Although I don't shoot sports I'm thinking about getting this lens for astro. I do t know of 200-600 would be more ideal for this type but I have a feeling this is more suited paired with the Sony 70-200 gm. If anyone has used the 200-600 for astro please let me know.
800 is really good for little birds. I had the 200-600 and used the 1.4 tc and it worked fine, but I am pretty stoked about this new lens. I am not a pro. I shoot it really good light. I am not so much interested in birds in flight. With the TC on this staying steady would be a challenge handheld, but on a sunny day it can be done.
I just watched Steve's video. Basically if you're using the 200-600 with the TC 1.4x (or if you crop a lot), then the 400-800 is a straight upgrade and a no brainer: you can get a sharper image, faster AF, and f8 instead of f9 at 800mm.
After watching some of the reviews linked, I have to admit that this lens looks more appealing than what the bare paper specs imply. Sharpness, focus speed and the real world usability of the 800mm looks pretty great actually.
This review just dropped as well from Mark Galer. Looks like $2899 here in the USA. Availability will be comparable to the A1 II...... (sarcasm) For me a Nikon like 600mm 6.3 would have been more desirable due to weight of 3.2 lbs
MARKFER wrote:
800 is really good for little birds. I had the 200-600 and used the 1.4 tc and it worked fine, but I am pretty stoked about this new lens. I am not a pro. I shoot it really good light. I am not so much interested in birds in flight. With the TC on this staying steady would be a challenge handheld, but on a sunny day it can be done.
Have a watch of Jan's review. He did a lot of shooting with the 1.4TC on the 400-800 and pretty impressive BIF work like small KFs IF.
Happy to see the lens hood with a door so you can turn a polarizer. That is a frustration on the 200-600G. What on earth took them soo long? Maybe in another 10 years they will make a tripod foot with a built in Arca-Swiss dovetail?
I am waiting for a comparison between the Sony 400-800mm and the new Sigma 300-600mm f/4. Would be interested to see sharpness comparison where they overlap. It would become even more interesting if Sigma released a 1.4x converter for Sony E mount or the 300-600mm works with the Sony 1.4X converter.
I briefly considered the Sigma. Which truly is an impressive feat of engineering! And funny to say priced at $6000, but quite a bargain
But the weight, fps limitations, lack of TC support, did I say weight? 😄, has made me decide against ordering one
This lens, on the other hand, makes much more sense for my use cases.
I think it値l be an excellent motorsports lens. Where max aperture isn稚 needed anyways since I知 usually stopped down anyways. I think it値l also make a great airshow lens! Perhaps paired with a 300 f2.8 on another body
Sorry if has been mentioned somewhere, but have they said when this one will ship?
Stoffer wrote:
After watching some of the reviews linked, I have to admit that this lens looks more appealing than what the bare paper specs imply. Sharpness, focus speed and the real world usability of the 800mm looks pretty great actually.
My exact impressions as well.
After watching some of the reviews, if they are indeed truthful - the lens is much more impressive than it was on paper.
Sounds like I'll be eating my words, and at least buying one to try - if not keep. Comparable in size/weight to the 800PF with similar IQ, significantly better MFD (the biggest pain point of the 800PF imo), and the zoom ability. Slow aperture is generally not an issue if shooting static subjects, or in good light.
The lens has potential to make an excellent Spring Warbler / Loons lens for myself. Loons I'm always shooting in decent light, and often at f8 or slower and 800mm+ in order to get close ups.
For warblers, 400-800 is a perfect focal length, but the aperture may be a pain point as I used a lot of f2.8 and f4 last year. Tree canopies make for difficult lighting.
Intriguing for sure. I am very pleased that it looks like I was far off base with this lens.
Nice looking lens! Wish Nikon had something like this. I think though that Nikon is making its zoom lenses like the 180-600 a little weaker than Sony variants at lower prices so that they don't eat up PF territory.
After watching some of the reviews, if they are indeed truthful - the lens is much more impressive than it was on paper.
Sounds like I'll be eating my words, and at least buying one to try - if not keep. Comparable in size/weight to the 800PF with similar IQ, significantly better MFD (the biggest pain point of the 800PF imo), and the zoom ability. Slow aperture is generally not an issue if shooting static subjects, or in good light.
The lens has potential to make an excellent Spring Warbler / Loons lens for myself. Loons I'm always shooting in decent light, and often at f8 or slower and 800mm+ in order to get close ups.
For warblers, 400-800 is a perfect focal length, but the aperture may be a pain point as I used a lot of f2.8 and f4 last year. Tree canopies make for difficult lighting.
Intriguing for sure. I am very pleased that it looks like I was far off base with this lens....Show more →
The bare lens here will be an awesome setup using your A1 II to get your pre-capture craving filled 😜, I would say.
arbitrage wrote:
Sony press release says "shipping in March". So shouldn't be too long a wait.
Count me in for one.
The dual AF motors with DMF switch have sealed the deal for me.
Plus of course the fact that the rumored mediocre sharpness at 800mm was apparently bogus.
One review even mentions a distinct "3D" look and colors look vintage Sony style.
. 