After 8 years +, is it likely that Sony will release an updated version of the 100-400 GM ? Hoping they make a great update with a built in 1.4 Teleconverter? I haven’t read many rumours about a successor. Is it because the original 100-400 GM is going to be hard to improve on? Is there a new version on the future Sony roadmap? I’m considering this focal range as the 200-600 is too heavy for me. For aircraft photography.
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Successor to Sony 100-400 GM ?
- Thread starter Xshooter
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Lan
Veteran Member
It feels like something they should be working on, but I thought that a year or two back, and still tumbleweeds... I can pretty much guarantee that when I buy the mark 1, the mark 2 will be released immediately after my return window has closed though. 
AlephNull
Veteran Member
I think the question is "why?". Developing a new lens is expensive, and something that a company embarks upon when they have some confidence that the product will sell more than enough to recoup the cost of development.
Sony replaced their first three GM lenses because they did not live up to the GM vision. I think the 100-400 is fine.
I'm quite enjoying their forays into new and unusual GM lenses - the 28-70 f/2 and the 50-150 f/2 are both superb. I'd like to see them do more projects like these, rather than re-visit existing lenses which already fill their place.
It's certainly possible that Sony might revisit the 100-400, especially if their big customers express a need for something new, but in the absence of that, I'd guess that the current lens will remain for some time to come. Lenses can remain current for a long time - there was at least one Canon EF lens (the 135mm f/2) which was current for over 20 years.
Arcimboldo
Leading Member
Absolutely agree, the 100-400 GM is a mediocre lens by today‘s, and especially Sony‘s, standards. The 70-200 GM II improved so much on its predecessor, and it‘s almost 4 years since that came out.
Arcimboldo
Leading Member
Haha, great, so could you please buy the mk1 ASAP so that we others can have the mk2?It feels like something they should be working on, but I thought that a year or two back, and still tumbleweeds... I can pretty much guarantee that when I buy the mark 1, the mark 2 will be released immediately after my return window has closed though.
Certainly wouldn‘t mind seeing a MkII version that improves significantly on the weight aspect of the lens, similar to how the 70-200 GM improved from MkI to MkII.
But I don‘t think it‘s high on the priority list for Sony. The 100-400 GM sits quite comfortably among its peers from Canon, Nikon, and Sigma. The competitors are neither sharper nor lighter, nor are they more compact or faster. AF is fast and image stabilization, when needed, is very good.
To me, that doesn‘t sound like a lens that offers plenty of incentives for Sony to work on an updated version. There‘s simply no need.
But I don‘t think it‘s high on the priority list for Sony. The 100-400 GM sits quite comfortably among its peers from Canon, Nikon, and Sigma. The competitors are neither sharper nor lighter, nor are they more compact or faster. AF is fast and image stabilization, when needed, is very good.
To me, that doesn‘t sound like a lens that offers plenty of incentives for Sony to work on an updated version. There‘s simply no need.
Foxjet
Senior Member
Exactly my experience using this lens.
rrockley
Leading Member
What is a built-in teleconverter?
Others will know better than I do. Here’s my understanding. You don’t need to remove the lens to attach a teleconverter, exposing the sensor and lens to dust. It is a built in teleconverter that you switch on or off. When switched off you get the natural focal length of the lens with light gathering at its largest aperture, when you switch on the built in 1.4 x converter, I understand the focal length will increase by 1.4 x, however you lose a stop of light.
Hotel Lonely
Leading Member
Yeah a built-in teleconverter would be very great.
I'm okay with a larger but brighter 100-400gm ii as well.
Arcimboldo
Leading Member
PWPhotography
Forum Pro
I wish Sony released a brand new FE 100-500 GM, similar to Canon RF version without its weird TC mount limitation. Sony could make a bit faster in aperture at tele side around the same or a little lighter. Canon RF 100-500L IS is even a bit lighter than 100-400 GM. Such zoom will be very popular and versatile that effectively combine 100-400 GM and 200-600 G into one lens. It will be expensive however.
Years later personally I don't need a such lens anymore as getting old, shifting interest in video gradually and already owned 300 GM
Jeff2013
Senior Member
I find the 200-600mm much easier to track BIF, than the GM 100-400mm due to the quick and easy to change internal zoom. Yes, I understand that going the internal zoom route would increase the size.
An internal teleconverter would be great, as well as extending the long end to 500mm, like the Canon lens.
Given the many outstanding recent Sony lens releases, using the latest optical design technology and their new precision manufacturing processes, I'm sure they could squeeze-out a bit more optical performance, as well. Every bit of improvement can be helpful for often-cropped nature photography.
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Jeff
Florida, USA
http://www.jefftitteringtonphoto.com
An internal teleconverter would be great, as well as extending the long end to 500mm, like the Canon lens.
Given the many outstanding recent Sony lens releases, using the latest optical design technology and their new precision manufacturing processes, I'm sure they could squeeze-out a bit more optical performance, as well. Every bit of improvement can be helpful for often-cropped nature photography.
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Jeff
Florida, USA
http://www.jefftitteringtonphoto.com
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Brian_Smith
Senior Member
Quite possibly. The FE 100-400 GM was the first lens with four XD linear focus motors. Many of the lenses that have been updated used stepping motors. My guess is the lens will only get updated when Sony can add a number of major improvements - not minor ones.
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Brian Smith
Sony Artisan of Imagery
Brian Smith Pictures
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Hotel Lonely
Leading Member
Uhm no it's not using XD, it's just DDSSW motor. But yes it should be updated now.
The Ryantist
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I had the 100-400 and go to a lot of air shows. It's a great focal range for that. But yes it's not as sharp as many newer lenses. I was always stopping down mine to f/8 without the 1.4 TC or f/11 with the 1.4 TC. Stopping down one stop made a drastic difference in sharpness with my copy. It was about a coin flip whether the TC was better than just cropping. And this was all on a 24 MP sensor.
One thing that really bugged me was the mechanics of the external zoom. Mine would suffer the creep when holding it face down, even if the ring was on the "tight" setting. And my arm would get tired from zooming in & out many times over the course of a day.
Otherwise I got lots of great shots with the 100-400 at air shows. It is a really good lens.
The 70-200 GM II was a major improvement in size, weight, performance, and image quality (except not at 400 mm). I can't see any IQ loss with the 1.4x TC, and the with the 2x TC it's on par with the 100-400, except the 70-200 with 2x TC has more color fringing.
So if Sony could come up with a 100-400 GM II with the modern optical formula similar to the improvements in the 70-200 GM II, and make it an internal zoom, and keep the weight below 1500 g (yes the internal zoom will be larger than existing), I think that would be a big winner.
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I was fortunate to be able to upgrade to the A1 and 300/2.8 with 1.4 TC and that is just in another league. This combo is still pixel-level-sharp at 50 MP. (Also the no-blackout EVF is another game changer).
The downside is that now I'm carrying 2 lenses on 2 bodies: the 70-200 and the 300, and I have a 1.4x TC on both of them. So I basically have 100-420 mm f/4. At least each one by itself isn't too heavy.
One thing that really bugged me was the mechanics of the external zoom. Mine would suffer the creep when holding it face down, even if the ring was on the "tight" setting. And my arm would get tired from zooming in & out many times over the course of a day.
Otherwise I got lots of great shots with the 100-400 at air shows. It is a really good lens.
The 70-200 GM II was a major improvement in size, weight, performance, and image quality (except not at 400 mm). I can't see any IQ loss with the 1.4x TC, and the with the 2x TC it's on par with the 100-400, except the 70-200 with 2x TC has more color fringing.
So if Sony could come up with a 100-400 GM II with the modern optical formula similar to the improvements in the 70-200 GM II, and make it an internal zoom, and keep the weight below 1500 g (yes the internal zoom will be larger than existing), I think that would be a big winner.
*
I was fortunate to be able to upgrade to the A1 and 300/2.8 with 1.4 TC and that is just in another league. This combo is still pixel-level-sharp at 50 MP. (Also the no-blackout EVF is another game changer).
The downside is that now I'm carrying 2 lenses on 2 bodies: the 70-200 and the 300, and I have a 1.4x TC on both of them. So I basically have 100-420 mm f/4. At least each one by itself isn't too heavy.
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Hotel Lonely
Leading Member
A 100 400 with better IQ and AF would be a dream, and with internal 1.4x? I can use that lens to 2077.
Interceptor121
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Other than sustaining the frame rate the tamron seems equally sharp and a better option if you wanted to use for landscapes
SmokeAndMirrorless
Forum Enthusiast
What specifically do you want improved? The 100-400 is one of my most used lenses. I would not describe it as "mediocre".
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