Lens Profile | FE 28-70mm f/2 GM

As a photographer known for shooting cityscapes at night, British photographer Mike Will couldn't wait to get his hands on the Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 GM zoom lens. “It was the f/2 aperture and the anticipation of how sharp it could be - they were the main reasons I was really excited.” Mike tested the lens with the Sony Alpha 7C II on the streets of London that were so familiar to him. “I like using the Alpha 7C II for street photography shots as it's a little more discreet, although obviously, the 28-70mm is larger than what I would usually mount on the camera. The pair worked well together.”

In the busy street, in the lead-up to Christmas, there was plenty to photograph, with the backdrop of all the festive illuminations. “I found the ability to stop down to f/2, just that little bit extra compared to shooting with an f/2.8 lens; it gives you a surprising amount more light. It puts less pressure on the ISO sensitivity of the camera or having to slow the shutter speed, which is great as I shoot handheld.”

It didn’t go unnoticed to Mike that the widest focal length of 28mm wasn’t quite as wide as the 24mm he is used to, but in the vast majority of situations, it was only a step or two backwards that was needed to replicate a similar field of view.

Although the lens is larger and heavier than the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, it is the lightest 28-70mm f/2 available. “It’s incredible that Sony has achieved the standard with this lens being the smallest and lightest on the market. It would actually replace two lenses in my bag. Instead of taking a 35mm and 50mm prime lens I would be tempted just to take the 28-70mm. The f/2 aperture gives you that dreamy, shallow depth of field and bokeh. It gives you the feeling that you are shooting with a prime lens, especially for people and portrait shots.”

Around London, Mike found that the lens snapped in to focus on his subject. “I’ve also used the lens on the Alpha 1 II,” he continues “and the focusing speed is virtually the same; it’s instant.”

Despite being close to the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens, Mike still sees the 28-70mm as a very different lens. “They do feel different and have different purposes. I think if I was doing architecture specifically, I would use the 24-70mm, but the 28-70mm is versatile in other ways because of that f/2 aperture,” he says. “I think it would be an ideal lens for a wedding or event photographer where you have to take a variety of different shots of people in different lighting conditions. The wider aperture would help you get the shot.”

The versatility of the focal range and its ability to shoot in low light made it the perfect companion for Mike’s nighttime street shooting. “I shot a London bus, and it was beautifully reflected in a puddle. It looked great. And another shot on the London Underground of someone obscured going up the escalator with their hand on the handrail, and you can see the sign ‘Hold The Handrail’. The lens was great for street photography, and capturing everything the city can throw at you at night.”

When editing the images on his screen the next day, Mike really grew to love the lens and appreciate just how much detail the lens was capable of resolving. “I don’t know how they have done it, but it is just a step up from what you would expect from a zoom. When I was shooting, it was locking on to eyes or other details, so quickly I took it for granted. But when I edited the images and enlarged those areas, I realised how incredible it was; everything was so clean and sharp.”

In a few months, Mike will be travelling to Hong Kong with the FE 28-70mm f/2 GM, and he can’t wait to explore new locations at night with the lens. “With some of the places I am travelling to this year, I am very excited to put the elves through its paces. I want to use the lens more this year, not just the kind of night scenes that I usually do, but look for ways I can use it to tell stories within the cities I visit.