Sony Releases New Pro Lenses

Last fall I wrote about why I wasn’t buying the new Sony a7R2.

My biggest complaints weren’t actually about the camera, but the lack of pro lenses (specifically a 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f.2.8).

Well, Sony has delivered.

They announced a new series of professional lenses called “G Master” (which sounds like a new rapper). This new lineup of lenses are supposed to offer the best performance and optical quality of all Sony lenses.

Here’s what’s included in the new series :

• 24-70mm f/2.8
• 70-200mm f/2.8
• 85mm f/1.4
• There’s also a 1.4x and 2x teleconverter

The 70-200mm won’t be available until May (and no pricing details have been released yet). The 24-70mm will be out in March and will sell for $2200. The 85mm will also be out in March and it will go for $1800.

These are pricey lenses, designed to compete with the very best from Canon and Nikon. Sony does have lenses in a wide range of prices, and are becoming more and more interesting to photographers in a variety of niches.

I think these lenses could be a real turning point for professional wedding and portrait photographers. They’re exactly the lenses needed to use Sony mirrorless cameras professionally. 

One thing that I’m not certain about is quality control. We’ll have to wait and see if Sony is able to deliver consistently excellent lenses (especially without Zeiss working with them on this).

Sony also released an updated APS-C mirrorless camera: the Sony a6300.

This camera is interesting since it’s likely a bit of a preview for what’s coming with the next series of a7 cameras later this year.

What caught my eye about this camera is that it features 425 phase detect auto focus points. The a7R2 has 399 (with it’s larger full frame sensor). What that means is that the next round of a7’s should pack even more phase detect points in, and have even faster autofocus. The gap between DSLR autofocus and mirrorless autofocus will soon completely disappear (or mirrorless will be faster!).

From some of the video samples, it also seems like the autofocus during video is quite exceptional.

The a6300 also shoots 4K video. Sony definitely doesn’t hold that feature back like it seems Canon does.

The a6300 will be available in March for $1000, or $1150 with a kit lens.

Don’t just sit there Canon / Nikon, do something — do anything!