
Alongside the super-fast a6300, Sony has released details of a new, ultra-high-resolution lens lineup optimized for its full-frame E-mount cameras: the G Master series. Starting off with a collection of much desired focal lengths and apertures from 24 to 200mm, almost all the bases are covered. This includes the mid-range FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM zoom, a near-perfect FE 85mm f/1.4 GM portrait prime, and a telephoto staple in the form of the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS. Further enhancing the E-mount lens selection, there are also an FE 1.4x Teleconverter and FE 2.0x Teleconverter for the 70-200mm GM that will boost the focal length for even farther reach.
Sony FE 24-70mm
Shared among all of the G Master series lenses are goals of outstanding resolution, set at a baseline of 50 line pairs per millimeter when shot wide open, and soft, exceptionally pleasing bokeh, much like the original G series. Helping to ensure this incredible resolution is the development of the XA, or extreme aspherical, lens element. Each of these is designed with better than 0.01-micron precision, and coatings, such as Sony’s Nano AR Coating, can be accounted for in simulations to guarantee performance. This also means that the lenses will be perfectly compatible with any future high-resolution sensor advancements. These XA glass elements contribute to bokeh performance, as well, thanks to their precise design, and minimize spherical aberrations to balance sharpness and bokeh.
Starting off with the classic do-everything lens, the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM, users will find a super–sharp lens with a wide aperture for working in a vast range of situations. It manages this edge-to-edge resolution by employing three aspherical elements, including one XA, one Extra-low Dispersion, or ED, element, and one Super Extra-low Dispersion element that work to reduce all types of aberrations and, when combined with the Nano AR Coating, create an image of high clarity and contrast. The lens also sports a nine-blade circular aperture for smooth bokeh and a Direct Drive Super Sonic wave Motor (DDSSM) that will lock focus quickly and precisely. As befitting a lens of this caliber, Sony has built the G Master series for professional use with a rugged dust- and moisture-resistant body, physical AF/MF switch and focus hold buttons, and a zoom lock. This lens will easily fulfill a variety of purposes, from wide-angle landscapes to tight portraits, with ease.
Sony made sure to deliver something many considered missing from the E-mount lineup when it created its fast portrait prime: the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM. It has one of the most preferred focal lengths for portraiture, a super-fast f/1.4 aperture for super-shallow depth of field, and is built to handle the demands of a professional work environment. Optimized for wide-open performance, it is exceptionally sharp at f/1.4, due to the use of one XA element and three ED elements. When stopped down, the lens is designed for bokeh perfection, with an 11-blade circular diaphragm that will maintain pleasing out-of-focus areas. It also features Sony’s Nano AR Coating and is equipped with a ring drive SSM system for smooth, precise focusing with the lens’s large optics. This motor is even equipped with two position sensors to ensure maximum precision during use. With a durable, weather-resistant build, the lens will hold up in adverse conditions and the body also has an AF/MF switch, focus hold button and, for video shooters, an aperture ring with a click/declick switch, much like the FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA.
Moving up the focal length ladder, we encounter the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS, a telephoto zoom that will find its way into many shooters’ bags. It maximizes sharpness and bokeh much like the other G Master lenses, using a combination of three aspherical elements, including one XA, four ED lenses, two Super ED glass elements, and the Nano AR Coating alongside an 11-blade circular aperture. Key to this telephoto range is fast, accurate autofocus granted by a ring drive SSM system for the large front-focusing group and a double linear motor for the rear focus group, which combine to impressive speed and precision. It also has built-in image stabilization for enhanced performance with slower shutter speeds and at longer focal lengths and the ability to use 5-axis stabilization with compatible bodies. Close-up performance is also benefitted by a minimum focus distance of 3.14' and a floating focus mechanism. The barrel of the lens is designed for speed with a focus hold button, focus range limiter, AF/MF switch, OSS on/off switch, and OSS–type switch that grant tactile control. And, of course, it is weather resistant, with a fluorine coating on the front element. A bonus for this lens is the incorporation of a removable, rotating tripod mount for rapid setup and easy transport.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
If you need longer focal lengths, Sony has created the first dedicated teleconverters for the E-mount system, though more specifically for the 70-200 G Master lens. The FE 1.4x Teleconverter and FE 2.0x Teleconverter maintain high lens performance while boosting the lenses’ focal lengths to 98-280mm and 140-400mm, respectively. The teleconverters retain full AF precision and speed while also recording EXIF data to files. They feature the same dust- and moisture-resistant design as the lens for optimal performance in all conditions. While only compatible with the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens at the moment, select future lenses may be supported.
FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM | FE 85mm f/1.4 GM | FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS | |
Lens Mount | Sony E (Full Frame) | Sony E (Full Frame) | Sony E (Full Frame) |
Focal Length (35mm Equivalent on APS-C) | 24-70mm (36-105mm) | 85mm (127.5mm) | 70-200mm (105-300mm) |
Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 |
Minimum Aperture | f/22 | f/16 | f/22 |
Angle of View | 84-34° | 29° | 34°-12°30' |
Minimum Focusing Distance | 1.25' / 38 cm | 2.6' / 80 cm | 3.2' / 96 cm |
Magnification | 0.24x | 0.12x | 0.25x |
Lens Construction | 18 elements / 13 groups | 11 elements / 8 groups | 23 elements / 18 groups |
Image Stabilization | None | None | Yes, Optical SteadyShot |
Diaphragm Blades | 9, circular | 11, circular | 11, circular |
Filter Ring Diameter | 82mm | 77mm | 77mm |
Dimensions | 3.4 x 5.4" / 87.6 x 136.0mm | 3.5 x 4.2" / 89.5 x 107.5mm | 3.5 x 7.9" / 88 x 200mm |
Weight | 31.3 oz / 886 g | 29 oz / 820 g | 52.3 oz / 1480 g |
FE 1.4x Teleconverter | FE 2.0x Teleconverter | |
Lens Mount | Sony E (Full Frame) | Sony E (Full Frame) |
Magnification | 1.4x | 2.0x |
Lens Contruction | 6 elements / 5 groups | 8 elements / 5 groups |
Light Loss | 1 stop | 2 stops |
Dimensions | 2.5 x 1.3" / 62.4 x 33.6mm | 2.5 x 1.7" / 62.4 x 42.7mm |
Weight | 5.9 oz / 167 g | 7.4 oz / 207 g |
Compatibility | FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS | FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS |
17 Comments
A lot has happened in 3 years. How about an updated article and list?
Hi Steve,
This article was simply the announcement of the original lenses, so while here may not be the appropriate place to build a comprehensive list we will consider creating an article dedicated to the subject in the future. Thanks for the suggestion.
does autofocus work with 2x converter on 70-200 G lens
Hi irfan,
Yes! All lens functions will be available when using either the 1.4x or 2x teleconverter with the new 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master lens.
I have a sony cybershot dsc-h300, I was wondering if I could put a lens on it.
Hi Andria,
Unfortunately, as the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 is a fixed lens camera you will not be able to use any of these lenses on it. These lenses were designed for Sony's interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras with an E mount, such as the a7 series and the a6300. Specifically, these are optimized for full-frame image sensors though they are fully compatible with APS-C bodies.
Is the body of this camera the same dimmensions as the NEX7?
Hi Brian,
They are not the same but they are very close.
NEX-7: 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.7" / 12.0 x 6.7 x 4.3 cm
a6300: 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.9" / 120.0 x 66.9 x 48.8 mm
Thanks Shawn! Do you have any demo models in the Manhatten store?
Glad to help Brian. Unfortunately we don't have any demo models yet, though with a ship date in early March I would expect that we would have one soon. If you keep checking on the product page for the a6300 we do list when products are on display. Here's an example of an item that is in stock and available on display. If you are curious about the body design, the a6000 is very similar, though the a6300 has some major improvements, including a sturdier build and better EVF, so it isn't really a perfect comparison.
do you know when in March you will be shipping? Asking because I'm going on vacation in March... Thanks!
Hello Mark,
As of right now we do not have definitive dates for shipping. Your best bet at the moment is to check the links above and sign up to be notified when the lens is in stock. You can also check back on these items because we attempt to post expected shipping dates when more information is available, though demand does impact these expectations quite often on highly-desired items.
I think i'm in love... way to market yourselves and continue to take the lead in the future of what is photography.
Does the teleconverter work with the Zeiss basic lens? Who actually makes the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 lens? and what price will the latter be?
Hi Jim,
The teleconverter will only work with the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master series lens that was just announced. The FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens is designed and manufacturer by Sony directly. For current pricing please click this link to be brought to the B&H store listing page. You can also find the links to all the new lenses and teleconverter in the article above, though we are awaiting final pricing for the 70-200mm f/2.8 and the teleconverters, see the listing pages and sign up for an email notification to be alerted when pricing is available.
Will the teleconverters work with the Sony 70-200 f4?
Hello Robert,
Unfortunately, at the moment the teleconverter will only work with the new FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS lens that was just announced.