When the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master was first introduced back in 2016, Roger Cicala of LensRentals.com declared it as a world class lens that outperformed all of the previous options. That first iteration has been a fan favorite ever since, but Sony didn’t stop there. In 2022, the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II joined the lens lineup, addressing the changing needs of creators and bringing an even more compact and versatile option with evolved image quality into the fold. This second iteration has taken the creative world by storm, earning the best ever rating for a 24-70mm by DxOMark and being named Best Zoom Lens in DPReview’s 2022 Awards. It was also selected as not only the Best Standard Lens of 2022 by Imaging Resource, but the Best OVERALL Lens of 2022. Below we take a look at some of the incredible imagery and more already created with the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II and read why it’s earned a spot in so many creatives’ kits.

The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM has been a multi-talented favorite zoom for years, and with the 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, Sony took a legend and made it better.

Sony Artisan and professional fashion photographer Nino Rakichevich calls the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II the only must-have zoom he packs for fashion photography. “This is actually the only zoom that I bring with me to fashion photo shoots. I loved the first version of this lens, and now I absolutely love the second version. It's definitely a must-have zoom for me for fashion.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Look At The Photo Kit This Pro Uses For Runway And On-Location Fashion.

Photo by Nino Rakichevich. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/1250-sec., f/5, ISO 200

Creative and Alpha Collective member Mike Meyers has always been a big fan of the 24-70mm focal length and says he probably shot 80% of his images with the original Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. Now with the second version of the lens, which he says is even sharper, he can capture cityscape images with a new level of detail. Check out the long exposure black and white image he created using the lens below and read more in Behind The Shot: When The Conditions Call For A Long Exposure Black & White.

Photo by Mike Meyers. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 30-sec., f/8, ISO 50

Travel and lifestyle photographer Vince Lim includes the lens in his go-to setup for landscapes and more. The Alpha Collective member used it to capture the beautiful image below and says, “The Sony 24-70 f/2.8 G Master II is what I use for landscape, portrait, lifestyle and travel photography, and if there is one lens I could only use for the rest of my life, the 24-70mm would be it. The focal range is just so versatile and it does what three or four lenses might do. The Version II of the lens is a lot lighter and more compact so it makes the shooting experience that much better.” Read more in Behind The Shot: Using Composition & Light To Capture A Stunning Landscape.

Photo by Vince Lim. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100

Content creator Terry Warfield says it’s the perfect lens for vlogging and content creation. “If you had to pick one lens to go along with your Sony Alpha 7 IV, or whatever camera you’re using, the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II is the way to go. And the reason I say it’s the way to go is because it’s so versatile. Especially as a vlogger or content creator, most of the focal lengths that we use are within 24-70mm.” Watch the video below and read more in Vlogging Tips & Gear With Terry Warfield.

Once Alpha Collective member Allison Anderson got her hands on the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II, it immediately became the most important lens in her kit for both travel photo and video. “If I could travel with just one lens, this would be it. 24mm is wide enough for environmental shots and 70mm is zoomed enough for details, making it really versatile. The smaller size of the new GM II is easy to carry with me for a day of adventures.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Solo-Traveler's Adventure Kit For Photo & Video. 

Photo by Allison Anderson. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1250-sec., f/4.5, ISO 160

Wedding and fashion photographer Kesha Lambert used the lens to create this beautiful floral portrait. After using it the Sony Artisan said, “The first thing I noticed is that this lens is really lightweight. It was lighter than I expected and smaller than I expected. I could use this for an entire wedding from start to finish with no problem. It does what you would expect of a G Master lens. It has a lot of the qualities that you look for in a lens, the things that are a wedding and portrait photographer's staples. It's a fast lens. It performs well in low light. It can live up to the challenges of all the curve balls that a wedding day or styled shoot throws at us.” Read more in Behind The Shot: Capturing All The Textures & Tones Of A Stylized Floral Portrait Shoot. 

Photo by Kesha Lambert. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/160-sec., f/2.8, ISO 1000

Sony Artisan Caroline Jensen often photographs flowers, prairie conservation and pollinator habitats. She took the lens along with the new Sony Alpha 7R V camera to a butterfly house. “The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II is ridiculously sharp. It’s more of a workhouse, bread and butter kind of lens. I was really impressed with the bokeh on this new version. It was really pretty and crazy sharp. Read more in Taking The New Sony Alpha 7R V Inside A Butterfly House.

Photo by Caroline Jensen. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/320-sec., f/5.6, ISO 1250

YouTuber, professional portrait photographer and Sony Artisan Miguel Quiles included the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II in his kit for on-location portraiture. “Just like the 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II, it’s sharp, the autofocus is fast, it’s accurate. Really between those two lenses, anything that I run into I’m able to capture. If I want to capture an environmental portrait, get more of the scene within the photo to tell more of the story, I can do that with the 24-70mm.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: 2 Zooms & A Prime For On-Location Portrait Shoots.

Outdoor, travel and miniature photographer Erin Sullivan finds the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II as the one she keeps on her camera the most. The Alpha Collective members says, “This is my pick for the best all-around best lens to keep on your camera body. The range makes it super versatile, and the new mark II version is more lightweight and compact than its predecessor. Below is a scene I came across while hiking in Greece. Landscapes, environmental scenes, portraits – this lens does it.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Photo Kit For Landscapes, Wildlife, Portraits & The Details In Between.

Photo by Erin Sullivan. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/800-sec., f/9, ISO 100

Adventure/travel photographer, vlogger and Alpha Collective member Anthony Castro includes the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II in his kit for everyday shooting while on his travels. “This lens along with the 70-200mm covers me for every scenario when I’m traveling. They are both incredibly fast and really good at tracking. Most of the time I have this one on my Alpha 1 for everyday scenarios and wider shooting to grasp more of the scene. It feels lighter and even the colors coming out of it seem better. These two lenses are one hundred percent my go to and you will never see me leave the house without them in my bag because with this pair I never feel like I’ll miss the shot.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Top-Tier Kit For Travel Photo & Video.

Photo by Anthony Castro. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/200-sec., f/7.1, ISO 100

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