In 2017 at WPPI in Las Vegas, Sony announced the new 100mm f/2.8 STF G Master lens with magnificent bokeh. Now, having had a chance to try the lens at an exclusive NYC press event, publications such as ePhotoZine and Digital Photo Pro are beginning to share their thoughts on the performance of this newest addition to the G Master lineup!
ePhotoZine
“This lens is designed for ultimate resolution with ultimate bokeh, thanks to an apodization (APD) element. The new Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF G Master OSS lens features optical steady shot image stabilisation. The lens has a Direct Drive SSM (Super-Sonic Motor), and focus is quick. There is a Nano AR (Anti-reflective) coating to reduce flare and ghosting.” - Joshua Waller, ePhotoZine
Digital Photo Pro
“With most lenses that have a smooth bokeh, highlights appear soft, but they can often appear distorted and with bright spots. Anyone who has seen Christmas lights appear as oval on a photograph has seen this effect...Thanks to the optical design of the 100mm f/2.8, these LED string lights are softer, rounder and—most importantly—not as distracting as they feather toward the edges. Internal image-stabilization works with the company’s in-camera five-axis-stabilization for easy handholding in low light.” - David Schloss, Digital Photo Pro
Brian Smith
“Among the four APD Apodization Lenses on the market, Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS has the greatest light loss – with a T-stop a full two stops below the rated max F-Stop. BUT this is NOT a bad thing. It means the FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS has the strongest APD Apodization effect. In other words – it has the Best Bokeh.” - Sony Artisan of Imagery Brian Smith
Camera Jabber
“[M]y first impressions of the image quality from the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS are very good. The point of focus has lots of sharp detail while out of focus areas look smooth.
“There are more obvious circles in some out of focus areas in images from the 85mm optic than there are in those from the 100mm lens. The 100mm produces a more uniform blur that looks softer.” - Angela Nicholson, Camera Jabber
PCMag
“Even though I've only had a short time shooting with it, I'm pretty excited about the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS. It's a lovely lens for shooting portraits, and in a studio or daylight environment the limited light-gathering capability isn't a liability. Wedding photographers should take a close look, as it it seems like a serious tool for capturing environmental portraits of the happy couple.” - Jim Fisher, PCMag
