Tony Ross wrote:
Actually, that is the price on the Sony Australia website...
I think that's where the Pre Order price comes from.
Sony Aus sets the initial price. Hopefully the normal pattern happens and it drops soon.
The 200-60 was $3300 and years later is $3099 (on Sony Aus.)
Within 6 months only a lazy person would pay more than $2700.
Currently it's available from 2 big stores for $2223, another $2271 and a fourth $2310.
So Sony Aus price starts of as relevant but becomes increasingly irrelevant with time.
What I would really like to see is a comparison of image quality between the 400-800mm and a 400mm f/2.8 with and without a 2X on it. Yes, there is a big difference in price, but this is the alternative when I look at this lens. There is a 2.33 stop difference in light gathering at 400mm, nearly 2 stops at 600mm (as the zoom hits f/8 at 600mm), and 1 stop at 800mm. Clearly, the advantage is to the zoom for flexibility (no taking on and off TC's), weight and size, but does the ability to reduce ISO by 1 to 2.33 stops and blur the background better make it worthwhile? Also, which is sharper at 800? Curious minds want to know...
CPWarner wrote:
What I would really like to see is a comparison of image quality between the 400-800mm and a 400mm f/2.8 with and without a 2X on it. Yes, there is a big difference in price, but this is the alternative when I look at this lens. There is a 2.33 stop difference in light gathering at 400mm, nearly 2 stops at 600mm (as the zoom hits f/8 at 600mm), and 1 stop at 800mm. Clearly, the advantage is to the zoom for flexibility (no taking on and off TC's), weight and size, but does the ability to reduce ISO by 1 to 2.33 stops and blur the background better make it worthwhile? Also, which is sharper at 800? Curious minds want to know......Show more →
I can take a stab at that when my zoom shows up. That said, the 2x on the 400 is not very good. It's quite soft wide open with a lot of CA. I honestly expect the zoom to be better. If there's a big prime that could use an update, its the 400GM as it just has never done well at all with the TCs.
nmerc_photos wrote:
it's wild and kind of sad to me that the 400GM takes TC's so poorly.
I'll also be able to compare the 400-800 to all the big primes when mine arrives, but I expect the Nikon 400TC + 2x will easily beat the 400-800
my biggest comparison will be between the 400-800 and 800PF, which I am hoping will be closer than most people expect
Yeah but the 400GM is the oldest of Sony's large primes; it was released almost 7 years ago so the design is older than that. The 300GM shows how much Sony has advanced since then in terms of both optical quality--it's crazy good with the 2x--and weight, etc. There's already rumors of a v2 of this lens in the works. The Nikon is a lot newer so it makes sense it does better.
I should say the 400+1.4 is fine. It's just the 2x where it's not really that great. The 2x is also very good on the 600GM--I used it on that lens for about 90% of all my bird photos.
CPWarner wrote:
What I would really like to see is a comparison of image quality between the 400-800mm and a 400mm f/2.8 with and without a 2X on it. Yes, there is a big difference in price, but this is the alternative when I look at this lens. There is a 2.33 stop difference in light gathering at 400mm, nearly 2 stops at 600mm (as the zoom hits f/8 at 600mm), and 1 stop at 800mm. Clearly, the advantage is to the zoom for flexibility (no taking on and off TC's), weight and size, but does the ability to reduce ISO by 1 to 2.33 stops and blur the background better make it worthwhile? Also, which is sharper at 800? Curious minds want to know......Show more →
I'd be surprised if it can compete with the 400/2.8 at 400mm. As a bare lens the 400GM is awesome for IQ and AF and light gathering. But I bet the 4-8 will be better in IQ and AF at the 800mm mark. Only downside will be the 1 stop light gathering disadvantage. But the only way the 400GM/2x would keep up in IQ would be to stop it to f/8 anyways. But I bet the AF (which is my biggest issue with the 400GM/2x) will always be in favour of the 400-800.
Not sure how it would shake out at 560/600.
jhapeman wrote:
Yeah but the 400GM is the oldest of Sony's large primes; it was released almost 7 years ago so the design is older than that. The 300GM shows how much Sony has advanced since then in terms of both optical quality--it's crazy good with the 2x--and weight, etc. There's already rumors of a v2 of this lens in the works. The Nikon is a lot newer so it makes sense it does better.
I should say the 400+1.4 is fine. It's just the 2x where it's not really that great. The 2x is also very good on the 600GM--I used it on that lens for about 90% of all my bird photos. ...Show more →
dang. I'm new to Sony so I didn't realize it was 7 years old. that's crazy... also crazy that 2018 was 7 years ago.
I'm looking forward to Sony's next generation of big primes, hopefully with integrated TCs.
nmerc_photos wrote:
dang. I'm new to Sony so I didn't realize it was 7 years old. that's crazy... also crazy that 2018 was 7 years ago.
I'm looking forward to Sony's next generation of big primes, hopefully with integrated TCs.
a 300GM + 600GM TC would be ideal
It is ideal; it's what I use all of the time now. I used to use the 400 + 600 but I think I haven't used the 400 once since getting the 300. I carry two cameras when I'm in the field photographing birds one with the 300+2x and one with the 600+2x with a 1.4x in my pocket to swap on either camera as I see fit.
Choderboy wrote:
I think that's where the Pre Order price comes from.
Sony Aus sets the initial price. Hopefully the normal pattern happens and it drops soon.
The 200-60 was $3300 and years later is $3099 (on Sony Aus.)
Within 6 months only a lazy person would pay more than $2700.
Currently it's available from 2 big stores for $2223, another $2271 and a fourth $2310.
So Sony Aus price starts of as relevant but becomes increasingly irrelevant with time.
Ordered!
Sony Australia says "Next available shipment March 15" so that might be a good indication of when it will ship.
Better indication than my local Butchers can provide at least.
