Sony FE 400 F/2.8 GM Lens Review

This Australian review of Sony’s FE 400 F/2.8 GM lens was conducted over 5 days and features Australian Dogs, Australian Rules Football and Australian Birds.

The images for this lens review were from four test shoots using the Sony FE 400 F/2.8 GM
The images were mostly captured at, or near, the maximum aperture of the lens with fast shutter speeds to showcase the AF performance and the figure/ground separation that can be achieved using this lens. One of the shoots (the running dog with no sunlight) was conducted in low ambient light to showcase the AF performance at high ISO.

The lens may appear to be a bit of a beast but it was mostly hand-held for the vast majority of the images captured – due to the fact that it is a kilo lighter than the competition and the lens elements are closer to the rear of the lens making hand-holding the lens for extended periods of time possible. Combine the light weight of the lens with a mirrorless body that is half a kilo lighter than a Canon 1DX MKII or Nikon D5 and this combo is a veritable feather-weight!!

It is not only the fast f/2.8 aperture that makes this lens highly desirable, but also it’s ultra-fast AF performance due to the use of the XD linear motor. This is demonstrated in my movie by the lightening fast AF tracking of the birds in flight at close range.

Pre-Order FE 400 F/2.8 GM from Sony Australia

PRE-ORDER Sony FE 400 GM LENS from B&H USA

Ultra-HD Image Gallery: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmpXg1cy

Product Highlights

E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
Extremely Lightweight: 6.4 lb / 2.9 kg
Rear-Weighted Design for Better Balance
Dual XD Motors for Faster Focus/Tracking
Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
3 Fluorite Elements, 1 ED Element
Nano AR Coating, 11-Blade Diaphragm
Power Focus & OSS
Weather-Sealed; Rotating Tripod Collar

Thanks to:

Zhongda (Sam) Wang for the DJI Drone and Gimbal Work footage.
Jake the Australian Kelpie and his owners David and Christine.
The Staff at Healesville Sanctuary
AFL Australia
Music: ‘Industrial Cinematic’ and ‘The Complex’ by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

A9 Action Settings used to capture these images: https://youtu.be/qfLjnE4-NT4

A7RIII Action Settings used to capture these images: https://youtu.be/ZNloKXpUOWA