​​A Telephoto Titan for the Land of Fire and Ice

When we heard that regular customer Jonny Gios was planning a trip to Iceland this winter, we were delighted to get involved by providing some kit. Jonny had sent us some stunning images from his first trip a couple of years ago, so we knew we were in for a treat, and we were thoroughly excited to see what he would capture this time. Over to Jonny to share some of his experiences photographing the rugged beauty of the Icelandic landscape, and chasing the aurora:

Dates of trip:               24^th – 31^st January 2025

Photographer :           Jonny Gios

Camera:                        Sony A1 Mark 1

Hire Equipment:       Sony 70-200GM Mark 2

Lava field

When I heard of another trip to Iceland with a few other photographers in the Lake District, I simply had to sign up. Iceland is special country – often nicknamed the land of fire and ice. Our aim for the trip was to chase the aurora by night and capture the stunning landscapes during the area enroute. This was my second trip over to Iceland and it did not disappoint.

The only caveat to anyone planning to go to Iceland and photograph this beautiful country is that the weather is so unpredictable. In the morning it could be glorious with sunshine, then a few hours later you’re in a blizzard.

Due to the weather, changing conditions, different locations, my kit had to give me options to capture the different environments around me.

I already had the following in my bag to go; Sony 16-35GM and my Sony 14 GM to ensure I could capture the aurora and milky way. I do own a Sony 200-600 but this was too heavy and unpractical to take on a long journey, considering it’s weight and size. I opted to hire the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II as its a fantastic lens for taking to Iceland because it balances versatility, image quality, and portability—key factors when shooting in such a diverse and dramatic environment. Here’s why it’s a great choice:

1. Versatile Focal Range (70-200mm)

• Iceland's landscapes are vast, and a telephoto lens helps you compress perspectives, making mountains and waterfalls look even more dramatic.
• Great for wildlife photography, including birds, seals, and even Arctic foxes.
• Perfect for isolating details in the landscape, such as icebergs, cliffs, and patterns in the terrain.
• If a volcano had erupted whilst I was there – this would have been a good option for closer shots without getting dangerously near to lava.
• Additional – we visited Reynisfjara Beach which is renowned as the most dangerous beach in Iceland due to the sneaker waves. Having this lens – I was able to capture the shots I wanted to get without getting anywhere near the waves – unlike some unlucky people who got their feet wet!
• Don’t forget when using this lens – you can get extra reach in using your crop 35 mode or using a Sony Teleconverter to give you an extra x1.4 range.

The photos below are taken from Reynisfjara Beach and Black Sand Beach – both are extremely dangerous to be on and therefore photos are taken a considerable distance from the subjects.

Sea Stacks named Reynisfjara

Photo of Jökulsárlón Glacier

2. Fast f/2.8 Aperture

This allows for excellent low-light performance, crucial for capturing Iceland’s ever-changing light conditions. Aperture is absolutely crucial consideration when the light changes so much.

It also helps create a beautiful background blur (bokeh) when photographing subjects like horses or people in the landscape.

We found these Icelandic horses on the side of the road who were desperate for some attention in the harsh cold

The photo above is a shot of a group of horses some distance from a farm but were all lined up nicely and cropped made for a good composition.

3. Sharpness & Image Quality

The G Master II offers improved sharpness, contrast, and reduced aberrations, meaning you can capture Iceland’s textures—crisp ice formations, dramatic cliffs, and swirling waterfalls—with exceptional detail.

One early morning, time was running out to find a sunrise location. We stumbled upon an unexpected lava field off the main road. The colours and terrain were simply stunning and with there not being a lot of light – the Sony 70-200 performed well in low light and captured the lava field well.

This was another shot using the Sony 70-200 to do a handheld pano shot of the field.

4. Lightweight & Travel-Friendly

The Mark II version is significantly lighter (about 1,045g vs. 1,480g for the original), making it easier to carry around on long hikes. The internal zoom design keeps the lens balanced and sealed against Iceland’s unpredictable weather.

There’s no doubt this was best telephoto lens to take in winter, compact, light - and yes it fitted in my Think Tank bag! I would recommend anyone going to Iceland that you must consider hiring this lens due to its overwhelming practicality - it’s so travel friendly. This was confirmed when I got my camera out to take this first shot in the can outside Keflavík airport as the sunset gave us the most incredible welcome!

Photo of the airport sunset

5. Weather Sealing for Harsh Conditions

Iceland’s weather can be extreme—rain, snow, and high winds—but the Sony 70-200mm GM II is well-sealed against moisture and dust.

Despite its weather sealing, I did still have a pro rain cover on the camera and len just for peace of mind. Some lenses pull in dust onto the sensor, but this GM lens is well sealed and well-built for confident shooting in harsh environments.

Diamond Beach - Ice

6. Works Well for Northern Lights

While not the ideal Northern Lights lens (a wider, faster lens is preferred), the f/2.8 aperture can still work for tighter aurora compositions if paired with a high ISO. The 70-200 didn’t get treated to the aurora whilst I was out in Iceland – however there are plenty opportunities to get some nice tight shots if you are unable to get closer to a particular foreground subject such as a church.

Taking photos

If you are going to Iceland soon and you need to hire an extra lens – you must seriously consider hiring the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II – you will not be disappointed taking this lens in the bag with you! This lens gives you so much versatility and options for shooting tight, and capturing those epic vistas that Iceland has to offer!

Hireacamera provided Jonny with the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II for this trip, and would like to thank him for supplying us with such breathtaking photos, and for his comprehensive write up. Catch up with the other shots Jonny caught on his trip to Iceland via his website and his social media channels, all linked below.

Official Website

Instagram

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Youtube

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