South Korean photographer Park Sung-Jin, known as @jinifoto on Instagram, fulfils his spirit of wanderlust by travelling around the globe and capturing moments with his camera as he goes. An avid lover of the great outdoors, Sung-Jin makes yet another trip to Mongolia — his favourite destination for landscape photography.

We spoke with Sung-Jin to learn more about his journey and how he captured the scenic marvels of Mongolia through the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens and Alpha 1.

Alpha 1｜FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II｜24 mm｜13 sec｜F2.8｜ISO 5000

Lens highlights | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is a highly versatile next-generation standard zoom lens that packs a vast zoom range and stunning resolution in a compact body. Designed for maximum mobility, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is a must-have lens for every travel photographer.

Focal length: 24-70mm
Min. focus distance: 0.21m (W), 0.3m (T)
Max. magnification ratio (X): 0.32
Weight: 695g

Alpha 1｜FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II｜24 mm｜1/200 sec｜F7｜ISO 200

Why Sung-Jin chose FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is a true all-rounder lens I will recommend to any traveller.”

Alpha 1｜FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II｜70 mm｜1/160 sec｜F4.5｜ISO 1000

On his travels to Mongolia, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II’s wide zoom range provided Sung-Jin with a comfortable shooting distance from his subjects. Its broad field of view is ideal for outdoor photography, making it easy to fit vast landscapes within frame.

Alpha 1｜FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II｜24 mm｜1/320 sec｜F8｜ISO 100

Travel Q&A with Sung-Jin

Tell us more about your choice of equipment.

My favourite aspect of the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is its lightweight and compact size. I like the sense of stability it provides, no matter what my desired focal length is and no matter the location. It allows for more comfortable subject tracking when shooting dynamic subjects and enables me to capture a vast background at the scale I desire for still landscapes.

Alpha 1｜FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II｜24 mm｜1/200 sec｜F7.1｜ISO 200

When shooting in Mongolia’s rugged terrain, it can be a hassle carrying bulky equipment, especially when spending hours in off-road vehicles. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II’s portability, excellent image quality, autofocus, and superb range of focal lengths make it the perfect choice not just for shooting in Mongolia but wherever you’ll have to move around a lot.

Do you have any tips for capturing the beauty of Mongolia?

Alpha 1｜FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II｜24 mm｜10 sec｜F2.8｜ISO 1600

My best advice is to keep an eye out for fleeting moments at all times. I recommend having a lens like the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II that you can quickly grab and shoot with. Another tip is to figure out the direction of sunlight through prior research, as this will enhance the vividness of your landscape photos. Knowing whether the morning or evening light is better for your location can enhance the scenic beauty of your shot significantly.

Alpha 1｜FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II｜28 mm｜1/1000 sec｜F8｜ISO 100

Alpha 1｜FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II｜24 mm｜1/800 sec｜F6.3｜ISO 100

What should you be mindful of when taking photos in Mongolia?

While this might sound obvious, you should always watch your equipment like a hawk. Not only in Mongolia but whenever you’re shooting overseas. Many travellers have lost or damaged their cameras over the years due to negligence, especially when travelling along uneven grounds. As such, keeping your camera strapped around your wrist or neck is a good safety measure.

Get inspired

I hope to keep capturing photos from a unique perspective to capture memories and share my journey with all of you.”

Alpha 1｜FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II｜70 mm｜1/125 sec｜F5.6｜ISO 400

If you’ve been inspired by Sung-Jin’s journey and plan to visit Mongolia, he suggests planning a trip to the Tsagaan Suvarga mine and the Bayan Zag Flaming Cliffs. As a whole, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II served Sung-Jin well throughout his journey. “I was surprised by the high level of resolution this lens offers despite its small size. It is a true all-arounder lens I will recommend to any traveller.”