The combination of Sony α6300 and 70-200mm f/2.8 GM is proving to be a potent tool for sports photographers. Sony Artisan Patrick Murphy-Racey made a video about his first use and first impressions of the lens with the α6300 and this week Paul Gero had his newly-acquired lens on the α6300 on the sidelines in Southern California. 

The following is reprinted here with permission from Paul Gero.

In 2014 and 2015 I documented the Tesoro H.S. Football Titans and the have always been very gracious to allow me to come by to photograph, and in this case, to test out this new lens which is sure to please sports photographers, wedding photographers, portrait photographers and photojournalists alike.  (You can learn more about the project here ).

This week was Day One of Tesoro Football's Fall Practice. No pads, but helmets. Thankfully there was a lot of cloud cover which kept the temperature down.

It was also my first opportunity to put the Sony 70-200 f2.8 G Master lens through the paces for action (using the α6300 camera) and it did incredibly well.

All of these images were made at the maximum aperture and using Lock-On Expand AF focus mode (I know, it's a mouth-full) and it tracks focus like a camera far more expensive.

Tracking runners coming AT the lens is vital for me when photographing sports and this lens does that incredibly fast and accurately. Non native FE lenses have frustrated me in the past, and now I have the answer to that frustration.  It seems every bit as fast to me as my previous DSLR system did (though I don't have a way to measure that empirically).

I am VERY happy with the quality of the lens (the smoothest zoom mechanism I have used in any zoom by any brand (and my first was in the 80s - yikes!).

Plus manual focus is smooth and instant even while in set to AF modes. That's the first lens in the E mount line up that I noticed that happening.

While the lens is in the same size and weight category as the DSLR competitors it pairs very nicely with the tiny a6300 (I was using it on a Benro video monopod which is what I normally use for shooting at Tesoro.  I would recommend, though, supporting it via a strap that mounts to the tripod collar if not using it on a monopod). I have not yet tried it with action on the a7R II (but have for portraits and it works well -- and Eye AF is right on the money even at f2.8).

If you've been "waiting to see" about mirrorless in general or Sony in particular, or waiting to see if they would come out with f2.8 glass and you need or want that aperture...this lens delivers on all fronts.

It's world class.

All images photographed with the α6300 and 70-200 f2.8 G Master lens.  Captured in RAW + jpeg and edited usingPhoto Mechanic, and then processed in Adobe Lightroom CS using Totally Rad's Replichrome presets.

A Tesoro player listens to head coach Matt Poston in the school's weight room just after 7:30 AM on Monday. 155mm, 1600 ISO, 1/60th at f2.8.

A Tesoro player helps set up the field on Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 200mm, 250 ISO, 1/500th at f2.8.

Tesoro players set up the field on Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 144 mm, 250 ISO, 1/500th at f2.8.

Tesoro players listen to their coach as they prepare to move the blocking sled during Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 122mm, 250 ISO, 1/500th at f2.8.

Tesoro players run during Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 181mm, 400 ISO, 1/1000th at f2.8.

Tesoro highly recruited wide receiver Shane Coleman runs during Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 200mm, 400 ISO, 1/1000th at f2.8.

Tesoro players run during Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 200mm, 400 ISO, 1/1000th at f2.8.

Tesoro assistant coach Al Nichols smiles during Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 200mm, 400 ISO, 1/1000th at f2.8.

Tesoro players run during Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 200mm, 400 ISO, 1/1000th at f2.8.

Tesoro QB Chase Petersen warms up during Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. Petersen, a transfer to the school, hopes to replace Devon Modster at QB who graduated and now plays for UCLA. 200mm, 400 ISO, 1/1000th at f2.8.

A Tesoro player does agility drills during Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 200mm, 400 ISO, 1/1000th at f2.8.

A Tesoro player talks with a teammate during a water break at Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 200mm, 400 ISO, 1/1600th at f2.8.

Tesoro Offensive Coordinator Preston King looks a bit like an orchestra conductor as he sends in signals from the side during Day One of Fall Camp at the school on Monday. 143mm, 400 ISO, 1/1000th at f2.8.

See more about Paul Gero here