I can see a 400/4.5 joining the household here eventually somewhere next year. I eyed the 300/2.8 before, but this just makes a lot more sense. It's smaller and much more similar to my 70-200/2.8 which means it will fit my sling bag.
The pricing got readjusted to €2799, so that makes it very appealing too.
Sounds like the 400mm is perfect for my needs. I have the original 100-400mm GM but AF isnt as sticky and quick as my 70-200mm 2.8 Mkii or my 200-600mm. So I did preorder the 400mm 4.5. I will of course keep my original 100-400mm as well for its MFD and travel. Did not order the 100-400mm 4.5 GM because of its size and traveling. I also like the idea of being able to use my 1.4 teleconverter on the 400mm 4.5 that will give my 560mm 6.3 at a lot lighter weight than my 200-600mm.
I just purchased the 300 F/2.8 this past week or so and then Sony drops these lenses. First world problems for sure when it comes to making a decision if adding these to the current kit makes any sense. I have the 400-800 which has been great, not the lightest, it loves to eat light so there's the ISO hit you take at f/8.0. I'm thinking about the 600 f/6.3 ... would sell the 200-600 and if it's sharp with the 1.4TC on it, then the 400-800 could go as well. I'd keep the 300+TCs and have a little overlap but the kit would be lighter and cover basically the same range I've captured most of my images at this past year.
I loved shooting with the 500PF when I was shooting on Nikon, compact size and easy to manage weight wise...
Exciting time to be a photographer... lots of great options.
I need to see the actuals compared to the MTF, especially the tangential vs. sagittal divergence at higher values of r. Images of birds or other stuff not fully in plane of focus over the frame are of no use to me.
eriet30 wrote:
Odd at this point and time in the poll I am the only 400 taker lol
No that is two of us but could not change my original poll selection. Rarely do I get excited about a new lens but I certainly am with this 400mm prime I just preordered. Is it Oct 15th yet?
For me, the 600/6.3GM is a must have. Not meant to replace the 600/4GM at all (opposite to quite a few others I am not looking to replace the 600GM with e.g. the 300GM and TC's)
But meant to be a (very) lightweight and small alternative for hikes and cycletours when I am not really looking to engage in photography, but want 600mm at hand when something special does show up.
I don't like TC's, don't like the compressing effect on the look of the image, nibbling away at the 3D feel of images, and I don't like the hassle of putting them on and removing them, so for me this way of getting to 600mm is very much the preferred way.
I used the 600f4 for about 3 years, then earlier this year I got the 300 2.8 because I got tired of carrying the 600f4. I wanted to spend more time in nature vs taking the absolute best bird pics I could take. I got the 600 6.3 because I use the 300 with 2x TC about 90% of the time. I'm really thinking that the 600 6.3 will out-perform the 300+2x TC. I might keep the 300 for a bit, but I don't like owning two lenses for the same purpose (bird photography). 420mm F4 would be good for rain forest (like Costa Rica) but if I can get away with using 6.3, low shutter speed and hi ISO it might work.
Alex W wrote:
No that is two of us but could not change my original poll selection. Rarely do I get excited about a new lens but I certainly am with this 400mm prime I just preordered. Is it Oct 15th yet?
whew I thought I was being odd again. I like the size the best, I use velcro foldable hoods so it will travel very well and since i have 2.o and 1.4 i am covered well
My old back and legs might keep going at this rate
Both lenses are tempting, but I already have the 600 f4, the 300 f2.8 and the 400-800. I alternate between the 300 and the 400-800 while hiking, depending on the distance and since the 600 6.3 would be an f9 with the 1.4X TC while the 400-800 is f8, I don't know that I want to switch. If I did, I'd likely sell the 400-800. I'm never selling my 600 f4.
I got the 300mm about a month ago for indoor and outdoor sports and it's been very enjoyable to use. I'm not using TCs, but with them it becomes a 420 f4 and a 600 f5.6, and I expect that the difference in image quality won't be that drastic.
RikWriter wrote:
Both lenses are tempting, but I already have the 600 f4, the 300 f2.8 and the 400-800. I alternate between the 300 and the 400-800 while hiking, depending on the distance and since the 600 6.3 would be an f9 with the 1.4X TC while the 400-800 is f8, I don't know that I want to switch. If I did, I'd likely sell the 400-800. I'm never selling my 600 f4.
I'm curious to see if the 600 6.3 will resolve details at distance better than the 300+2x TC or 400-800 at 600mm. The 600F4 was king at distance, but I had to let it go.
I will order the 600/6.3. Just waiting for my dealer to get enough stock that he will discount the price for me. Hopefully by late October. Maybe earlier.
This lens will be in addition to my 300GM and 600/4GM. What I'm not sure about is my new 100-400/4.5GM. That will stay for now but I could see it being sold eventually.
I want the 600/6.3 for maximum lightweight and portability. I also want to be able to reach 840/9 which I can't with the 300GM. I'm also hoping that the AF is better than the 300/2xTC.
arbitrage wrote:
I will order the 600/6.3. Just waiting for my dealer to get enough stock that he will discount the price for me. Hopefully by late October. Maybe earlier.
This lens will be in addition to my 300GM and 600/4GM. What I'm not sure about is my new 100-400/4.5GM. That will stay for now but I could see it being sold eventually.
I want the 600/6.3 for maximum lightweight and portability. I also want to be able to reach 840/9 which I can't with the 300GM. I'm also hoping that the AF is better than the 300/2xTC.
Same except that I don't have the 600/4.. 👍🏼 Will wait for Geoff's review.... 🤣
Looks like that fence is getting a little wobbly. There’s a lot of people on it! 😄
I’m on that fence too. I have three ways to get to 600mm already. So do I really need another?
I’m waiting to see some 300mm + 2XTC vs. 600mm f6.3 comparisons. I’m guessing the bare 6.3 will beat it. But by how much? I’m also waiting for some 400-800mm @ 800mm vs. the 6.3 + 1.4XTC comparisons
I’ve been looking at some old 800mm shots and I must say when the atmosphere is cooperating, the shots are pretty good. But if the new 6.3 can beat it considerably, I may consider selling the 400-800 and get the 6.3
First world problems for sure when it comes to making a decision if adding these to the current kit makes any sense. I have the 400-800 which has been great, not the lightest, it loves to eat light so there's the ISO hit you take at f/8.0. I'm thinking about the 600 f/6.3 ... would sell the 200-600 and if it's sharp with the 1.4TC on it, then the 400-800 could go as well. I'd keep the 300+TCs and have a little overlap but the kit would be lighter and cover basically the same range I've captured most of my images at this past year.