SONY UPDATES GM SERIES 70-200MM

SONY HAS REACHED the stage in the development of its FE-mount system that it’s beginning to update lens models... and there’s now a Mark II version of the G Master series 70-200mm f/2.8 OSS telezoom. Obviously, this is a staple lens for many photographers and

Sony says it has listened to the feedback from users – both amateurs and professionals – and responded with an all-new optical design in a lens that’s also significantly lighter than its predecessor. In fact, Sony claims it’s now the lightest f/2.8-speed 70-200mm zoom available in any system, DSLR or mirrorless. For the record too, it’s Sony’s 65th FE lens.

The new optical design employs 17 elements in 14 groups, and there’s a total of seven special types, including one that’s both aspherical and has extra-low dispersion characteristics – a first for the FE mount. It also includes an XA (Extreme Aspherical) type, which is manufacturered to 0.01 microns surface precision, and designed to minimise both spherical and chromatic aberrations. As before, the new 70-200mm f/2.8 employs a pair of focusing groups with internal focusing, but both are now driven by Sony’s XD (Extreme Dynamic) linear focusing motors – four in all – resulting in a claimed quadrupling of the focusing speed. Additionally, focus tracking accuracy is increased by 30%. The two focusing groups are driven independently and Sony has been able to shorten the minimum focusing distance to 40cm (down from 96cm) to give a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.3 at 200mm. The new 70-200mm f/2.8 can autofocus continuously at the 30fps shooting speed available with the Alpha 1 flagship.

The new lens has an 11-blade diaphragm to give more rounded out-of-focus effects, and the aperture collar allows for seamless ‘de-clicked’ operation when shooting video. Also with videography in mind, Sony says focus breathing (the small change in image size as the focus distance varies) has been reduced, as have focus shift and axial shift when zooming. Sony’s Nano AR Coating II multi-coating is employed to supress internal reflections and thereby minimising both ghosting and flare.

Weighing in at 1,045g, the new lens is 29% lighter than the previous model, and the centre of gravity now coincides exactly with the tripod mounting bracket. Zooming is also performed internally to ensure the lens always remains balanced. Features include a focus range limiter and three customisable focus hold buttons placed 90º apart. The optical image stabilisation now offers a ‘Mode 3’ for use with moving subjects. The external construction is full weather-sealed – to the same level as the 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4.0 GM supertelephotos – and there’s a fluorine coating on the exposed surface of the front element to help repel moisture and allow for easier cleaning.

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is priced at $4,199 and is available locally from mid-November. For more information visit www.sony.com.au.