Sony officially announces the new 500mm f/4.0 rugged lens!

[craigb456]

Sony officially announces the new 500mm f/4.0 rugged lens! Price…13.000 Euro!!!

Sony Europe (Click here) and Sony Japan (Click here) announced the new rugged 500mm f/4.0 lens. And that beast is yours for no less than 13.000 Euro!!! It will be in Stock by April. Those are the key features of the lens:

Longest-ever focal length G Lens from Sony
Bright F4.0 aperture for superior light gathering
Nano AR Coating on optical surfaces for flawless still images and HD video
Compatible with SteadyShot INSIDE featured in all α cameras
New SSM drive circuit for quick, accurate autofocus
Rugged dust- and moisture-resistant design: ideal partner for SLT-A77
Enhanced handling and operability
Technical specifications

Key Specifications 500mm F4 G SSM
Min. aperture F32
No. of aperture blades 9 (Circular aperture)
Max. magnification ratio 0.135
Min. focus 4.0 m
Filter diameter 42 mm (Exclusive)
Dimensions
(Diam. X L)

140 x 367.5 mm
Weight (approx.) 3460 g
Teleconverter compatibility Yes (1.4x: AF and MF Mode, 2x: MF mode)
Dust and moisture resistance Yes

sonyalpharumors | Blog | Sony officially announces the new 500mm f/4.0 rugged lens! Price...13.000 Euro!!!

[Nikonfan]

Wow, that's expensive! Does anyone know how the filter attaches to this lens? I noticed it is a 42mm diameter, so I assume it must attatch to the rear somehow.

[tc95]

Little knob in the back with a red slit on it...is the filter holder...

[Nikonfan]

Thanks. I can't see that on my small screen that I'm using right now but I figured it had to be in the back. Is this how the Nikon and Canon versions work too?

[Jim Victory]

Basically a drop in filter. Looks like it may be like the Canon.

[groovyone]

About freaking time. They have been dragging the mockup around since the A900 mockup, so almost 5 years. It is a 42mm drop in. The same setup is used on the bigger Minolta G series lenses and the Sony 300/2.8. Interesting that they went white with this one instead of the 70-400G silver.

13,000 Euros means it will be $13K here based on Sony's typical pricing. Just a tad out of my price range.

[Nikonfan]

Based on todays exchange rate, 13,000 Euro is the equivelant of $17,046.90 in USD.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Nikonfan

Based on todays exchange rate, 13,000 Euro is the equivelant of $17,046.90 in USD.

Dang, for that price you could get the new Canon 500mm f/4 IS with a new 1Dx.
Or the Nikon 500mm f/4 VR, a new D4 AND D800.

[78novacaine]

Originally Posted by Jake

Dang, for that price you could get the new Canon 500mm f/4 IS with a new 1Dx.
Or the Nikon 500mm f/4 VR, a new D4 AND D800.

No kidding, $17k is insane for that lens, especially when the Canon/Nikon models (proven performers in the market) are insanely cheaper (relatively speaking of course)

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by Nikonfan

Based on todays exchange rate, 13,000 Euro is the equivelant of $17,046.90 in USD.

Sony never does it by exchange rate. Historically their price has been the same in $, pounds and euros, which really hoses the Brits.

The A900 was $3000, 3000 Euros and 3000 Pounds

[auddii]

Originally Posted by groovyone

Sony never does it by exchange rate. Historically their price has been the same in $, pounds and euros, which really hoses the Brits.

The A900 was $3000, 3000 Euros and 3000 Pounds

Hm, intentionally screwing people out of money seems like a really bad marketing plan. I wonder if people realize this and specifically don't buy in the UK because of it (or don't buy Sony at all).

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by auddii

Hm, intentionally screwing people out of money seems like a really bad marketing plan. I wonder if people realize this and specifically don't buy in the UK because of it (or don't buy Sony at all).

They usually import it from somewhere else in Europe. Sony's price controls are also only in the US so vendors in the UK can sell it below MSRP.

[groovyone]

Hands on: Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on (video) -- Engadget

Apparently the AF is really quite stellar.

[craigb456]

Originally Posted by groovyone

Hands on: Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on (video) -- Engadget

Apparently the AF is really quite stellar.

I was about to post that :(

[craigb456]

It is up for Pre-Order whos buying it so we can all share it lol

Sony 500mm f/4.0 G Lens SAL500F40G B&H Photo Video