The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM lens presents fixed f/2 throughout a massively helpful vary, providing you with tighter framing and background separation with out leaping to primes. Can it change all these primes?
Coming to you from Lee Zavitz, this detailed video walks by way of real-world capturing with the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM lens. You see why a continuing f/2 at 150mm adjustments your look, particularly for headshots, the place compression meets shallow depth of discipline. Zavitz notes it’s roughly the size of the 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II however wider and heavier, and there’s no optical stabilization, so that you’ll depend on your digital camera’s IBIS. You additionally get quick quad XD linear motors, three focus maintain buttons, a declickable aperture ring.
Zavitz pushes the lens large open for many of the session and exhibits how eye AF stays sticky, even beneath a hat brim and with backlight. The interior zoom design retains the steadiness constant, useful in the event you shoot on a gimbal or transfer shortly between setups. Autofocus is tuned for high-speed our bodies, with Sony stating help as much as 120 fps bursts on the a9 III, and Zavitz studies near-perfect hit charges even on a distinct physique.
Key Specs
Focal size: 50 to 150mm
Aperture: Most f/2, minimal f/22
Lens mount: Sony E
Minimal focus distance: 1.3′ / 40 cm (large) to 2.4′ / 74 cm (tele)
Magnification: 0.2x, 1:5 copy ratio
Optical design: 19 components in 17 teams
Aperture blades: 11, rounded
Focus: Autofocus with quad XD linear motors
Picture stabilization: No
Tripod mount: Detachable, rotating collar
Filter measurement: 95mm (entrance)
Dimensions: ø 4 x L 7.9″ / ø 102.8 x L 200 mm
Weight: 2.9 lb / 1,340 g
If you happen to shoot weddings or portraits, this focal vary hits all of the traditional compositions with out swapping lenses. At 50mm, you possibly can work environmental scenes, then roll to 150mm for compressed, creamy backgrounds that preserve distractions out. The shortage of optical stabilization gained’t trouble you for posed work at quick shutter speeds, however in the event you shoot handheld video or low gentle, you’ll desire a physique with sturdy IBIS or help.
Zavitz compares the lens to 2 apparent options. First, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD, which opens to f/2 however stops right down to f/2.8 as you zoom, and has a wider place to begin at 35mm for extra versatility. Second, the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II, which supplies you longer attain and is lighter, with built-in stabilization that helps for video and slower shutter speeds. The 50-150mm f/2 GM is extra specialised, buying and selling a little bit of attain and stabilization for that constant f/2 look throughout the vary.
At round $3,900, that is geared toward working execs who worth a constant aesthetic and velocity beneath strain. If you happen to’re constructing a two-lens equipment with the Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 GM, the pairing covers 28-150mm at f/2, which is a robust occasion setup in the event you can deal with the dimensions and price. The 95mm filter thread is huge, so price range for filters accordingly.
You’ll additionally see how the interior zoom and 11-blade aperture assist with clean transitions and round bokeh as you cease down. Zavitz assessments eye AF beneath difficult angles and backlight, which exhibits how the motors and algorithms deal with actual topics who transfer and blink. He additionally flips into APS-C/Tremendous 35 for a tighter 225mm-equivalent view at f/2, which may be useful in a pinch. Try the video above for the complete rundown from Zavitz.
