Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SSM Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 3.4 x 7.7 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000DZKOJ4
• Item model number: SAL70200G
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

A precision zoom lens with bright aperture and fast, quiet auto-focus response. Specially designed for the APS-size CCD imager of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 camera, this superb G-Series zoom lens covers a broad range of frequent telephoto shooting situations. Its 35mm-equivalent range of 105-300mm zooming, fast f/2.8 aperture and quiet, high-speed SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) auto-focus precision makes it ideal for long-distance sports and wildlife photography.

Lens Features

SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor)
A built-in lens motor for faster automatic focusing with high torque at low speed, quick start/stop response, and quiet, smooth operation.

ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass
Four precision ED Glass lenses correct chromatic aberrations and deliver visually accurate results even at full telephoto zoom extension.

Internal focusing system
Internal lens elements move, so the overall length does not change -- creating a zoom lens that focuses more quickly and doesn’t affect the balance of your camera.

2 DMF (Direct Manual Focus) modes
Allow you to quickly revert to manual focus by just turning the manual focus ring of the lens.

Versatile focus hold
Three focus hold buttons in different lens locations, plus electronic slider focus range selector switch.

Product Description

A precision zoom lens with bright aperture and fast, quiet auto-focus response. Specially designed for the APS-size CCD imager of the Sony alpha DSLR-A100 camera, this superb G-Series zoom lens covers a broad range of frequent telephoto shooting situations. Its 35mm-equivalent range of 105-300mm zooming, fast f/2.8 aperture and quiet, high-speed SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) auto-focus precision makes it ideal for long-distance sports and wildlife photography.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No surprises here, December 6, 2009

By 

E. Pletsch (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SSM Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera (Electronics)

This lens delivers everything that is promised. The build quality is fantastic. It is super fast and quiet. And of course, as everyone else has stated, quite heavy. It took a long time for me, as an amatuer photographer, to get up the guts (and cash) to spring for this lens, but there are no regrets.
I had suffered for years taking photos of my son's hockey teams with a moderate priced telephoto lens. I would spend hours post-processing the photos to brighten them, improve contrast, and frankly, I would toss more than half that I had taken. It was not a good use of time for a busy person. Now, I would say that better than 90% of my shots are keepers from a focus and brightness perspective. Now I just have to work on better composition!
As far as the weight goes, I had imagined that I could deal with it in the ice arena by using a monopod. The first time I tried it though, I found it way to cumbersome to quickly manipulate the position as I was perched on a bench shooting over the plexiglass. The action flows way to fast even at the top PeeWee level (11-12yr olds). I had much better luck shooting with it hand held although it becomes a strain on the neck and back muscles unless you are high enough to not reach to get over the glass. Eventually, I ended up shooting from the players bench. That is really the best location if your coach doesn't mind.
One other thing is that I dared not use the lens until I had something in front to protect it. It was a bit of a struggle to find a UV lens that was rated well enough to not impare the images from the G-series glass that I just spent so much money on. I ended up getting a B&W 70mm Multi-coated UV HAze 010 filter and have no complaints. Also, the lens hood is quite large which keeps things (e.g. hockey sticks, kids running with slushies) comfortably at bay.
I highly recommend this lens. It is top notch. I couldn't be more thrilled.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the price..., January 27, 2008

By 

D. Proko "Dawgboy" (Potomac Falls, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SSM Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera (Electronics)

It's important to get a quick autofocus lens that will deliver across a wide range of potential shoot options. I bought this one for the A700, using the Sony 2x converter, and despite ambiguous marketing writeups, I took a chance on the three components having FULL interoperability with the autofocus, etc. It met/exceeded all my requirements and they are fully compatible. I'll admit that them all being Sony components helped, and I've had nothing but good luck with all the Sony products I've bought. This lens, with the converter, creates a bit darker setup, but I bought it for airshows and distant scenery shots, and the camera automatically offsets for this. I am looking forward to many years of flexibility and enjoyment.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best in its class for an f2.8 lens in its range for the Sony/Minolta A mount, May 13, 2010

By 

K. Williams "klw10" (Brandon, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SSM Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera (Electronics)

positives:
Very sharp wide open,
Nice bokeh,
Fast and Silent Focusing with SSM,
Nice Colors,
Build quality,
f2.8,
Internal zoom

negatives:
None realy, though for some weight could be an issue.
High cost, but you get what you pay for.

compared to:
Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM II
Minolta 70-210 f4 "Beercan"

For low light shooting without a flash with this lenses range it can not be beat I feel. It is very sharp wide open, much more so than the Sigma that I had previously. It produces some nice pleasing bokeh and colors. I should compare the beercan and it side by side to see which one has more pleasing boken but this lens is by far sharper. Focusing is silent on both this lens and the Sigma. The image quality of this lens is amazing! It blows the Sigma out of the water when wide open!
This lens is very well made with superb build quality and should last for years to come. Not sure what the life expected life span on the SSM motor is.
If you can afford it and you want the best f2.8 in this range then this is the lens for you.