Embarking on a photographic journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Banff, Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is a dream for any photographer. When Jude Allen (@jude_allen) was able to do just that with the new Sony G Master II trinity, he says that dream became an unparalleled visual experience. Using the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II, Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II and Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II lenses, he was able to capture the beautiful scenes and wildlife throughout the Parks. We caught up with him to learn more about his experience shooting with the second-generation G Master trinity – keep reading as he shares why this trio of lenses redefines the way he shoots travel photography.

This creator explains how the technology and versatility of the second generation G Master lenses redefines the way he shoots travel photography.

A Wide-Angle For Natural Wonders

After using the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II, Allen says the lens is a wide-angle marvel. “My favorite shot I took with the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II was this fall landscape shot with the small house. I felt like the color representation in this shot was pretty amazing. I also couldn’t believe how sharp all of it turned out. I always felt like my first version of this lens that I own was super sharp, even at f/2.8. And I feel like this one is almost even sharper at f/2.8, which is crazy. It’s so sharp all the way to the edges.”

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/4000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100

The ultra-wide field of view of the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II is excellent for encompassing the vastness of the natural wonders, making it ideal for landscape photography. “Part of what I like about having the 16-35mm is that you can get such a grand scene of things,” Allen explains. When shooting landscapes, you obviously need that wide angle. One of my favorite things about this lens is it takes a standard filter size so I don’t have to carry a bunch of different filters with me. That’s a huge benefit to this lens. It’s also just super light so backpacking with it is no problem. It’s also so versatile that I could take this lens and this lens only, while still capturing everything from landscapes to portraits to street. It could easily be my go-to walk around lens.”

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/640-sec., f/5, ISO 100

A Versatile Zoom For Everything

As Allen says, he’s a big fan of the 16-35mm focal length, but as time has gone on, he says he has also found a special place for the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II in his kit. “I found that using the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II to compress and frame things really gives an extra dimensional look to the image. Now I find that it’s become my go-to all-around lens that I’ll grab the most because I can do anything with it. I can walk around in the street, I could crop in on somebody or zoom in on 70mm and get a super cool portrait, or street photography, or I can do a nature scene and punch in at 50mm or 24mm.”

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/160-sec., f/3.5, ISO 125

He also finds the 24-70mm to be the best for portraits and landscapes with people in them because of the flexibility the lens offers. “In these environments it can vary how close I am to the subject, and sometimes I have limited space where I can stand to get a view of the whole area,” he explains. “This lens makes it easy to do a compression shot or do an actual close-up portrait. Or I can even back up with the lens itself to get the entire wide scene with the whole person’s body in it. Having that flexibility is really important to me, and probably why this is a go-to lens.”

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/100-sec., f/2.8, ISO 800

A Powerful Telephoto For Wildlife Photography

Throughout the National Parks, Allen was also hoping to photograph some wildlife. Using the third lens in the trinity, the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II, he was able to snag this awesome shot of a bison – and he credits the lens for allowing him to get it. “So often wildlife comes out when it’s starting to get darker,” he explains. “They’re cruising around either a little after sunset or before sunrise. Typically I would have the 100-400mm, which is one of my favorites, but it’s more cumbersome and not f/2.8. The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II allowed me to shoot super dark at a low ISO.”

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 160

“The area where the bison stood was very shaded, and so the contrast was difficult. From that distance with any other lens I don’t think I would’ve been able to get such a clear shot. It’s also super cropped, and it still looks good. I shot it with my Sony Alpha 7R V, and the fact that I could shoot it faster at f/2.8 is the reason I was able to capture this at such a high quality.”

Having previously shot with the first versions of each lens in the G Master trinity, he says the weight between his old pack compared to that with the newer G Master II lenses is like night and day. “They’re super light and small. If I were backpacking overnight somewhere, I won’t have to leave a lens behind because my pack is too heavy. My entire set of gear is lighter with this G Master II trinity.”

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/800-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100

In addition to the compact form factor of the lenses, Allen says the latest lens technology and versatility throughout the zoom ranges are the key benefits of the trinity. “This trinity lineup incorporates Sony's cutting-edge lens technology, guaranteeing unparalleled image quality. From corner to corner, these lenses deliver sharpness, clarity and color reproduction that bring your photos to life. Covering a wide spectrum of focal lengths, the trinity of lenses offer unmatched versatility. I was able to seamlessly transition from wide-angle panoramas to telephoto close-ups, ensuring I never missed a shot, regardless of the subject or setting.”

See more of Jude Allen’s work on Instagram @jude_allen.

Learn more about the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II HERE.

Learn more about the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II HERE.

Learn more about the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II HERE.