p.2 #1 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
Luvwine wrote:
Rich,
How do you find the image quality compared to your Leica R apo 280/4?
I have not made any direct comparisons at this point, but I believe that my 280mm f4 Apo-Telyt is sharper than my Sony 100-400mm GM lens. Additionally, I would not be surprised if the Leica lens with the 1.4X Apo Extender would be sharper than the naked 100-400mm GM lens. However, the Sony 100-400 GM lens offers a lighter package that also offers much more flexibility (including AF). I will run some comparisons sometime, but in all likelihood the Leica would be mounted on one of my A7r cameras while my Sony Zoom would be mounted on my A7rIII using silent shutter. So, the Leica 280mm Apo would be at a disadvantage.
If weight and volume is not an issue, such as when I am closer to my vehicle and/or wanting multiple cameras and lenses (and could work with both MF and AF with diffent cameras) I would also carry one of my A7r cameras mounted to the Leica 280mm Apo while the Sony zoom was mounted on my A7rIII.
p.2 #2 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
So my question now is, how do you use a keyboard with stone hands?
Really fantastic captures at such a low shutter speed!
Do you tend to use the A7RIII or the A9 more with this lens? And is there a significant performance difference between them?
AGeoJO wrote:
Thank you, Nuno! Well, I normally take more than just a few images. I normally start out with what we call insurance shots first, just making sure we got well exposed, in-focus images without any movement blur. After those images are in the bag, in the case of perched birds or slow moving targets, I decrease the shutter speed that I feel confident I would get sharp images. The IBIS combined with the OSS of the lens makes me feel confident I could nail them and kept on shooting using those shooting parameters.
p.2 #4 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
nampramos wrote:
So my question now is, how do you use a keyboard with stone hands?
Really fantastic captures at such a low shutter speed!
Do you tend to use the A7RIII or the A9 more with this lens? And is there a significant performance difference between them?
Yes, keyboard and magic trackpad . Seriously, I am still quite blessed with being able to hold the gear quite steadily. I have been using the same long lens technique for a few decades now from back then in the old film days. Frankly though, it is getting noticeably tougher and tougher... but again, the IBIS helps quite a bit.
A9 vs A7r III - if AF performance is of the essence, I use the A9 but if capturing the details is more important and the target is basically stationary, then the A7r III will be used. Frankly, I would rather used a tripod if capturing details is important but then, I would rather resort more to the prime 400mm f/2.8 lens for that purpose. Not only for the tiny bit of extra sharpness but mostly for the smoother bokeh from the larger aperture settings.
p.2 #7 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
I thought about it for a year before I bit the bullet. Always knew I was going to get it, was just a matter of timing.
I took these a few days ago at Zoo Miami the day after I got the lens. Love it. I know I have a lot to learn but I'm very satisfied by my first day experience with the A7RIII / 100-400 combo. Relatively light and focuses fast with my A7RIII. I was using an adapted lens prior which was ok, but I've become spoiled by Sony's native focus modes - I have the FE90 macro that I love - and seemingly faster speed to focus.
p.2 #8 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
nampramos wrote:
Care to share that secret long lens technique over private message?
And feel free to post some more shots with the 100-400 here! I keep going back to the first page to see them again!
Long lens technique is not a secret. You hold/brace the lens from the bottom using the palm of your left hand, you tuck in both elbows together, place them on your sternum and hold the whole gear steady that way. Take a deep breath, hold your breath and squeeze the the shutter button gently. I normally fire a sequence of shots, even for stationary targets. Yes, you get similar images but you can choose the sharpest from your selection. Either that or you fire single shots and refocus on the eye each time, but for sure take a series of shots not just a single, just in case the target moves our you move a little in between.
Here are several more images taken with that lens and they were all from Costa Rica this time around. Enjoy!
p.2 #9 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
AGeoJO wrote:
Long lens technique is not a secret. You hold/brace the lens from the bottom using the palm of your left hand, you tuck in both elbows together, place them on your sternum and hold the whole gear steady that way. Take a deep breath, hold your breath and squeeze the the shutter button gently. I normally fire a sequence of shots, even for stationary targets. Yes, you get similar images but you can choose the sharpest from your selection. Either that or you fire single shots and refocus on the eye each time, but for sure take a series of shots not just a single, just in case the target moves our you move a little in between.
Here are several more images taken with that lens and they were all from Costa Rica this time around. Enjoy! ...Show more →
Stunning images Joshua, many thanks.
I always use IBIS when shooting my A9, in particular with my FE 100-400 OSS handheld.
I halfpress the shutter button until the lens has visibly stabilized in the EVF.
p.2 #10 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
nampramos wrote:
Glad to see some fantastic shots here!
I've never looked inside the A9 thread, so that might explain the reason I haven't seen many photos.
Why not use a 100-400 GM thread?
Joshua, you shared your fantastic photos with some exit info so my question goes to you. Those low shutter, shots 1/125 for example, were on a monopod/tripod? Or are you made of stone?
Many shots posted above are also in the big FE thread. I know it's grown quite long, but the search engine may help there. I remember that we had a similar discussion when the Loxia thread first got started, but honestly I'm still not sure whether we really need an image thread for every lens (series). May be it's just me, but I enjoy browsing through the big thread, even though seeing a page full of pictures by Werner, Ronny, Joshua, Bob and a select few other masters of photography always is a very humbling experience, yet at the same time inspiring.
p.2 #11 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
Simply amazing Joshua!! And when looking at those shutter speeds it makes it even more incredible the quality of each of those captures! Thank you for sharing.
p.2 #12 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
Chris_88 wrote:
Many shots posted above are also in the big FE thread. I know it's grown quite long, but the search engine may help there. I remember that we had a similar discussion when the Loxia thread first got started, but honestly I'm still not sure whether we really need an image thread for every lens (series). May be it's just me, but I enjoy browsing through the big thread, even though seeing a page full of pictures by Werner, Ronny, Joshua, Bob and a select few other masters of photography always is a very humbling experience, yet at the same time inspiring....Show more →
Thanks. Well there is an A9 and an FE 100-400 images thread.
I used to post my pictures there.
However, posting in the FE images thread gets a lot more exposure and feedback.
p.2 #15 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
So many beautiful photographs posted in this thread, I think this lens is justifiably becoming a bit of a legend. Selling my Canon 100-400 L II was one of the hardest parts of moving to Sony but I took delivery of the GM and the photos here are a good inspiration to get out and shoot
p.2 #16 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
My 100-400 arrived Thursday. It is an outstanding lens. This will replace a Sigma 150-600 Sport, which I have absolutely loved, but this is sharper, AF is faster, and it is much lighter. Will get the 1.4 and 2x converters at some point as I do miss the range (although the lens works very well on my A6300 and the A7III).
p.2 #19 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
AGeoJO wrote:
Long lens technique is not a secret. You hold/brace the lens from the bottom using the palm of your left hand, you tuck in both elbows together, place them on your sternum and hold the whole gear steady that way. Take a deep breath, hold your breath and squeeze the the shutter button gently. I normally fire a sequence of shots, even for stationary targets. Yes, you get similar images but you can choose the sharpest from your selection. Either that or you fire single shots and refocus on the eye each time, but for sure take a series of shots not just a single, just in case the target moves our you move a little in between.
Here are several more images taken with that lens and they were all from Costa Rica this time around. Enjoy! ...Show more →
Outstanding collection from CR Joshua.
p.2 #20 · Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Image Thread
A couple slower SS pics, handheld....easy to pull off 1/100...below that you still get a fair amount sharp but certainly some missed (could be bird movement also though).
. Seriously, I am still quite blessed with being able to hold the gear quite steadily. I have been using the same long lens technique for a few decades now from back then in the old film days. Frankly though, it is getting noticeably tougher and tougher... 
but again, the IBIS helps quite a bit.
