couple embracing on the beach

Pure Freedom

John Makris shoots with the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

Some tools don’t just fit into your workflow - they elevate it. The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM isn’t just another zoom lens. It’s a creative companion that speaks the same language I do: light, emotion, and beauty.

john makris with his sony alpha and sel50150gm

As a wedding photographer, my whole style is about capturing real emotion — those quiet little moments in between that say so much. I also like to help my couples feel comfortable enough to show how they really feel. At the same time, I want every bride and groom to look like the best version of themselves. For me, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between real and beautiful — between honest emotion and timeless style. That’s what inspires every photo I take.

john makris photographing a smiling bride and groom
bride and groom embracing each other © John Makris | Sony α7R V + FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | 1/1250s @ f/2.0, ISO 100

That’s also why I’ve always loved telephoto lenses. They allow me to focus on what matters most — the emotion in a glance, a touch, a smile. The eyes, the lips, the hands — these are the details where the story lives. But beyond just intimacy, telephoto lenses also flatter. They naturally enhance perspective and give a more elegant, refined look to the people in front of the camera.

close up of a smiling bride © John Makris | Sony α7R V + FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | 1/4000s @ f/2.0, ISO 100

Testing the Lens in Three Different Scenarios

I was so excited when Sony asked me to test this lens. I set up three simple but powerful shoots to see it in action — each with its own mood, light, and vibe. It was the perfect way to find out what this lens could really do.

  • The first was in the heart of Heraklion, Crete, inside the beautiful historic building of Lotzia and around the surrounding streets. I used a mix of natural light and flash to work with the architecture’s contrast and atmosphere.
  • The second was near the sea, with wide open skies and only natural light wrapping around the couple. I used distance and soft backlight to create depth and emotion.
  • The third was a night-time shoot in Athens, in a cityscape setting. I used continuous light to illuminate the couple, and in some photos added a touch of flash as a backlight to create separation and atmosphere.

In all three photoshoots, it felt like I had a completely new way to express myself and capture the moment. Every shot came out like a frame from a movie — full of mood, story, and emotion. The FE 50-150mm f/2 GM didn’t just give me freedom, it gave me a whole new perspective.

couple standing in front of a pillared building at night © John Makris | Sony α1 II + FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | 1/400s @ f/2.0, ISO 2000

I typically shoot weddings with two cameras on me at all times. And now, with this new lens paired with the also-new Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 GM, I can cover everything from 28mm to 150mm at f/2 — without changing lenses. That’s a dream combo for any wedding day, especially one full of unpredictable light and quick changes.

This setup gives me the flexibility to shoot wide ceremony scenes, intimate close-ups, and fast-moving dance floor moments, all while maintaining a consistent look and feel. And when you’re working in challenging conditions like dark churches, uneven lighting, or high-pressure moments, that consistency is everything.

bride and groom in a dimly lit building © John Makris | Sony α1 II + FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | 1/3200s @ f/2.0, ISO 640

And although this is a constant f/2 telephoto zoom, the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM is shockingly lightweight at just 1340g and balances beautifully with my camera. Whether I’m moving quickly or shooting handheld for long periods, I can already tell it won’t feel fatiguing. That kind of balance will make a big difference — especially during those long, intense wedding days.

It also has a minimum focus distance of just 0.4m, which is incredible for a lens in this range. I can get close enough to capture wedding rings, small details, or intimate moments without switching lenses — and still maintain that beautiful depth and compression.

classic portrait of a lady © John Makris | Sony α7R V + FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | 1/500s @ f/2.0, ISO 100

It’s not just about the convenience — it’s about staying emotionally connected. Not having to change lenses or interrupt my rhythm helps me stay present with my couples. The fewer barriers between the feeling and the frame, the better the story.

black and white portrait of a couple by the sea © John Makris | Sony α7R V + FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | 1/3200s @ f/2.0, ISO 160

What really surprised me was this: when I reviewed past wedding photos shot on my all-time favourite FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, I realized that about 70% of the images I had taken with that lens were at around 150mm. That was a real “aha” moment — and the second I noticed it, I knew I was going to fall in love with the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM.

So that’s not just a habit — it’s a reflection of how I want to see love stories: focused in, emotional, intimate. And now, I can get that same reach — but with the dreamy f/2 look that elevates everything. Whether it’s hands gently touching or eyes locking mid-ceremony, this lens captures it all with cinematic softness and razor-sharp detail.

couple embracing at night with the city in the distance © John Makris | Sony α1 II + FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | 1/250s @ f/2.0, ISO 1000

And let me say this clearly — this lens is incredibly sharp. From edge to edge, across the entire focal range, even wide open at f/2, it delivers crisp, high-quality images with no distortion, no softness — just pure clarity and depth. But what makes it truly special is that it combines this sharpness with a cinematic feel — the kind of rendering that makes images look both technically perfect and emotionally powerful. It honestly feels like shooting with a bag of primes — only better, because you never have to stop and change lenses.

This is the kind of optical performance you rarely expect from a zoom lens. But with this lens, Sony has done something truly special.

bride and groom in front of an ornate building © John Makris | Sony α7R V + FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | 1/1000s @ f/2.0, ISO 100

Mounted on my Alpha 7R V, the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM felt perfectly balanced — fast, fluid, and inspiring to use. I also had the chance to test it on the new Alpha 1 II, and the experience was just as seamless. This lens truly unlocks the full potential of Sony’s high-end camera bodies — giving me speed, precision, and reliability in every moment.

The autofocus is blazing fast. Whether I’m tracking a moving subject, locking onto eyes in tricky light, or shifting focus quickly between moments, it just keeps up. The Eye AF is incredibly accurate — holding focus through movement, emotion, and unpredictability, which is exactly what I need during a real wedding. That responsiveness gives me full confidence to shoot freely, without second-guessing or slowing down.

bride and groom running past a building at night © John Makris | Sony α1 II + FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | 1/3200s @ f/2.0, ISO 640

Cameras like the Alpha 7R V and Alpha 1 II represent what’s possible with today’s technology — tools that help me push creativity further. And lenses like the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM are built to match that potential. It replaces a whole lineup of primes, saves weight, and delivers uncompromising image quality — even in the most challenging light. And when gear performs this well, it gets out of the way, so I can focus fully on what matters: the connection, the feeling, and the story in front of me.

john makris photographing a couple on the beach

This lens doesn’t just replace gear — it replaces hesitation. It replaces second-guessing. It gives me the creative space to be present with my couples, to focus on feeling, to stay connected to the story.

windswept couple embracing on the beach © John Makris | Sony α7R V + FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | 1/2000s @ f/2.0, ISO 200

The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM is more than a tool — it’s a trusted companion. And now that I’ve shot with it, I honestly can’t imagine going back.

And I can’t wait to bring it into my upcoming weddings — where I know it will help me tell love stories more beautifully than ever before.

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John Makris

John Makris | Greece

John is a passionate wedding photographer with over a decade of experience in capturing the beauty and romance of couples' most special moments.

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