The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS vs Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is a great telephoto lens.
- This could be the most preferred lens for nature documentaries, wildlife filmmaking, sports coverage.
- The f/2.8 aperture is enough for low light work.
- It’s small and lightweight compared to its alternatives, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
- 11 circular blade aperture with APD element for smoother, better bokeh.
- Aperture ring on the lens itself will make it easier to ride the aperture.
- Customizable button on the lens body.
- The lens does have image stabilization with Optical Steady Shot. With cameras that have IBIS you can expect even better Image stabilization.
- Sony claims that their motors work together with Eye AF to provide precise and quick autofocus for video. This also supports contrast AF and Phase Detection AF.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wildlife filmmaking
- Sports Filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Corporate videos and low budget commercials
Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS vs Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO
| Lens | Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS | Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO |
| Filter Thread | 72mm | 77mm |
| Size | 85.2mm x 118.1mm | 74mm × 135.6mm |
| Weight | 700g | 710g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.57m / 1.87ft | 0.29m / 0.95ft |
| Customizable Button | Present | Absent |
| Image Stabilization | Present, Optical Steady Shot | Absent |
| Max. Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Min. Aperture | f/20 | f/22 |
| Aperture Blades | 11 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 24 | 23.3 |
The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Art DG DN (Amazon, B&H) is slightly heavier, smaller but longer the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H).
Sony GM lenses have a focus hold button specifically designed for ease in videography, but the Sigma 105mm has a closer focusing distance being a Macro lens.
The Sony lens has more aperture blades, though it needs to be seen how they look.
Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that Sony has slightly better sharpness and better consistency.
If you need world-class autofocus and stabilization, the Sony is the better choice. Otherwise, the Sigma wins for me.
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The focal length is 100mm. This is considered telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for telephoto work, interviews, and close ups.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/2.8 and the minimum aperture is f/20.
There is an aperture ring on the lens. The aperture can be de-clicked with the turn of a switch on the lens. This helps you ride the aperture in a smooth manner to control exposure during a shot.
Having f/2.8 is enough for low light. Especially when you pair this with Sony and their sensor’s ISO capacity.
The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) has 11 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given.
To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) is sharp in the center and stays rocksteady throughout. Great performance that’s expected of a top-quality 100mm f/2.8.
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh won’t be proportionally smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet. However, it should be decent, and they correlate to each other well so there is some harmony in the design.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/2.8 or even f/3.5 (if you don’t want the shallow depth of field look) for best results.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance has two modes and can be controlled by a close focus ring on the lens. The two modes are
- 0.85 m/2.79 ft (at “0.85 m–infinity” position)
- 0.57 m/1.87 ft (at “0.57 m–1.0 m” position)
This promotes versatility of the lens which can do close ups, macros and as well as telephoto shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) lens does have Optical Steady Shot image stabilization. Using it with a camera that has IBIS (like the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III) you get even better stabilization.
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. It does come with a ring gauge to keep a track on the distance you are focusing at, but sadly, it does not have the option to switch from focus by wire to fly by wire.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
This decision to exclude fly by wire or linear MF by Sony could lead to cinematographers and videographers thinking twice before choosing this lens for their next shoot.
Autofocus system
Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. They claim that this lens supports contrast AF and Phase Detection AF. The switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus can be very useful too.
DDSSM (Direct Drive SSM) employs an original Sony piezoelectric motor to directly drive the focus ring. High braking precision means that the focus ring is precisely controlled for the highest possible focus accuracy. It’s quiet too, making it ideal for shooting wildlife as well as movies. Manual focus is also smooth and responsive
Sony
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 72mm. This is an common filter diameter.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 13 elements in 10 groups, including spherical aberration compensation, ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and aspherical elements. Sony has treated the APD element as a separate entity and has not included it in any groups.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 85.2mm and a length of 118.1mm. It weighs around 700 grams. It is a bit heavy and can be a problem if you don’t have a heavy tripod to set it on.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that all GM lenses are weather resistant. In addition to their usual dust and moisture resistance they have claimed to add an extra seal to this lens.
But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
This is a G Master series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.
In addition to the normal dust and moisture sealing measures, a seal has been added at the lens-body interface for even further protection and reliability in challenging environments. Shoot with confidence in light rain or windy conditions.
Sony
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Hood (model): ALC-SH147
- Lens front cap: ALC-F72S
- Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
- Case
The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens. I’d keep it on unless you have good reason not to.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens
The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) is a great telephoto lens. The only alternatives are:
- For Macro: Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Art DG DN (Amazon, B&H) – Same aperture, lesser blades, cheaper, no OSS, but Macro.
- For Macro if you don’t want 100mm: Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro (B&H, Amazon) – Wider focal range, Macro option, Same aperture.
- For a wider aperture: Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art (Amazon, B&H) – Wider aperture, heavier, but not a macro.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
