The Excellent Large Angle Lens?

Do you know that the unique Sony 16-35 GM was launched greater than 6 years in the past? That’s proper: SIX years! It was initially introduced Could 17, 2017. Both time flies or I get previous. Most likely each. Nonetheless it’s nice to see Sony upgrading all of the older lens designs. Earlier it was the 70-200 GM II and the 24-70 GM II (that are each glorious new lenses) and now it’s lastly time for the brand new 16-35 GM II. And the query is: Is that is one thing to be enthusiastic about or is it only a ‘normal’ improve with the standard ‘lighter & smaller’ ? On this article I’ll inform you all about this new lens as I have already got it with me for about 2 months.

Full Disclaimer: I’m a Sony Europe Ambassador and Sony has given me this lens to check out a couple of weeks earlier than its launch date.

As regular, I’ll inform you the whole lot that I believe it’s best to find out about this lens relating to panorama and cityscape images, as a result of that’s primarily what I’m utilizing this lens for.

If you happen to do not wish to learn and like to look at a video, please watch video of this text on my YouTube channel:

‘The Normal Stuff’

The humorous factor is, often when Sony sends me these new lenses they offer me a brief briefing with the usual issues about sharpness, new focus motors, measurement and weight and all that stuff. It’s often myself that finds out the ‘enjoyable’ stuff. In any case, I’m the one which’s utilizing it within the area. And that’s what I’m right here to inform you about.

Let’s get the ‘normal’ stuff out of the way in which first! Sure, this lens is (after all) smaller than the Mark I model. Right here you’ll be able to see them facet by facet.

The GM II is a bit smaller and extra transportable than the primary model. The brand new 16-35 GM II extends (on the huge finish) a tiny bit. So the zoom shouldn’t be inner. It’s principally the identical because the previous model, however the extension is far much less! I’d say it extends round 1 cm, or possibly a bit much less. This may completely positive to placed on a gimbal and you wouldn’t need to readjust it.

The burden of the lens is available in at 547 grams, versus 680 grams of the primary model. That’s a couple of 130 grams distinction, so about 25% lighter. Not too unhealthy, however I can hear you suppose: “properly what’s 130 grams in my bag anyway?” I believe the distinction right here is the largest if you examine the entire Mark 1 trinity set vs the entire Mark II set, so let’s check out that now that the complete trinity of mark II lenses is full:

The Sony GM II Trinity weighs:

16-35 GM II : 547 g

24-70 GM II: 695 g

70-200 GM II : 1045 g

Whole: 2287 g

Versus the Sony GM Mark I trinity:

16-35 GM : 680 g

24-70 GM : 886 g

70-200 GM : 1480 g

Whole: 3046 g

So the whole distinction is 3046 g – 2287 g = 759 g.

That’s undoubtedly a lot lighter, plus the GM II lenses are extra transportable, and easily higher. However I’ve to say, my favorite Sony huge angle lens is (or was?) the Sony 12-24 GM. Right here’s a facet by facet comparability of the brand new 16-35 GM II, the previous 16-35 and the 12-24 GM on the fitting:

For me, the 12-24 GM was fairly compact for its specs. However now with the newer and lighter huge angles popping out, the selection makes it harder. The 12-24 GM weighs 847 grams, vs the 547 of the GM II. That’s quite a bit heavier. To not point out having to hold round a much bigger (and heavier) filter system. I suppose us Sony customers simply need to take care of this luxurious. As a result of if we have a look at the competitors, for instance: the Canon 15-35 RF f/2.8 (which is a superb lens) This weighs 840 grams alone. That’s virtually the identical because the 12-24 GM.

After wanting on the measurement and weight, let’s check out the opposite design properties:

As you could have already seen: this lens has an aperture ring which a swap to make it clickless. That’s the identical as all the brand new GM II lenses. It additionally has 2 buttons on it (as an alternative of 1 on the previous model).

Subsequent, it has 4 XD Linear Focus Motors. That principally means the lens focuses extraordinarily quick with no noise.

And the final essential factor to say is that the filter thread is 82mm. That’s the identical as all of the GM II lenses, which make it tremendous handy to make use of a filter system over your trinity vary.

Observe that I exploit the Nisi V7 sq. filter system for my trinity GM II lenses. I often carry solely a 8 and 10 cease ND filter, 1 graduated ND and a CPL. That covers principally all my wants within the area.

This provides you an outline of the design and capabilities of this lens. Now let’s get to the enjoyable stuff: photographing with it!

In The Subject

Situated within the Netherlands and never having the likelihood to go far (my little child was simply born upon testing this lens), after all my first enterprise was to exit to a close-by windmill to seize a dawn. Loving my huge angle lenses, there are at all times a couple of issues I wish to check out first. Sharpness is (or was once) a factor, however with the brand new GM II lenses I care about it much less and fewer. The reason being easy: These lenses are at all times so sharp that you just hardly see a distinction on completely different apertures, even on corners. Nonetheless, I’ll so some exams afterward on this article.

The dimensions and weight improve are after all already nice, however like I discussed on the high of this text: Is there the rest we are able to get enthusiastic about? The quick reply is sure! And I instantly discovered this out on my first shoot on the native windmill:

Focus respiratory

Focus respiratory is the slight zoom that occurs if you change your focus. This lens has principally NO focus respiratory. That’s proper. Virtually none. For me that’s enormous (and for video folks it will likely be as properly). People who know my taking pictures model know that I’d like to make use of focus stacking on my huge angle photographs. For this, I’m going actually near my foreground and use the main target stacking approach to get the whole lot within the picture sharp, from entrance to again. This fashion I can create actually immersive photographs that nearly look 3D. I used to be already completely happy that Sony applied automated focus bracketing on their A7RV (you continue to have to mix the photographs in software program). The main target respiratory makes you lose some decision (and mm) when it’s an excessive amount of. For reference, whereas the 12-24 GM is my favorite huge angle lens, it does have a big quantity of focus respiratory, particularly at 12mm. This makes you lose a couple of mm when doing focus stacking with that lens. The brand new 16-35 GM II has virtually NONE. So it’s unimaginable to do focus stacking.

Sony A7RV – Sony 16-35 GM II at 16mm – f/11 (focus stacked) – 1/13s – ISO 200 ( tripod)

Right here’s an instance the place I exploit quite a lot of flowers on the foreground and use focus stacking to get each the foreground and background very sharp. I used to be anticipating some fog this morning, however as an alternative received a pleasant sky. Couldn’t complain an excessive amount of about that 🙂

The Sunstar

Subsequent, I waited a bit for the solar to come back as much as seize the sunstar. One thing else I discover essential in a large angle lens. I like to include the solar into my photographs (I do know a few of you don’t, simply private choice). Right here’s a photograph of when the solar simply got here up:

The solar right here is squeezed in between clouds and the sting of a tree for a most impact of the sunstar, shot at closed down aperture of f/22. In my view the sunstar seems to be very good (however it’s important to determine for your self). The streaks are good and sharp, and don’t look unusual.

Right here’s one other instance of the sunstar from one other shoot at f/14 at 16mm.

Happy with my shoot and first exams, I drove again dwelling. However on my manner again I noticed a area of flowers subsequent to the highway with some Sunflowers and different wildflowers, in all probability left there for bugs. I made a decision to place the 16-35 GM II to the check for some shut ups right here and found by subsequent thrilling characteristic:

The Minimal Focus Distance

What’s very cool about this lens is minimal focus distance: It’s solely 22 cm. That’s a lot nearer than the unique GM, which has a minimal focus distance of 28 cm. And by the way in which, the 12-24 GM additionally has an in depth focus distance of 28 cm. The shut minimal focus distance means the magnification is 0.32x, versus the 0.19x on the unique. If we have a look at the competitors: The Canon RF 15-35 has 0.21x magnification. So having a 0.32x magnification on the brand new 16-35 GM II is just enormous! Not just for doubtlessly attention-grabbing bokeh shut up photographs, but additionally for focus stacking very near your lens (extra on that later).

So again to the flower area! The very first thing I noticed have been clearly the gorgeous sunflowers that I discussed earlier. Right here’s a frontal element of one among them shot at f/8

This lens has glorious sharpness (extra in depth exams later). Discover the attention-grabbing texture in the midst of the sunflower. Even a a lot greater crop on the 61 megapixels of the A7RV isn’t any downside, and brings out the main points of the good center texture of the sunflower:

Alright, I didn’t overlook concerning the minimal focus distance factor. I seen bees have been actually within the sunflowers. They have been so busy with them that they didn’t thoughts me getting up near them in any respect to check the shut focus distance:

The end result actually blew me away. Utilizing the insect autofocus on the A7RV I used to be capable of completely concentrate on the bee and look how shut I might get. Now I might usually by no means shoot these sorts of scenes with a large angle, however the truth that that is attainable is unimaginable. Right here’s a better crop of the above picture:

I like how one can see the little dew drops on the flower and the element on the wings of the bee. Listed here are 2 extra photographs of the identical scene:

Additionally discover how clear the bokeh is at 35mm. It’s butter clean, each the background and foreground (see the second picture) bokeh. I actually began to have enjoyable on this little flower area. Earlier than I knew it I spent an hour photographing wildflowers up shut subsequent to the highway. Let’s speak some extra concerning the shut focus bokeh of this lens:

Bokeh

I do know most of you’ll not use this lens for that, but it surely’s nice to know that this lens has a very nice and clean bokeh (that I principally used at 35mm). This comes at no shock. Sony markets their G-Grasp line up as tack sharp with a brilliant clean bokeh. And so they at all times ship. Listed here are some examples by which I used the shut focus distance at 35mm together with a large open aperture of f/2.8:

I actually loved getting fairly creative with this lens. I seen these attention-grabbing shapes of flowers that nearly appeared like molecules.

Right here I went fully out of concentrate on function to point out the concord of colors and shapes. I actually like how this shot got here out and I’m presently utilizing it as a wallpaper 🙂

I then noticed some little daisies and tried my luck on these:

Once more, butter clean bokeh and good sharpness on the focus level. These have been virtually at minimal focus distance. Right here’s one other artistic shot at shut focus distance of a element of a plant.

In order you’ll be able to see, I actually loved myself on this little area of flowers and received some good exams out of it. I used to be shocked by the shut focus potentialities of this lens and it’s lovely bokeh.

And earlier than we proceed to one thing completely different, let’s take a fast have a look at one other use case of the good bokeh of this lens: Product images:

Right here’s a photograph of I took of an previous Praktica movie digital camera. Each the foreground and background bokeh look fantastically tender. I can solely think about videographers are going to like taking pictures product photographs with this lens due to the bokeh, and shut focus distance. With the shut focus distance you’ll be able to completely concentrate on smaller components of merchandise, just like the model particulars:

On this picture I used the minimal focus distance to seize an in depth up-of the entrance of the digital camera. Alright, sufficient bokeh!

Let’s proceed to one thing what this lens was made for: photographing cityscapes.

My Wet Metropolis

Large-angle lenses are nice for landscapes. But in addition for cityscapes! So for this lens I had the concept of photographing a wet night in my hometown Amersfoort. Why rain you ask? As a result of it was merely raining virtually day by day in the course of the time I used to be requested to do this lens! However actually, I like photographing cities within the rain. Rain offers our lovely cities that additional little bit of magic contact. It simply makes you’re feeling heat. And I suppose I’m fortunate to stay in a really picturesque metropolis.

However earlier than we get to the rain, and whereas we’re nonetheless with the considered the shut focus distance of this lens, let’s begin with a photograph exhibiting the shut focus distance in motion together with focus stacking:

Right here’s a composition of one of the vital lovely streets in Amersfoort. I positioned the digital camera very low and near the flowers right here to get an enormous foreground. I then used the Sony A7RV’s focus bracketing perform to take a number of focus level, and mixed them in Photoshop to get the flowers very sharp within the foreground.

After which the rain (as predicted) began. I requested my pal Daan to come back with me for some modelling. Right here’s the identical avenue within the rain:

For this shot I had to make use of a better ISO to attain the quicker shutter velocity to get Daan sharp within the picture as he was strolling.

Right here’s a crop of the above picture. We are able to see that the sharpness at f/2.8 is superb. Whereas it was getting darkish we continued our stroll by way of the gorgeous little streets of Amersfoort.

The streets actually come alive with the picturesque lights reflecting on the tiles. Right here I had the concept of making a filmish look with Daan holding the umbrella from up shut:

Once more we are able to see a pleasant tender bokeh with good element on drops on the umbrella. Right here’s one other shot, this time with the out of focus foreground, centered on the background.

I actually loved taking these ‘film-look’ photographs within the night and this lens labored very properly for it. A factor to notice is that I virtually by no means use rain covers for my gear in simply regular rain. I by no means had any points with rain up to now and I really feel just like the Sony our bodies and lenses are completely positive in opposition to a little bit of rain. Right here’s a photograph of how my gear seems to be within the rain:

This was shot with the A7RIV with the 24-70 GM II by the way in which, good bokeh as properly 🙂 About bokeh: In fact I needed to check out some shut ups within the wet streets of Amersfoort as properly:

Right here’s a shot of a chrome bell on a motorcycle, huge open at f/2.8. The bokeh balls within the background look very good, with excellent sharpness on the water drops on the bell.

I then discovered this element on a bench and spent a while photographing it. I actually preferred how the sunshine hit all of the rain on the bench, inflicting dozens of bokeh balls.

At that time it was already getting fairly darkish and I closed this night shoot. Right here’s the complete Amersfoort night gallery:

Taking pictures the Stars

To remain within the night time temper, let’s check out how this lens performs huge open at f/2.8 for star images. As a panorama photographer, we are inclined to desire to deliver only one (quick) huge angle lens to additionally often {photograph} night time skies with on journeys if the journey shouldn’t be devoted to astrophotography within the first place. But when I actually concentrate on stars and milky manner, I at all times take my 24mm f/1.4 GM and 14mm f/1.8 GM with me. These lenses are high of the road for night time images.

However let’s have a look how the 16-35 GM II performs in that regard. Sadly, I didn’t get the prospect to check out actual milky manner images as more often than not it was extraordinarily cloudy and wet throughout this a part of the summer time within the Netherlands. Additionally, with the extra clear nights the moon was in the way in which. However with a near full moon and a decently clear sky, I nonetheless went out to see how the celebs appeared on this lens to present you a common thought of the way it performs 🙂

And so I went to an open area close to my home and photographed some scenes with bushes:

Right here we are able to see how properly lit the panorama was by the moon. It is perhaps a bit troublesome to see the celebs on the smaller measurement of the picture. So let’s check out a crop:

On the middle crop we are able to see the celebs look pin level sharp at f/2.8 with none chromatic aberrations. For the corners, I wish to present some photographs the place I photographed into one other route with some extra seen stars to present you a greater illustration:

Each photographs at f/2.8, ISO 2500, 10 seconds. (left shot had foreground focus stacked) . On the left picture I used to be standing a bit of bit farther from the tree. On the proper picture I used to be standing very near the tree, pointing the digital camera up. I might now see rather more stars and a really imprecise a part of the milky manner when you look intently. Let’s examine some crops of this picture:

On the middle crop we are able to once more see that the celebs are pin level sharp huge open at f/2.8. Now let’s check out a nook crop from the identical picture:

On the highest proper crop, the whole lot nonetheless seems to be very sharp. We are able to undoubtedly see a bit of little bit of coma on among the stars right here, but it surely’s nothing main. I’d say the ‘star’ efficiency of this lens is superb and after seeing these outcomes, I might not be afraid to make use of this lens huge open for milky manner images.

The Wadden Sea

Having examined a lot of the properties of the lens, Let’s proceed with some landscapes in the course of the day: Capturing the mud-textures on the north of the nation on the Wadden Sea. At low tide, the water drops and all the textures on the backside of the ocean grow to be seen. I drove round for a bit looking for the perfect textures and ultimately referred to as Bas Meelker (pal, and iconic Dutch Panorama Photographer) who advised me the place to go to search out the perfect ones. The North Coast is his dwelling, so he’s the knowledgeable. So thanks Bas, for the recommendation 🙂

Arriving there I used to be not upset. Though I used to be greeted and received moist by a passing raincloud, I actually loved. That is what panorama images is about. Mud textures so far as the attention might see, with the raincloud that simply hit me pulling away, making for some lovely cloud formations. It was time to get to work!

For me, these mud textures are a playground. You could find limitless compositions with main traces in every single place.

By getting nearer to the bottom you get a very new perspective the place you’ll be able to actually play with the traces main you into the picture. Because the mud patterns aren’t enormous, I used focus stacking right here as properly to get all of the traces sharp from entrance to again.

One other attention-grabbing perspective was the highest down view:

Shot hand-held at f/8, nook to nook are very sharp. That is clearly no shock with this sort of lens stopped down.

The sunshine saved altering so I spent a very good few hours making an attempt out completely different compositions and photographing the textures in numerous gentle because the solar was getting decrease and the clouds saved altering.

Left: Sony A7RV – Sony 16-35 GM II at 16mm – f/10 (focus stack) – 1/80s – ISO 200 (tripod)

Center: Sony A7RV – Sony 16-35 GM II at 16mm – f/14 (focus stack) – 1/1000s – ISO 200 (tripod)

Proper: Sony A7RV – Sony 16-35 GM II at 16mm – f/8 (focus stack) – 1/1600s – ISO 200 (tripod)

All these photographs have been focus stacked and shot at 16mm. Having the likelihood to get very low and near the cracks and having the ability to focus up so shut is nice right here. This fashion I used to be capable of seize the utmost quantity of element by way of all the photographs.

Near sundown I made a decision to maneuver place because the tide was at its lowest level, creating a stupendous reflection simply behind the tiny dike on all the above photographs.

The spectacular cloud formations reflecting on the tremendous low water of the low tide was magical to see. If you happen to look intently, you see poles within the distance. I moved a bit to catch a few of them nearer to the coast and use them as a number one line:

All in all it was price to take the drive as much as the north coast and {photograph} some mud textures, spectacular clouds and a pleasant sundown. I received soaking moist a number of occasions and the clouds have been filled with mud, however I used to be strolling round completely happy as a child! Once more, that is what panorama images within the low lands is about for me!

Final however (definitely) not least

Most of this text was written earlier than I went to Greenland & Iceland to information excursions. I took the 16-35 GM II with me and additional loved utilizing the lens due to the options talked about above. Listed here are some extra photographs from these journeys. I rapidly needed to end these actually 2 days earlier than this lens was introduced, however I’m completely happy I might nonetheless put them in right here 🙂

Postprocessing

All photographs on this publish have been shot in RAW and publish processed by way of my very own strategies and elegance. Noise Discount was utilized to the upper ISO photographs. If you happen to take pleasure in my processing work, please take into account looking at my enhancing course (www.edityourlandscapes.com) by which I train my full workflow, suited to each rookies are superior photographers. We even have a non-public neighborhood the place I can provide suggestions in your photographs and reply questions.

Abstract and Closing

On this article I confirmed you the capabilities and properties of this lens by way of varied taking pictures periods. And after photographing rather a lot with it the final couple of weeks, right here’s what I can say in brief:

The brand new 16-35 GM II is healthier than the mark 1 in each side. Nevertheless it’s not merely smaller and extra transportable with the standard added aperture ring and a few extra buttons. There’s rather more to it. Details:

• The 16-35 GM II weighs 547 g and is smaller than the Mark I.

• The entire GM II trinity weighs 760 g much less than the previous GM trinity.

• Filter thread is 82mm , the identical because the 24-70 GM II and 70-200 GM II.

• It extends when zooming, but it surely’s solely a tiny bit. Lower than a centimeter.

• Minimal focus distance of solely 22 cm, which is far nearer than most different huge angle lenses. Magnification of 0.32x.

• Virtually no focus respiratory.

• Due to the two above factors, tremendous good to do focus stacking with.

• Stunning tender bokeh

• Nice sharpness from nook to nook at each aperture.

• Good for milky manner images with very sharp stars within the middle , virtually no CI, and a bit of little bit of coma within the corners.

This lens isn’t just higher than the mark I in each manner, it additionally provides extra versatility due to the factors talked about above. Now the apparent query is: Will I desire to make use of this lens above my all time favorite 12-24 GM? The one reply I can provide you proper now could be: Time will inform. I do love taking pictures at wider focal lengths than 16mm. If weight shouldn’t be a problem I’d in all probability take the 12-24GM, however on any journey journey the place weight is essential I’d go for the 16-35 GM II. Additionally, the truth that one filter system can be utilized over the all set of trinity lenses is good. Once more, I haven’t determined but and I’ve to get extra ‘really feel’ for the lens through the use of it longer and on travels, as I’ve presently primarily used it within the Netherlands.

However one factor is for certain: Sony did a really good improve to the 6 yr previous 16-35 GM that I’m certain many photographers (together with me) are going to be very completely happy about!

I hope this text gave you a very good look of this lens and hat you loved studying it. Be at liberty to ask my any questions! Thanks for studying, as at all times!

Albert