Sony FE 50-150mm F2 G Master

Faster than f/2.8 'trinity' telephoto zooms

- Matthew Richards

Since emerging as its top-tier glass in 2016, Sony's G Master lenses have earned a reputation for image quality and all-around performance. Nearly 10 years later, some of the originals have been reinvented in Mark II versions, but the 50-150mm is something altogether new and different. Indeed, it's a world first with its combination of zoom range and aperture rating. So what's the deal?

Well, 70-200mm f/2.8 'trinity' telephoto zoom lenses are firm favourites with many photographers, especially those shooting weddings and events, where the versatility of this kind of lens can really help. Naturally, the 50-150mm is a whole f/stop faster and can deliver a tighter depth of field at all correlating focal lengths. Sony is keen to point out that the lens sets a whole new agenda, but I've seen something a bit similar in the shape of the Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD. The Tamron lens is available in Nikon Z mount as well as in Sony E mount. While its widest aperture shrinks from f/2 to f/2.8 as you extend through the zoom range, the Tamron delivers a greater maximum viewing angle. Indeed, you could argue that the 35-150mm zoom range is an even better fit for wedding and event photography, as it is more able to capture group shots as well as portraits of individuals and couples. It picks up the baton from the now obsolete Tamron 35-150mm F2.8-4 Di VC OSD for Canon and Nikon DSLRs. And for APS-C format DSLRs of the same makes, there's also the properly fast Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art.

Build and handling

The no-expense-spared design and build of the FE 50-150mm is in keeping with the market sector at which it's aimed - high-ranking professional photographers with deep pockets. There's no getting away from the fact that it's a big, heavy lens, but it's a feast for the fingers, with handling exotica aplenty.