posted Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 10:00 AM EST
Alongside the brand new FE 20-70mm F4 lens, Sony has introduced the event of a highly-anticipated lens, a 300mm F2.8. Nonetheless, in the present day’s announcement is barely a really primary expertise improvement announcement, so particulars are restricted.
By “restricted,” we imply very restricted. We all know that Sony is engaged on a 300mm F2.8 G Grasp telephoto prime lens and that the lens ought to be out there early subsequent 12 months. That is it.
The relative lightness of particulars offers us loads of room for hypothesis, so let’s do this. Earlier than making educated guesses at some options or traits of Sony’s latest telephoto prime, let’s take a fast have a look at its present choices. Sony presently has a pair of telephoto prime GM lenses in its lineup, the FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS and the FE 600mm F4 GM OSS. They value $12,000 and $13,000, respectively. Since they’re GM lenses, they’ve some particular options, together with Sony’s XD Linear Motor AF System. There’s each purpose to consider that the brand new 300mm F2.8 GM lens will incorporate Sony’s XD Linear AF Motor expertise, as we have seen it not solely in Sony’s different GM telephoto primes but in addition the corporate’s extraordinarily spectacular FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II skilled zoom lenses.
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Save for the 400mm F2.8 lens, the opposite GM lenses we have talked about incorporate XA lens parts, which elevate optical efficiency whereas concurrently permitting Sony to design light-weight lenses. We count on the 300mm F2.8 GM to additionally goal a comparatively light-weight design. Sony’s engineering has improved significantly in the previous couple of years, with lenses just like the 70-200mm F2.8 GM II launched in 2021 and the 24-70mm F2.8 GM II launched final 12 months shaving 29% and 22% off their weights, respectively, compared in opposition to the unique GM variations.
Clearly, we do not know what the brand new 300mm F2.8 lens will weigh, however we will see in regards to the competitors – nicely, type of. Canon has an RF 400mm F2.8 lens in its EOS R system however no RF 300mm F2.8 but. The story is comparable for Nikon, main some consultants to marvel if the 300mm F2.8 lens is useless altogether. At this time Sony says, “not so quick.” However the lack of 300mm F2.8 lenses for mirrorless digicam methods is nonetheless attention-grabbing.
If we have a look at DSLR methods, the 300mm F2.8 lens was a stalwart. Canon and Nikon launched quite a few 300mm F2.8 lenses through the years. Nonetheless, when you attempt to purchase a brand new Canon EF 300mm F2.8 lens, you will wrestle to seek out one. You’ll be able to nonetheless purchase a brand new Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm F2.8G ED VR II lens for $5,500. That lens weighs 2,900 grams (6.4 kilos) and is just below 270 millimeters (10.5 inches) lengthy. Sony had a 300mm F2.8 lens for DSLR cameras, too, the Sony 300mm F2.8 APO G SSM. It was a bit lighter than Nikon’s model, weighing 2,310g (5.1 lbs).
Sony’s outdated 300mm F2.8 G lens for A-mount DSLR cameras
Once more, that is hypothesis, however contemplating Sony’s spectacular work on its most up-to-date G Grasp zoom lenses, it appears affordable to suppose the corporate can undercut 2,000g (4.4 lbs) with its upcoming 300mm F2.8 GM lens for mirrorless cameras. Up to now, we count on the 300mm F2.8 GM lens to be gentle, ship quick AF due to XD Linear Motor expertise, and promise very good picture high quality utilizing Sony’s spectacular XA lens parts.
What about dealing with? This has been an space of focus with the most recent F2.8 zoom lens revisions. Every lens added devoted aperture management rings (with a swap to clean the aperture management ring) and Linear Response MF. The lenses have additionally added extra programmable focus maintain buttons whereas sustaining a weather-sealed design. It is secure to imagine comparable options will make their solution to the 300mm F2.8 GM lens when it launches subsequent 12 months.
We count on the brand new 300mm F2.8 GM to comply with Sony’s design philosophy for its most up-to-date GM II professional zoom lenses, together with a devoted aperture management ring. You’ll be able to see the litany of switches on the present 400mm F2.8 GM lens — count on to see these on the 300mm F2.8 GM, too.
As for worth, the jury is out. It’ll rely closely upon how the worldwide financial forces shift all through 2023 and what number of all-new options Sony goals to introduce with the 300mm F2.8 GM lens. We will wait to guess a worth.
Will Canon and Nikon comply with go well with with 300mm F2.8 lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras? It is robust to say. Nonetheless, Sony is critical in regards to the skilled sports activities and photojournalism markets, and a light-weight, strong 300mm F2.8 lens can be proper at house within the kits of many working execs. We won’t wait to be taught extra in regards to the lens.
