The Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS lens features an APD element to smooth out-of-focus highlights, and is certain to appeal to serious portrait photographers.

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  Apodization filter for smooth backgrounds. Optical image stabilization. Designed for high-resolution image sensors. Dust and moisture resistant.

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  Expensive. Apodization filter limits light-gathering capability.

The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is a unique lens, primarily due to the optical apodization (APD) element. The APD element causing the physical f/2.8 aperture to transmit T5.6 takes this lens out of the competition for low light action photography applications.

After having reviewed several hundred of lenses, there aren't too many new lenses that make me truly excited to be honest. However, the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is surely one of them.

There are now a handful of STF (Smooth Transition Focus) lenses on the market, using Apodization filters in the optical formula to offer the possibility of sublimely smooth bokeh.

The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is an outstanding portrait lens for Sony full-frame compact system cameras, with the new unique optical apodization lens element producing some stunning bokeh effects.

I've had this lens for about a year now. I own 200+ lenses and this is the best. The apodizing element not only renders the smoothest bokeh of any commercially produced lens, but also helps in-focus sharpness, which is outstanding. There also is near zero vignetting.

Nearly perfect portrait lens If this lens has 2.8T, it will be perfect Anyway i love this lens so much My rating for this lens: Sharpness 10/10 Bokeh 10/10 Low Light: 6/10 Speed shoot: 6/10 Auto Focus: 8/10 (very bad when Low light) Just perfect when Macro 1:2 and Outside Portrait

I like carrying 3 full frame cameras with primes.. i love the sigma Art 24 f1.4 and sony 55 f1.8 so the 100 STF really fits in nicely with the 55mm. Everyone talks about the Bokeh but what i love the most is the sharpness and color/contrast.. photos just POP! by far my favorite portrait lens.

When I write reviews I always think about others. I expect the same behaviour from other reviewers. This lens is very interesting. 5.6 is the lowest you can go down. This makes low light performance cry. It is quite slow and hunts a lot. Colors are great and portrait rocks...

I didn't want this lens. I didn't need this lens. I figured it would be a bit redundant with my (much loved!) 85/1.4 GM. Then I happened to try one for a few minutes at a demo. Game over. This is a wonderful lens; really fun to shoot with!

This lens is fantastic ..... sharp as a tack - wide open (f5.6). I can live with the slower f stop because of the great bokeh.

This is my first Sony G lens, I bought because of the quality and sharpness but still my expectation was low until I got it in my hands. I went nuts, its amazing.

Very very silky smooth bokeh. Definitely my go to for portraits.

If you want your subject to be more a part of the background, yet have the background be very smooth, this is the lens for you. Sony GM quality too.

Spring is here and I was looking for a lens to do (pseudo) macro flower photography. (Dislike insects, so not interested in real 1:1 macro photography anyway). I was debating between Sony 90mm and this 100mm. Wanted the STF bokeh, but worried about the loss of light (i.e.