SONY GM 100 - 400 f/4.0 coming - peak lens

[joger]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

 

[IlSY]

Put me down for 1 please, if the rumors are true.

 

[LarryRC]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

I heard that there would be a G -AND- a GM version.

 

[aSevenArr]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the IQ of the current 100-400 GM (one of my personal favorite Sony lenses). The slightly "loose barrel" design could be improved, but that's about it IMHO.

BUT .. No doubt they will still trigger a slew of upgrades .. but the IQ improvements are sure to be marginal at best (I base this assertion on how good the current version really is).

So, I doubt that I will upgrade .. the current version is plenty tack sharp. I only wish the lens didn't "extend itself" as you walk around with it (I use a rubber band hack to stop this).

 

[Hotel Lonely]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the IQ of the current 100-400 GM (one of my personal favorite Sony lenses). The slightly "loose barrel" design could be improved, but that's about it IMHO.

BUT .. No doubt they will still trigger a slew of upgrades .. but the IQ improvements are sure to be marginal at best (I base this assertion on how good the current version really is).

So, I doubt that I will upgrade .. the current version is plenty tack sharp. I only wish the lens didn't "extend itself" as you walk around with it (I use a rubber band hack to stop this).

I have to say that when shooting on mobile, the 100-400GM's barrel design is just a fair bit too flexible and the flexture is obviously causing image quality issues some times. Not always (since there's also motion compensation to consider). But I do prefer a setup that is having a sturdy barrel holding the entire lens. I don't mind if it's a "fake internal zoom", I just want it to be sturdy.

 

[joger]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the IQ of the current 100-400 GM (one of my personal favorite Sony lenses). The slightly "loose barrel" design could be improved, but that's about it IMHO.

BUT .. No doubt they will still trigger a slew of upgrades .. but the IQ improvements are sure to be marginal at best (I base this assertion on how good the current version really is).

So, I doubt that I will upgrade .. the current version is plenty tack sharp. I only wish the lens didn't "extend itself" as you walk around with it (I use a rubber band hack to stop this).

I have to say that when shooting on mobile, the 100-400GM's barrel design is just a fair bit too flexible and the flexture is obviously causing image quality issues some times. Not always (since there's also motion compensation to consider). But I do prefer a setup that is having a sturdy barrel holding the entire lens. I don't mind if it's a "fake internal zoom", I just want it to be sturdy.

The Orginal GM has different flaws that make it hard to buy for me. Starting with the image quality of the G 200 - 600 - which beats it at the long end and continuing at the slow Aperture but relatively high weight the G200 - 600 becomes the more attractive offering all together.

But with a GM 100 - 400 with constant f/4.0 everything would change like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 that new GM would be a game changer.

Paired with a slow G 100 - 400 f/4.5 - 6.3 this would absolutely make a lot of sense.

 

[jhunna]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

I heard that there would be a G -AND- a GM version.

Same, and I am far more interested in the G version... If it can take a tcl and has a 72mm filter size it will fit in perfectly with Sony's other recent G zooms.

 

[RE Alpha]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the IQ of the current 100-400 GM (one of my personal favorite Sony lenses). The slightly "loose barrel" design could be improved, but that's about it IMHO.

BUT .. No doubt they will still trigger a slew of upgrades .. but the IQ improvements are sure to be marginal at best (I base this assertion on how good the current version really is).

So, I doubt that I will upgrade .. the current version is plenty tack sharp. I only wish the lens didn't "extend itself" as you walk around with it (I use a rubber band hack to stop this).

I have to say that when shooting on mobile, the 100-400GM's barrel design is just a fair bit too flexible and the flexture is obviously causing image quality issues some times. Not always (since there's also motion compensation to consider). But I do prefer a setup that is having a sturdy barrel holding the entire lens. I don't mind if it's a "fake internal zoom", I just want it to be sturdy.

The Orginal GM has different flaws that make it hard to buy for me. Starting with the image quality of the G 200 - 600 - which beats it at the long end and continuing at the slow Aperture but relatively high weight the G200 - 600 becomes the more attractive offering all together.

But with a GM 100 - 400 with constant f/4.0 everything would change like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 that new GM would be a game changer.

Paired with a slow G 100 - 400 f/4.5 - 6.3 this would absolutely make a lot of sense.

The 100-400GM seems an interesting option. How would it compare it to the 300GM + 1.4 converter? As this combo is used by a lot of wild life photographers. It does give us more exciting options.

The G version of the 100-400G combined with the 200-600 is also a very nice combination indeed.

 

[Logan Nolag]

Probably going to be huge and expensive likely a similar size to the 200-600 or 400-800. I think the G version will be the true successor to the current GM and the new 100-400 will be an exotic lens similar to the old Nikon 200-400 f4 so were probably looking ay $7000+ for the GM.

 

[number_5]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the IQ of the current 100-400 GM (one of my personal favorite Sony lenses). The slightly "loose barrel" design could be improved, but that's about it IMHO.

BUT .. No doubt they will still trigger a slew of upgrades .. but the IQ improvements are sure to be marginal at best (I base this assertion on how good the current version really is).

So, I doubt that I will upgrade .. the current version is plenty tack sharp. I only wish the lens didn't "extend itself" as you walk around with it (I use a rubber band hack to stop this).

My 100-400 GM is very sharp, almost as sharp as the 600/4, but the 600 renders the image much better. I am curious about the 100-400/4 with the 1.4TC which gets me to 580/4. How much interest probably depends the weight. Sony's recent GM/G lenses are fairly light.

 

[Martin_99]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the IQ of the current 100-400 GM (one of my personal favorite Sony lenses). The slightly "loose barrel" design could be improved, but that's about it IMHO.

BUT .. No doubt they will still trigger a slew of upgrades .. but the IQ improvements are sure to be marginal at best (I base this assertion on how good the current version really is).

So, I doubt that I will upgrade .. the current version is plenty tack sharp. I only wish the lens didn't "extend itself" as you walk around with it (I use a rubber band hack to stop this).

My 100-400 GM is very sharp, almost as sharp as the 600/4, but the 600 renders the image much better. I am curious about the 100-400/4 with the 1.4TC which gets me to 580/4.

It will actually get you to 560mm f5.6

How much interest probably depends the weight. Sony's recent GM/G lenses are fairly light.

 

[number_5]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the IQ of the current 100-400 GM (one of my personal favorite Sony lenses). The slightly "loose barrel" design could be improved, but that's about it IMHO.

BUT .. No doubt they will still trigger a slew of upgrades .. but the IQ improvements are sure to be marginal at best (I base this assertion on how good the current version really is).

So, I doubt that I will upgrade .. the current version is plenty tack sharp. I only wish the lens didn't "extend itself" as you walk around with it (I use a rubber band hack to stop this).

My 100-400 GM is very sharp, almost as sharp as the 600/4, but the 600 renders the image much better. I am curious about the 100-400/4 with the 1.4TC which gets me to 580/4.

It will actually get you to 560mm f5.6

Ops, I stand corrected.

How much interest probably depends the weight. Sony's recent GM/G lenses are fairly light.

 

[joger]

Probably going to be huge and expensive

like all new long GM lenses - € 5 k is realistic IMHO

likely a similar size to the 200-600

Shorter and a tiny bit bulkier and I’d hope for an internal zoom

or 400-800. I think the G version will be the true successor to the current GM

correct - the current GM 100-400 holds not up to the today’s upped GM standards

and the new 100-400 will be an exotic lens similar to the old Nikon 200-400 f4 so were probably looking ay $7000+ for the GM.

The GM 300 is also not an exotic lens and many here in the forum own one. Unfortunately the GM 100-400 will likely be a bit larger and heavier compared to the GM 300 - I am very curious what Sony was able to achieve.

 

[joger]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

I heard that there would be a G -AND- a GM version.

Same, and I am far more interested in the G version... If it can take a tcl and has a 72mm filter size it will fit in perfectly with Sony's other recent G zooms.

Probably f/6.3 @ 400 mm and t/7 .. 8ish or so - even with modern sensors you seldomly have enough light for that. The GM 100-400 has @ f/5.6 at-stop of f/6.4

 

[jhunna]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

I heard that there would be a G -AND- a GM version.

Same, and I am far more interested in the G version... If it can take a tcl and has a 72mm filter size it will fit in perfectly with Sony's other recent G zooms.

Probably f/6.3 @ 400 mm and t/7 .. 8ish or so - even with modern sensors you seldomly have enough light for that. The GM 100-400 has @ f/5.6 at-stop of f/6.4

It is an outdoor lens so even f8+ is going to be fine. And even at high iso, with today's post processing and modern sensors f6.3 will be more than enough.

 

[techjedi]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the IQ of the current 100-400 GM (one of my personal favorite Sony lenses). The slightly "loose barrel" design could be improved, but that's about it IMHO.

BUT .. No doubt they will still trigger a slew of upgrades .. but the IQ improvements are sure to be marginal at best (I base this assertion on how good the current version really is).

So, I doubt that I will upgrade .. the current version is plenty tack sharp. I only wish the lens didn't "extend itself" as you walk around with it (I use a rubber band hack to stop this).

Not sure if you missed this or it just wasn't a deciding factor for you, but if the rumor is true, the new 100-400 will be a constant f4.0 rather than the current one which is f4.5-5.6. Even if there are no IQ improvements or any other functional improvements, this is quite the upgrade for some photographers.

 

[joger]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

I heard that there would be a G -AND- a GM version.

Same, and I am far more interested in the G version... If it can take a tcl and has a 72mm filter size it will fit in perfectly with Sony's other recent G zooms.

Probably f/6.3 @ 400 mm and t/7 .. 8ish or so - even with modern sensors you seldomly have enough light for that. The GM 100-400 has @ f/5.6 at-stop of f/6.4

It is an outdoor lens so even f8+ is going to be fine.

Midday in the Caribbean

with 400 mm I prefer to shoot @ 1/2000 s at f/8 this is going to be a challenge in many situations other than top lit scenarios - everything with action is almost excluded.

I agree that for static objects this is not an issue carrying a stable tripod or having a very good monopod with very steady hands

And even at high iso, with today's post processing and modern sensors f6.3 will be more than enough.

Absolutely - this generates wonderful AI images.

The reason for me to carry lenses on a relatively large sensor is to get a bit away from the AI generated things on my smartphone - otherwise the SmartPhone wins in every thinkable comparison due to size and weight savings and the AI works wonderful and generates first class results even in dim situations.

 

[joger]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the IQ of the current 100-400 GM (one of my personal favorite Sony lenses). The slightly "loose barrel" design could be improved, but that's about it IMHO.

BUT .. No doubt they will still trigger a slew of upgrades .. but the IQ improvements are sure to be marginal at best (I base this assertion on how good the current version really is).

So, I doubt that I will upgrade .. the current version is plenty tack sharp. I only wish the lens didn't "extend itself" as you walk around with it (I use a rubber band hack to stop this).

Not sure if you missed this or it just wasn't a deciding factor for you, but if the rumor is true, the new 100-400 will be a constant f4.0 rather than the current one which is f4.5-5.6. Even if there are no IQ improvements or any other functional improvements, this is quite the upgrade for some photographers.

the current GM 100 .. 400 has a t-stop of t/6.4 @ 400 mm while the new one will have f/4.0 acc. to the rumor and this might result in t/4.5ish light transmission - on other words probably more than one stop in real world scenarios - or 1/2000 s instead of 1/800 s @ the very same ISO setting - can make a huge difference in real world scenarios.

 

[jhunna]

To repeat myself - we’re living in peak lens

A 100 - 400 to beat them all

SAR isclaiming that it will be released within the upcoming weeks - that could become a sports photographer‘s dream come true. Like the GM 50 - 150 f/2.0 no lens for me but a further proof point, that SONY is the ultimate choice for quality oriented photographers of all kinds.

I heard that there would be a G -AND- a GM version.

Same, and I am far more interested in the G version... If it can take a tcl and has a 72mm filter size it will fit in perfectly with Sony's other recent G zooms.

Probably f/6.3 @ 400 mm and t/7 .. 8ish or so - even with modern sensors you seldomly have enough light for that. The GM 100-400 has @ f/5.6 at-stop of f/6.4

It is an outdoor lens so even f8+ is going to be fine.

Midday in the Caribbean

with 400 mm I prefer to shoot @ 1/2000 s at f/8 this is going to be a challenge in many situations other than top lit scenarios - everything with action is almost excluded.

This is a good point, I tend to shoot between 1/60 and 1/1000 for obvious reasons. I haven't needed 1/2000 or faster yet, so I can make f8 work for most of my shooting situations, including sports, at night, in the rain.

I agree that for static objects this is not an issue carrying a stable tripod or having a very good monopod with very steady hands.

I have pretty good hands and good ibis/vr/OIS. I shoot a lot of video and photos and most of the time I can get something worth looking at...

And even at high iso, with today's post processing and modern sensors f6.3 will be more than enough.

Absolutely - this generates wonderful AI images.

Yeah... I am not liking the way some of my photos are looking out of camera even. I did some lowlight high iso shots, and the in camera noise correction looked like AI. Glad I have the RAWs as backup.

The reason for me to carry lenses on a relatively large sensor is to get a bit away from the AI generated things on my smartphone - otherwise the SmartPhone wins in every thinkable comparison due to size and weight savings and the AI works wonderful and generates first class results even in dim situations.

Funny you mention this, because from 24-70 I have a hard time justifying anything other than a good phone for candids. The only thing is that a good camera will get you access (or banned) when phone will not.

 

[WhistlerNorth]

Excuse me for my question but are we talking about two different upcoming lenses when the terms G or GM are used. I had been hoping for something in the 100-500 range like the popular Canon lens but also would be content waiting for a replacement as well of the current 100-400.