Sony FE 16-35mm 2.8 GM II

The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II does many things right - if you've got a good copy, at least. It's plenty sharp at the wide end and well into the middle range. At 35mm, there's a drop in quality, so it's best to stop down 1-2 f-stops. Unlike Sony's G wide-angle zoom lenses, the GM has good native distortion control, so auto-correction doesn't have to work quite as hard here. Lateral CAs are well-controlled, and vignetting stays within the typical limits of a lens in this class. The sun star rendering is decent. The build quality is excellent but that's something you expect from a lens in this price class. We only wished that Sony had managed to implement an internal zoom mechanism. The reduced weight and slightly more compact dimensions are always welcomed. The AF is fast and silent. Videographers will appreciate the de-clickable aperture ring as well as comparatively low focus breathing and breathing compensation support. If you are into close-up photography with ultra-wide angle lenses, the impressive close-focus capabilities could also be interesting for you. Overall, the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is a clear improvement over its predecessor - and it's (mostly) worth the high price tag.

Highly recommended – A versatile, user-friendly lens with superb performance.