Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Super Telephoto Prime lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
E Mount cameras.
What type of photography is the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM lens good for?
The choice of photography type for which you intend to use the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM is a crucial decision factor. Below, we have assessed its suitability for various photography scenarios:
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM is a member of Sony's GM series of lenses. GM stands for G Master and represents the top of the line lenses on the Sony E mount line-up. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.
GM Series Lenses in Sony E Mount
Reasons to Buy the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens in a list form to assist you in determining whether it offers the features you need.
Optical Image Stabilization |
Weather-sealed |
Autofocus |
AF/MF Switch on Lens |
Stabilization On/Off Switch on Lens |
Focus Range Limiter |
Focus Hold Button |
Distance Scale |
Compatible with Sony Teleconverters |
Hood supplied |
Tripod Collar |
Full-time Manual Focusing |
Focus Distance Limiter |
Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
11 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
400mm reach great for Wildlife Photography |
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Buy Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM from Amazon or B&H PHOTO
Lens Mount
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM is compatible with cameras that have a Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A9 III, Sony A7C Mark II and Sony A7CR.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
The size and weight are crucial factors to consider when searching for your next lens. Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM has a maximum diameter of 158mm and total length of 359mm. It weighs 2895g / 102.1 oz.
Check the size of the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM when attached to E Mount cameras:
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM Size with E Mount Cameras
Below, you'll find a scaled side-by-side image comparing the sizes of the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM and the Sony FE 600mm F4 GM, offering a better understanding of their dimensions in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here.
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM has a Drop-in type filter holder with a filter thread of 41mm.
Focal Range
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM has a fixed focal length of 400mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 600mm.
Teleconverter Compatibility
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM is compatible with the Teleconverters below. With the use of these TC/extenders, you can find how the total focal reach and effective aperture of your Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM changes below:
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Weather Sealings
The Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Sony A9 III, Sony A7C Mark II and Sony A7CR.
Optical Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM also has a Stabilization On/Off switch on the lens body so you don't need to delve into your cameras menu to disable or enable the IS.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 359mm and a weight of 2895g, the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM MTF Charts
Below you can find the MTF chart of Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM which would give an idea of the its contrast and resolution from the center to its edges.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.16x and has a minimum focusing distance of 2.7m. 0.16x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.
Below are the 2 Super Telephoto Prime type Sony E mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM has a max aperture of F2.8.
Optical Formula
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM's optical formula consists of 23 elements in 17 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:
- 1 fluorite
- 3 ED elements
- Nano AR
- fluorine coatings
Lens Hood
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM comes with a removable cylindrical shaped lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is ALC-SH155.
What's in the Box of Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM:
Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens Front Lens Cap Sony ALC-R1EM Rear Lens Cap Sony ALC-SH155 Lens Hood Lens Strap Hard Case Case Strap Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM Official Video
Body Colour
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM is available in White color.
Popular Comparisons of Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM
Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM Lens
Model |
|
Coverage |
Weight |
Focusing |
Street Price |
|
Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
3,040 g / 6.69 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
2,115 g / 4.65 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S
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|
35mm FF
|
2,950 g / 6.49 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Canon EF 400mm F2.8L IS III USM
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
2,840 g / 6.25 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
1,470 g / 3.23 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Sony 300mm F2.8 G
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
2,310 g / 5.08 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8D ED-IF II
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|
35mm FF
|
4,800 g / 10.56 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Canon RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM
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|
35mm FF
|
2,890 g / 6.36 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
1,395 g / 3.07 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
950 g / 2.09 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
1,045 g / 2.30 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Canon EF 400mm F4 DO IS II USM
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
2,100 g / 4.62 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
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