freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: Douglas L wrote: arbitrage wrote:
I was wrong when I said "I have no doubt this lens will be sharp" when I started this thread. I guess there is no free lunch ($$$, size, weight, sharpness). I just bought back a 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 GM. This f8 version won't be in my bag any time soon.
The 100-400 f/8 seems to have the same crappy close range performance as the Tamron 35-150.
The optical design of the 100-400 f/8 probably needs floating elements to improve close range performance, but omits the floating elements to save on costs.
It's internally focused. It has an FLE.
Do you have a source? I see no mention of floating elements in Sony's press release
Sony did specifically mention floating focus for the f/4.5 version of the 100-400.
From Sony about 100-400/4.5:
Four custom-optimized XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors, a floating focus mechanism, and the latest AF algorithms deliver AF speeds up to 3x faster [than the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens] with approximately 50% improved subject tracking. Fully compatible with Alpha 9 III continuous shooting at up to 120 fps with AF/AE tracking
If the FE 100-400mm F5.6-8.0 OSS has floating elements its surprising to me that the close focus performance is so shit in spite of the floating elements.
It's here on the Sony website under "Specifications." Focusing type is listed as internal. You can also see it videos where they show it focusing. It only extends to zoom.
You have confused floating elements and "internal focus". Its not the same.
Internal focus doesn't mean it has floating elements. Internal focus means the lens barrel doesn't extend when you focus.
“Floating elements” refers to an optical design in which more than one group of lens elements moves during focusing. When the main focusing group moves to change the focus distance, an additional group, called a floating group, also moves, typically by a different amount or according to a different movement path.
The purpose of this additional movement is not simply to achieve focus. It is to correct optical aberrations that change with focusing distance. A lens may be highly corrected at one distance, such as infinity, but as it focuses closer, aberrations such as spherical aberration, field curvature, astigmatism, or distortion can become more pronounced. By changing the relative positions of multiple lens groups, the floating-element system helps compensate for these changes.
As a result, the lens can maintain better sharpness, contrast, and overall image quality throughout its focusing range, particularly at close focusing distances.
"Floating elements" was a term coined by Canon originally to describe the focusing systems in their teles. I have an FD repair manual that calls the elements/groups out by that name. They also used it in the FD 85L though, this time, not for focusing. It was just the static single element in the rear that "floated" compared to the rest. It seems silly to reverse engineer a specific definition for a term the creators didn't respect.
I'm not saying you're wrong about how Canon used the term in the FD era. They may well have used "floating element" more loosely at the time.
But we're on a Sony forum discussing FE lenses, so what matters here is how Sony uses the term today. In Sony's current lens terminology, a floating focus system has a specific meaning: multiple focus groups move relative to one another during focusing, rather than the entire focusing assembly behaving as a single fixed group.
The FD usage is interesting historically, but I don't think it should override the nomenclature of the actual lenses and manufacturers we're discussing.
Definition from Sony's Description of the 100-400/4.5
Sony: "Floating focus ensures that full resolution is maintained throughout the image area even when shooting close-ups at 0.25x magnification and minimum focus distance."
freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: Douglas L wrote: arbitrage wrote:
I was wrong when I said "I have no doubt this lens will be sharp" when I started this thread. I guess there is no free lunch ($$$, size, weight, sharpness). I just bought back a 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 GM. This f8 version won't be in my bag any time soon.
The 100-400 f/8 seems to have the same crappy close range performance as the Tamron 35-150.
The optical design of the 100-400 f/8 probably needs floating elements to improve close range performance, but omits the floating elements to save on costs.
It's internally focused. It has an FLE.
Do you have a source? I see no mention of floating elements in Sony's press release
Sony did specifically mention floating focus for the f/4.5 version of the 100-400.
From Sony about 100-400/4.5:
Four custom-optimized XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors, a floating focus mechanism, and the latest AF algorithms deliver AF speeds up to 3x faster [than the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens] with approximately 50% improved subject tracking. Fully compatible with Alpha 9 III continuous shooting at up to 120 fps with AF/AE tracking
If the FE 100-400mm F5.6-8.0 OSS has floating elements its surprising to me that the close focus performance is so shit in spite of the floating elements.
It's here on the Sony website under "Specifications." Focusing type is listed as internal. You can also see it videos where they show it focusing. It only extends to zoom.
You have confused floating elements and "internal focus". Its not the same.
Internal focus doesn't mean it has floating elements. Internal focus means the lens barrel doesn't extend when you focus.
“Floating elements” refers to an optical design in which more than one group of lens elements moves during focusing. When the main focusing group moves to change the focus distance, an additional group, called a floating group, also moves, typically by a different amount or according to a different movement path.
The purpose of this additional movement is not simply to achieve focus. It is to correct optical aberrations that change with focusing distance. A lens may be highly corrected at one distance, such as infinity, but as it focuses closer, aberrations such as spherical aberration, field curvature, astigmatism, or distortion can become more pronounced. By changing the relative positions of multiple lens groups, the floating-element system helps compensate for these changes.
As a result, the lens can maintain better sharpness, contrast, and overall image quality throughout its focusing range, particularly at close focusing distances.
"Floating elements" was a term coined by Canon originally to describe the focusing systems in their teles. I have an FD repair manual that calls the elements/groups out by that name. They also used it in the FD 85L though, this time, not for focusing. It was just the static single element in the rear that "floated" compared to the rest. It seems silly to reverse engineer a specific definition for a term the creators didn't respect.
I'm not saying you're wrong about how Canon used the term in the FD era. They may well have used "floating element" more loosely at the time.
But we're on a Sony forum discussing FE lenses, so what matters here is how Sony uses the term today. In Sony's current lens terminology, a floating focus system has a specific meaning: multiple focus groups move relative to one another during focusing, rather than the entire focusing assembly behaving as a single fixed group.
The FD usage is interesting historically, but I don't think it should override the nomenclature of the actual lenses and manufacturers we're discussing.
Definition from Sony's Description of the 100-400/4.5
Sony: "Floating focus ensures that full resolution is maintained throughout the image area even when shooting close-ups at 0.25x magnification and minimum focus distance."
freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: Douglas L wrote: arbitrage wrote:
I was wrong when I said "I have no doubt this lens will be sharp" when I started this thread. I guess there is no free lunch ($$$, size, weight, sharpness). I just bought back a 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 GM. This f8 version won't be in my bag any time soon.
The 100-400 f/8 seems to have the same crappy close range performance as the Tamron 35-150.
The optical design of the 100-400 f/8 probably needs floating elements to improve close range performance, but omits the floating elements to save on costs.
It's internally focused. It has an FLE.
Do you have a source? I see no mention of floating elements in Sony's press release
Sony did specifically mention floating focus for the f/4.5 version of the 100-400.
From Sony about 100-400/4.5:
Four custom-optimized XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors, a floating focus mechanism, and the latest AF algorithms deliver AF speeds up to 3x faster [than the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens] with approximately 50% improved subject tracking. Fully compatible with Alpha 9 III continuous shooting at up to 120 fps with AF/AE tracking
If the FE 100-400mm F5.6-8.0 OSS has floating elements its surprising to me that the close focus performance is so shit in spite of the floating elements.
It's here on the Sony website under "Specifications." Focusing type is listed as internal. You can also see it videos where they show it focusing. It only extends to zoom.
You have confused floating elements and "internal focus". Its not the same.
Internal focus doesn't mean it has floating elements. Internal focus means the lens barrel doesn't extend when you focus.
“Floating elements” refers to an optical design in which more than one group of lens elements moves during focusing. When the main focusing group moves to change the focus distance, an additional group, called a floating group, also moves, typically by a different amount or according to a different movement path.
The purpose of this additional movement is not simply to achieve focus. It is to correct optical aberrations that change with focusing distance. A lens may be highly corrected at one distance, such as infinity, but as it focuses closer, aberrations such as spherical aberration, field curvature, astigmatism, or distortion can become more pronounced. By changing the relative positions of multiple lens groups, the floating-element system helps compensate for these changes.
As a result, the lens can maintain better sharpness, contrast, and overall image quality throughout its focusing range, particularly at close focusing distances.
"Floating elements" was a term coined by Canon originally to describe the focusing systems in their teles. I have an FD repair manual that calls the elements/groups out by that name. They also used it in the FD 85L though, this time, not for focusing. It was just the static single element in the rear that "floated" compared to the rest. It seems silly to reverse engineer a specific definition for a term the creators didn't respect.
I'm not saying you're wrong about how Canon used the term in the FD era. They may well have used "floating element" more loosely at the time.
But we're on a Sony forum discussing FE lenses, so what matters here is how Sony uses the term today. In Sony's current lens terminology, a floating focus system has a specific meaning: multiple focus groups move relative to one another during focusing, rather than the entire focusing assembly behaving as a single fixed group.
The FD usage is interesting historically, but I don't think it should override the nomenclature of the actual lenses and manufacturers we're discussing.
Definition from Sony's Description of the 100-400/4.5
Sony wrote:
Floating focus ensures that full resolution is maintained throughout the image area even when shooting close-ups at 0.25x magnification and minimum focus distance.
freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: freaklikeme wrote: aCuria wrote: Douglas L wrote: arbitrage wrote:
I was wrong when I said "I have no doubt this lens will be sharp" when I started this thread. I guess there is no free lunch ($$$, size, weight, sharpness). I just bought back a 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 GM. This f8 version won't be in my bag any time soon.
The 100-400 f/8 seems to have the same crappy close range performance as the Tamron 35-150.
The optical design of the 100-400 f/8 probably needs floating elements to improve close range performance, but omits the floating elements to save on costs.
It's internally focused. It has an FLE.
Do you have a source? I see no mention of floating elements in Sony's press release
Sony did specifically mention floating focus for the f/4.5 version of the 100-400.
From Sony about 100-400/4.5:
Four custom-optimized XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors, a floating focus mechanism, and the latest AF algorithms deliver AF speeds up to 3x faster [than the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens] with approximately 50% improved subject tracking. Fully compatible with Alpha 9 III continuous shooting at up to 120 fps with AF/AE tracking
If the FE 100-400mm F5.6-8.0 OSS has floating elements its surprising to me that the close focus performance is so shit in spite of the floating elements.
It's here on the Sony website under "Specifications." Focusing type is listed as internal. You can also see it videos where they show it focusing. It only extends to zoom.
You have confused floating elements and "internal focus". Its not the same.
Internal focus doesn't mean it has floating elements. Internal focus means the lens barrel doesn't extend when you focus.
“Floating elements” refers to an optical design in which more than one group of lens elements moves during focusing. When the main focusing group moves to change the focus distance, an additional group, called a floating group, also moves, typically by a different amount or according to a different movement path.
The purpose of this additional movement is not simply to achieve focus. It is to correct optical aberrations that change with focusing distance. A lens may be highly corrected at one distance, such as infinity, but as it focuses closer, aberrations such as spherical aberration, field curvature, astigmatism, or distortion can become more pronounced. By changing the relative positions of multiple lens groups, the floating-element system helps compensate for these changes.
As a result, the lens can maintain better sharpness, contrast, and overall image quality throughout its focusing range, particularly at close focusing distances.
"Floating elements" was a term coined by Canon originally to describe the focusing systems in their teles. I have an FD repair manual that calls the elements/groups out by that name. They also used it in the FD 85L though, this time, not for focusing. It was just the static single element in the rear that "floated" compared to the rest. It seems silly to reverse engineer a specific definition for a term the creators didn't respect.
I'm not saying you're wrong about how Canon used the term in the FD era. They may well have used "floating element" more loosely at the time.
But we're on a Sony forum discussing FE lenses, so what matters here is how Sony uses the term today. In Sony's current lens terminology, a floating focus system has a specific meaning: multiple focus groups move relative to one another during focusing, rather than the entire focusing assembly behaving as a single fixed group.
The FD usage is interesting historically, but I don't think it should override the nomenclature of the actual lenses and manufacturers we're discussing.
Definition from Sony's Description of the 100-400/4.5
Floating focus ensures that full resolution is maintained throughout the image area even when shooting close-ups at 0.25x magnification and minimum focus distance.
Focusing type: Internal (floating)
Aug 15, 2026 at 06:26 AM
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