Two-minute overviewSony’s fiftieth full-frame lens, the FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS II, is a complete replace of the (virtually) 10-year-old Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS stalwart. It’s a part of a current wave of smaller and lighter second-gen Sony lenses, on this case, it is 15% smaller and lighter than its predecessor, weighing 794g / 28.1 oz, and measuring 149mm / 5.8in lengthy. Lens dimension is a huge deal while you shoot with Sony cameras – they’re smaller than most and might really feel off-balance with a huge chunk of glass on the entrance. I paired the 70-200mm F4 II with the Sony A7C R, which is without doubt one of the greatest journey cameras, plus the crop-sensor Sony A6700 (with which the lens focal size is elevated 1.5x), and each cameras proved a wonderful match with the lens. If this mark II model of the lens was solely smaller and lighter it may very well be price an improve for that cause alone, nevertheless it’s additionally the beneficiary of a complete redesign, which has given it sharper picture high quality, quicker autofocus and subsequent degree macro focusing. Yes, it’s smaller, lighter, sharper, faster and extra versatile than the unique, and among the best Sony lenses round.(Image credit score: Future)The 70-200mm lens is already a versatile focal size – my very own Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 G DSLR lens was my most-used lens for a few years for portraits, weddings and occasions, and likewise proved to be an adept tool for sports activities, wildlife, panorama images and extra. Sony’s 70-200mm F4 II fortunately works in these fields, but in addition provides class-leading macro focusing functionality, as much as 0.5x magnification at any focal size, with a minimal focus distance of 0.26m / 0.86 ft at 70mm, and 0.42m / 1.38ft at 200mm.Add the 2x teleconverter with an unchanged minimal focus distance and the macro functionality is doubled to 1.0x magnification – that’s 1:1 life dimension. I’m usually not a fan of teleconverters; even the perfect soften the picture and might have an effect on colour rendering. In reality, you possibly can see the minimal focus distance in motion, plus the colour shift of the identical scene shot with and with out Sony’s 2x teleconverter, within the pattern photographs beneath. In any case, the 0.5x magnification with out teleconverter beats every other 70-200mm lens and provides one other string to the bow of this versatile zoom lens. Image 1 of twoThe most magnification is 0.5x at its minimal focus distance (Image credit score: Future)With the 2x teleconverter connected, the utmost magnification is doubled to 1.0x (Image credit score: Future)This can also be a well-made and complicated lens, with customizable operate buttons and no fewer than 5 switches overlaying options akin to a focus vary limiter (together with a new macro setting), full-time direct guide focus, SteadyShot optical stabilization and a zoom-lock that fixes the lens in its closed place when not in use – in any other case the lens barrel extends when zooming. Sony additionally says its new linear XD focusing know-how, comprising 4 ‘high-thrust’ focus motors, will increase autofocus monitoring precision, even whereas zooming, and in the end achieves what’s 20% quicker focusing than within the 2014 model. Camera tech has moved on within the 10 years because the authentic 70-200mm F4, too, and while you use the 70-200mm F4 II’s new focusing expertise with a Sony digital camera geared up with the newest Bionz X processor and AI-autofocus chip, focusing is tremendous clever, fast and dependable. For this overview, the 70-200mm F4 II and A7C R have given me lightning-quick and dependable autofocus for images and clean video autofocus. Image 1 of seven(Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II: value and launch dateThe Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II lens prices $1,699 / £1,749 / AU$2,699 and consists of a lens hood and detachable tripod collar. It was accessible from August 2023. That’s an comprehensible value improve given the enhancements on this second-gen mannequin, someplace between the F4 authentic model, and the present pro-level Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 II model. Today’s greatest Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II offersSony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II: Image qualityAn array of superior aspherical and extra-low dispersion parts suppress lens distortion and render sharp element, whereas the 9-blade aperture produces what Sony describes as ‘beautiful full-frame bokeh’. You can see from my self portrait beneath (taken remotely utilizing the Sony Creators’ app, on the lens’ widest attainable F4 aperture) that bokeh is clean with no aberration or onion-ring distortion, whereas the form at F4 is pretty spherical within the middle of the body, but distinctly cat-eye within the corners. I’ve included cropped areas of the image for a higher look. If I had been to take the very same image below an identical situations with Sony’s 70-200mm F2.8 lens as an alternative, or a prime lens with a fair wider aperture, then bokeh would seem bigger, and almost certainly even rounder. For an F4 lens, bokeh is definitely very nice, however portrait specialists would select an F2.8 or wider for that ‘beautiful’ bokeh.Image 1 of 4Portrait made with 200mm F4 lens settings, eye AF and utilizing the Sony Creators’ app distant taking pictures (Image credit score: Future)Closeup of bokeh, cat-eye formed within the corners, comparatively round within the center (Image credit score: Future)Close up revealing sharp element within the portait, on the F4 aperture (Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)Flare can also be rather well managed on this backlit scene, and I’ve included a completely different macro picture of a spider and its net (in the identical gallery) with stronger backlighting, and flare is generally absent in that instance, too. The included lens hood helps to cut back flare in these sort of eventualities.A detailed take a look at the element within the eye of the identical self portrait reveals super-sharp element, proper the place it issues. This single portrait picture alone shows many wonderful attributes of what’s a formidable telephoto zoom, paired with a dependable autofocus system within the newest Sony mirrorless digital camera.Cast your eye over a wide selection of images, a few of that are included within the gallery beneath to indicate the breadth of topics you possibly can seize, and it is clear the 70-200mm F4 II is a extremely succesful all-rounder. Image sharpness is maintained from the middle to the sides of the body, there’s just about no barrel or curvilinear distortion (the 70-200mm lens is not identified for both), and even within the nook of woodland images with vivid background mild punctuating the tree cowl, there’s just about no chromatic aberration. Put merely, there’s little or no fault to choose at on this wonderful lens.Image 1 of sevenThe 70-200mm lens is good for occasions images particularly at its telephoto setting (Image credit score: Future)You can get shut sufficient to varied wildlife at 200mm (Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)The 70-200mm F4 G OSS II lens is nice for closeup images (Image credit score: Future)At 200mm, F4 gives a particularly shallow depth of area on a full-frame digital camera (Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)The 70-200mm F4 G OSS II lens is nice for closeup images (Image credit score: Future)The picture high quality disparity between the pricier and heavier Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 professional lens and this second-gen F4 mannequin has diminished considerably and arguably the selection isn’t about general picture high quality anymore – and even depth of area, as a result of the F4 aperture provides a particularly shallow depth of area with a full-frame digital camera. Instead, it comes down as to whether or not you want the additional cease of sunshine, or significantly huge bokeh.Personally, I repeatedly depend on the broader F2.8 aperture for occasions and marriage ceremony images particularly, the place mild is commonly dim. However, that Sony F2.8 lens is far heavier, and in case you primarily shoot in daylight and would favor a travel-friendly lens, then the F4 II is a no brainer.Overall, the second-gen 70-200mm F4 lens is notably higher – and extra versatile – than its predecessor in virtually each regard. The sting is the more expensive checklist value, though it’s price the additional cash in order for you a lighter lens higher balanced together with your Sony digital camera, along with its refined picture high quality and nearer focusing. (Image credit score: Future)Should I purchase the Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II lens? Buy it if…Don’t purchase it if…Image 1 of three(Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)(Image credit score: Future)How I examined the Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II lensI’ve had my hands-on the Sony FE 70-200mm F4 lens on a number of events, for brief and prolonged durations of time. I used it extensively whereas I used to be writing my Sony A7C R overview, in a beneficiant number of eventualities that allowed me to totally take a look at its capabilities. At a pre-launch occasion I used to be capable of take a look at its close-up images alternatives with the 2x teleconverter that will increase its most 0.5x magnification to 1.0x. I’ve additionally fortunately used the lens for macro photographs with out the teleconverter at my very own leisure. It’s been connected to the travel-friendly A7C R and A6700 cameras, making for an excellent size-match, and I’ve shot all the things from portraits to landscapes with it, plus low mild sequences that push the lens’ AF motors. I’ve additionally used it for normal journey images, for which this lens is a pretty companion. First reviewed September 2023
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