The Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens is engineered for E-mount cameras, featuring a super telephoto focal length, a bright f/4 aperture, and a lightweight construction. This lens is particularly well-suited for sports, news, wildlife, and nature photography. Its f/4 aperture, combined with an eleven-blade circular diaphragm, allows for excellent depth of field control, enabling photographers to effectively isolate subjects and enhance performance in low-light environments. The inclusion of three fluorite elements and one extreme aspherical (XA) element minimizes chromatic aberration and color fringing, while two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements and a Nano AR lens coating significantly improve image quality by reducing flare, ghosting, and spherical aberrations, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, the front element is safeguarded by a fluorine coating, which helps to repel dirt and fingerprints, facilitating easier cleaning when necessary.
Innovative Optical Design
This lens, part of Sony's prestigious G Master series, is engineered to deliver an exceptional combination of remarkable resolution and sharpness, alongside a unique and aesthetically pleasing bokeh. The bright f/4 maximum aperture facilitates operation in challenging lighting environments and allows for an extremely shallow depth of field, effectively isolating subjects from complex backgrounds. To enhance clarity and color fidelity, three fluorite elements and two extra-low dispersion elements are incorporated to minimize both axial and lateral chromatic aberrations, as well as color fringing. Additionally, a Nano AR coating has been applied to the internal lens surfaces to reduce reflections that can lead to flare and ghosting. The G Master optical configuration features a large-diameter XA (Extreme Aspherical) element, which mitigates spherical aberrations and ensures high sharpness. This design, complemented by a rounded 11-blade diaphragm, also enhances the quality of the bokeh.
Fast Focusing and Reliable OSS
The XD (Extreme Dynamic) Linear Motor System operates with remarkable quietness and speed, effectively tracking fast-moving subjects during high-speed shooting. This high-precision motor system is enhanced by advanced autofocus algorithms, which contribute to improved responsiveness and reduced noise, making it particularly advantageous for sports and wildlife photography. The Power Focus feature ensures smooth focusing while recording videos. Additionally, the full-time DMF allows for manual focus adjustments simply by rotating the focusing ring, irrespective of the selected focusing mode, while the Linear Response MF offers a natural and responsive feel for more accurate manual control. The inclusion of a focus range limiter switch and preset focus functions enhances focusing efficiency, enabling quick adjustments within a defined range or to a specific focus point.
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization effectively mitigates the impact of camera shake, facilitating the capture of sharp images while shooting handheld. When paired with a camera that includes in-body image stabilization, a 5-axis stabilization system offers enhanced support. Depending on the shooting context, three distinct stabilization modes can be utilized: Mode 1 is designed for general shooting, Mode 2 is optimized for panning shots, and Mode 3 focuses on maintaining precise framing when photographing and tracking fast or erratic subjects.
Professional Durability and Intuitive Handling
The construction is weather-sealed to safeguard against dust, dirt, and moisture. The front element features a fluorine coating that not only resists dirt and fingerprints but also facilitates easier cleaning. Weighing merely 6.7 lb, this lens is remarkably portable for a 600mm f/4 super-telephoto lens. Its weight distribution is optimized towards the rear, allowing it to rest comfortably on a monopod, which enhances the ease of tracking subjects and panning. Furthermore, the optical design incorporates fluorite elements to reduce weight, while the external barrel is predominantly made of magnesium alloy, contributing to a lightweight yet robust construction. The mount has been reinforced to ensure rigidity, making it suitable for professional applications.
The function ring located near the front of the lens can be configured to manage a predetermined focus position or can be designated for power focus and other selectable functionalities through an in-camera menu. There are four distinct focus hold buttons that can be personalized to modify or activate various settings, including Eye AF. The rear section of the lens is equipped with a drop-in filter slot that accommodates 40.5mm round filters. The rotating tripod collar is designed with ball bearings to ensure smooth movement and includes detents at every 90° interval for user-friendly operation; these clicks can also be turned off if desired. To further reduce weight, the provided lens hood is constructed from carbon fiber. Additionally, it is compatible with optional FE 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters.
