Sony 100-400 f/4.5
p.10 #1Sony 100-400 f/4.5
Just curious how tight is the “tight” setting. Can you still zoom with your fingertips? Is it like the OG 100-400GM tight setting?
Jun 24, 2026 at 01:09 PM
p.10 #2Sony 100-400 f/4.5
Thanks for the info. The creeping would be annoying to me. If it has to creep, I think it would be much better if the creep went to 400. Seems like an engineering flaw to me? None of the other internal zooms creep.
Jun 24, 2026 at 01:20 PM
p.10 #3Sony 100-400 f/4.5
I wonder if this is going to turn out to be a flaw with the initial batch that gets addressed going forward?
scott f wrote:
I had a great usage case for the 100-400 plus 1.4 on Monday. I was in the kayak photographing loons when an intruder loon landed on the lake. I was maybe 75' from the male while it was feeding the loonlet. I was using the 600 instead of the 300 because I was on and off with the 1.4, trying to keep my distance and get depth of field. I had more light than I needed. Mom and the baby came right at me (I think for protection) and the male went wild. Full dives and penguin walk. Splashing like crazy. I had too much lens at 600mm and 350-400 would have been perfect. My images ended up great, except for the 50% that I clipped wings due to being too close. Luckily for me I've photographed this behavior many times. It would have been devastating if this had been my first time photographing this behavior so close.
If I had the 100-400 on a second body Monday, I would have switched as soon as I saw the intruder flying overhead. Thinking back, I should have had the 300 on a second body, but space is at a premium when kayaking, so the 1-4 could be attractive with 2 tcs in the dry bag.
So, to me, the new 1-4 would have to be on par with the 300gm with 1.4, and reasonably acceptable with the 2x for me to consider it. The new 1-4 + 300 and a pocket full of tcs seems like a great YNP two-camera combo.
What's the deal with the zoom creep? That's probably the biggest "piss me off" thing I've heard about the new lens and could keep me from buying it. I assume it creeps to 100mm?Yes,, it creeps to 100 pretty quickly, but taking the zoom control off smooth solves it.
scott f wrote:
ps09 wrote
Thanks for the info guys. I found the 4-8 to be acceptable in the right conditions, but found the handling of it so close to the 600 f4 that I sold it at a $600 loss to a friend that doesn't have a 600f4. I figured that saving 1.3# wasn't worth being at f8 from 600mm on. For some reason I find the 600f4 easier to handhold than the 4-8. I kinda dig my fingers inside the hood of the 600 and I can be quite steady. For me, I figured if I was going to be on a monopod I'd rather have the 600.I had a great usage case for the 100-400 plus 1.4 on Monday. I was in the kayak photographing loons when an intruder loon landed on the lake. I was maybe 75' from the male while it was feeding the loonlet. I was using the 600 instead of the 300 because I was on and off with the 1.4, trying to keep my distance and get depth of field. I had more light than I needed. Mom and the baby came right at me (I think for protection) and the male went wild. Full dives and penguin walk. Splashing like crazy. I had too much lens at 600mm and 350-400 would have been perfect. My images ended up great, except for the 50% that I clipped wings due to being too close. Luckily for me I've photographed this behavior many times. It would have been devastating if this had been my first time photographing this behavior so close.
If I had the 100-400 on a second body Monday, I would have switched as soon as I saw the intruder flying overhead. Thinking back, I should have had the 300 on a second body, but space is at a premium when kayaking, so the 1-4 could be attractive with 2 tcs in the dry bag.
So, to me, the new 1-4 would have to be on par with the 300gm with 1.4, and reasonably acceptable with the 2x for me to consider it. The new 1-4 + 300 and a pocket full of tcs seems like a great YNP two-camera combo.
What's the deal with the zoom creep? That's probably the biggest "piss me off" thing I've heard about the new lens and could keep me from buying it. I assume it creeps to 100mm?
Jun 24, 2026 at 01:52 PM
p.10 #4Sony 100-400 f/4.5
robert614 wrote:
Just curious how tight is the “tight” setting. Can you still zoom with your fingertips? Is it like the OG 100-400GM tight setting?
You can still use it on the tight setting. Might take a little more than just fingertips but it isn't like the 100-400 4.5/5.6 on tight.
Just curious how tight is the “tight” setting. Can you still zoom with your fingertips? Is it like the OG 100-400GM tight setting?
You can still use it on the tight setting. Might take a little more than just fingertips but it isn't like the 100-400 4.5/5.6 on tight.
Jun 24, 2026 at 05:35 PM
p.10 #5Sony 100-400 f/4.5
gdanmitchell wrote:
I wonder if this is going to turn out to be a flaw with the initial batch that gets addressed going forward?
I had a great usage case for the 100-400 plus 1.4 on Monday. I was in the kayak photographing loons when an intruder loon landed on the lake. I was maybe 75' from the male while it was feeding the loonlet. I was using the 600 instead of the 300 because I was on and off with the 1.4, trying to keep my distance and get depth of field. I had more light than I needed. Mom and the baby came right at me (I think for protection) and the male went wild. Full dives and penguin walk. Splashing like crazy. I had too much lens at 600mm and 350-400 would have been perfect. My images ended up great, except for the 50% that I clipped wings due to being too close. Luckily for me I've photographed this behavior many times. It would have been devastating if this had been my first time photographing this behavior so close.
If I had the 100-400 on a second body Monday, I would have switched as soon as I saw the intruder flying overhead. Thinking back, I should have had the 300 on a second body, but space is at a premium when kayaking, so the 1-4 could be attractive with 2 tcs in the dry bag.
So, to me, the new 1-4 would have to be on par with the 300gm with 1.4, and reasonably acceptable with the 2x for me to consider it. The new 1-4 + 300 and a pocket full of tcs seems like a great YNP two-camera combo.
What's the deal with the zoom creep? That's probably the biggest "piss me off" thing I've heard about the new lens and could keep me from buying it. I assume it creeps to 100mm?Yes,, it creeps to 100 pretty quickly, but taking the zoom control off smooth solves it.
I've seen another report of a lens that doesn't creep but it was from preorder, day 1 release. So there is some tolerance going on with the zoom "tightness".
Will be interesting to see if the ones that don't creep start to creep after more use.
I wonder if this is going to turn out to be a flaw with the initial batch that gets addressed going forward?
scott f wrote
ps09 wrote
Thanks for the info guys. I found the 4-8 to be acceptable in the right conditions, but found the handling of it so close to the 600 f4 that I sold it at a $600 loss to a friend that doesn't have a 600f4. I figured that saving 1.3# wasn't worth being at f8 from 600mm on. For some reason I find the 600f4 easier to handhold than the 4-8. I kinda dig my fingers inside the hood of the 600 and I can be quite steady. For me, I figured if I was going to be on a monopod I'd rather have the 600.I had a great usage case for the 100-400 plus 1.4 on Monday. I was in the kayak photographing loons when an intruder loon landed on the lake. I was maybe 75' from the male while it was feeding the loonlet. I was using the 600 instead of the 300 because I was on and off with the 1.4, trying to keep my distance and get depth of field. I had more light than I needed. Mom and the baby came right at me (I think for protection) and the male went wild. Full dives and penguin walk. Splashing like crazy. I had too much lens at 600mm and 350-400 would have been perfect. My images ended up great, except for the 50% that I clipped wings due to being too close. Luckily for me I've photographed this behavior many times. It would have been devastating if this had been my first time photographing this behavior so close.
If I had the 100-400 on a second body Monday, I would have switched as soon as I saw the intruder flying overhead. Thinking back, I should have had the 300 on a second body, but space is at a premium when kayaking, so the 1-4 could be attractive with 2 tcs in the dry bag.
So, to me, the new 1-4 would have to be on par with the 300gm with 1.4, and reasonably acceptable with the 2x for me to consider it. The new 1-4 + 300 and a pocket full of tcs seems like a great YNP two-camera combo.
What's the deal with the zoom creep? That's probably the biggest "piss me off" thing I've heard about the new lens and could keep me from buying it. I assume it creeps to 100mm?
I've seen another report of a lens that doesn't creep but it was from preorder, day 1 release. So there is some tolerance going on with the zoom "tightness".
Will be interesting to see if the ones that don't creep start to creep after more use.
Jun 24, 2026 at 05:36 PM
p.10 #6Sony 100-400 f/4.5
ps09 wrote:
Thanks for the info. The creeping would be annoying to me. If it has to creep, I think it would be much better if the creep went to 400. Seems like an engineering flaw to me? None of the other internal zooms creep.
None of the Sony internal zooms have elements as big as these.
I'm okay with the creep if it keeps the zoom as smooth as it is on my copy. I don't want mine to not creep and then have a stiffer zoom.
I developed a habit when shooting the 200-600 of always having my hand on the zoom ring and having that clockwise force on it to make sure I was always maximizing my focal length. I do the same with this new 100-400 and therefore am always at 400mm. Also the lens is still quite useable on the tight setting so there is always that option. Although if I'm using the zoom during a BIF sequence then I prefer the loose setting. But any other use it is fine on tight.
Thanks for the info. The creeping would be annoying to me. If it has to creep, I think it would be much better if the creep went to 400. Seems like an engineering flaw to me? None of the other internal zooms creep.
None of the Sony internal zooms have elements as big as these.
I'm okay with the creep if it keeps the zoom as smooth as it is on my copy. I don't want mine to not creep and then have a stiffer zoom.
I developed a habit when shooting the 200-600 of always having my hand on the zoom ring and having that clockwise force on it to make sure I was always maximizing my focal length. I do the same with this new 100-400 and therefore am always at 400mm. Also the lens is still quite useable on the tight setting so there is always that option. Although if I'm using the zoom during a BIF sequence then I prefer the loose setting. But any other use it is fine on tight.
Jun 24, 2026 at 05:40 PM
p.10 #7Sony 100-400 f/4.5
arbitrage wrote:
You can still use it on the tight setting. Might take a little more than just fingertips but it isn't like the 100-400 4.5/5.6 on tight.
Thanks Geoff!
robert614 wrote
Just curious how tight is the “tight” setting. Can you still zoom with your fingertips? Is it like the OG 100-400GM tight setting?Thanks Geoff!
Jun 24, 2026 at 07:15 PM
p.10 #8Sony 100-400 f/4.5
Alex Phan wrote:
Hoping @Alex Phan@@ got the lens to Leofoto so they can get working on one!!Skin is available this weekend
Foot replacement already done. USA warehouse expecting shipment soon.
Alex, have you heard any updates on the foot replacement? Day 1 purchase for me.
arbitrage wrote
Also for those thinking about replacement feet the bolt pattern is not the same as the 400GM/600GM/Canon lenses. It is also not the same as the 400-800 (someone confirmed this on BCG forum). So we are stuck waiting for someone to make a foot with this new bolt pattern.Hoping @Alex Phan@@ got the lens to Leofoto so they can get working on one!!
Foot replacement already done. USA warehouse expecting shipment soon.
Alex, have you heard any updates on the foot replacement? Day 1 purchase for me.
Jun 29, 2026 at 07:24 AM
p.10 #9Sony 100-400 f/4.5
ketang wrote:
Hoping @Alex Phan@@@ got the lens to Leofoto so they can get working on one!!Skin is available this weekend
Foot replacement already done. USA warehouse expecting shipment soon.Alex, have you heard any updates on the foot replacement? Day 1 purchase for me.
and the base/l-plate for the A7R6 😎
Alex Phan wrote
arbitrage wrote
Also for those thinking about replacement feet the bolt pattern is not the same as the 400GM/600GM/Canon lenses. It is also not the same as the 400-800 (someone confirmed this on BCG forum). So we are stuck waiting for someone to make a foot with this new bolt pattern.Hoping @Alex Phan@@@ got the lens to Leofoto so they can get working on one!!
Foot replacement already done. USA warehouse expecting shipment soon.
and the base/l-plate for the A7R6 😎
Jun 29, 2026 at 08:38 AM
p.10 #10Sony 100-400 f/4.5
Let me check with Leofotousa team and get back to you.
Skin is ready for both from alphagvrd. Fyi
Skin is ready for both from alphagvrd. Fyi
Jun 29, 2026 at 09:17 AM
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Jun 29, 2026 at 09:53 AM
p.10 #12Sony 100-400 f/4.5
ketang wrote:
Hoping @Alex Phan@@@ got the lens to Leofoto so they can get working on one!!Skin is available this weekend
Foot replacement already done. USA warehouse expecting shipment soon.Alex, have you heard any updates on the foot replacement? Day 1 purchase for me.
It is not on the US site yet but it is on international. I ordered one from AliExpress which should arrive this week. Hopefully it is legit.
https://www.leofoto.com/product/leofoto-sf-06-replacement-foot-for-sony-fe-4-5-100-400-gm/
Alex Phan wrote
arbitrage wrote
Also for those thinking about replacement feet the bolt pattern is not the same as the 400GM/600GM/Canon lenses. It is also not the same as the 400-800 (someone confirmed this on BCG forum). So we are stuck waiting for someone to make a foot with this new bolt pattern.Hoping @Alex Phan@@@ got the lens to Leofoto so they can get working on one!!
Foot replacement already done. USA warehouse expecting shipment soon.
It is not on the US site yet but it is on international. I ordered one from AliExpress which should arrive this week. Hopefully it is legit.
https://www.leofoto.com/product/leofoto-sf-06-replacement-foot-for-sony-fe-4-5-100-400-gm/
Jun 29, 2026 at 02:02 PM
p.10 #13Sony 100-400 f/4.5
arbitrage wrote:
Hoping @Alex Phan@@@@ got the lens to Leofoto so they can get working on one!!Skin is available this weekend
Foot replacement already done. USA warehouse expecting shipment soon.Alex, have you heard any updates on the foot replacement? Day 1 purchase for me.It is not on the US site yet but it is on international. I ordered one from AliExpress which should arrive this week. Hopefully it is legit.
https://www.leofoto.com/product/leofoto-sf-06-replacement-foot-for-sony-fe-4-5-100-400-gm/
Thanks, do you have the AliExpress link? I searched for a few terms but couldn't find a listing.
ketang wrote
Alex Phan wrote
arbitrage wrote
Also for those thinking about replacement feet the bolt pattern is not the same as the 400GM/600GM/Canon lenses. It is also not the same as the 400-800 (someone confirmed this on BCG forum). So we are stuck waiting for someone to make a foot with this new bolt pattern.Hoping @Alex Phan@@@@ got the lens to Leofoto so they can get working on one!!
Foot replacement already done. USA warehouse expecting shipment soon.
https://www.leofoto.com/product/leofoto-sf-06-replacement-foot-for-sony-fe-4-5-100-400-gm/
Thanks, do you have the AliExpress link? I searched for a few terms but couldn't find a listing.
Jun 29, 2026 at 02:15 PM
p.10 #14Sony 100-400 f/4.5
ketang wrote:
Hoping @Alex Phan@@@@@ got the lens to Leofoto so they can get working on one!!Skin is available this weekend
Foot replacement already done. USA warehouse expecting shipment soon.Alex, have you heard any updates on the foot replacement? Day 1 purchase for me.It is not on the US site yet but it is on international. I ordered one from AliExpress which should arrive this week. Hopefully it is legit.
https://www.leofoto.com/product/leofoto-sf-06-replacement-foot-for-sony-fe-4-5-100-400-gm/Thanks, do you have the AliExpress link? I searched for a few terms but couldn't find a listing.
This is the one I found. But buyer beware. I have no idea if I will get a legit foot in the mail.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005012524619490.html
arbitrage wrote
ketang wrote
Alex Phan wrote
arbitrage wrote
Also for those thinking about replacement feet the bolt pattern is not the same as the 400GM/600GM/Canon lenses. It is also not the same as the 400-800 (someone confirmed this on BCG forum). So we are stuck waiting for someone to make a foot with this new bolt pattern.Hoping @Alex Phan@@@@@ got the lens to Leofoto so they can get working on one!!
Foot replacement already done. USA warehouse expecting shipment soon.
https://www.leofoto.com/product/leofoto-sf-06-replacement-foot-for-sony-fe-4-5-100-400-gm/
This is the one I found. But buyer beware. I have no idea if I will get a legit foot in the mail.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005012524619490.html
Jun 29, 2026 at 02:21 PM
p.10 #15Sony 100-400 f/4.5
As someone who was closely watching this lens as a possibly "perfect" kayak lens with 1.4, I am disappointed and question how a lens can be released with a flaw as obvious as the creep is? Do I want a $4000+ lens that has the creeps? No, honestly I don't. I want the lens to operate like my 70-200 gm ii and how the 2-6/4-8 did (sold them both). I saw this lens as 1/2 of a perfect "dual strap connected to foot" 2-camera setup. The other being the 300 + 2x. I could hop out of the truck or snow coach with 1-4 and 600mm (300/2x). No tripods or monopods. The thought of it creeping to 100 while it dangles is a deal breaker for me. I want the zoom buttery smooth like the other Sony internal lenses, not requiring a stiff setting to maintain my zoom setting. In the kayak (my kayaks are pedal driven) I normally rest the lens hood on my right thigh and secure the camera to my right shoulder with my right hand cradling the lens at the mount (left hand controls rudder). This lens would most certainly creep to 100 while I pedal to find my subject and would be at its widest setting when I would lift the camera to my eye. I think it would take me quite a while to develop muscle memory to crank the zoom as I lift it (I shoot maybe 1-2 days a week if I'm lucky). AND, I don't think I should have to develop a work-around technique to make up for the shortcomings of a lens that lists at more than $4k. I think they cheaped-out on something with this lens, either to keep the cost or weight down and I find it unacceptable. I'd be so pissed if I missed a shot because it crept to 100 because my gimbal or monopod were pointing down. I'd be better off with the 2-6 at f8.
I think this lens will actually have a positive impact on sales of the 2-6. I had a copy that was really strong at f7.1 and now I regret selling it.
I think this lens will actually have a positive impact on sales of the 2-6. I had a copy that was really strong at f7.1 and now I regret selling it.
Jun 29, 2026 at 04:25 PM
p.10 #16Sony 100-400 f/4.5
BTW - I sold the 2-6 after getting the 300gm and realizing how well it took the 2x. my 2-6 was at 600 90% or more of the time. I sold the 4-8 because the weight and balance were so close to my 600gm that I couldn't see keeping it and using it over the 600gm for 840 if I needed it. The 600gm balances better for me even though it's slightly heavier than the 4-8 and larger. I now wish I had my 2-6 back.
Jun 29, 2026 at 04:28 PM
p.10 #17Sony 100-400 f/4.5
My 100-400mm on tight has zero creep and is buttery smooth to turn vs the old 100-400 which I owned in the past. That was hard to turn on tight. The 100-400 f4.5 is not. Tight is smooth and easy to turn. Everyone getting upset about this needs to handle the lens before judging. I think there are a lot of assumptions being made based on experiences with the old 100-400. This is different.
Tight puts it where most people would have been happy. There would be no conversation about this at all if they has set it to tight and eliminated the smooth setting. Smooth is one finger flickable if you need to rack really quickly. I personally like that they gave that option. Being able to use two fingers to rapidly rack the zoom while following moving birds while hand held is excellent. If I need zero creep, flick to tight. There is way too much discussion about this. It is a non event.
Tight puts it where most people would have been happy. There would be no conversation about this at all if they has set it to tight and eliminated the smooth setting. Smooth is one finger flickable if you need to rack really quickly. I personally like that they gave that option. Being able to use two fingers to rapidly rack the zoom while following moving birds while hand held is excellent. If I need zero creep, flick to tight. There is way too much discussion about this. It is a non event.
Jun 29, 2026 at 04:36 PM
p.10 #18Sony 100-400 f/4.5
Received the Walsh short hood today. As they describe on their site the hood fits pretty tight over the Chasing Birds coat when reverse mounted. Doubt it would work at all over a Lens Coat. Walsh hoods probably seemed to be designed to be used with a bare lens or one with a skin.
Karl Zemlin indicated that he his working on his hood designs and hopefully will be available to order at the end of this week.
Karl Zemlin indicated that he his working on his hood designs and hopefully will be available to order at the end of this week.
Jun 29, 2026 at 09:39 PM
p.10 #19Sony 100-400 f/4.5
ps09 wrote:
As someone who was closely watching this lens as a possibly "perfect" kayak lens with 1.4, I am disappointed and question how a lens can be released with a flaw as obvious as the creep is? Do I want a $4000+ lens that has the creeps? No, honestly I don't. I want the lens to operate like my 70-200 gm ii and how the 2-6/4-8 did (sold them both). I saw this lens as 1/2 of a perfect "dual strap connected to foot" 2-camera setup. The other being the 300 + 2x. I could hop out of the truck or...Show more →
It's not a flaw - it's a design tradeoff - and they put a switch on to optionally prevent creep.
Sometimes you just can't have the cake and eat it too.
Get over it and move on now.
As someone who was closely watching this lens as a possibly "perfect" kayak lens with 1.4, I am disappointed and question how a lens can be released with a flaw as obvious as the creep is? Do I want a $4000+ lens that has the creeps? No, honestly I don't. I want the lens to operate like my 70-200 gm ii and how the 2-6/4-8 did (sold them both). I saw this lens as 1/2 of a perfect "dual strap connected to foot" 2-camera setup. The other being the 300 + 2x. I could hop out of the truck or...Show more →
It's not a flaw - it's a design tradeoff - and they put a switch on to optionally prevent creep.
Sometimes you just can't have the cake and eat it too.
Get over it and move on now.
Jun 29, 2026 at 09:55 PM
p.10 #20Sony 100-400 f/4.5
Maybe they need a Medium setting. The 200-600 zoom is fairly loose and I don't recall it creeping.
EBH
EBH
Jun 29, 2026 at 11:16 PM