Sony has announced its new FE 50-150mm f/2 GM zoom. The lens offers not only a good range but also a fast, constant f-stop.
The FE 50-150mm f/2 GM now joins the FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM, FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II, FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, and FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS to form an impressive range of G Master zooms.
Key features
- Full-Frame | f/2 to f/22
- Ultra-Fast Portrait-Length Zoom
- Four XD Linear AF Motors, Floating Focus
- Aperture De-Click and Lock Switches
- Internal Zoom and Internal Focus Design
- XA, Aspherical, and Super ED Elements
- Nano AR Coating II and Fluorine Coating
- Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
- Removable Tripod Foot
- Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm
- Lens construction: 19 elements in 17 groups
- Minimum focusing distance: 0.4m (wide end)-0.74m (tele end)
- Maximum magnification: 0.2x
- Focal length: 50-150mm
- Filter diameter: 95mm
- Size: maximum diameter 102.8mm x length 200mm
- Mass: approx. 1340g (excluding tripod mount)
The FE 50-150mm f/2 GM’s optical design consists of 19 elements in 17 groups. There are XA, aspherical, and super ED elements, as well as an 11-blade iris.
The lens weighs 1340g (excluding tripod mount). The front filter diameter is 95mm.
- focus ring
- focus hold buttons (top and bottom of the lens and left side of the lens)
- focus mode switch
- full time DMF switch
- zoom ring
- aperture ring
- iris lock switch
- tripod seat ring clamp knob
- tripod seat (removable)
- aperture 10. aperture ring click switch (right side of lens)
- pedestal fixing knob
Video shooters will be pleased to know that the lens has the ability to de-click the aperture, and it also features an internal zoom and focus design so it won’t extend when zooming or focusing.
The lens has four XD linear AF motors and floating focus. The four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors are optimized for the floating focus mechanism, and the latest control algorithms provide high responsiveness.
Tracking performance supports the α9 III’s high-speed continuous shooting of up to approximately 120 fps.
Focus is claimed to be quiet, and the XD linear motors optically suppress breathing during focusing. The lens is compatible with the “Breathing Compensation Function” of α series cameras. The lens also has linear response MF.
Focus hold buttons are placed in three locations, making them ideal for operation in the vertical position. The camera can be customized by assigning one function from the body’s extensive menu to suit the subject or shooting scene.
The lens is designed to be dustproof and drip-proof, ensuring reliability to withstand outdoor shooting environments. The fluorine coating on the frontmost lens prevents fingerprints, dust, water droplets, oil, mud, etc. from adhering to the lens surface and is easy to remove.
The FE 50-150mm f/2 GM looks to be a great lens for anyone shooting both stills and video. It has a very useful focal range that would suit a myriad of applications.
Price & Availability
The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM preorders start at 10:00am ET, Wed Apr 23rd. It will retail for $3,900 USD.
Competition arguably comes in the form of the Rokinon 35-150mm f/2-2.8 AF ($1,199 USD), and Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD ($1,699 USD). Both of those lenses have a variable f-stop, but they have the advantage of being able to go wider.
