p.1 #1 · Thoughts on 70-200 GM II vs 70-200 f4 macro Gen II
I currently own the Sony 70-200 GM II and I am wondering if anyone else has "down-sized" to the 70-200 f4 Macro II, and if you did do you have seller's remorse? I shoot mainly landscape and flowers. I don't shoot sports or people, so I rarely use the f2.8 capability of the GM II. The lighter weight and closer focus would be nice.
Based on my use case it seems like a no brainer, but I am concerned that I will miss the sharpness and micro contrast of the GM II. For Landscapes, has anyone made this swap and regretted it?
p.1 #2 · Thoughts on 70-200 GM II vs 70-200 f4 macro Gen II
I did. The F4 G II is plenty sharp. I didn't use the f2.8 GM II at f2.8 much. I don't miss it. I use the F4 G II for landscape and flowers sometimes, the MFD comes in handy. It's so mauch smaller and light for travel. IMO, all modern Sony lenses are plenty sharp unless you have a bad copy or enjoy pixel peeping.
p.1 #3 · Thoughts on 70-200 GM II vs 70-200 f4 macro Gen II
I went straight to the F4 G II instead of going for the F2.8 so I can only share what I've learned about the F4 G OSS II
I carry some superb primes and when considering between the 70-200mm GM and G, I decided that I didn't want to add a heavy F2.8 to an already overweight camera bag. My second consideration; a big one, was whether I wanted to pay up the extra $1,200 +/- for a 2.8.
Before I bought the F4 I read quite a number of reviews, and watched as many YT videos as I could (Albert Dros comes to mind). After receiving it I was immediately taken with how small it is. You'll really notice this when you hold it.
Regarding the IQ I'll share some images. This lens fits very well into my travel / landscape kit, its Macro capabilities are superb and image quality is (IMO) pretty special.
p.1 #4 · Thoughts on 70-200 GM II vs 70-200 f4 macro Gen II
billsnature wrote:
I currently own the Sony 70-200 GM II and I am wondering if anyone else has "down-sized" to the 70-200 f4 Macro II, and if you did do you have seller's remorse? I shoot mainly landscape and flowers. I don't shoot sports or people, so I rarely use the f2.8 capability of the GM II. The lighter weight and closer focus would be nice.
Based on my use case it seems like a no brainer, but I am concerned that I will miss the sharpness and micro contrast of the GM II. For Landscapes, has anyone made this swap and regretted it?...Show more →
It's a valid concern. I wouldn't make that move without giving the GII a rent first and taking a look at them side-by-side. The differences may not matter to you, but they are there.
p.1 #5 · Thoughts on 70-200 GM II vs 70-200 f4 macro Gen II
If I only shot landscapes I don't think I'd ever think about it as a downgrade. I shoot a ton of concerts so it's a must have lens for me. The F4 is really nice, though. I rented it once and liked it a lot.
p.1 #6 · Thoughts on 70-200 GM II vs 70-200 f4 macro Gen II
Well, admit I’m spoiled and ended up owning both. The f/4 Macro G II is in my travel bag and used on either my A7CII or A7CR. The f/2.8 GM II I use on either my A1 or A7RV. I bought the original GM II when it came out and now considering trading it in for the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM since I found out the new F2 lens weights less than the original GM version 1.
p.1 #8 · Thoughts on 70-200 GM II vs 70-200 f4 macro Gen II
I got both for as long as they are in the market and use/used them for slightly different purposes with cameras like A7R4A,A7R5,A7CR,A7C,A1,A1mk2.
They are both excellent with GM having an edge in optical quality - namely sharper and contrastier fine details in landscapes.Also flower close-ups sometimes gain on shallower dof at 200mm f2.8 versus f4.0.
If I had to chose just one it would have been GM 70-200/2.8 Mk2 no doubts.
p.1 #9 · Thoughts on 70-200 GM II vs 70-200 f4 macro Gen II
I own the f/4 GII and use it mostly for studio portraits so the GM didn't make a lot of sense for my use case. I've used it outdoors and ive gotten great results from that lens. The shot below was a SOOC test shot from a high school sr shoot. Her little sister wanted to get in front of the camera so I shot a couple of test shots for lighting. This was shot on Sony A7RV at f/5.6
p.1 #10 · Thoughts on 70-200 GM II vs 70-200 f4 macro Gen II
GMII was never really in my budget so GII Macro was my only consideration when I bought it, the other driver was the fact that it was so compact and easy to pack on trips(its been with me on everyone of my overseas trip since I got it in 2023). With the 1.4x TC too its got expanded capability as well. I also love the fact that because it works as a Macro it has really good min focus distance thats pretty rare for a tele and you can use it for pretty much anything you want.
p.1 #11 · Thoughts on 70-200 GM II vs 70-200 f4 macro Gen II
BillD208 wrote:
I own the f/4 GII and use it mostly for studio portraits so the GM didn't make a lot of sense for my use case. I've used it outdoors and ive gotten great results from that lens. The shot below was a SOOC test shot from a high school sr shoot. Her little sister wanted to get in front of the camera so I shot a couple of test shots for lighting. This was shot on Sony A7RV at f/5.6
Yours is a great example of knowing how to get the best results out of your "limited" lens. For me I need f/2.8 for how I use my 70-200mm (particularly with the 1.4x) but if I only needed this lens for landscape use I would get the Tamron/Sigma version and save even more money.
