Sony has made a significant announcement in the world of photography with the introduction of the FE 50-150mm F2 GM, touted as the worlds first telephoto zoom lens featuring a maximum focal length of 150 mm and a constant F2 aperture. This innovative lens is designed specifically for professionals engaged in wedding, portrait, indoor sports, as well as photo and video production.

The lens offers a versatile focal range that begins at a standard 50mm width, presenting an exceptional opportunity for photographers to adapt to various scenarios using just a single lens. As part of Sonys esteemed G Master series, the FE 50-150mm F2 GM promises high-resolution images that rival those produced by prime lenses, delivering both clarity and stunning bokeh effects to enhance any visual project.

Yann Salmon-Legagneur, Head of Marketing for Imaging Products and Solutions at Sony Europe, emphasized the significance of this release, stating, The FE 50-150mm F2 GM marks a pivotal milestone in Sonys commitment to pushing creative possibilities. By delivering a constant F2 aperture across its zoom range, this lens offers Sony Alpha users an all-in-one solution comparable to multiple prime lenses like a 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm. This innovation expands the versatility professionals need to capture remarkable imagery in both photography and video.

Exceptional Image Quality and Smooth F2 Bokeh

At the heart of the FE 50-150mm F2 GMs design is its exceptional internal optical configuration, which plays a crucial role in achieving outstanding image quality. The lens incorporates two extreme aspherical (XA) elements alongside two Super ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements and three ED elements that work together to suppress aberrations, ensuring sharp, high-contrast images across the entire zoom range.

Moreover, the lens features a floating focusing system that allows for a minimum focusing distance of 0.4m at the wide end, achieving a maximum magnification of 0.20, making it suitable for capturing intricate details. With its constant F2 aperture, photographers can enjoy beautifully smooth bokeh, a characteristic that is particularly beneficial for portrait, wedding, and event photography, allowing them to isolate subjects with a shallow depth of field. A newly developed 11-blade circular aperture further enhances the lens's signature G Master bokeh effect. When employed for video shooting, the lens produces cinematic results with exceptional clarity.

Additionally, Sonys proprietary Nano AR Coating II is uniformly applied across the lens surface, significantly curbing ghosting and flare issues, even in challenging backlit conditions, thus ensuring clear and crisp imagery.

Internal Zoom and Compact Design

Measuring approximately 7-7/8 inches (200 mm) in length and weighing around 1,340g, the FE 50-150mm F2 GM stands out for its remarkable portability given its impressive zoom range and bright aperture. This lens is engineered for both handheld and gimbal use, thanks to its internal zoom design, which maintains balance in length and weight throughout focal length changes. This practical design makes it an ideal, versatile all-in-one solution for photographers seeking a telephoto range from 50mm to 150mm.

Fast and Precise Autofocus Performance

Equipped with four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors and Sonys advanced control algorithms, the FE 50-150mm F2 GM promises fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus (AF). This sophisticated AF system is fully compatible with Sonys Alpha 9 III, allowing for continuous shooting at up to 120 frames per second with full AF/AE tracking. With such a rapid autofocus system combined with a versatile 50-150 mm zoom range, the lens excels in capturing fast-paced indoor sports, portraits, and events effortlessly.

Cinematic Video Production

Designed with filmmakers in mind, the FE 50-150mm F2 GM minimizes focus breathing and is fully compatible with Sonys Breathing Compensation feature available on select Alpha cameras. The lens also includes Linear Response MF, which ensures intuitive manual focus control. Its internal zoom design maintains stability even while zooming during gimbal-mounted operation. Additionally, the XD linear motors operate quietly, which is essential for avoiding unwanted ambient noise during video recording sessions.

Further, the lens is built for durability, featuring a robust dust- and moisture-resistant design. A fluorine coating on the front element repels contaminants, making it easy to clean and helping maintain the lens's pristine condition even in adverse shooting environments.

Pricing and Availability

The highly anticipated FE 50-150mm F2 GM will be available starting in June 2025, with a retail price of 4,400 / 3,800 / $3,898. Photographers interested in acquiring this versatile tool can expect to enhance their creative capabilities significantly.

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