Sony has announced the new FE 70-200 F2.8 GM OSS II. This lens is the successor to the original FE 70-200 F2.8 GM OSS lens.
The new 70-200mm has a number of new features that were designed specifically for video shooters. The lens was designed to have dramatically reduced focus breathing, focus shift, and axis shift when zooming. This lens would be a good addition to a FX9, FX6, or any of Sony’s hybrid mirrorless offerings.
The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II also features independent control rings for focus, zoom, and aperture for manual operation. The aperture ring also has a click ON/OFF switch. According to Sony, the Linear Response MF ensures responsive, low-lag manual focus control. The supplied lens hood also features an opening that allows you to adjust circular polarizing filters or variable ND filters.
Key features
- Constant F2.8 aperture across the whole 70-200mm focal range
- Fast, precise quiet AF (autofocus) and continuous AF tracking capabilities
- Advanced features for video creators
- World’s lightest 70-200mm large-aperture telephoto zoom lens
- Up to approximately four times faster AF with focus tracking
- Professional-level control and reliability
The lens was designed to complement Sony’s E-mount camera bodies. Sony is claiming that the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is the lightest F2.8 70-200mm zoom in the world. Sony has a very comprehensive selection of E-mount mirrorless lenses available, and the new 70-200mm F2.8 is the 65th lens in the E-mount lens lineup.
The minimum focusing distance is 15.7″ / 40cm at 70mm and 32.3″ 82cm at 200mm. The lens can be used with Sony’s 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverters.
This lens weighs in at just under 37 oz / 1.045kg. This is very light for a full frame 70-200mm lens with a constant F2.8 aperture.
The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II uses four Sony-original XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors fast and precise AF. Sony claims that it is up to approximately four times faster and the focus tracking has been improved by 30% when compared to the previous model. Sony also states that the AF can reliably focus and track fast-moving subjects, even while zooming.
The optical design of the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II features two aspherical lens elements, including one XA (extreme aspherical) element manufactured to 0.01-micron surface precision. This allows the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II to effectively controls distance-related aberration variations. The XA element also suppresses the unwanted ‘onion ring’ effect
There are also two ED (extra-low dispersion) spherical glass elements and two Super ED spherical glass elements that are claimed to significantly reduce chromatic aberration without color bleeding. The lens also includes an ED aspherical element for the first time in an Alpha system lens, which simultaneously suppresses chromatic and spherical aberration, common issues in other telephoto lenses. There are 11 aperture blades.
Price & Availability
The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II will be available in December for approximately $2,800.00 USD.
