On my belly in the sand, steadying a Sony a9 and then unannounced 600mm on a monopod, I composed the shot of an American oystercatcher. Then a photographer next to me said, “Hey Byron, there’s a tick on your neck.”
Sony announcing a lens of this extreme tele focal length—two of them actually, the other is a 200-600mm zoom—is the story. With these lenses, the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS and Sony FE 600mm F4 G Master OSS, Sony’s system now gives wildlife and sports photographers two more options for super-tele perspectives, following the 400mm prime released last year.
Photographing a nesting pair of oystercatchers that returned to Caven Point just 3 years ago was thrilling in itself. The tick alert just added to the tension. Vaguely remembering that ticks take “a while” to burrow into your skin, I continued to push the shutter release and captured the catcher’s distinctive black and white plumage with a long, bright orange beak as it circled a wind-shaped dune. Once the AF locked onto the bird, I was free to follow it, recomposing while it moved and even when other shorebirds got between me and it. That’s Sony AF and linear motor tech at work.
Shooting 20fps with a lens that’s moving at 14x per second, I had a 100 percent success rate. While your eyes (mine too) may glaze over reading the tech specs, photographers should understand the shooting experience I had at Caven Point in Liberty State Park, New Jersey, delivered on the mirrorless promise.
The a9 and 600mm combined are lighter, faster, sharper—and you’re not going to miss the shot, even if a bit distracted by a parasitic arachnid. The naturalist accompanying us eventually flicked the tick off my neck, delivering on her promise to guide us safely.
Check out the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS and the Sony FE 600mm F4 G Master OSS on B&H!
Sony 600mm: XD Linear Motor
A pair of XD linear motors (exclusive to Sony) with a high-thrust actuator moving the elements and a light body with a low moment of inertia means the 600mm is surprisingly agile. I carried it and the 200-600mm zoom around the point for a few hours without bother. According to the Sony reps present, the XD motors are near solid state, resulting in ultra-fast, pixel-level precision, and a much simpler, lighter design. This photo of the osprey soaring overhead is a perfect example of the AF speed and precision.
I sighted its location, pointed the lens in the direction, the AF locked on in an instant and, well, see for yourself. The AF tracked the osprey as it circled and I snapped a hundred of so frames. All in focus.
The optical formula of the prime is 18 groups and 24 elements. The lenses are built with fluorite coated aspherical elements and with ED glass to minimize aberrations. They produce corner-to-corner sharpness, no chromatic aberration and lovely bokeh. Most importantly, you can use Sony’s teleconverters on both the prime and zoom without any apparent loss in sharpness. My oystercatcher photos were taken using a 1.4x teleconverter for a focal length of 840mm.
Furiously Googling on the bus ride back to the hotel, I learned the dog tick doesn’t transmit disease until after 24 hours attached to its host, so my mind was at ease.
Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS: Zoom Versatility
Of the two lenses, the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS zoom offers more compositional flexibility. It’s the first native, full-frame super telephoto zoom lens designed for mirrorless. It also costs about $11K less at $2K compared to $13K for the 600mm G Master prime. Both lenses are weather sealed and made from magnesium. The zoom uses Sony’s DDSM motors instead of the XD version.
The zoom is built with 17 groups and 24 elements. It’s adroit in the field, feeling much lighter in the hand than it looks. The 75-degree throw on the focusing ring requires just a light touch, and a rotating pincer movement between the thumb and forefinger to change the internal zoom. As I got used to it, zooming between 200mm and 600mm with a half turn of the ring was as natural as releasing the shutter.
Adding the 200-600mm zoom and 600mm prime to their lineup, Sony now has 51 lenses. In context, and considering the mirrorless market, Sony has been at it for over 8 years, with their competition just now coming on strong. In the historical timeline of super teles, more than 40 years after a 600mm was first released, the just-announced Sony 600mm weighs half of what its predecessor weighed. Combined with the a9 body, the system is 3 pounds lighter than a comparable setup from Nikon.
Packed with a travel tripod and the capability to shoot wide open with tack sharp results, I imagined creative expressions these lengths and capabilities offer. I’ll stuff the 200-600mm in a hydration backpack for a mountain bike ride in the North Cascades. That’s where I go to get away from the growth and sprawl of Seattle and can find hooded merganser. At Deception Pass, black oystercatchers pick through coastal shallows, just like their cousins on the East Coast.
What originally got me into mirrorless was reducing weight. That’s because the fun I have is inversely proportional to the weight of camera gear being transported by bike or on a hike.
Considering the debate about brands, are these lenses enough for mirrorless holdouts who need extreme tele focal lengths to switch to Sony? Only time will tell. Oh, and the tick epidemic has hit the West Coast, too. I’m prepared for them now with tightly woven, light clothing covering my arms and legs.
Both lenses will ship in August. The Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS will retail for $2,000. The Sony FE 600mm F4 G Master OSS is priced at $13,00. For additional details, see the official press releases below.
Check out the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS and the Sony FE 600mm F4 G Master OSS on B&H!
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Sony Introduces the New Super-telephoto 600mm F4 G Master Prime Lens
Sony’s Longest Reaching Prime Lens is World’s Lightest in its Class, Featuring High-performance Autofocus, High Resolution and Beautiful Bokeh
SAN DIEGO — June 11, 2019 — Sony Electronics Inc. today announced another impressive addition to its flagship full-frame G Master
series lens lineup: the new FE 600mm F4 GM OSS super-telephoto prime lens (model SEL600F40GM).
As Sony’s longest reaching prime lens, the new 600mm includes many of the company’s most advanced optical and mechanical technologies, producing exceptional image quality with extraordinary focusing speed and precision. The FE 600mm F4 GM OSS is also the lightest lens in its class , weighing in at approx. 6.71 lbs., and features an extremely balanced design to ensure the best possible shooting experience. Along with the acclaimed FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens, the new 600mm lens gives professional sports, wildlife and news photographers more options for capturing subjects at a great distances with extreme accuracy and detail.
“With two new lenses announced today, our growing E-mount lens lineup now includes 33 full-frame models and 51 lenses in total,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging and Professional Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. “The tenth model from our flagship G Master series, the new 600mm F4 raises the bar for speed, mobility and control in a super-telephoto prime lens. Combining the extensive 600mm reach with features like 20 fps shooting and AF/AE calculations at 60 times per second on the α9 or extremely high resolution, high-speed performance on the α7R III allow professional photographers to create images that were simply not possible to capture before.”
Fast, Precise and Quiet Autofocus
To take best advantage of the highly evolved autofocus systems of Sony’s latest full-frame E-mount cameras, the new FE 600mm F4 GM OSS lens features two extreme dynamic (XD) linear motors that drive the lens’ focus group to provide fast, precise AF and reliable subject tracking. These motors are supported by specially developed motion algorithms to minimize lag and instability, as well as to control noise levels, resulting in exceptionally quick, accurate and quiet autofocus performance, allowing the lens to capture dynamic, fast moving athletes or wildlife with ease.
Superb G Master Image Quality and Bokeh
As a member of Sony’s flagship G Master series lenses, this 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 a large extreme aspherical (XA) element that effectively suppress all common telephoto lens aberrations, in addition to three fluorite elements that help to minimize chromatic aberration and suppress any amount of color bleeding. Sony’s latest bokeh simulation technologies and XA element are also utilized to control spherical aberration and help achieve exquisite bokeh.
The lens features an 11-blade circular aperture mechanism that contributes to the high quality of bokeh in images, and it has been coated with Sony’s original Nano AR coating to suppress any unwanted reflections, glare or ghosting in images.
The new FE 600mm F4 GM OSS is compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2.0x E-mount tele-converters, producing outstanding imaging performance at extended focal lengths while maintaining fast, precise AF performance.
Lightweight, Balanced Design
The new super-telephoto prime lens provides a level of portability and maneuverability that has never been achieved before in a lens of its class. Based on technology from the acclaimed FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens, the lightweight design of the new 600mm lens is achieved through the usage of three fluorite elements, with a reduced number of elements deployed at the front of the barrel. Magnesium alloy is also used throughout the lens to help minimize weight and bulk.
Also inherited from FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS, the new 600mm lens features a lens design that is not front-heavy, reducing moment of inertia that resists rotation and ensuring quicker, more precise panning when shooting handheld or on a monopod.
Durability, Reliability and Control
To withstand the harsh conditions of sporting events and wildlife photography, Sony’s new FE 600mm F4 GM OSS is built with a durable magnesium alloy and a strong, lightweight carbon fiber hood. The lens is dust and moisture resistant , and its front element is coated with fluorine to resist dirt and fingerprints.
FE 600mm F4 GM OSS features an ample number of hard controls on the lens, including customizable focus-hold buttons in four different locations on the lens barrel, which can be programmed for control of features, if desired. There is also a Full-Time DMF switch to immediately engage manual focus at any point, and a focus ring that features Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus.
Additionally, the new lens includes built-in optical stabilization for dynamic action and three different ‘Mode’ settings, including a Mode 3 setting with an advanced algorithm that ensures easier framing when following moving subjects. It also features a function ring with selectable ‘Preset’ and ‘Function’ settings, and a drop-in filter slot that accepts ø 40.5mm ND and other filter types, as well as the optional VF-DCPL1 Drop-in Circular Polarizing Filter. The VF-DCPL1 filter can be rotated to achieve the desired polarization while installed in the lens.
Pricing and Availability
The FE 600mm F4 GM OSS will ship in August 2019 for approximately $13,000 US and $16,900 CA. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.
Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new lens and Sony’s other imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony’s Alpha brand.
The new content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery and the Sony Camera Channel on YouTube. For detailed product information, please visit:
(US) – FE 600mm F4 GM OSS (CA) – FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
I. Compared to interchangeable 600mm F4 lenses for 35mm full-frame format camera bodies, as of June 2019. Sony survey
II. When the NEX series, ILCE-3000/3500, ILCE-5000/5100, ILCE-7/7R/7S, is attached, the autofocus function is limited. For details, please visit our support site.
https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/cscs/lens_body/?area=gwt&lang=en&mdl=SEL600F40GM&cat=3
III. Maximum aperture with the 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters is F5.6 and F8, respectively
IV. Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof
V. MODE 3 is supported by the latest α9/α7R III/α7 III software version. Refer to the Sony support site for camera body compatibility information
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Sony Announces New FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS Super-telephoto Zoom Lens
SAN DIEGO — June 11, 2019 — Sony Electronics Inc. today announced another new lens for their expanding full-frame FE lens lineup, the new FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS super-telephoto zoom lens (model SEL200600G).
Sony’s furthest reaching E-mount zoom, the new G Lens series model utilizes many of the company’s most advanced lens design technologies to ensure excellent image quality, high-performance autofocus (AF) and outstanding control. When paired with any of the latest, fastest E-mount camera bodies, it will reliably track and accurately capture all types of moving subjects, including birds, wildlife, athletes in motion and much more.
“We will continue to innovate and expand upon our E-mount lens lineup, which now features 33 full-frame models and 51 lenses in total. The new 200-600mm super-telephoto zoom lens gives Sony’s camera users yet another powerful tool to realize their vision,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging and Professional Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. “For wildlife or bird photographers, sports photography enthusiasts and many others, it offers a new level of creative freedom, striking the ultimate balance between performance and portability.”
Key Features – New FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS super-telephoto zoom lens
Extended reach with built-in stabilization
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Versatile tele-zoom range from 200mm telephoto to 600mm super-telephoto
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Compatible with Sony’s E-mount 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, extending the reach to a maximum of 840mm at F9 or 1200mm at F13 with outstanding image quality and AF performance
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Built-in optical stabilization with three different mode settings, enabling images that are sharp and in-focus at extended super-telephoto focal lengths
High resolution and corner-to-corner sharpness throughout the entire zoom range
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Five extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements and an aspherical element, arranged in a new optical design that minimizes chromatic aberration
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11-blade circular aperture mechanism that ensures beautiful bokeh
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Coated with Sony’s original Nano AR coating to suppress unwanted reflections, glare or ghosting in images
Fast, precise and quiet autofocus
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Equipped with Sony’s Direct Drive SSM (DDSSM) focusing system, which has the power and precision needed to drive the lens mechanism for remarkably fast, accurate focusing
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Advanced focus system for exceptionally quiet operation, avoiding any unwanted noise that can disrupt an unpredictable subject like a resting bird or other forms of wildlife
Internal zoom mechanism for reliable and stable handheld shooting
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Overall lens length does not change while zooming, maintaining consistent balance and distance between the front of the lens and desired shooting subject
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A fixed-length structure – internal zoom mechanism – retains high resistance to dust and moisture in order to deal with difficult outdoor conditions
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Quick zoom operation with light zoom ring torque
Refined control and reliability for use in the field
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Focus ring featuring Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus control
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Three customizable focus-hold buttons, plus a Focus Range Limiter
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Dust and moisture resistant designii and fluorine coating on the front element to resist dirt and fingerprints
Pricing and Availability
The FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS will ship in August 2019 for approximately $2,000 US and $2,600 CA. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.
A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new lens and Sony ‘s other imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony’s Alpha brand.
The new content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery and the Sony Camera Channel on YouTube. For detailed product information, please visit:
(US) – FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS (CA) – FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
I. When the NEX series, ILCE-3000/3500, ILCE-5000/5100, ILCE-7/7R/7S, is attached, the autofocus function is limited. For details, please visit our support site.
https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/cscs/lens_body/?area=gwt&lang=en&mdl=SEL200600G&cat=3
II. Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof
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