Sony Launches New G Master Brand Of Interchangeable Lenses

Sony launched the new a6300 camera and a trio of lenses in the company’s brand new G Master line today in a press event in New York City. These lenses are designed, according to Sony, to provide the highest possible resolution from today’s sensors and are designed to keep pace with technological advances in the years to come. The company uses their own glass production facilities to craft these lenses, and include super-high quality topics, they report.

The company gave journalists the opportunity to sample the new lenses. We have posted a gallery of these images on the Flickr site of The Mirrorless Pro, who helped in today’s coverage. The new 85mm f/1.4 GM and the 24-70mm f/2.8 GM were made available, and will ship in March.

A gallery of images is available here. https://flic.kr/s/aHsku1PhKz

The closest comparison for the 85mm f/1.4 is the current Zeiss Batis lens, which has, as far as we’ve seen today, a very similar look.

We will have these lenses in for review in a few weeks, and will be doing more extensive testing, but in initial testing these lenses performed excellently, living up to Sony’s claims of smooth “bokeh” and impressive sharpness. — David Schloss

Resolution and Beautiful Bokeh—Hallmarks of New Sony G Master Lens Line

Sony introduced a trio of G Master full-frame lenses today, launching a new flagship line of FE optics. The first models are the triumvirate of lenses most often found in photographers’ camera bags: the FE 24-70mm F2.8, FE 85mm F1.4 and the FE 70-200mm F2.8 OSS. A pair of 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters for the new 70-200mm F2.8 lens was also announced.

Sony emphasized the need for lenses that have the resolving power for increasingly higher megapixel sensors now and in the future. At the same time, the lenses were designed to deliver excellent bokeh by creating a smooth transition from sharp to defocused backgrounds. All of this is achieved, in part, by implementing advanced technology including a unique glass molding process for producing XA (extreme aspherical) elements. Additionally, this process allows Sony to shape lenses within 0.01 micron surface precision, for smooth transition to background defocus to make images look more realistic. For more details, see the press release below and Sony’s website (www.sony.com). The new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Standard Zoom and 85mm F1.4 GM Telephoto prime lenses will be available in March for about $2,200 and $1,800, respectively (in Canada pricing is $2,900 CA and $2,400 CA, respectively). The new 70-200mm F2.8 GM lens and 1.4x and 2x Teleconverters are slated to ship in May. Pricing is not yet available for these models. — Theano Nikitas

NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2016 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced their flagship G Master™ brand of interchangeable lenses.

Sony’s new brand includes three new E-mount full frame lenses including a 24-70mm constant F2.8 standard zoom, an 85mm F1.4 prime and a 70-200mm constant F2.8 telephoto zoom.   Representing the ultimate blend of high resolution and beautiful bokeh, the new lenses feature Sony’s innovative optical element technology, design and calibration.  This allows them to produce still image and video content with a level of detail and expression that has never before been possible.

“The new G Master brand represents the finest and most impressive group of lenses that Sony has ever brought to market,” said Neal Manowitz, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics.  “With our knowledge of what the future will bring for digital imaging, we have designed these lenses and can ensure that the G Master brand will inspire and ‘wow’ photographers and videographers for years to come.”

New FE24-70mm F2.8 GM Standard Zoom Lens

Featuring some of the most advanced lens technologies in market today, the new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM (model SEL2470GM) is the ultimate choice for those seeking the highest possible optical performance for portrait, travel and event photography or even simple everyday shooting1.

The new lens is built with three aspherical elements including a newly developed, extremely precise XA (extreme aspherical) element that reduces aberration and delivers the ultimate resolution throughout the entire zoom range and aperture range, as well as from corner to corner of all image files.   Additionally, an ED (Extra-low-Dispersion) glass element and Super ED glass element keep chromatic aberration to a minimum while maximizing resolution and bokeh without any unnatural coloration.

The lens features a 9-bladed aperture that maintains a near circular shape at all settings and is coated with Sony’s original Nano AR coating to suppress reflections and ensure spectacular contrast and clarity.

The new FE24-70mm F2.8 GM lens has a direct drive SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) focusing system that works with incredible efficiency thanks to a new set of algorithms that positions the lens elements quickly and accurately.  The motor is smooth and quiet, making it an ideal choice for shooting both still images as well as movies.

To maximize usability, the lens is dust and moisture resistant and features a compact, streamlined design that includes AF/MF switch as well as focus hold, zoom lock and hood release buttons.

Two new matching filters for the FE24-70mm F2.8 GM lens have also been introduced, including the VF-82MP MC protector and VF-82CPAM Circular PL filter..

New FE 85mm F1.4 GM Telephoto Prime Lens

Designed as the ultimate portrait lens, the long-awaited new FE 85mm F1.4 GM telephoto prime lens (model SEL85F14GM) strikes a perfect balance between resolution and bokeh in a compact package.

The lens features a new XA (extreme aspherical) element as well as three ED glass elements that work together to ensure that the in-focus areas are captured in extremely high resolution while the surrounding out-of-focus areas dissolve smoothly into a beautiful soft backdrop. It has a circular aperture with 11 blades – the most ever used in an α lens – that ensures bokeh is smooth and visually appealing.  Externally, the new model has Sony’s original Nano AR Coating, which is of particular importance in a portrait lens as it reduces flare and ghosting, even with backlit subjects or similarly challenging lighting conditions.

For accurate autofocusing, the FE 85mm F1.4 GM lens includes a ring drive SSM motor system that provides ample power and speed to drive the lens’ large, heavy focus group. It’s also equipped with two position sensors to support flawless focus control of the large, heavy lens elements.

This new professional portrait lens is dust and moisture resistant and also has an aperture ring with on/off switchable click stops that can be adjusted based on whether a user is shooting still images or movies.  It also has an AF / MF switch and a focus hold button2.

New FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Telephoto Zoom

Covering the frequently used 70-200mm focal range, the new FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS telephoto zoom lens (model SEL70200GM) offers extremely high rendering, AF performance and image stabilization, making it a versatile choice for shooting wildlife, sports, weddings and a variety of other events and locations1.

The new flagship telephoto zoom model delivers extraordinary sharpness and clarity throughout the entirety of its zoom range thanks to its three advanced lens elements including XA, Super ED and ED glass components, as well as its Nano AR coating.

The new FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS lens features a floating focusing system – implemented in an α zoom lens for the first time – that contributes to an impressive minimum focusing distance of merely 0.96m and ensures AF performance is optimized during both still and video shooting.  The lens includes a SSM (Super Sonic Motor) plus dual linear motors that work together to move large lens elements quickly – a task that requires a high level of drive control and ensures focus accuracy.    The new model also has built in Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization for capturing sharp, blur-free subjects at all focal lengths and a rotating tripod mount that allows the camera to be quickly removed from a connected tripod as needed.

The new 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens is dust and moisture resistant with an additional fluorine coating added to the front lens.  It also has a focus hold button as well as a focal range limiter.

Sony has also announced new compact 1.4x and 2x Teleconverters  – models SEL14TC and SEL20TC respectively – that offer even greater reach while maintaining the overall streamlined design and feel of the 70-200mm lens.3

Pricing and Availability

The new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Standard Zoom and 85mm F1.4 GM Telephoto prime lenses will be available in March for about $2,200 and $1,800, respectively.  In Canada, they will be sold for $2,900 CA and $2,400 CA, respectively.

The new 70-200mm F2.8 GM Telephoto Zoom Lens and its compatible 1.4x and 2x Teleconverters will be available in May.  Pricing is not yet available for these models.

The new G Master Series of interchangeable lenses will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.