400mm f/2.8 Mark II Coming in 2025 – Rumors
Sony 400 mm f/2.8 GM OSS
Not long ago, I wrote about a rumor that Sony is working on a 500 mm f/2.8 GM. At the time, I shared my thoughts and still believe that such a lens is unlikely to see the light of day. However, an updated Sony 400 mm f/2.8 GM would make perfect sense. The current lens, launched in 2018, remains a powerhouse but could benefit from some technical upgrades.
Notably, there’s room for improvement in terms of weight, integrated teleconverter, Arca-Swiss compatibility, and optimization with the 2x teleconverter.
Weight — Sony 400 mm f2.8
At, 2895g, the current 400 mm f/2.8 is anything but light and is only somewhat practical for handheld use. Sony has already demonstrated with the 300 mm f/2.8 GM OSS that a lighter option is possible. If the weight is reduced in the new version of the 400 mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, it would be a key reason for many to upgrade.
Integrated Teleconverter
An integrated teleconverter would be a desirable feature in the updated version of the Sony 400 mm f/2.8 GM
Other brands like Nikon and OM-System have set the standard: an integrated teleconverter ranging between 1.4x and 1.6x would be a game-changer for the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM II. Additionally, the ability to use an additional teleconverter, as offered by other manufacturers, would greatly enhance the lens's flexibility. This would allow seamless switching between 400 mm and approximately 600 mm without taking your eye off the viewfinder—a significant advantage in wildlife photography. It would also reduce the risk of dust or ice crystals entering the camera and damaging the sensor.
Arca-Swiss Compatibility
The current version of the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens does not have Arca-Swiss compatibility
- In the upper part of the image, you can see the original foot without Arca-Swiss
- Below, an option with Arca-Swiss compatibility is shown
The lens foot remains an issue for most manufacturers. Especially with telephoto lenses, you typically have to attach an Arca-Swiss plate or rely on a third-party foot. If Sony were to make the new Sony 400 mm f/2.8 GM directly Arca-Swiss compatible, it would be a dream come true. Given the price of such a lens, this should not be a big ask. It’s crucial, however, that Sony avoids the mistake some other manufacturers make by offering a too-short rail that doesn’t properly support a telephoto lens. Please, no half-hearted Arca-Swiss compatibility!
Teleconverter Optimization for the Sony 400 mm f2.8 GM II
Sony 1.4x and 2x teleconverters displayed externally
The current pairing of the TC 1.4x with the 400 mm f/2.8 GM is excellent, but the combination with the TC 2x is less convincing. Improved optimization in this area would make the lens even more appealing to nature photographers.
The “wild rumors” were posted on the Sony Alpha Rumors platform.
Now we wait to see if Sony will delight us in 2025 with a new 400 mm f/2.8 GM OSS II. If the points mentioned above are addressed, it would be a no-brainer for me, and I would immediately trade in my current 400 mm f/2.8 GM for the updated version.
