Sony FE 600mm F4.0 GM OSS Super-Telephoto Prime G MASTER Lens – (SEL600F40GM)

Sony FE 600mm F4.0 GM OSS Super-Telephoto Prime G MASTER Lens

Superlative G Master quality in the world’s lightest 600mm F4.0 lens uses two XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motorsfor fast precise autofocus to take full advantage of the world’s fastest cameras – reaching speeds up to 20fps with the 24MP α9 and up to 10fps with the 42.4MP α7R III and 24.2MP α7 III.

Product Features:

• World’s lightest 600mm super-telephoto full-frame F4 lens
• LargeXA (extreme aspherical) element suppresses common aberrations
• 2x Extreme Dynamic -XD Linear Motors for fast, precise, quiet AF
• G Master quality with superior focusing speed up to 20fps
• Balanced weight eliminates “front heavy” nature ofsimilar lenses
• 3x fluorite and 1x ED glass element reduces chromatic aberration
• F4 with 11-blade circular aperture contributes to gorgeous bokeh
• Nano AR coating effectively suppresses ghosting and flare
• Optical SteadyShot image stabilization significantly reduces blur
• 4x customizable multi-function focus hold buttons and function ring
• Light magnesium construction w/ dust/moisture resistant reliability
• High-performance with 1.4x / 2.0x teleconverters

World’s lightest 600mm super-telephoto full-frame F4 lens
The remarkable light weight and excellent balance of the FE 600mm F4.0GM OSS lens—weighing it at only 6.71lbs. — is achieved through an innovative optical design that includes a large XA (extreme aspherical) element, three fluorite elements and one ED glass element as well as the liberal usage of durable magnesium alloy components. The new design of this well-balanced lens, reduces the number of elements deployed at the front of the barrel, resulting in quicker, more precise panning, whether shooting handheld or on a monopod.

 

XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors for fast precise autofocus
To make full use of the rapidly evolving performance speed of modern and future camera bodies, the lens’s focus group is driven by twoXD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors that achieve higher thrust and efficiency than conventional types of AF drive motors. The XD Linear Motors deliver new levels of fast, precise, quiet autofocus operation and contribute to reliable and tenacious AF tracking that sports and wildlife photographers will appreciate. Additionally, a new algorithm developed specifically for the XDmotors, notably improves their response, minimizing lag and instability that can occur when driving a large aperture focus lens group, resulting in quiet, low-vibration operation.

 

Superlative G Master quality
All lenses bearing the G Master brand are designed to extremely high standards, ensuring that outstanding contrast at high spatial frequencies is maintained right out to the image edges. The optical design includesa large aperture XA (extreme aspherical) elementand three fluorite elements that help to minimize axial chromatic aberration that can be a problem in large-aperture lenses, as well as lateral chromatic aberration that can reduce resolution towards the image periphery. Color bleeding is effectively suppressed, allowing clear reproduction of the finest subject details, while Sony’s original Nano AR coating suppressesany unwanted reflections, glare, or ghosting.

 

3x fluorite elements, 1x ED glass element reduces flare and ghosting
Based on a new optical design that conforms to stringent G Master standards, the FE 600mm F4.0GM OSS includes three fluorite elements and one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element that help to reduce chromatic aberration, a common problem in telephoto lenses. Extremely high resolution is maintained right out to the image edges. Spherical aberration is optimized to create a perfect balance between high resolution and soft, beautiful bokeh through careful control at both the design and manufacturing stages. Each lens is individually tested and adjusted to achieve ideal characteristics.

 

Wide F4.0 max aperture
The wide F4.0 max aperture maintains exposure and depth of field while also allowing maximum light for shooting in almost any condition. When changing your aperture to defocus the background, the areas out of the focal plane appear blurred. This ‘bokeh’ effect of the blurred background can be enhanced with circular aperture blades used in this lens.

 

11-blade circular aperture contributes to gorgeous bokeh
Complementing the wide F4.0 aperture are the 11-blade circular aperture blades that result in soft-edged bokeh that is a hallmark of the Sony G Master series. While conventional aperture blades have flat sides creating unappealing, polygonal shaped defocused points of light. α lenses overcome this problem through a unique design that keeps the aperture almost perfectly circular from its wide-open setting to when it is closed by 2 stops. Smoother, more natural defocusing can be obtained as a result.In addition to careful control of spherical aberration at the design stage, each lens is individually tested and adjusted during manufacture to achieve the highest possible bokeh quality.

 

Nano AR Coating
Sony’s original Nano AR Coating is applied to interior lens surfaces to effectively suppress reflections that can lead to flare and ghosting, significantly enhancing image clarity and contrast. This precisely defined regular nano-structure allows accurate light transmission, contributing to high-quality images, even more so than with lenses that use coatings with an irregular nano-structure.

 

Optical SteadyShot image stabilization significantly reduces blur
High-performance Optical SteadyShot image stabilization is built right into the lens for sharp, blur-free images with a wide range of subjects and handheld shooting. An updated ‘Mode 3’ algorithm⁶ is optimized for smooth, stable framing of moving subjects. Control features have also been refined to effectively support professional requirements. 5-axis image stabilization becomes available when used with α series cameras that feature built-in image stabilization.

 

4x customizable multi-function focus hold buttonsand function ring
The FE 600mm F4.0GM OSS features focus hold buttons in four locations on the lens barrel for easy access in any shooting situation. Once you’ve adjusted focus to where you want it, pressing one of the focus hold button on the lens barrel will keep the lens locked to that focusing distance. The focus hold buttons can also be customized via a camera body menu, allowing them to be assigned to a different function selected by the user: Eye AF, for example.

 

Dust and moisture resistant4for robust reliability
Sony’s lens sealing maximizes resistance to dust and moisture⁴, providing the reliability needed for outdoor use and in challenging environmental conditions as demanded by professional photographers.

 

Lightest in Class¹
A durable magnesium alloy is used not only for the lens barrel exterior and tripod mount, but also for interior barrel components as well. This provides the tough durability that demanding professional application require, while minimizing overall weight –making the FE 600mm F4.0 GM OSS the lightest in its class at only 6.71lb.

 

1.4x and 2.0x tele-converter support⁵, with high imaging and AF performance
Optional high-performance 1.4x and 2.0x tele-converters are supported⁵, providing up to 1200mm focal length (1800mm equivalent on APS-C bodies). Outstanding imaging performance and fast, precise AF operation are maintained when either of these excellent tele-converters are used, ensuring that the lens’s superior G Master image quality is not compromised. Maximum aperture with the 1.4x and 2.0x tele-converters is F5.6 and F8, respectively.

 

Instant auto/manual focus selection
Instantly and quickly switch between auto and manual focus via an AM/MF switch on the side of the lens. This makes operation faster and easier as you let the camera and lens focus for you, or decide to take control and manually focus on the precise point you chose.

 

Fluorine front-element coating
The front lens element features a fluorine coating that helps to prevent dirt and fingerprints from sticking, while making it easier to wipe cleanif they do become attached to the lens surface.

 

Full-time DMF
DMF (Direct Manual Focus) give you the ability to instantly switch to manual focus while in autofocus mode. This is particularly useful when acquiring a subject using AF and then allowing you to fine tune your focus point using the manual focus ring. When the FULL TIME DMF switch is ON, manual focus is immediately engaged by simply rotating the focus ring, even while shooting in the AF-C mode. If AF causes focus to shift to a different subject while shooting, the focus ring can be used to quickly bring focus back to the desired subject. It can also be useful when it is necessary to focus beyond a set focus range limit.

 

Linear Response MF
The focus ring features Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus control. Manual focus changes linearly in response to focus ring rotation, giving youthe control immediacy needed for fast, accurate manual focusing.

 

Focus range limiter
The focus range limit switch allows a limited focus range to be selected when the fastest possible focusing is required. Three settings are provided: FULL, 7m-2.7m, and ∞-7m.

 

Drop-in filter slot⁷
The FE 600mm F4.0GM OSS includes a filter slot⁷ that accepts ø 40.5mm ND and other filter types, as well as the optional VF-DCPL1 Drop-in circular polarizing filter. The VF-DCPL1 can be rotated to achieve the desired polarization while installed in the lens.

High-speed, accurate AF tracking at F22 aperture⁸
High-speed, accurate AF tracking for continuous shooting at minimum F22 aperture⁸ (α9 software must beupdated to the latest version). This is an important advantage allowing maximum depth of field to be used without limitations when shooting continuously to follow action and ensuring that AF tracking can keep the subject in focus.

Strong, lightweight carbon fiber lens hood
The supplied lens hood is made of strong, lightweight carbon fiberto minimize added weight. Theinterior of the hood is lined with flocking to minimize reflections for optimum light control.

Increased mount strength and reliability
While conventional lenses use four mount attachment screws, the FE 600mm F4.0GM OSS uses seven. The number of mount attachment screws has been increased to ensure maximum rigidity and durability that will easily withstand professional use.

Versatile high-durability tripod mount
The tripod collar ring employs bearings to ensure smooth rotationas well as high reliability. It also features a switch that engages or disengages click stops which when engaged, easily and quickly allows the user to switch between horizontal and vertical camera orientations in 90-degree click stops as required. The click stops can be disengaged when smooth, low-resistance operation is desired.

Supplied hard carrying case
A dedicated trunk style hard case is supplied to protect the lens from shock and vibration during transport. The case has carrying handles on two sides and a convenient carrying strap.

Function ring
The FE 600mm F4.0GM OSS includes a new function ring with switch selectable for PRESET (preset focus), FUNCTION and OFF positions. When in the PRESET position, the SET button is initially used to memorize the desired focus point, moving the function ring in either direction will immediately set focus to the memorized point. This can be a huge advantage for sports and other rapidly changing situations, allowing focus to be preset in advance and instantly recalled to ensure that the decisive moment is properly captured. This function is available whether shooting with AF or MF, and can focus outside a set focus limit range. When in the FUNCTION position, functions can be assigned to the FUNCTION mode via a camera body menu. If Power Focus is assigned and the function ring is rotated, focus shifts smoothly at a speed determined by the amount of function ring rotation. This allows smooth focus shift for movies. If APS-C/Full Frame Select⁶ is assigned, the function ring can be rotated to switch between APS-C and full-frame angles of view.

Footnotes:

¹ Compared to 600mm F2.8 lenses for 35mm full-frame format cameras, as of June 2019, Sony survey.

² Fastest in their class. Referring to Sony’s 35mm full-frame E-mount cameras, a9 at 20fps, a7R III at 42.4MP at 10fps. According to Sony tests.

³ When mounted on the α9. Compared to the 300mm F2.8 G SSM II mounted on the α9 (via LA-EA3), Sony tests.

⁴ Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof.

⁵ Maximum aperture with the 1.4x and 2.0x tele-converters is F5.6 and F8, respectively.

⁶ α9 software must be updated to the latest version to activate when this lens is used with the α9. Refer to the Sony support site (www.sony.com/electronics/support) for camera body compatibility information.

⁷ A normal filter is initially installed in the filter slot. The filter is part of the lens’s optical system, and either the normal filter or circular polarizer should always be in place when using the lens. Be sure that a filter is installed before memorizing the focus point for the preset focus function

⁸ Support for this feature is currently only planned for the α9. The maximum continuous shooting speed of an α9 body fitted with the FE600mm F4GM OSS will be 20 fps at F11 and larger, and 10 fps at F13 and smaller (Latest α9 software, “Hi” continuous shooting mode, focus priority, 1/125 or faster shutter speed). Maximum shooting speed will depend on settings and conditions.

Product Specifications:

**[[F_DM0001]] – With interchangeable-lens digital camera incorporating APS-C type image sensors.

**[[F_DM0007]] – Although the lens is designed to be moisture and dust resistant, it is not completely moisture and dust proof.