Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens

When we first heard news of the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM, we knew it was a lens that had great promise. After extensive testing, both in the field and the lab, I’m pleased to report it’s exceptionally sharp and has been optimised by Sony’s engineers to resolve sensational detail in combination with Alpha...

The Sony G Master range is described as a “supreme blend of high resolution and beautiful bokeh” which will match current and even future trends with high resolution sensors. This is a very desirable combination of properties if it can be achieved, especially with such a useful, bright f/2.8...

After seeing superb results from the two Sony/Zeiss FE primes, the 55mm Æ’/1.8 and 35mm Æ’/2.8 , we had high hopes that the Zeiss-branded 24-70 Æ’/4 lens would be another excellent piece of glass.

Most photographers will find the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens to be a versatile 'walkaround' lens that is a good match for Sony's α7 'full frame' camera bodies. Its wide maximum aperture makes it ideal for low light use and also for isolating subjects from distracting backgrounds.

Zoom lenses do have strengths and weaknesses in their performance, but there is little to complain about with this Sony G Master. Any sacrifice in the bald figures is more than made up for with the convenience and versatility a zoom lens represents, and there are precious few sacrifices.

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  Outstanding sharpness centrally, No flare, Low central CA, Beautiful bokeh, High manufacturing quality, Silent AF

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  Price, Some edge CA, Heavy, Bulky

The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is the new benchmark standard zoom for Sony's full-frame camera range, but it's also an incredibly expensive lens too, almost rivalling the equivalent Canon and Nikon optics in terms of price.

Sony's marketing made some pretty aggressive statements at the time of the announcement of their new GM lineup. The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is the first GM lens that we tested here and while we are impressed by the quality, it didn't really blow off our socks either.

One area of the lens line-up that we’ve been patiently waiting for the manufacturer to address is the absence of zoom lenses capable of shooting faster than f/4, and up until recently, photographers wishing to couple faster zooms to an Alpha 7-series body have needed an adapter to use either Sony’s...

The Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 OSS ZA didn't really convince us completely - not at this price point for sure. While it is a joy to use the lens thanks to its high quality finish and super smooth controls, the optical characteristics aren't quite as impressive.

Let's get the bad stuff out of the way first. This is a heavy lens. It's quite the beast. Loaded on an A7ii with Sony's Vertical Grip it's a rather beefy set up. But compared to the bigger brother SLT Carl Zeiss A-mount lens, it's comparable maybe a few grams lighter.

I bought this lens despite the reviews. All I can say is that on my A7R sharpness is super and I see very little difference between F4 and F8 in the corners

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  Small, quite light, very well built and very sharp

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  F4...

This lens is sharp from corner to corner. Very minimal distortion at the wide end. Great glass comes at a price though, this G Master is extremely heavy and a little too expensive, but there are no other native options for a 24-70 F2.8. Alas, I love it.

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  Accurate focus, Sharp

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  Expensive, Heavy

High quality images, with the typical Zeiss 3D rendering. I love the 24mm end, as it gives a sufficient wide angle. Very versatile on the A7r, where it has been permanently attached since I bought the lens.

It's hard to describe how much I like the A7r - but one of the things that comes with it is that punishing 36MP sensor. I knew in my heart that a mid-level (but premium priced) zoom lens would not be perfect - but my hopes were high.

this lens is great image quality edge to edge sharpness and beautiful bokeh effects and immersive depth of field. I really love it.

This lens is massive and with the A7Rii it is a heavy package. A back pack, not a shoulder strap proposition. Since I have had this lens I have found that 40% of my photos are at 24mm. At this focal length, building perspective is severely distorted. By 35mm it is almost, but not entirely gone.

Got rid of all my other lenses to afford this bad boy. Worth the sacrifice.