The Sony GM 400mm f2.8 is a large aperture super telephoto prime lens. This lens is typically used for the likes of sports and wildlife photography, but I thought it would be fun to test it out for portrait photography. Using the Sony A7R4, I am taking portraits of Heidi in a natural light, outdoor location.
Using a 400mm prime for portraits was definitely a fun and interesting experience for me. My favourite lenses for portrait photography are a 35mm and 85mm prime. I like these lenses for the variety of photos they allow me to capture in one session. I also enjoy being able to move around freely to capture different angles and interesting perspectives.
On the GM 400mm f2.8, I found myself taking more time than usual to find my portrait compositions. Due to how long this focal length is, I had to RUN back to be able to capture full body photos. Rather than keeping with the flow taking photos and changing my framing, I had to ask the model to pause while I framed my next photo. This experiment made for a fun photoshoot and it was exciting to see how the location transformed into a different scene through a 400mm focal length. Watch the behind the scenes video below to see what it's like taking portraits on a 400mm prime lenses.
The Sony GM 400mm f2.8 is not a conventional portrait lens, however I am very happy with the results. Paired with the Sony A7R4, you can see an extreme amount of detail in these portraits. I took photos in a few different lighting scenarios. I captured backlit portraits, made use of the location in different ways to see how much bokeh we could produce in our portraits and also took some lower shutter speed photos in the shade.
model heidi
makeup lidija j
video dan @ i make films
Photos of the lens are edited with my Aspen Lightroom Preset Pack.
Portraits are edited with my Earthy Lightroom Preset Pack and Florence Lightroom Preset Pack.
Sony GM 400mm f2.8 Lens Build
The Sony GM 400mm f2.8 is an E-Mount super telephoto prime lens weighing 2895 grams. This lens features an AF to MF switch, full time DMF switch and a focus range limiter switch. This lens includes a new function ring with switch selectable Preset and Function settings as well as a Set button to memorise a focus point. The GM 400mm f2.8 also includes an Optical Steady Shot on and off switch, mode switch for OSS and a beep switch. There are four customisable focus hold buttons and a drop in filter slot for 40.5mm filters. This lens supports use of the 1.4x and 2x tele-converters.
Sony A7R4 + GM 400mm f2.8 portrait photography
The set of photos below were edited with my Earthy Lightroom Preset Pack.
This next set of photos were edited with my Florence Lightroom Preset Pack.
All photos are edited with my Earthy Lightroom Preset Pack and Florence Lightroom Preset Pack.
If you enjoyed this blog post, you might want to check out my review and portrait photoshoot of the Sony GM 70-200mm f2.8 II in a photography studio. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel, I upload new photography videos every single week!
