I sold my main lens FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM and bought a new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at Map Camera. Today I will show you some snapshots I took in Izu using the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.
The main reasons for the replacement are the following 5 points.
- Weight reduction from 886g to 695g
- Downsizing from 136mm to 119.9mm in overall length
- Minimum focusing distance from 0.38m to 0.21m(W)/0.3m(T)
- Improved image quality
- Faster autofocus
The 24-70mm F2.8 standard zoom lens is my main lens that I almost always have with me when shooting for work, so all of the above 1-5 are important improvements, but in particular, I decided that 1. lighter weight and 2. smaller size are essential to improve my daily mobility and decided to purchase this lens.
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has high resolution and contrast comparable to a single focal length lens
As expected from the second generation of Sony’s top-of-the-line GM standard lenses, the high resolution that clearly captures even the finest details is very appealing. The high contrast and crisp, beautiful shadows make this lens a very satisfying replacement!
Beautiful expression with transparency and three-dimensionality even in harsh backlit conditions
The angle of view includes the surface of water reflecting intense sunlight, a condition that is relatively prone to flare. However, the camera creates a beautiful expression with transparency and a sense of three-dimensionality without reducing contrast.
Faster and More Accurate Autofocus for Effective Portrait Photography
In my previous blog post, I introduced the APO-LANTHAR 50mm F2 manual focus lens, but for portrait photography, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II’s high autofocus performance is a blessing in disguise. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II’s high autofocus performance is also very useful.
Enjoying snapshots at my first visit to Izu Shimoda
This was my first visit to Minami-Izu, and the slightly tropical atmosphere, combined with the lovely townscape, made my shutter count explode.
Mt. Fuji rising from the depths of Suruga Bay is a sight to behold!
Fuji from the Yamanashi side since I was a child, but the view of Mt. Fuji from the Suruga Bay side was surprisingly beautiful with the combination of the sea and the mountains.
The rape blossoms in the evening sun were so lovely that I had to press the shutter button.
When I stopped by Koibito-misaki (Lovers’ Cape), I found rape blossoms catching the setting sun, and I couldn’t resist taking a picture.
Fuji and Suruga Bay during the golden hour is fantastic!
Fuji taken from the Fujimi parking lot as the sun was setting and the cold winter north wind was blowing. It was extremely cold, but an impressive Japanese landscape that I will never forget.
Katsura River & bamboo grove in Shuzenji with soft morning sun
I had wanted to visit Izu Shuzenji since I was a child, as I had somehow heard of this hot spring town. Since it was the beginning of the year and there were few tourists, the town was quiet and I was able to fully enjoy the emotional walking paths.
The communal kitchen at the inn where we stayed was very cute with a Showa-era retro atmosphere.
This kind of Showa-era retro atmosphere with frosted glass is somehow warm and relaxing, isn’t it? This kind of retro atmosphere has been popular for the past few years, and for tourists visiting Japan from abroad, it was a wonderfully designed kitchen that made them feel at ease.
Shuzenji is a clean, compact, and cute spa town
It was a cloudless, sunny morning and the air was dry, a far cry from the dreary winter days of Paris. I was born and raised in Tokyo, and at the time I took it for granted, but after leaving my hometown and living in Paris, I rediscovered the charm of the place where I was born and raised. I was very lucky to be able to enjoy Shuzenji on New Year’s Day when there were almost no tourists!
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is the strongest portrait lens, but also excellent for street snapshots
As a lens for portrait photography for work, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is the strongest lens with almost no flaws. It is a bit large and heavy for street snapshots, so you may want to take the APO-LANTHAR 50mm F2 introduced in the previous article more actively, but the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II will also be useful when you want to bring a lens that can cover a wide standard range for travel. If you are looking for a lens that offers uncompromised image quality & covers the entire standard range, please try it out at a store!
A walk through Tokyo and Shonan with the APO-LANTHAR 50 mm F2