Sony has just announced its new large aperture super-telephoto prime lens — the FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS. Coming in at just under 3kg, it’s the lightest in its class. It also sports advanced AF performance as well as two new high-speed extreme dynamic linear motors that create 5x improvement in tracking moving subjects.
Oh, it’s also $18,000.
“We’re extremely excited about this new addition to our flagship series of G Master Lenses,” said Jun Yoon, Head of Digital Imaging for Sony Australia and New Zealand. “The new 400mm F2.8 G Master prime lens offers exceptional image quality and an innovative lightweight design that will give professionals an incredible level of flexibility. Combined with the unmatched shooting speeds and autofocus capabilities of our full-frame E-mount cameras, it will allow photographers to capture and create in ways that were never before possible.”
Here are the key specs:
With those specs, and at that price, Sony aren’t messing around here. This is definitely one for the professionals out there — or cashed up amateurs who will hopefully become my best friend.
Speed and precision is a big focus of the new lens, which makes it a good fit for sport, wildlife and nature photographers. To accommodate these conditions, it has been built for the outdoors with strong but lightweight carbon fiber and magnesium alloy, as well as being dust and moisture resistant. It has also been designed with its E-mount bodies in mind, like the α9 and α7R III.
It’s what I wish I had for hiking, except for the part where I would need to be 1000x more talented to feel worthy of it.
The new extreme dynamic liner motors also minimise lag and instability, as well as control noise levels to help with auto-focus performance.
There are a number of controls on the new 400mm lens itself, including focus-hold buttons, a full-time DMF switch and a focus ring.
Sony’s 400mm F2.8 G Master prime lens will be available from September, with pre-orders opening later this month. It will have an RRP of $17,999.
For more information you can visit the Sony website or you can see it in action below: