Re: (SR4/5) New Sony Wildlife/Sports lens (200-600?) on June 5/6...
I've been looking at these pictures closely. Assuming this is basically the final form (minus the front element and hood), I believe most of what we need to know about this lens is already depicted in the shape and design of what is there and what we can infer is not there.
Re: Is this an internally or externally zooming lens?
I believe this is an internally zooming lens. I know others have disagreed with me. And I could still easily be wrong; I'll get to that. But here's my case for internal.
Look at the shape of widest part of the barrel. I think some, upon first glance, assume this part of the lens "prototype" is a lens hood; it isn't. Now look at the picture looking down the top of the barrel. It reveals ridges along the circumference of the bevel. This indicates that there will be something attached to it. Once whatever attaches to this end is attached it will effectively lengthen the lens. I would guess there will be a front element with some rubberized edging that would attach to this point. This will likely add a few centimeters to the total length of the final design of the lens. So for those saying this lens isn't long enough to be an internally zooming lens I offer this bit of conjecture.
Now consider the shape of the "prototype." Where would the lens extend from? From the top of the barrel? I don't see why the barrel would be shaped this way if a telescoping piece were to extend out beyond the top piece since it has this outward flange. Look at the 100-400. It's a tube. It doesn't have increasingly wider segments leading to the end of it the barrel.
Could it extend from between the edge of the zoom ring and the top of the barrel of the "prototype"? It could. This would be consistent with the design architecture of the Sigma and Tamron super tele zooms in this range. But I ask where is the gap? There's no visual clue that this is where the barrel would extend. Again if you look at the design language of the other telescoping zooms Sony makes, the 100-400 and 70-300, you'll see in both cases there are gaps between where the fixed parts of the barrels end and the zooming (extending) parts begin. This of course doesn't rule out that the "prototype" isn't finished, but it looks awfully finished to me. To the point where it has a lens badge with consistent labeling.
Lastly, there is no tension ring for the zoom. Nor do I see any zoom lock.
TL: DR I think there's a reasonable chance that this lens is an internal zoom. And that my friends would be this lens' killer app.
Jun 03, 2019 at 10:19 AM
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