REVIEWS | WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY WITH THE SONY FE 28–70mm F2 GM LENS
In this blog post, I share my experience using the Sony FE 28–70mm F2 GM lens across 20 weddings, compare it with my 35mm and 50mm GM primes, and give my final thoughts on where it fits in my wedding photography kit.
Sony 28–70mm F2 Wedding Photography Review – Real-World Perspective After 20 Weddings.
Over the last 20 weddings, the Sony 28–70mm F2 has barely left my camera. I’ve used it in all conditions—sun-drenched afternoons, dimly lit churches, and crowded dancefloors—and I’m beyond impressed. I’m not a lab tester; I shoot from experience, and in those real-world moments, I truly believe this lens is amazing. Still, it’s not perfect: two things let it down—its weight and some highlight blooming in very bright, backlit scenes, but will will come to that later.
My Current Sony Wedding Lens Kit (2025 Edition)
Sony 20mm F1.8 G – Wide environmental storytelling lens.
Sony 28–70mm F2 GM – My main lens for the majority of the day.
Sony 85mm F1.8 – For speeches and church weddings.
Sony 16–25mm F2.8 G – Reserved for dancefloor coverage when I want zoom flexibility.
The Sony 35mm F1.4 GM and the Sony 50mm F1.4 GM are kept in the car on a wedding day should I expericance any issues with my main setup above.
How I Carry It
I run a two-camera setup throughout a wedding day. On my right side of the HoldFast strap is the Sony 28–70mm F2. On my left is the Sony 20mm F1.8 – my go-to for big, dramatic scenes, the confetti run and cramped prep rooms.
This pairing means I can cover almost everything quickly – a wide storytelling shot on the left, a tighter moment on the right – without changing lenses.
Why I Tried the 28–70mm F2
For me, wedding photography is all about telling the story as it unfolds. That often means working fast and adapting to different situations without fumbling around in the bag for another lens. I wanted something that could handle wide environmental shots, natural portraits, and tighter moments – all without changing lenses.
The 28–70mm range hits that sweet spot, and the constant f/2 aperture gives me flexibility in low light that standard f/2.8 zooms can’t quite match.
When Sony announced the lens, I didn’t think it would be something that I would get on with, I was very happy with my set-up of three cameras and three lenses (20mm,35mm,50mm all attached to Sony A1’s), but I fancied a changed, and wondered if the 28-70 F2 GM lens would be the lens that changed my set-up.
How I use the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 Lens on a Wedding Day
Over 20 weddings, I’ve used the 28–70mm for almost every part of the day:
Morning Prep – From wide shots of the room to tight close-ups of the people getting ready.
Ceremonies – In churches where I can’t move around, I can zoom in for vows and rings, then go wider for a shot of the whole scene.
Receptions – Perfect for candid guest moments, speeches, and detail shots.
Golden Hour – Lovely contrast and colour straight out of camera, though you do see that little highlight bloom in strong backlight.
Autofocus, Design & Build: What Makes the 28–70mm F2 Stand Out
Autofocus that Performs in Every Moment
The autofocus on this lens is exceptional. It’s fast, whisper-quiet, and locks on confidently, whether I’m in bright sunshine or the dim light of an evening reception. It handles unpredictable wedding moments with ease and tracks moving subjects without hesitation. Even in low light, it’s rare for the lens to hunt or miss focus, which is exactly what I need when there’s no second chance to capture a moment.
Built for Real-World Wedding Wear, With Total Control at Your Fingertips
The build quality is exactly what I’d hope for in a G Master lens—solid and durable, yet lighter than I expected for something this capable. At just under 1kG, it’s not featherweight, but the balance feels right on my camera bodies. The hybrid construction of metal and high-quality plastics feels premium and ready for heavy use.
Sony has given it some genuinely useful physical controls:
A zoom ring with adjustable torque, so I can set it to “tight” to avoid zoom creep when walking between locations.
A de-clickable aperture ring and iris lock, which is great for switching between photo and video work without accidental changes.
Dual, customisable focus hold buttons and an AF/MF switch, all positioned where my fingers naturally fall.
Full weather sealing, plus a fluorine-coated front element to help keep dust, moisture, and fingerprints at bay. Although I do always use a filter on the front of my lenses.
Despite being a fast, professional zoom, it’s still smaller and lighter than Canon’s RF 28–70mm F2, which makes a big difference when I’m carrying it for 10–12 hours straight.
What I Love
Versatility – Covers almost every focal length I need in a wedding day without swapping lenses.
Low-light Performance – The constant f/2 aperture is a genuine asset for ceremonies and receptions.
Image Quality – Tack-sharp, great colour, and beautiful contrast.
Autofocus – Reliable in both bright and dim light.
Weather Sealing – Ready for whatever a British wedding day throws at it.
Where It Falls Short
Weight – This isn’t a light lens. After a 10–12 hour wedding day, you feel it. I use a HoldFast strap, which helps, but I’m always aware of it compared to my lighter primes.
Highlight Blooming – In certain backlit conditions, very bright highlights can bloom slightly. It’s not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you shoot a lot directly into the sun or towards fairy lights.
Sony 35mm GM F1.4 vs 50mm GM F1.4 vs 28–70mm F2 – Which One and When?
I’ve used both the Sony 35mm F1.4 GM and Sony 50mm F1.4 GM extensively at weddings, and they each bring something unique to the table.
The 35mm GM is my storytelling lens. It’s brilliant for environmental portraits, bridal prep in small rooms, and wide scenes without distorting faces. At f/1.4, it’s great in low light and gives a lovely separation while still showing a bit of the surroundings. If I’m trying to capture the “feel” of a room or a candid group moment, the 35mm is hard to beat.
The 50mm GM is all about intimacy. It compresses just enough to flatter portraits and creates beautiful background blur at f/1.4. I often reach for it during couple portraits, details, or tighter ceremony moments where I want a classic look. It’s a very natural perspective for photographing people.
Then there’s the 28–70mm F2. It won’t quite match the f/1.4 primes for background blur, but it’s incredibly close—and the ability to zoom means I can get both the wide context and the tight shot without moving my feet, swapping lenses and great for when you are having to work around people. It’s my choice when I need flexibility above all else: ceremonies where I can’t move much, fast-moving receptions, or moments that unfold unpredictably.
For me, it’s not about one replacing the others—it’s about choosing the right tool for the job. The primes win on maximum aperture and that unique prime look. The zoom wins on adaptability and speed of working. And on a wedding day, sometimes that flexibility is worth more than the extra stop of light.
Final Thoughts
After 20 weddings, I can confidently say the Sony 28–70mm F2 has earned a permanent spot in my kit. The flexibility, image quality, and low-light ability outweigh its two small drawbacks. If you’re a wedding photographer who values speed, versatility, and storytelling freedom, this lens is well worth considering.
For me, it’s the lens that lets me focus on moments, not gear changes—and that’s priceless.
Sony FE 28-70 F2 GM Lens Specs & Photos
Focal Range: 28–70 mm full-frame
Maximum Aperture: Constant f/2 across the zoom range
Lens Construction: 20 elements in 14 groups (3 XA, 3 Aspherical, 3 Super ED, 1 ED)
Aperture Blades: 11, for smooth circular bokeh
Minimum Focus Distance: 38 cm (1.25 ft)
Max Magnification: 0.23×
Filter Thread: 86 mm
Size & Weight: 139.8 mm length × 92.9 mm diameter, ~918 g
Weather Sealed: Yes