Sony took three top-of-the-line G Master zooms and they made them even better. The recent release of the new Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II completed the second-generation G Master "trinity,” joining the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II and Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II in the exclusive lineup of lighter, smaller and higher performing lenses. There’s a whole host of growing content throughout Alpha Universe featuring creators who are using the G Master II lenses, and below we take a deeper dive into each lens and what creators are making with them.

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II

The Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II answers the call for those creators who want the highest performance in the lightest body. The lens features the fast and precise autofocus known to the G Master name, and paired with the newest Sony Alpha camera bodies, you'll have an unstoppable creation combination. The 16-35mm focal range is a popular one, and this lens gives you the best of the best through that range. See what creators are saying about the lens below after using it and watch the inside scoop in Get A Closer Look At The New Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. Add the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II to your kit HERE.

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II

Photographer and filmmaker Chris Brockhurst likes to pair the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II with the Sony Alpha 7C II to create cinematic photography. “I’ve always had a preference for wider focal lengths for both stills and video,” he explains. “There is something about that 16-35mm focal range that really speaks to me – being able to see and visually show a lot in a frame can speak to a scene so much more. When it comes to stills especially, many of my favorite photos are taken in the 16-24mm focal length which the 16-35mm obviously falls into.”

Photo by Chris Brockhurst. Sony Alpha 7C II. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II.

Photo by Chris Brockhurst. Sony Alpha 7C II. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II.

He continues, “I think the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II was the perfect lens for this. It’s going to be the 16-35mm which sets the standards for all other 16-35’s. It’s sharp, has next to no imperfections (which i know is both a pro and con depending on who you ask), and, being lighter and smaller than the original, it’s a no-brainer for anyone who has the budget and is looking for this lens, there isn’t anything better out there.” Read more in Break Free From 16x9 And Shoot In A Cinematic Style With The Sony Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7CR.

YouTube vlogger and content creator Faruk Korkmaz (iPhonedo) tried out the lens and says he will absolutely be upgrading to it from his Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. “What we do as content creators, photographers or videographers may be fun, but it is also very serious,” he explains. “Many of the projects I make are done on very tight schedules. What that means is I don’t get a second chance to shoot if something is out of focus or there is something wrong with the footage. Because the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II delivers, all that stress about the gear goes away and I can think about my work, my lines and get the shot right at sunrise or sunset. 

“If you watch my review video of the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II, the very first scene with three versions of me was all shot in one take. I did my part, read my lines and knew everything was in focus and ready to be edited. I didn’t even do a second shot of that opening scene to be safe – I knew it was gold. This is the kind of performance I get from the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II, which pushes me to create better content.” Watch his review video below.

Photographer and Sony Alpha Ambassador Nate Luebbe had the chance to use the new Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II lens for a week in the Yukon and has determined he will definitely be adding it to his regular kit. “The place we were backpacking is notorious for its difficult weather conditions, so it was an absolute treat to get a couple evenings of beautiful golden light. I've always loved the way the sun looks at 16mm, and I'm obsessed with the way this new lens renders flares and bokeh at that focal length.” 

Not only does he like the images the lens helps him create, he also appreciates the smaller size. “My job usually entails covering long distances in very rough terrain, so every gram I can save is a blessing. reducing the size of the best-ever Sony lens (both volume and weight) is amazing, and I can't wait to update my bag.”

Photo by Nate Luebbe. Sony Alpha 7CR. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/100-sec., f/9, ISO 100

Photo by Nate Luebbe. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/200-sec., f/5.6, ISO 500

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II

When the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II hit the scene in 2022, it became an instant hit. 24-70mm is another very popular focal range among creators, and this second generation G Master is the best and lightest on the market. It was named the Best Zoom Lens in DPReview's 2022 Awards and the same year was named the Best Standard Lens and Best Overall Lens by Imaging Resource. DxOMark even gave it their best-ever rating for a 24-70mm. Needless to say, it's a good one that creators can't get enough of. See more from creators who have used the lens below and get your Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II HERE.

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II

Award-winning photographer, educator, and conservationist Jay Clue says the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II might just be his overall favorite lens. “It practically lives on my camera because I use it for almost everything topside. Its manual focus is super easy to get tack-sharp stars when shooting nightscapes, it gives beautiful creamy soft backgrounds for shooting models, and the zoom is the perfect range to play with.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Dependable Kit For Underwater & Topside Photography.

Photo by Jay Clue. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 10-sec., f/2.8, ISO 800

Photo by Jay Clue. Sony Alpha 7S III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 15-sec., f/2.8, ISO 6400

The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II might be the newest piece of gear in portrait and landscape photographer Madison Webb’s kit, but she’s already in love. “I upgraded from the original GM version of this lens a few months ago,” she says. “The first selling point for me on this lens is the focal length range. I started as a landscape photographer, and that still deeply informs my portrait work. In fact, clients often tell me that that is what drew them to me. I strive to capture people within the landscape, not just in front of it. Hence the need for something as wide as a 24mm, with the flexibility to quickly capture as close as 70mm. With this lens I can capture a couple walking in front of the Tetons, with the landscape taking center stage, and in the next frame I can zoom in and show that same couple filling the frame, with the Grand Teton looming behind them. I also often shoot backlight, and this lens provides both beautiful bokeh and sharp focus. This lens is so lightweight compared to the previous version, which when shooting an 8-hour wedding can make all the difference!” Read more in What’s In My Bag: 2 Fast Cameras & 3 Sharp Lenses For On-Location Portraits.

Photo by Madison Webb. Sony Alpha 9. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1600-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100

Photo by Madison Webb. Sony Alpha 9. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/30-sec., f/2.8, ISO 160

Adventure and travel photographer and vlogger Anthony Castro packs the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II and Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II in his kit. The Sony Alpha Ambassador says, “They are both incredibly fast and really good at tracking. Most of the time I have this one (the 24-70mm) 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. 1/1000-sec., f/10, ISO 500

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II

The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II delivers faster autofocus, better focus tracking and more, plus it's all wrapped in a lighter package. Creators like to reach for this telephoto for a wide variety of shooting scenarios, including nature, wildlife, travel, landscape and portraits. It's a must-have for many, and you can read more from creators who have added it to their kits below. Add the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II to your own kit HERE.

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II

If he isn’t using the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II as noted above, you’ll find Sony Alpha Ambassador Anthony Castro using the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. “I would tend to switch to the 70-200mm for tighter portrait shots as well as making distant buildings and mountains appear much larger than the subject in the foreground,” he says. That is one of my favorite things about a telephoto lens, really bringing the distant subject into th”e shot versus tiny background decoration. When I’m shooting portraits, it locks on almost immediately and I don’t have to focus on anything on my own really. I also really love the bokeh with this lens. It’s nice to have your subject mid-range and then have something like flowers in the background and foreground to make your images more beautiful.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Top-Tier Kit For Travel Photo & Video.

Photo by Anthony Castro. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/80-sec., f/2.8, ISO 2500

The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II is a relatively new lens for traveler and photographer Criz Quinn, but she says it’s already become a fast favorite. “It was highly recommended by a friend for a horse workshop I joined last year in France. I needed a mid-zoom that would be faster than my Sony 24-105mm f/4 G and boy, this lens is blazingly fast. It is a beast when paired with the Sony Alpha 1. I rarely photograph wildlife and I do not enjoy it as much but this lens gave me the confidence I needed to nail these shots of the white angels of Camargue. I am very happy with this lens and I hope to be able to use it more as I dabble in portrait shoots for upcoming landscape and cultural tours.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: 2 Cameras & 4 Zoom Lenses Make A Dream Kit For Travel.

Photo by Criz Quinn. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1000-sec., f/8, ISO 400.

Outdoors and commercial photographer and filmmaker Alvaro Valiente calls the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II one of his favorites and likes to include it in his kit for the outdoors. “At the end, this lens is all about compression and for landscape this is something special,” he says. “The ability to make objects in the background appear bigger, opens a whole new world in terms of composition, but also to be able to get subjects that are far away. It’s a super fast, sharp, bright and lightweight lens for being a tele zoom that won’t disappoint you. The Optical Steady Shot works like magic, being able to shoot handheld at 200mm without any shaking.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: 2 Cameras & 4 Zooms For Outdoor & Landscape Photography.

Photo by Alvaro Valiente. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/320-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100

Photo by Alvaro Valiente. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/320-sec., f/2.8, ISO 320