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 ƒ/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 ƒ/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 ƒ/8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso320
3
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS ƒ/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 ƒ/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 ƒ/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 ƒ/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 ƒ/8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso400
8
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS ƒ/8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso400
9
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS ƒ/8.0 775.0 mm 1/2500 iso5000
10
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS ƒ/8.0 800.0 mm 1/2500 iso1250
11
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS ƒ/8.0 765.0 mm 1/400 iso400
12
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS ƒ/8.0 750.0 mm 1/1600 iso1600
13
Sony ILCE-7RM5 FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS ƒ/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 doesn’t sound like much, but 4oz from the front of the lens is quite noticeable in terms of balance
I don’t know how lighter one would be for the 400-800. But I know the OEM hood is pretty heavy compared to the 200-600
p.1 #6 · First outing with 400-800mm, image heavy grab bag
Yay!!
I knew this lens would ignite your birding to a new level Eric. I see you have a nice sharp copy and from this set all I can say is WOW!! You nailed this outing buddy
#12 is a stunning image, make sure to print that one, beautiful pose light and feel in it
Happy for you. I never felt the 200-600 to be 'front' heavy but then again Morris is shooting a prime. The benefits of reach really excel with this lens for birding IMO.
Really fine set, keep at it!
By the way, that is the very first MIF 'mullet if flight' I have ever seen, congrats on that capture!!
Karl
p.1 #8 · First outing with 400-800mm, image heavy grab bag
Congrats on the new lens, what a super set of images. The overall IQ in these images is incredible. You've got yourself a winner with this new lens. Do you find it too heavy to handhold?
p.1 #12 · First outing with 400-800mm, image heavy grab bag
johnohio wrote:
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 !
Ps. Monopod and tripod are your friends
John
Thanks John! That was my attitude at time of purchase... I've been on the fence about it since it was released, and finally allowed myself to go for it. Glad I did.
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robert614 wrote:
Congrats on the new lens! Nice pics!
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 doesn’t sound like much, but 4oz from the front of the lens is quite noticeable in terms of balance
I don’t know how lighter one would be for the 400-800. But I know the OEM hood is pretty heavy compared to the 200-600
Thanks! I'll check it out. I was looking at the roland pro soft hood too... just velcro's on and should be very light.
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Karl Witt wrote:
Yay!!
I knew this lens would ignite your birding to a new level Eric. I see you have a nice sharp copy and from this set all I can say is WOW!! You nailed this outing buddy
#12 is a stunning image, make sure to print that one, beautiful pose light and feel in it
Happy for you. I never felt the 200-600 to be 'front' heavy but then again Morris is shooting a prime. The benefits of reach really excel with this lens for birding IMO.
Really fine set, keep at it!
By the way, that is the very first MIF 'mullet if flight' I have ever seen, congrats on that capture!!
Karl...Show more →
Thanks much Karl! Yeah, I'm not noticing the front heavy issue either. The mono pod and mono gimbal are something I should have been using all along, but I can handhold this just as well as my 200-600mm. It's just better with the monopod and the new gimbal makes me want to use the monopod more, where as with the old style head, I wasn't thrilled with the way it handled. The Wimberly, or the WEYLLAN PH3 gimbal mono heads are worth a strong look for anyone wanting to use a monopod with this lens. Great idea printing #12, or at least tag it for my annual photo book if I do one this year.
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Jim Dockery wrote:
Nice work! Welcome to the club - I love mine, but haven't gotten out to use it enough.
Thanks! Do it!
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louie champan wrote:
Congrats on the new lens, what a super set of images. The overall IQ in these images is incredible. You've got yourself a winner with this new lens. Do you find it too heavy to handhold?
Thanks Louie! I'm really enjoying the extra reach and speedy AF. See my comment to Karl, but short answer no, not too heavy to handhold. Overall weight is same or little less as my 200-600mm, now that I removed my dual battery grip from the body.
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sum1sgrampa wrote:
Congrats on the new lens Eric. Off to a great start !
Gary
Thanks much Gary!
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umut_h_toprak wrote:
Brilliant set! Wish you much success with it.
dfreese wrote:
I just got the 200 600. I don't needed thissssss... haha.
No, you don't... but if one falls into your lap, you might want to keep it, heh. I love my 200-600mm! (still haven't let it go yet) It is the lens that made me choose E mount in the first place! Learn it and enjoy the heck out of it, it is an awesome bit of kit! You will need those techniques you will learn using it, if you want to get the 400-800mm someday, so don't worry about it... yet.
p.1 #17 · First outing with 400-800mm, image heavy grab bag
Ronny Olsson wrote:
Congrats on the new lens Eric ! Lovely set !
Ronny
Thanks Ronny! More to come from this outing... even tried a few bugs and close up work with promising results but think I can do better next time.
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viper699 wrote:
Very nice! 400-800 is the perfect range for me.
Thanks! It is growing on me fast, heh.
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birdied wrote:
Eric what a pleasure to view this set , fantastic image quality. Congratulations, looks like you will really enjoy it. All so well done.
Birdie
Thanks Birdie! Nothing like a new toy, ahem, I mean tool, to inspire and keep us going, heh.
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csinseattle wrote:
Eric,
Great set of images with your new lens, your off to great start.
Enjoy and have fun,
Chris S
