p.1 #1 · First outing with 400-800mm, image heavy grab bag
Some shots from my first outing with the Sony A7RV and 400-800mm G OSS... it got a little image heavy in my enthusiasm to play with the new lens chasing smaller critters, and this is part 1, heh, so please forgive me.
So far, I am impressed with the AF speed and the sharpness at 800mm vs/my old 200-600mm lens +1.4x TC... it's definitely a step up in my opinion, and I think it is well worth it. That, and having more pixels on the subject than my usual heavy crops helps with noise despite F8 and F9.
I shot most of these on my old Bogen Aluminum Monopod and a new Mono-Gimbal head I bought in planning for the 400-800mm... the monopod definitely helps with the weight and to steady the shots... I'm still learning some new techniques yet still saw a lot of immediate potential and improvements... you have to worry a little more about atmospheric haze and being steady at 800mm, but I think the results are worth it.
Timing a mullet jump is a fun pastime when the birds aren't cooperating... I kept wondering, where are the Osprey, they could grab this guy easy? And here I am, right off the bat with a heavy crop... but I'd have never had a chance at this shot at 600mm, crop or no crop, so there is that. Heh.
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso400
1
Tiny fiddlers are a fun challenge
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso1250
2
The woodpecker's and their young were abundant this day... chasing each other around the trees back away from the waterfront. This one was giving me the side eye... heh.
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso320
3
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso500
4
This Jay was moving fast and had just landed in the shade, but F9 wasn't a problem
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /9.0 785.0 mm 1/2500 iso800
5
Focusing in dense brush netted me this young downy that made his presence known by pecking loudly on the palmetto branch. I should have opened up to F8... this is a high iso shot, barely a keeper.
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /9.0 400.0 mm 1/2500 iso6400
6
Here I did open up to F8, and it helped a little, but it was still in deep shade
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 795.0 mm 1/2500 iso6400
7
An angle we don't get to see very often unless you freeze time, I liked the patterns even if a bit abstract
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso400
8
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso400
9
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 775.0 mm 1/2500 iso5000
10
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso1250
11
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 765.0 mm 1/400 iso400
12
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 750.0 mm 1/1600 iso1600
13
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS /8.0 740.0 mm 1/2500 iso3200
p.1 #2 · First outing with 400-800mm, image heavy grab bag
Congratulations on the new lens Eric. Your first results look quite good. I hope it's better balanced than the very front heavy 200-600mm that I tried in the field and it was clearly not for me. 1, 4, 5, 11, 12 and 14 are standouts from this very nice set.
p.1 #3 · First outing with 400-800mm, image heavy grab bag
Congrats Eric !! Karl got one recently ( at my suggestion ) ,don't want to speak for him but I pretty sure he likes it. These look awesome ! Life is short enjoy !
p.1 #4 · First outing with 400-800mm, image heavy grab bag
morris wrote:
Congratulations on the new lens Eric. Your first results look quite good. I hope it's better balanced than the very front heavy 200-600mm that I tried in the field and it was clearly not for me. 1, 4, 5, 11, 12 and 14 are standouts from this very nice set.
Morris
Thanks Morris, and for your choices, those pretty much line up with my pick's too.
I got it here on FM from a great seller... came with a longer Arca foot, so it's balanced nicely on the monopod gimbal and makes a good handle to carry by too. If it was too front heavy, I would just put my dual battery grip back on the A7RV... but as it sits, the total all-up weight is less than with the 200-600mm when I removed the battery grip, so, winning? I just carry a spare battery or two in my bag, no biggie. I looked at the aftermarket carbon hood price... ouch! I think I'd try velcroing on a soft hood before I spent that much jack! As it is, I'm going to keep using it as-is for now until I see a specific need to change something.
p.1 #5 · First outing with 400-800mm, image heavy grab bag
Erictator wrote:
Thanks Morris, and for your choices, those pretty much line up with my pick's too.
I got it here on FM from a great seller... came with a longer Arca foot, so it's balanced nicely on the monopod gimbal and makes a good handle to carry by too. If it was too front heavy, I would just put my dual battery grip back on the A7RV... but as it sits, the total all-up weight is less than with the 200-600mm when I removed the battery grip, so, winning? I just carry a spare battery or two in my bag, no biggie. I looked at the aftermarket carbon hood price... ouch! I think I'd try velcroing on a soft hood before I spent that much jack! As it is, I'm going to keep using it as-is for now until I see a specific need to change something.
As far as lens hoods go, you may want to take a look at Zemlin Photo. He makes 3-D printed hoods for most lenses
I have one for my Sigma 300-600. It saves around 4oz. over the stock carbon fiber hood. Which doesnt sound like much, but 4oz from the front of the lens is quite noticeable in terms of balance
I dont know how lighter one would be for the 400-800. But I know the OEM hood is pretty heavy compared to the 200-600
