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.
Sony 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.
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM from Amazon 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 FX5 , Sony A7R VI and Sony A7 V .
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 a 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 :
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 .
Comparison image of the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM and the Sony FE 600mm F4 GM Size and Weight
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM Size
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM has a Drop-in type filter holder with a filter thread of 41mm .
You can also check All Sony E Mount Lenses with 41mm Filter Thread Size
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM Drop-in Filter
Lens Cap
The Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM ships with a bulky soft cover instead of a proper hard cap, which isn’t the most practical option in daily use.
For a more durable and convenient solution, check out our in-house designed Custom CamDec Lens Cap for Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM CamDec Store .
Custom CamDec Lens Cap for Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM
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 FX5 , Sony A7R VI and Sony A7 V .
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.
MTF Chart of the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.16x with a minimum focusing distance of 2.7m . 0.16x ratio is quite low, making this lens unsuitable even for modest close-up photography.
Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Prime type Sony E mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios :
Aperture
The Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS features a maximum aperture of F2.8 and can be stopped down to a minimum aperture of F. An aperture of F2.8 provides a solid balance, offering capable low-light performance and giving you plenty of flexibility when shooting indoors or during golden hour. The combination of a longer 400mm focal length and a bright F2.8 opening makes it incredibly easy to isolate your subject, melting away busy backgrounds into smooth, professional bokeh. Stopping down to F gives you plenty of sweep for landscapes or outdoor group shots where you need everything sharp from front to back.
Optical Formula
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM's optical formula consists of 23 elements in 17 groups . The following special elements are used in this design:
1 fluorite 3 ED elements Nano AR fluorine coatings
Optical Construction of the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM
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 .
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM Lens Hood
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM Official Video
VIDEO
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
Body Colour
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM is available in White color.
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM Attached to a camera
Here are the 8 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
In addition, it would be interesting to check which lenses from other mounts are most commonly compared with the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS.
Top Alternatives of Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM in Other Lens Mounts
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