Canon may have started the f/2 full zoom trend with the monster-sized RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM, but it didn’t take Sony too long to hit back with its own Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 G Master lens, and now it’s gone a whole step further with the amazing FE 50-150mm f/2 G Master.
What’s remarkable about these lenses, apart from their size and cost (ahem), is that pro photographers had already got used to constant-aperture f/2.8 zooms as being the pinnacle of lens designs, but these latest f/2 optics are a whole f-stop faster, and bring the background blur and subject separation of prime lenses to a much more versatile zoom lens format.
Now the 28-70mm f/2 zooms from Canon and then Sony were impressive enough, but this new FE 50-150mm f/2 G Master is a whole new ballgame, and could be a strong alternative to a regular FE 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom, with better low light capability and better blur.
Obviously this new lens contains a lot of glass to move quickly when focusing, and Sony has incorporated four XD Linear AF motors and a floating focus design. And because this lens, like most modern optics, is designed for video as well as stills, it features a physical aperture ring which can be ‘declicked’ for smooth and silent iris adjustments while filming.
Another welcome feature is the internal zoom design. This means the lens does not change length during zooming. It’s a heavy lens, so that’s probably going to help quite a bit when using it on a handheld rig or stabiliser. It also has a removable tripod foot to help with weight distribution when it’s mounted.
Other features include XA, aspherical and Super ED elements, dust and moisture-resistant construction with Nano AR Coating II and water-repellent Fluorine coating and an 11-bladed aperture diaphragm for smoother bokeh.
All this will come at a price, of course, and the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 G Master will sell for $3,898 (B&H), and in the UK the launch price is £3,799 (Wex).