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I think Sony has determined that they have a market for lenses which sit above their regular GM lenses. Lenses that offer real advantages, but fit into a price bracket above the standard range.
There always was a separation between the regular GM lenses and the "ultra" lenses - the super-tele primes with eye-watering 5 digit price tags - the 400mm f/2.8 and the 600mm f/4. We've seen the same from other manufacturers - the ultra primes are always very expensive.
During the DSLR days, things started to get boring - the manufacturers would bring out a fourth iteration of a 70-200 or a third version of a 24-70... Yes, they would have some advances, but it was as if they weren't keen on going beyond the proven list of lens specs.
Sony needed to fill out the basics in their GM range, and they've done that. They brought out a fine 24-70 f/2.8, and an excellent 70-200 f/2.8 (albeit on their second try!). Now it looks like they have decided to look outside the box. It may also be that they are able to do so due to advances in lens tech.
I'm thinking that the 300 GM was perhaps the first of their premium GM range - priced between the regular GM lenses and the ultra bracket, and offering some serious advantages (weight being a very obvious one).
Then they tested the water further with a lens that was priced still significantly above the regular GM range, but a useful lens for some of us - the 28-70mm f/2. Yes, Canon had offered one, but it was impractically heavy.
Then Sony added the 50-150 f/2 - priced a bit more than the 28-70, and a really attractive lens. Lens makers had been flirting with the range, and getting closer (Sigma's 50-150 f/2, Tamron's 35-150 f/2-2/8), but Sony nailed it - yes, it was expensive, but such a wonderful lens!
And now, perhaps, the 100-400 f/4.5 - the price is certainly in the premium GM range, and the lens is excellent. Not as radical as the 50-150, but a lens justifying its price tag.
If Sony really is building a premium GM range, I am going to watch their lens announcements with great interest. I can't say what I expect, except to say that I expect to be surprised. I really wasn't expecting the 50-150, and now it is perhaps my most used lens.
I don't think it's surprising that these lenses are coming out slowly - lens development does take quite some time - but I think they are letting buyers have time to save up for the next lens! I know I couldn't afford two such lenses in a year. I wasn't even sure if I should get the 100-400 f/4.5, despite needing a good lens in that range.
Please surprise me again, Sony! But please wait until next year, or even the year after?
There always was a separation between the regular GM lenses and the "ultra" lenses - the super-tele primes with eye-watering 5 digit price tags - the 400mm f/2.8 and the 600mm f/4. We've seen the same from other manufacturers - the ultra primes are always very expensive.
During the DSLR days, things started to get boring - the manufacturers would bring out a fourth iteration of a 70-200 or a third version of a 24-70... Yes, they would have some advances, but it was as if they weren't keen on going beyond the proven list of lens specs.
Sony needed to fill out the basics in their GM range, and they've done that. They brought out a fine 24-70 f/2.8, and an excellent 70-200 f/2.8 (albeit on their second try!). Now it looks like they have decided to look outside the box. It may also be that they are able to do so due to advances in lens tech.
I'm thinking that the 300 GM was perhaps the first of their premium GM range - priced between the regular GM lenses and the ultra bracket, and offering some serious advantages (weight being a very obvious one).
Then they tested the water further with a lens that was priced still significantly above the regular GM range, but a useful lens for some of us - the 28-70mm f/2. Yes, Canon had offered one, but it was impractically heavy.
Then Sony added the 50-150 f/2 - priced a bit more than the 28-70, and a really attractive lens. Lens makers had been flirting with the range, and getting closer (Sigma's 50-150 f/2, Tamron's 35-150 f/2-2/8), but Sony nailed it - yes, it was expensive, but such a wonderful lens!
And now, perhaps, the 100-400 f/4.5 - the price is certainly in the premium GM range, and the lens is excellent. Not as radical as the 50-150, but a lens justifying its price tag.
If Sony really is building a premium GM range, I am going to watch their lens announcements with great interest. I can't say what I expect, except to say that I expect to be surprised. I really wasn't expecting the 50-150, and now it is perhaps my most used lens.
I don't think it's surprising that these lenses are coming out slowly - lens development does take quite some time - but I think they are letting buyers have time to save up for the next lens! I know I couldn't afford two such lenses in a year. I wasn't even sure if I should get the 100-400 f/4.5, despite needing a good lens in that range.
Please surprise me again, Sony! But please wait until next year, or even the year after?
