When Sony Artisan Patrick Murphy-Racey got his hands on the new Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master lens, he was in for a delightful surprise. Used to the good old 70-200mm range, he found himself intrigued by this new focal length that he admits he didn’t realize he needed. "Honestly, it’s a focal length I’ve never thought of before and it turned out to be a range I never knew I needed. The more I used it, the more I liked it." Over two weeks, he put the lens through its paces, covering everything from portraits and weddings to sports and even candle-lit church events, and came away thoroughly impressed. Keep reading as he shares his experience shooting with the new Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master.
Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/2000-sec., f/2, ISO 1600
“The more I used it, the more I liked it.” – Patrick Murphy-Racey on the new Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM
Patrick Murphy-Racey's Experience With The 50-150mm f/2 GM
One of the things Murphy-Racey really loves about this lens is the f/2 maximum aperture. It’s a game-changer for ensuring his subjects stand out, especially against busy backgrounds. Whether he's shooting in a dimly lit church or capturing fast-paced sports, this wide aperture lets him create beautiful separation and depth in his images. "The more I used it, the more I liked it," he says, appreciating just how much it enhanced his work in a variety of settings.
Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/125-sec., f/2, ISO 8000
Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/8000-sec., f/2, ISO 200
Key Features Of The 50-150mm f/2 G Master Lens
Murphy-Racey says he was particularly blown away by the autofocus. During tests with sprinters barreling down the track, the Sony Alpha 1 II paired with the new Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master combination kept up flawlessly at 30fps, nailing focus even as the athletes got up close. "The AF on Sony has always been good, but now it’s a whole other level with the new 50-150GM," he shares, amazed by its speed and precision.
Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/5000-sec., f/2, ISO 160
Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/8000-sec., f/2, ISO 160
He also says that this is the perfect longer lens for video interviews. “You can always find the perfect look and clean up the background, no matter where you are. The AF transitions are silky smooth and really perfect.”
Review Of The Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master Lens
But it's not just about performance. Murphy-Racey loves that this lens can replace three primes, meaning fewer lens swaps during shoots. "I think Sony may have finally made a lens sharper than the 135GM, which is really saying something.”
Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/1000-sec., f/2, ISO 50
For Murphy-Racey, pairing the 50-150mm f/2 G Master with the 28-70mm f/2 GM is like hitting the jackpot. "You get the prime-like quality with all the zoom convenience. It's perfect for event photographers, photojournalists and sports shooters – especially in low-light venues." He says he's now ready to make this lens a permanent fixture in his kit, thrilled by its ability to offer the best of both worlds: prime quality and zoom versatility.
Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/6400-sec., f/2, ISO 160
“With the advent of the 28-70mm f/2 GM and this 50-150mm f/2 GM, you can have both the look of a prime with the speed and ease of a zoom. Pretty amazing feat!”
Watch his complete review:
Learn more about the new Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master HERE.
