Sony 300 mm F2.8 GM OSS: lightweight professional telephoto lens
7.11.2023
Translation: machine translated
High image quality, fast autofocus and, above all, low weight: Sony's new fast 300 mm fixed focal length will probably be seen on many cameras at the Olympic Games. I already got my hands on it at the launch event.
The Olympic Games will take place next year. With this in mind, Sony is launching a new professional telephoto lens on the market: the Sony G Master FE 300 mm F2.8 GM OSS closes a gap in the line-up between the zoom lenses and the even longer fixed focal lengths. 300 millimetres are suitable for photographing indoor sports or for full-body shots in tennis or football, for example.
According to Sony, the image quality is excellent. The MTF chart practically does not fall off towards the edges. The image should therefore be sharp right into the corners - even at an aperture of f/2.8. Eleven aperture blades also ensure a beautiful bokeh, and light reflections should also be well under control thanks to special lens coatings. The focus is quick and precise: two linear XD focus motors move the lens elements at the rear of the lens.
Progress, especially in terms of weight
This high imaging performance and fast autofocus are important, but nothing special these days. However, the size and weight of the Sony 300 mm F2.8 are exceptional: it is only 26.5 centimetres long and weighs 1470 grams. Comparable lenses from Canon and Nikon are just under a kilo (Canon) or even over a kilo (Nikon) heavier. This is also due to the fact that the two other major camera manufacturers have not yet updated their fast 300 mm lenses for mirrorless bayonets. Canon offers the more flexible RF 100-300 mm F2.8 as an alternative, but it is also over a kilo heavier and more expensive.
In a first hands-on test, the Sony 300 mm F2.8 actually felt very good in the hand. This is helped by the centre of gravity, which is far back in the lens. The combination with a Sony Alpha 1 feels very well balanced - much more comfortable than with heavier telephoto lenses. The low weight and this balance will make a big difference for many professionals. It means that they can shoot handheld on longer assignments rather than needing a monopod.
Source: Elisa Hoffmann
The lens is compatible with Sony's teleconverters. It comes with all the latest functions and controls: The image stabiliser has three modes. One for normal stabilisation, one for panning and one that only activates during shooting - so that the stabiliser does not undesirably change the image section during fast camera movements. Four buttons and a rotating ring can be assigned various functions in the camera.
The new telephoto lens is not cheap, but it is not much more expensive than the competition: it costs 6499 francs or 6699 euros at launch. The first units are expected in mid-January 2024.
Sony presented the Alpha 9 III at the same time as the new lens. It has a global shutter, which is a small revolution. I have already been able to try it out in combination with the 300 mm F2.8:
Cover picture: Samuel Buchmann
Samuel Buchmann
Senior Editor
Samuel.Buchmann@digitecgalaxus.chMy fingerprint often changes so drastically that my MacBook doesn't recognise it anymore. The reason? If I'm not clinging to a monitor or camera, I'm probably clinging to a rockface by the tips of my fingers.
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