Exploring the Dolomites with Jonny Gios

Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM Review: The Dolomites

When we heard that resident Sony guru and expert landscape photographer Jonny Gios was off to the mountains of Italy, we were already imagining the sort of shots he'd return with. Happy to support, we provided Jonny with the Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM to put through its paces out in the wild. Over to Jonny:

What an amazing trip to the Dolomites! Although this was my first time exploring this incredible part of Italy on my own, I've actually visited Italy 34 times throughout my life. And, if you hadn't guessed already, I'm half Italian! My family comes from Vallarsa, near Rovereto, where I first visited when I was just four years old. Growing up, our summer holidays were spent visiting family and friends in the valley for two weeks every year. We rarely ventured beyond the valley to explore the wider region, perhaps visiting Lake Garda once or twice.

Fast-forward to today, and I've finally had the opportunity to explore some of the spectacular locations I've seen photographers sharing for years. From the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the turquoise waters of Lago di Braies, to the stunning autumn colours around Lago di Dobbiaco, the breathtaking scenery of Passo Giau, and the challenging hike up to Lago Federa, this trip has been something special. I also explored the incredible ridgelines of Seceda, captured the picture-perfect landscapes of Val di Funes, and, perhaps most importantly, returned to my family roots in Vallarsa, near Rovereto. Every location offered something different, from sweeping mountain panoramas to intimate landscape compositions, dramatic peaks, and the incredible colours of autumn. And throughout this adventure, one piece of kit made a real difference to the way I photographed these incredible places.

ENTER THE SONY 50-150mm f/2 GM!

Thanks to Hireacamera, I had the opportunity to test the Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM throughout my trip to the Dolomites. And what a lens! Having this lens with me made a genuine difference at locations such as Lago di Braies, Lago Federa, Passo Giau, Lago di Dobbiaco, Tre Cime, Seceda, and Val di Funes.

Rather than relying solely on wide-angle compositions, I could pick out mountain peaks, isolate details in the landscape, compress layers of scenery, and create much more intimate compositions. That flexibility was invaluable when faced with such spectacular scenery. Sometimes, the best photograph isn't the obvious wide-angle shot everyone takes; it's the smaller detail, the distant mountain catching the light, or the way the landscape layers together. The 50-150mm focal range gave me the freedom to explore those possibilities without constantly changing lenses. And with its constant f/2 aperture, it offered an exciting combination of versatility, light-gathering capability, and creative control.

From the dramatic mountain scenery of the Dolomites to the familiar landscapes of Vallarsa, it was fantastic to have the opportunity to put this lens through its paces in the field. So, after a week of exploring some of Italy's most incredible locations, what did I think? Let's take a closer look.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK? THE SONY 50-150mm f/2 GM PUT TO THE TEST

After a week of exploring some of Italy's most incredible locations, I came away seriously impressed with the Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM. This isn't just another telephoto zoom. The combination of a versatile focal range and a constant f/2 aperture makes it a genuinely interesting proposition, particularly for photographers who want to travel with fewer lenses without sacrificing image quality or creative flexibility. But how did it perform in the field?

1. LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY: A DIFFERENT WAY OF SEEING

When you think about landscape photography in the Dolomites, your first instinct is probably to reach for a wide-angle lens. And don't get me wrong, I love my wide-angle lenses. But one of the biggest lessons in landscape photography is learning to look beyond the obvious composition. At locations such as Passo Giau, Tre Cime, and Seceda, the scenery is so spectacular that it's tempting to photograph everything in front of you.

However, the Sony 50-150mm allowed me to isolate individual peaks, capture layers of mountains, and pick out smaller details that might otherwise have been lost in a wider composition. At Lago di Braies and Lago di Dobbiaco, the focal range also gave me the flexibility to experiment with different compositions, bringing particular elements of the landscape into the frame. This is where I think the lens really shines for landscape photographers. It encourages you to slow down, study the scene, and look for photographs beyond the obvious postcard shot.

2. IMAGE QUALITY AND SHARPNESS

Let's talk about the most important thing: image quality. The Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM is designed to deliver the high optical performance you'd expect from Sony's G Master range. The detail, contrast, and clarity are excellent, and the images have the professional finish you'd hope for from a lens at this level.

For photographers using high-resolution Sony cameras, this matters. You want a lens that can make the most of your sensor, particularly when photographing landscapes with intricate rock formations, trees, and distant mountain detail. The constant f/2 aperture also provides creative flexibility, allowing you to separate subjects from their backgrounds and produce beautiful bokeh when the situation calls for it. Of course, for traditional landscape photography, you'll often be stopping down to f/8 or f/11 to achieve the depth of field you need. The benefit is having that bright f/2 aperture available whenever you want to use it.

3. THE f/2 APERTURE: A REAL ADVANTAGE?

One of the biggest selling points of this lens is its constant f/2 aperture. Compared with an f/2.8 lens, f/2 lets in twice as much light. That extra stop can be useful when photographing in low light, particularly around sunrise and sunset. It also gives you greater control over depth of field.

Although my trip focused primarily on landscape photography, I can see this lens being particularly attractive to wedding photographers, portrait photographers, and anyone working in challenging lighting conditions. It's an unusual combination: the flexibility of a zoom with the light-gathering capability of a very fast lens. And that's what makes the 50-150mm so interesting.

4. HANDLING AND WEIGHT

Let's be honest: when you're hiking in the Dolomites, every gram counts! The lens weighs approximately 1.34kg without its tripod mount. That's not lightweight, but considering the focal range and constant f/2 aperture, it's an impressive achievement. During my trip, I appreciated having a versatile lens that allowed me to change compositions quickly without constantly swapping lenses.

The internal zoom design is another benefit, as the lens doesn't extend as you zoom. However, if you're planning a long mountain hike, you'll still need to consider the additional weight in your camera bag. For me, the versatility was a real advantage, but whether the weight is worthwhile will depend on your style of photography and how far you're prepared to carry your kit.

5. AUTOFOCUS PERFORMANCE

Sony has equipped the lens with four XD linear motors, designed to deliver fast, accurate, and responsive autofocus. This makes it suitable for a variety of photographic genres, including portraits, events, and wildlife.

Although my main focus during this trip was landscape photography, having a responsive autofocus system adds to the lens's overall versatility. It's worth remembering, though, that autofocus performance can vary depending on the camera body, subject, and shooting conditions.

6. IS IT A REPLACEMENT FOR THE SONY 70-200mm F2.8 GM II?

This is probably one of the most interesting comparisons. The Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II is an incredibly versatile lens, and its extra reach is useful for wildlife, sports, and many other situations. The 50-150mm f/2 GM takes a different approach. You lose 50mm at the long end, but gain a wider starting focal length and an extra stop of light.

For landscape photography, that wider 50mm starting point can be genuinely useful. It gives you more flexibility when composing environmental scenes, while 150mm provides enough reach for tighter landscape compositions. For wedding and event photographers, the f/2 aperture could be particularly appealing. However, if you regularly photograph distant wildlife, that extra reach offered by the 70-200mm may be more valuable than the brighter aperture. Neither lens is automatically better. It comes down to what you photograph and which features matter most to you.

7. THE DOWNSIDES

No lens is perfect, and there are a few things worth considering.

WEIGHT: At approximately 1.34kg, it's still a substantial lens to carry on long hikes.
REACH: The maximum focal length of 150mm won't suit everyone, particularly wildlife photographers who need to photograph distant subjects.

It's also worth noting that the lens isn't compatible with Sony's teleconverters, so you can't extend its focal length that way.

MY FINAL VERDICT

So, would I recommend the Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM? Yes, absolutely, for the right photographer. After using it throughout my trip to the Dolomites, I can see why this lens has generated so much interest. The combination of excellent image quality, a versatile focal range, and a constant f/2 aperture makes it a genuinely compelling option.

For landscape photographers, it offers a different way of approaching a scene. For wedding and event photographers, the extra light and flexibility could be a real advantage. And for anyone who appreciates beautiful subject separation and professional-quality results, there's plenty to like. The main considerations are the price, weight, and whether 150mm gives you enough reach for your particular needs.

Would I buy one? I'd certainly be tempted, although I'd need to weigh up the cost against how it would complement the lenses I already own. What this trip has reinforced for me is that trying different equipment can change how you approach photography. Having the 50-150mm with me encouraged me to experiment with tighter compositions and look for details I might otherwise have overlooked. And that's always a good thing.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO HIREACAMERA

A massive thank you to Hireacamera for providing the Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM for me to test during my trip. Having access to fantastic equipment like this gave me the opportunity to explore its capabilities in some truly spectacular locations. From Lago di Braies and Lago Federa to Passo Giau, Lago di Dobbiaco, Tre Cime, Seceda, and Val di Funes, it was the perfect setting to put this lens through its paces. And, of course, returning to Vallarsa to reconnect with my family roots made the whole experience even more special.

I've visited Italy 34 times throughout my life, but this was my first solo trip exploring the Dolomites. It gave me the freedom to explore at my own pace, chase the light, and spend time photographing places I'd wanted to visit for years. I'm home now with hundreds of photographs to edit, some incredible memories, and a renewed appreciation for the opportunities photography brings.

The Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM is a seriously impressive lens, and one I'd encourage photographers to consider if its unique combination of focal range and aperture suits their needs. Having access to fantastic equipment like this makes opportunities like these even more rewarding.

This trip was about more than photography. It was about exploring somewhere new on my own, reconnecting with my Italian heritage, and seeing a part of the country I'd visited throughout my life through a completely different lens. At times it was truly emotional. Grazie, Dolomiti. Until next time!

A big thank you to Jonny as usual for providing such breathtaking shots, and for his comprehensive review. The Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM is available to hire today. Here are a few extra shots from Jonny's trip: