p.23 #1 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Ronny are they too tight?
I know i asked for tighter crops but i now prefer slightly loose composition Because there is story in them.
Here is the thing, if i am on phone i will prefer tighter version as I cannot see the subject.
But in a print or a bigger screen, loose are better to me.
p.23 #9 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
I had tried to obtain a good copy of this lens last year but unfortunately, the one I bought off ebay had balsam separation and I had to return it. Then I gave up on it and purchased the Sony 70-200 F4 but after using it for a while, I just wasn't happy with the rendering. So recently, I took a gamble and bought two copies of this lens off ebay expecting that I would have to return at least one if not both! Well, the first lens just arrived (serial 7506159) in the original packaging and its perfect! I just shot some charts and compared it to my Sony 70-200 F4 and it totally demolished it in the 100-200mm range at F4.5 (ok they were close at 135mm), at F8 they were close throughout the range but the Zeiss still had the edge. I tested the VS at in the 200-300 focal range and it wasn't quite as strong but still very good. After a bit of sharpening, it was basically as good as in the 100-200mm range. There was also some chromatic aberration in the 200-300 range which can be removed in light room with one click. I'll do some real world comparisons tomorrow but I'm pretty happy that I finally got a good copy of this lens! Now the second copy I ordered will arrive next week so lets see how that one compares . I'll probably have to return it or sell it .
p.23 #10 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Photo cross Posted in the Sony FE Image Thread and taken at 9:01 AM.
Looking at Snowy Egrets in breeding plumage.
Tripod mounted 100-400mm f4-f5.6 GM set to 400mm and Sony A7rIII.
ISO 100, f5.6, 1/250 second
Exposure corrected +1.79 Stops
May 11, 2019
At Gatorland, Orlando or Kissimmee, FL
p.23 #11 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Update: At first inspection, it had no balsam separation and very minimal signs of use. But then I examined really closely and could see around 2mm of balsam separation around the edge one side. Yesterday, I took the lens out and did some real world tests below 200mm range it works great. However, it wont focus at infinity beyond 250mm. Its as if the focal plane has shifted or something. When I rotate the focusing mechanism to the infinity hard stop, I feel that it needs to go past the hard stop to achieve focus which it cannot do. I'm using the Novoflex NEX/CONT adaptor, any ideas? My Sony 70-200 is looking pretty good at the moment.
p.23 #12 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
It's hard to see the separation when it's just beginning. It's like a slight milky film that isn't visible with normal light. You need to shine a flashlight through it (preferably in a darkened location) and let it glance off the rear element...if hazing is starting, you'll see that slight film show up.
No idea about the focus - definitely something's not right!
p.23 #16 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
I received the second lens (serial 7506025) and thoroughly inspected the lens elements with bright light. I even took the rear element off and no trace of balsam separation on this one at all. This lens focusses at infinity too at 300mm so apart from some minor scuff marks seems to be in working order. I tested some charts and it has exactly the same performance as the first lens I received with the exception that it focusses to infinity. I think that the first lens had been worked on and that the person who worked on it didn't put it back together again correctly. So it looks like I will be returning the first lens and keeping the second.
Because there is story in them. 
.
