Sony India has launched two new G Master super-telephoto prime lenses for its Alpha full-frame E-mount system, the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS.
The new lenses are designed for handheld super-telephoto photography, with Sony targeting wildlife, bird and sports photographers. Both lenses feature optical image stabilisation, fast autofocus and a compact design intended to make long focal lengths easier to handle in the field.
Sony FE 400mm and FE 600mm G Master Lenses Specifications And Features
The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS measures approximately 108mm in maximum diameter and 242mm in length, while the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS has the same 108mm maximum diameter and measures approximately 263mm in length.
Sony has positioned the centre of gravity closer to the camera body to improve handling and make it easier for photographers to maintain framing, track moving subjects and perform panning shots. The company says the lightweight construction is particularly useful when shooting handheld or during longer shooting sessions where using a tripod or monopod may not be practical. Both lenses use three Super ED glass elements and one ED glass element to suppress chromatic aberration and other optical aberrations associated with super-telephoto focal lengths. Sony says this optical design delivers high resolution from the centre of the image through to the edges.
Sony claims both lenses are the world's lightest in their respective categories, with the 400mm model weighing approximately 994g and the 600mm model weighing approximately 995g. The lenses also feature Sony's Nano AR Coating II, which is designed to reduce ghosting and flare in challenging lighting conditions, including backlit scenes.
For the characteristic G Master bokeh, both lenses use an 11-blade circular aperture, with spherical aberration also optimised during the design and manufacturing process to produce smooth background blur. The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS use two XD Linear Motors along with a dedicated control algorithm to deliver fast, precise and quiet autofocus.
Sony says the lenses can track fast-moving subjects such as birds, wildlife and athletes and are fully compatible with the Alpha 9 III's continuous shooting at up to 120fps with AF/AE tracking. Both models also feature built-in optical image stabilisation for reducing camera shake at super-telephoto focal lengths. They support the camera body's Active Mode image stabilisation and coordinated stabilisation control for still photography and video. The lenses also support Sony's breathing compensation function during movie recording.
The new lenses are compatible with Sony's optional teleconverters, further extending their reach. The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS can reach up to 800mm, while the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS can reach up to 1200mm when paired with compatible teleconverters. For handling, both lenses feature four customisable focus-hold buttons positioned around the barrel. They also include a function ring, focus range limiter, Full-time DMF switch, focus mode switch and image stabilisation mode switch. The lenses feature dust and moisture resistance along with a fluorine coating on the front element to help resist contaminants during outdoor shooting.
Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS Price in India
The Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS is priced at Rs 3,10,990, while the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS costs Rs 4,28,990 in India and are available from today, through Sony Centers, Alpha Flagship stores, Sony authorised dealers and major electronics stores, along with e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart.
Sony's biggest pitch with these two lenses is not simply longer reach, but making 400mm and 600mm super-telephoto photography considerably easier to carry and use handheld. At under 1kg each, the two G Master primes bring an unusually lightweight approach to wildlife, bird and sports photography while retaining Sony's focus on fast AF, high resolution and stabilisation.
