AJwTrW
Tascam DR-10L: amzn.to/3AIRA7l
Zoom H6: amzn.to/32HCgep
Lighting:
Aputure LS 60x: amzn.to/3Gc04og
Aputure Amaran P60c: amzn.to/3ob7qm6
Aputure Amaran AL-F7: amzn.to/3g3IzMy
Aputure MC: amzn.to/34l8DzS
Tripod/Monopod:
Manfrotto 290 Xtra 128RC: amzn.to/3o8bPpV
iFootage Cobra C180-II: amzn.to/3r8kfPY
Affiliate Disclaimer: The above links to products may contain affiliate links, which may earn me a small commission as an Amazon Associate. Amazon and all related Marks are Trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. - Věda a technologie
Got mine on the $1995. Sale at Best Buy a few months ago. I’m a long time still shooter. Mine is very sharp, no problems, but yes it’s clunky because of the glass and metal so not the best for everyone. I really like the visual renderings of this lens, it has a very classic look. Solid review! Keep on!!
Thanks, and congrats on the purchase! Yeah it's definitely bulky, but the IQ is great.
Thank you for this video! I found it very helpful in trying to buy a 70-200.
No problem, Kaylyn! Glad to hear it helped you.
how was weather sealing for you for this lens? any internal dust over the years? my concern is for photography so i think the gen1 will be sufficient but even at used i wonder how good the internal sealing is.
Good question - weather sealing has been great, no issues with dust, etc. in the 70-200mm GM v1, or really any of the Sony zooms I've had.
Hi Andrew, the video was amazing. Im trying to figure out if i will try to purchase this old model for the Sony Zv-e10, the lens was 2nd hand and it was worth around only $500.
I have sigma 18-50mm f2.8 and i want to add this buddy. Would you recommend?
$500 for the original 70-200mm GM is a steal, assuming it's in good physical/functional condition. I'd say go for it.
I was considering to get the GM II, but to be honest, I don't see the reason to spend money on it. The GM I, when I got it some 4-5 years ago, was one of the best 70-200 that you could find. If it was one of the best at that time, with probably 100's of thousands of images taken, sold and published by professionals around the world, why should it not be good enough today? Unless you aim to print a huge billboard image taken with this lens, there is really no need to upgrade if you shoot photos. On the other hand, if you shoot videos, the GM II could be of great advantage because of the click-less aperture adjustment. Image quality? It was good enough 4-5 years ago, and it is not bad unless you start pixel peeping and comparing with the new one. Clients will never notice any difference between lenses used as long as they are not experts in pixel peeping. I never buy the next generation of whatever. You end up losing money, unless you are very rich and money doesn't matter. I might, however, go for a GM III when that comes out. I would have to compare the benefits first. We live nowadays in a very material minded society, where only the latest version of whatever is the greatest and "you can not live without it". Stop and think. Camera companies, as any other company, will ALWAYS release a new product, telling the public that this is better and you need it. People fall very easily to temptations. Always think about what you really need, and never be ashamed to use an older technology as long as it doesn't hurt your work. Just remember to have the latest FW upgrade on the GM I, which is currently v. 06, and improves the autofocus.
Well said, unless you really need the weight savings or want the additional video oriented features, the 70-200 GM I is still a great choice.
I've paired this lens with my A74 and everytime I do a burst shoot of more than 4-6. it shuts down the entire camera. I had to remove the battery and restart the camera all over again! Any tips? There's nothing wrong with the camera coz when I switched the lens to another, the burst shots weren't any issue.
Reply
Any issues with the lens shooting on another Sony body? Is the firmware version on the camera (and lens) the most up-to-date?
I like your style sir, you have earned my sub 👏😎
Thanks Waleed, I appreciate that!
Hello, I just bought my sony 70-200 2.8 GM and the focus motor noise is bothering me, my version might be faulty, and I am looking for some answers It might be normal but I would like to be sure, I can send a sample video of the noise
It is a noisier lens AF-wise than most I've had, so it may be normal depending on what you're hearing.
czcams.com/users/shortsfA6LUzqbSEg?feature=share
@@OneShotProduction976 To be honest, that sounds pretty similar to what I remember with mine (I just have the 70-200mm GM II at this point).
@@andrewsaraceni so it sound normal, thank you. And congrats for the MKII 🙌
B&H currently has the lens priced at $1,698 brand new which is only $500 difference from the tamron 70-180 would you still say it’s worth it?
I’m just trying to see which would be better overall
I would still say the original 70-200 GM is worth it, particularly for that small of a price difference. But the 70-180 Tamron is also a great telephoto lens.
@@andrewsaraceni thank you I appreciate the response tons !
I got mine for less than $150. Along with other lens worth about $1500 altogether. I don’t have the camera for this a mount. Should I sell everything and buy a newer camera with good prime lens?
What camera do you have currently?
Thank you for the video. Is it still worth it in 2024?
No problem, I think the video should help answer that question for you. 🙂
Is liked to get one. But my 135mm GM is does that job for me
The 135mm GM is also excellent, depends on if you need the shallow DOF vs. the additional focal length.
@@andrewsaraceni I don’t shoot sports. The 135 is all the reach I’ll need. Portraits, some model portraits and weddings
I found this lens for under $700 and deciding if I want it because the version 2 is a bit much in price for me. Thanks for this video
No problem! Honestly at that price, I think it's a steal.
@@andrewsaraceni I just took the plunge and ordered it. I agree. It’s a steal hopefully it’s worth it when it arrives.
@@TheRenegadeStarr Congrats!
How is working out for you?. I got my copy today and I might return it. I actually have the Tamron 70-180 mm 2.8 which is light and sharp. But I have a hard time focusing in low light. It hunts and is really annoying. Now I have both lenses I was gonna sell the Tamron, but this Sony is heavy. I might exchange if two lenses that I need. Sigma 24-70mm and Sigma Art 35. mm, 1.4.
@@edross2826 I will say the 70-200 GM II is a big relief on the weight savings side (though you do pay for it).
Just ordered a used one for 900€. I think for that kind of lens it is really hard to find anything as good for a comparable price
At that price, it's a great value for sure.
Better the 70-200mm f/2.8 or the new F/4II ? @@andrewsaraceni
@@__Mr.White__ That's a great question. Depends mostly on if you need f/2.8 aperture/a more shallow DOF, or instead value a smaller and lighter lens in the f4 (or it's macro capabilities).
I just got mine at an estate sale for 950 dollars
Congrats! That's a great deal.
i dont think updating the video title does this lens justice in 2024. now that there's a direct "budget" lens that's directly competing with the gmII. new sigma 70-200 f2.8 e mount lens is 1500usd and almost half the price to the gmII and almost idetnically sharp in real world tests compared to the gmII. the sigma does everything this gm ver 1 lens does but better. the ONLY upsdes the gm1 has over the sigmais 20fps at close distance tracking (yes on an a1 a subject running tward the lens the autofocus motors in this lens cant keep the 30fps and drops down to 20fps on gm1) where the sigma is firmware locked at 15fps bursts. and no teleconverter support. other than that the sigma wins in every other category over this gm1 and the sigma brand new is still cheaper than the gm1 is used
It's another great option, but there's still reasons to go native vs. third party, e.g. breathing compensation. There's also a solid used market for the GM I, while the Sigma doesn't have that yet given it's new.
I will never understand this kind of question... of course it's worth buying a lens if that's what you need from it. I'm selling everything I have on Fuji so I can get this lens and switch to full frame.
It's a CZcams title. 🙂But also a valid question given the range of 70-200 (or similar) options now available in E-mount. Congrats on the switch to Sony!
Got this lense in $200 from Auction 😂
If that's really true, you got more than a steal, congrats!
@@andrewsaraceni We all know it's not :)
@@joshpack 😉
No
Why not?
@@andrewsaraceni too heavy and does not focus accurately!
@@SurfSnowMusicLife I never had any issues with focusing, but weight is definitely a factor.