Lens Summary
Brand: Sony
Also Known As: Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6
Lens Type: Zoom Lens
Format: Full Frame / FX
Focus: Autofocus
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha
Release Date: 2008-01-30
MSRP Price: $998
Made in: Japan
Infrared Rating: Good
Production Status: In Production
Lens Description: This G Series lens delivers an appealing combination of extended zoom range plus image quality that will satisfy the most demanding photo enthusiast or pro. An ED lens element achieves exceptionally low aberration right out to the maximum 300mm focal length, so that your telephoto images benefit from impressive clarity and depth.
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM Specifications
| Lens Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens Type | Zoom Lens |
| Focal Length | 70-300mm |
| Mount Type | Sony Alpha |
| Format | Full Frame / FX |
| Compatible Format(s) | 35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor DSLR (APS-C Sensor) |
| Compatible with Teleconverters | No |
| Zoom Ratio | 4.28x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:4 |
| Optical SteadyShot / AntiShake (Image Stabilization) | No |
| Aperture Information | |
| Aperture Ring | No |
| Maximim Aperture | f/4.5-5.6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Maximum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format) | 34° - 8° |
| Optical Information | |
| Lens Elements | 16 |
| Lens Groups | 11 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Focus Information | |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Built-in Focus Motor | Yes |
| Direct Drive Super Sonic wave Motor (DDSSM) | Yes |
| Internal Focusing | Yes |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.20m |
| Distance Information | Yes |
| Filter Information | |
| Filter Size | 62mm |
| Accepts Filter Type | Screw-on |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weather / Dust Sealing | No |
| Mount Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 8.26 x 13.54cm |
| Weight | 800g |
| Other Information | |
| Available in Colors | Black |
Lens Construction and MTF Chart
I had this lens for about a year and a half. I wanted desperately to love it. I figured it would be great splitting the difference between 200 and 400 with G glass and a bargain AND light weight. Not fast, but I rarely shoot with a tele zoom wide open anyway. At a distance, I’m going to be at 5.6 or 8. Alas, by the time I sold the lens, I hated it. It was simply never sharp anywhere ever at any setting. I tried micro-adjust to no avail. I guess I must have had a “bad copy” but I didn’t want to believe that a “bad copy” of a G type lens existed. Nevertheless, disappointed, I sold it and eventually got both the 70-200 f2.8G and the 70-400 G, once mirrorless folks started unloading A mount glass at bargain prices. With a huge variety of Minolta and Sony and Sony/Zeiss glass on my a99 II, I’m still a very happy camper. Still, something in me wants to give this lighter-weight entry into the G world another shot.