I sent back our eval copies on Friday. It picks up some nice resolution over the 90G, putting it in line with the Sigma 105/2.8. I think it has a little bit better bokeh than the Sigma, but, overall, neither have any big flaws optically.
The AF is fast and incredibly sticky on the a9III and a1II. I also used it on my own 6700 and found it flawless, even when chasing a scurrying wolf spider. It's a decent MF focus feel and the distance scales on the two eval copies were accurate. I probably wouldn't whine too much if I had to use it for MF. Also, if you've felt limited by 1:1 lenses of this type; good news! This goes 1.4:1. And potentially better news; it takes the extenders, so you can give up a little resolution and add a little FC with the 1.4x and get a higher ratio. I do not recommend the 2x. Objectively, you're better off shooting in crop mode with the 1.4x.
Personally, I'm content with the 70-200GII. I really appreciate having that broad range in a field close-focuser. The situations where I want AF and the situations where I want higher magnification aren't generally the same for me, so I doubt I'll spend the cash on the GM. That said, if you like to bug/lizard hunt with this type of lens, or if you just want to get more handholdability in a lens of this type than you've ever had, I highly recommend giving it a rent, at least. Sony's done a good job making both AF and OSS more effective at close distances on both the zoom and the GM.
I sent back our eval copies on Friday. It picks up some nice resolution over the 90G, putting it in line with the Sigma 105/2.8. I think it has a little bit better bokeh than the Sigma, but, overall, neither have any big flaws optically.
The AF is fast and incredibly sticky on the a9III and a1II. I also used it on my own 6700 and found it flawless, even when chasing a scurrying wolf spider. They went to a switch on the front ring to go from AF/MF to full-time MF versus the clutch mechanism on the 90. It's a decent focus feel and the distance scales on the two eval copies were accurate in MF. I probably wouldn't whine too much if I had to use it for MF. Also, if you've felt limited by 1:1 lenses of this type; good news! This goes 1.4:1. And potentially better news; it takes the extenders, so you can give up a little resolution and add a little FC with the 1.4x and get a higher ratio. I do not recommend the 2x. Objectively, you're better off shooting in crop mode with the 1.4x.
Personally, I'm content with the 70-200GII. I really appreciate having that broad range in a field close-focuser. The situations where I want AF and the situations where I want higher magnification aren't generally the same for me, so I doubt I'll spend the cash on the GM. That said, if you like to bug/lizard hunt with this type of lens, or if you just want to get more handholdability in a lens of this type than you've ever had, I highly recommend giving it a rent, at least. Sony's done a good job making both AF and OSS more effective at close distances on both the zoom and the GM.
Sep 30, 2025 at 07:23 PM
Previous versions of freaklikeme's message #16900016 « Never mind. »
