Sony's new 100-400 f/5.6-8 - finally announced

[AlphaWorld]

So it's announced, and I suspect it may get a lukewarm reception, but I think it may get some new photographers to dabble in telephoto shooting.

There are already a few loud proclamations of "I won't buy it!" on other sites, but I wouldn't be surprised if the proper behind those are shooting other brands, or are simple trolls.

I must admit that I wouldn't buy one for myself (but I have the 100-400 f/4.5), but I'd consider getting one for a nephew or niece who is interested in photography.

It has linear motors (not XD), and a nice magnification ratio of 0.4 at the long end, letting someone play with near-macro shooting.

It even takes teleconverters, which surprised me a little. Sure, it's f/16 with a 2x, but that gets you 800mm.

All up, it looks like Sony made some careful decisions to keep the cost down, but still keep the lens useful.

What do you think?

 

[Alan Clark]

Mark Galer's review, where he compares it with other Sony and 3rd party lenses.

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[FowlersFreeTime]

I'd rather have a Tamron 50-400, but I recognize the value presented by this lens

 

[iamdlewis]

This lens is a non-G/GM lens so it is entry level. From a review I watched it seems like a good value lens for those that are starting to get into the longer lens type photography and in no way aimed at those who already have one of the 100-400 or longer lens. If this lens was available when I was first getting into wildlife I would have gotten it.

The one thing I am pretty sure this lens will do is put an end to the 70-300G.