Sony officially announces the pricing and specs of the new 400mm f/2.8 FE lens

Sony announced the full specs and price of the new 400mm f/2.8 FE lens (SEL400F28GM). This lens is Sony’s key to conquer the Pro Sports market. After decades of Canon-Nikon duopoly we might start to see Sony’s cameras and lenses on Football fields :)

Preorder links (open on Friday at 9am NYC time):
400mm f/2.8 FE at BHphoto and Adorama.
The lens costs $12,000 or 12.000 Euro.

Key info:
– The world’s lightest 400mm f/2.8 at just 2,895 grams (102.2 ounces)
– Newly developed XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motor achieves extremely fast, precise, quiet AF
– 1.4x and 2.0x tele-converter support, with high imaging and AF performance
– not front heavy weight like the Canon or Nikon lenses
– carbon fiber lens hood

What’s better and why it’s more expensive than the Canon-Nikon lenses:
– Well, this one is new, price drops will eventually come later
– The lens weights considerably less (can be used handheld for a limited time while you can’t with Nikon-Canon)
– The lens is not front heavy like the Canon and Nikon. Meaning it’s much easier to hold and carry.
– It has a linear autofocus motor. Much faster and more modern than Canon-Nikon versions.
– To be tested against the competition: But optical design, sharpness and Bokeh are top-notch!

Press text:
Press text on SAR. Product page on Sony.net. Press text on Dpreview.

Previews:
Preview at Dpreview. Preview by Imaging Resource. Nick Didlick on Alphauniverse. Preview at CameraLabs.

Image samples:
Sony.net. Dpreview.

Here is the lens mounted on the Sony A9:

Full specs:

Product and Hands-on videos (random order):

Press text: Sony Introduces the Long-Awaited 400mm F2.8 G Master™ Prime Lens

Preorder links:
400mm f/2.8 FE at BHphoto.

Sony Introduces the Long-Awaited 400mm F2.8 G Master™ Prime Lens

Sony today announced the highly anticipated FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS large aperture super-telephoto prime lens (model SEL400F28GM).

The product of extensive research and testing, Sony’s new FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens is the first large aperture super-telephoto prime to join the E-mount line-up. This exciting new lens produces brilliant image quality, extraordinary focusing speed and precision while also boasting the lightest weight in its class[i] and an extremely balanced design. It’s the ideal choice for professional sports, wildlife and nature photographers, and a perfect complement for Sony’s extensive line-up of high-speed E-mount bodies including α9, α7R III and more.

World’s Lightest 400mm F2.8 Prime with Ideal Balance for Monopod or Handheld Shooting

Weighing in at only 2897g, the new FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens provides a level of portability and handheld manoeuvrability that has never before been achieved in a lens of its class. The remarkably light weight of this lens is achieved through an innovative optical design that includes three fluorite elements, with a reduced number of elements deployed at the front of the barrel, as well as the liberal usage of durable magnesium alloy components.

Additionally, repeated field tests and evaluation by professional photographers across the world have led to a lens design that is not front-heavy, reducing moment of inertia that resists rotation by up to 50% as compared to the SAL500F40G.[ii] This ensures that quicker, more precise panning is available, whether shooting handheld or on a monopod.

Fast, Precise Autofocus

To best take advantage of the rapidly evolving shooting and focusing speeds of Sony’s latest cameras, the FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens features two newly developed high-speed XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors that drive the lens’ focus group, achieving up to a 5x improvement[iii] in moving-subject tracking performance. These motors are supported by specially developed motion algorithms to minimise lag and instability and control noise levels, resulting in exceptionally quick, accurate and quiet autofocus performance. This allows the lens to capture dynamic, fast moving athletes or wildlife with ease.

G Master Image Quality and Bokeh

A member of the Sony’s flagship G Master Series lenses, the new large aperture super-telephoto prime lens features an incredible level of image quality and detail, with outstanding contrast and resolution maintained all the way to the corners of the image. The unique optical design includes three fluorite elements that help to minimise chromatic aberration and suppress any amount of colour bleeding. The lens has also been coated with Sony’s original Nano AR coating to suppress any unwanted reflections, glare, or ghosting. SAR

In addition to the impressive resolution, the lens features an 11-blade circular aperture mechanism that allows it to produce extremely natural and beautiful background defocus or bokeh’. Each lens is also individually tested and adjusted at manufacturing stage to achieve maximum image quality and ‘bokeh’.

The new FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS is compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2.0x E-mount tele-converters, producing outstanding imaging performance at extended focal lengths[iv] while maintaining fast, precise AF performance.

Durability, Reliability and Control

To withstand the harsh conditions of sporting events and wildlife photography, Sony’s new FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS is built with a durable magnesium alloy and a strong, lightweight carbon fibre hood. The lens is also dust and moisture resistant[v], and its front element is coated with fluorine to resist dirt and fingerprints.

There is also an ample amount of hard controls on the lens, including a ‘Full-Time DMF’ switch to immediately engage manual focus at any point, customisable focus hold buttons in four different locations on the lens barrel – allowing easy access of an Eye AF for example, and a focus ring that features Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus. The new lens also features built-in optical stabilisation for dynamic sports action and three different ‘Mode’ settings, including a brand new Mode 3[vi] setting with an advanced algorithm that ensures easier framing when following moving subjects. The new model includes a function ring with selectable ‘Preset’ and ‘Function[vii]’ settings, further adding to the customisability, a first for any Sony lens.

The FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS includes a drop-in filter slot[viii] that accepts ø 40.5mm ND and other filter types, as well as the optional VF-DCPL1 Drop-in Circular Polarising Filter. The VF-DCPL1 filter can be rotated to achieve the desired polarisation while installed in the lens.

α9 System Software Update to Support FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS[ix]

The latest system software update (Version 3.00) for α9 (ILCE-9) provides support for the new FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS (SEL400F28GM) lens to optimise optical image stabilisation performance and enables continuous shooting with auto focus tracking even when aperture is greater than F11.

The update also provides added option to input camera serial number to the Exif data, a feature that has been strongly requested by professional sports photographers and photojournalists. Additionally, several other updates to the α9 camera have been implemented with the new firmware, including improved auto focus speed in low light conditions, enhanced continuous AF performance when tracking a moving subject, and reduced release time lag when shooting with flash.

Pricing and Availability

Built to order, the new FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS will ship in Europe in September 2018,priced at approximately €12,000. The optional Drop-in Circular Polarising Filter (model VF-DCPL1) will ship in Europe in December 2018, priced at approximately €480.

A product feature video and testimonials by Nick Didlick and Bob Martin are now available at Sony Camera Channel on YouTube, and the new sample images are also posted at the global Sony Photo Gallery

Please visit Sony.co.uk for more information: http://www.sony.pt/electronics/camara-lentes/sel400f28gm

[i] Compared to 400mm F2.8 lenses for 35mm full-frame format cameras, as of June 2018, Sony survey

[ii] When mounted on the α9 with VG-C3EM grip. Compared to the α99 II + SAL500F40G, Sony tests

[iii] When mounted on the α9. Compared to the SAL300F28G2 mounted on the α9 (via LA-EA3),

Sony tests

[iv] Maximum aperture with the 1.4x (SEL14TC) and 2.0x (SEL20TC) tele-converters is F4 and F5.6,

respectively

[v] Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof

[vi] α9 software must be updated to the latest version to activate Optical SteadyShot MODE 3 when this

lens is used with the α9. Refer to the Sony support site for camera body compatibility information

[vii] Functions can be assigned via a camera body menu. Power Focus is assigned by default. APS-C/Full Frame Select can be assigned by updating α9 software to the latest version. Refer to the Sony support site for up-to-date function and camera body compatibility information

[viii] A normal filter is initially installed in the filter slot. The filter is part of the lens’s optical system, and either the normal filter or circular polarizing filter should always be in place when using the lens.

Be sure that filter is installed before memorising the focus point for the preset focus function

[ix] System software update for α9 is scheduled soon. For more information, please visit Sony support site. https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce9-series/ilce-9#downloads

New 3.0 firmware update for the Sony A9

Sony issued a new firmware update for the Sony A9: https://esupport.sony.com/

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Added functions for professionals engaged in sports/news media:

  • Adds the Write Serial Number option (On/Off) to the menu for selecting your preference in writing the serial number to the Exif data

Improvements in auto focus performance and functionality:

  • Improves tracking performance of moving subjects in AF-C mode
  • Improves auto focus speed in low light
  • Adds AF Track Sens as a selectable option for custom key settings
  • Adds support for all focus areas when using LA-EA3 mount adaptor
    (Focus Area options added: Zone, Expand Flexible Spot, and Lock-on AF)

Improvements in flash control performance and functionality:

  • Reduced release time lag when shooting with flash
  • Adds support for Slow Sync and Rear Sync when using flash wirelessly
  • Adds support for white balance automatic correction when using color filter of external flash (HVL-F60RM)

Other Improvements:

  • Stabilized release time lag when shooting in AF-C mode
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

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Thanks Bard!

Sony Tidbits…


Sony VENICE Extension with Tethered Sensor Block, Shoots Avatar Sequels

Zeiss Loxia 25mm review at SonyAlphaBlog.
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 for E-Mount Sample Gallery (Dpreview).
10 Cameras to Help Raise Your Selfie Game (Explora).
Are All Sony Sensors Equal? (Image Sensor World).
Sigma 100-400 F5-6.3 with MC-11 on Sony a7RIII | Initial Impressions (That1CameraGuy)
$60,000 for our stolen photo: We made a copyright thief PAY! (Northrup).

Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

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Mavic Pro II rumored to be announced on July 18 and feature the new Sony Starvis sensor

As reported by MirrorlessRumors DJI is highly likely going to announce the new Mavic Pro II on July 18. The only Sony-related news is that the new drone is rumored to feature the new 12 MP Sony IMX226 CMOS 1/1.7″ STARVIS sensor (PDF sensor spec sheet here).

And I still wonder if Sony should have seriously considered to enter this market. After all they had some high-end drones developed in the past years (read the 2015 press text here).

Sony World Photography Awards launches its 2019 edition with new categories and announces latest Sony Grant winners

Time for you to join the new Sony World Photography Award edition! Here is the press text:

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June 5, 2018: The World Photography Organisation today opens the 12th edition of the Sony World Photography Awards, the world’s most diverse photography competition. To celebrate its continued presence as a leading global photography competition, the Awards reveal the latest recipients of the Sony Grant, from previous Award winners, and announces three new categories for 2019.

Created by the World Photography Organisation, the Sony World Photography Awards are an authoritative voice in the industry. Celebrating the best contemporary photography from the past year, the Awards give vast exposure, visibility and opportunity to photographers worldwide on an annual basis.Sony supports the Awards to help the continued development of photographic culture throughout the world, celebrating the best of past and present practitioners, as well as giving a global platform to today’s talent. Submissions to the Awards are free at www.worldphoto.org.

Speaking of her experience upon winning the overall title at the 2018 Awards, Alys Tomlinson said: “Being named Photographer of the Year means a huge amount to me. It’s wonderful to be recognised for what I do, for what I am so committed and passionate about. Having worked on the ‘Ex-Voto’ series for five years, winning this Award has opened up and emphasised the centrality of pilgrimage to us all.”

New categories:

Photographers worldwide are invited to submit to the Awards’ four competitions: Professional, outstanding bodies of work between 5-10 images across ten categories; Open,rewarding the world’s best single images across ten categories, Youth, a single brief for emerging talent aged 12-19, and Student, for photography students across the globe. The National Awards program will also reward local photographic talent.

The 2019 Awards is marked by the introduction of two challenging new categories in the Professional competition: Brief and Documentary. Brief will test photographers abilities to compose a body of work on a specific theme. The inaugural theme of this category is ‘Identity’. Documentary is a new category for bodies of work portraying facts about a chosen subject, giving insight into contemporary issues and news. In choosing these new categories, the Awards hopes to continue appealing to a diverse range of contemporary photographers.

In the Open competition a new Creative category has been introduced and the Awards welcome Culture Trip and Eurostar as category partners.

Sony Grant:

Introduced in 2016, Sony Grants provide previous Award winners with further opportunities to develop and display their works and establish an ongoing relationship with Sony after the Awards. The recipients are chosen by Sony* from the winning and shortlisted photographers of the Awards’ Professional and Student competitions.

The 2018 Sony Grant recipients are announced today as Alys Tomlinson (UK), Luca Locatelli (Italy), Tom Oldham (UK) and Balazs Gardi (Hungary). Each receives $7,000 (USD) to develop a project of their own over the next year, with the resulting images being exhibited at the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London.

The 2018 Student Sony Grant recipients are revealed as Morgan Mulholland (South Africa), Anshul Mehrotra (India) and Cao Hongmei (China). Each student will receive $3,500 (USD) to develop a collaborative project set by Sony and the World Photography Organisation which will also be exhibited in London.

A further round of Sony Grants has been confirmed for the winning and shortlisted photographers of the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards.

New images from the recipients of the 2017 Sony Grants – Frederik Buyckx, George Mayer, Yuan Peng and Will Burrard-Lucas alongside students Sarah Schrimpf, Tatsuki Katayama and Shravya Kag – are available at www.worldphoto.org/press.

*Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc

2019 prizes and deadlines:

Photographers have until November 30, 2018 to enter the Student competition, January 4, 2019 for the Open and Youth competitions, and January 11, 2019 for Professional. Full competition and categories descriptions can be found at www.worldphoto.org/swpa.

All category winners of the Professional, Open, Youth and Student competitions will receive digital imaging equipment from Sony. In addition, cash prizes of $25,000 (USD) will be presented to the Photographer of the Year and $5,000 (USD) to the overall Open competition winner. All winning and shortlisted photographers’ works will be exhibited at the annual Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition in London and will then be toured internationally. The winning images will also be published in the annual Awards’ book.

For all press enquiries please contact

Press department, World Photography Organisation

+ 44 (0) 20 7886 3043 / press@worldphoto.org

Notes to Editors:

About World Photography Organisation
The World Photography Organisation is a global platform for photography initiatives. Working across up to 180 countries, our aim is to raise the level of conversation around photography by celebrating the best imagery and photographers on the planet. We pride ourselves on building lasting relationships with both individual photographers as well as our industry-leading partners around the world. The World Photography Organisation hosts a year-round portfolio of events including the Sony World Photography Awards, the world’s largest photography competition, and PHOTOFAIRS, international art fairs dedicated to photography with destinations in Shanghai and San Francisco For more details see www.worldphoto.org

About Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, imaging, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $76 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/

Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation that is responsible for its imaging products and solutions businesses, from consumer camera, solutions with a focus on broadcast- and professional-use products, to medical business.

Open category partners

New for this year, partners will support two categories in the 2019 Awards’ Open competition. Culture Trip is partnered with the Culture category, while Eurostar is partnered with the Travel category.

Culture Trip is a startup that inspires people to explore the world’s culture and creativity through innovative technology and a global network of local content creators.

Eurostar is the ideal way to travel between London and mainland Europe, offering a seamless city-centre to city-centre journey, quick and convenient check-in and a generous baggage allowance. As the Sony World Photography Awards travel between destinations including London, Paris and Brussels, Eurostar is the effortless way to get there.