Just heard Sony is releasing three new lenses.
FE 600mm f6.3 GM OSS around $3,800 (995g, 108 x 263mm)
FE 400mm f4.5 GM OSS $2,699 - $2,899 (994g, 108 x 242mm)
and an 8-14mm f3.5 around $1,499
Those weights are quite incredible (if true), lower than Nikon’s excellent Z 400/4.5 and 600/6.3. If this comes to fruition it will be quite nice for many shooters seeking smaller/lighter, paired with Sony bodies that are already significantly smaller/lighter than Z9/Z8.
A 600/6.3 or 400/4.5 are pretty useless from my perspective regardless of weight.
I'd rather have an upgrade to the 200-600/6.3 or at least make a faster 600 than f/6.3 for use with a TC.
Hmmm... close enough in size / weight between the 2 new lenses to not be my determining factor... but 400mm 4.5 w a 2x TC = 800mm f9... vs 600mm 6.3 with 1.4x = 840mm f8.8 and the 1.4x has proven to be a lot less of an image killer than the 2x...
So I know which one I would prefer for longer reach use like birding etc. The 600mm would give you most of the reach and the option for the 1.4x if needed.
Since I just got the 400-800mm and love it, the only thing that could motivate me here is a dramatic increase in image quality (not sure how much room to improve, mine is pretty sweet as it is) and weight, as I am getting older that is a consideration and if that projected weight is for real, 995grams vs/ 2,475 grams, that is a pretty big deal.
But even with that said, if the magnification and minimum focus distance is like the Nikon 600mm f6.3 (.15x and 4 meters!!) then I guess it would be a pass for me personally, since I like the double duty of being able to close-focus my 400-800mm.
This seems to be an issue with the nature of lightweight, compact, tele primes... like the Nikon 600mm f6.3 and Sigma 500mm f5.6 Sports ... they have less room to move the elements and get the close focus and magnification. But I'll have to reserve my opinion until we see actual spec and what Sony was able to pull off with this new release, maybe they'll surprise us?
These look great! I’d have preferred a 600/5.6 that weighs 1400 or so grams, but the f6.3 looks fantastic for wildlife images deep in the woods where the huge 600/4 and 200-600 are too big and heavy. I’ll be a buyer.
It would be very impressive if Sony releases these fixed aperture 400mm or 600mm G lenses that weight under 1kg. I have a hard time to believe Sony would sell them for those prices though. The equivalent Nikkor Z lenses are heavier yet, more expensive. Isn't it the case that normally, Sony lens prices are higher than Nikon?
mudlake wrote:
These look great! I’d have preferred a 600/5.6 that weighs 1400 or so grams, but the f6.3 looks fantastic for wildlife images deep in the woods where the huge 600/4 and 200-600 are too big and heavy. I’ll be a buyer.
Would it be weird to want a 500 f5? I think it would be a bit heavier maybe at 1700 grams (think of a 300 2.8 but scaled up?) but could be a great low light option and a sweet spot 700 f7.1 with a 1.4x. That would be my perfect birding lens.
Anyway, since that's not what Sony is making haha i've updated my weight chart with these rumored lenses up top because they are the lightest. I still regret selling my 600f4 but glad I sold it when I did, because now it would seem even harder to sell.
ElvisD wrote:
A 600mm f/6.3 GM lens would be impressive at that weight.
The Nikkor version weighs nearly a pound more and it is a phase fresnel lens.
Does your source have any indication if these are PF lenses?
If they're not, how else might Sony be able to realize that kind of weight reduction, especially for a GM lens?
How did they do it with the 300 2.8?! Which is an already ridiculously light lens, even with 2x TC attached. At least compared to 600f4.
raminolta wrote:
It would be very impressive if Sony releases these fixed aperture 400mm or 600mm G lenses that weight under 1kg. I have a hard time to believe Sony would sell them for those prices though. The equivalent Nikkor Z lenses are heavier yet, more expensive. Isn't it the case that normally, Sony lens prices are higher than Nikon?
Yeah i don't believe these prices as well, for something like this I'd expect at least double those prices, right?
ElvisD wrote:
If they're not, how else might Sony be able to realize that kind of weight reduction, especially for a GM lens?
Quantum lens design? The bulk of the lens actually exists in an alternate dimension and this doesn't manipulate the light, but rather projects it into its paired lens in the alternate dimension and receives its manipulated light to project on the sensor.
freaklikeme wrote:
Quantum lens design? The bulk of the lens actually exists in an alternate dimension and this doesn't manipulate the light, but rather projects it into its paired lens in the alternate dimension and receives its manipulated light to project on the sensor.
freaklikeme wrote:
Quantum lens design? The bulk of the lens actually exists in an alternate dimension and this doesn't manipulate the light, but rather projects it into its paired lens in the alternate dimension and receives its manipulated light to project on the sensor.
But how much power does that require? I don't think those 2-cell INR or even the newer LiPo could handle it.
eriet30 wrote:
I would "assume" the 8-14 is prob an APC
Canon has a full-frame 8-15mmL fisheye. I know because I had it and really enjoyed it until switching to a CV10 once I was shooting Sony. So I'd assume this lens will be similar to that.
So if these specs are true, the 400 4.5 would be an inch longer than my 70-200II with a 1.4TC attached, and slightly lighter. Could be a candidate for my Lacrosse lens, as 400mm obviously puts me at f/5.6 with my 70-200, and I'm normally at the long end anyways.
