The Amazing Sony A1/A7/A9/APS-C & Anything else welcome Mega Thread!

[nandbytes]

Well the 200-600mm ain't half bad at 600mm so it's clearly not to be sniffed at. I wonder if there's any thoughts on TC mark II's to further improve the 300mm?

200-600mm is a fantastic lens. But suffers from a fair bit of focus breathing, so at closer distances it's said to be closer to 525mm.
If the 300GM is less prone to this you are also getting a bit of extra reach at closer focus distances which is nice.

This is the kind of lens I really wanted from Sony. But in some ways I prefer the Nikon's 400mm f4.5 because with 2x it can stretch to 800mm f9 but friend who owns it with Z8 tells me it's just better to crop than use 2x TC in most cases.
The other option is Z600mm f6.3 + 1.4x TC. But the issue there is I wouldn't have anything shorter. I'd like to have access to 400mm focal length at a minimum and I don't really want to buy another lens like 100-400mm.

 

[snerkler]

200-600mm is a fantastic lens. But suffers from a fair bit of focus breathing, so at closer distances it's said to be closer to 525mm.
If the 300GM is less prone to this you are also getting a bit of extra reach at closer focus distances which is nice.

This is the kind of lens I really wanted from Sony. But in some ways I prefer the Nikon's 400mm f4.5 because with 2x it can stretch to 800mm f9 but friend who owns it with Z8 tells me it's just better to crop than use 2x TC in most cases.
The other option is Z600mm f6.3 + 1.4x TC. But the issue there is I wouldn't have anything shorter. I'd like to have access to 400mm focal length at a minimum and I don't really want to buy another lens like 100-400mm.

I think the ability to crop saves the faff of swapping from no TC to a TC and back again etc. The Z 600mm f6.3 with 1.4x TC is not going to let enough light in a lot of the time in the UK

 

[nandbytes]

I think the ability to crop saves the faff of swapping from no TC to a TC and back again etc. The Z 600mm f6.3 with 1.4x TC is not going to let enough light in a lot of the time in the UK

Yeah true a lot of time it'll be useless but its nice to have the option for that one day in 5 years you have a nice sunny day
It is possible to stack TCs on Sony
Though I wonder how bad the IQ will be!

 

[snerkler]

Doesn’t look particularly small

CONFIRMED: Sony 24-50mm f/2.8 will be announced on February 21 | sonyalpharumors

I can now confirm that Sony will have a product announcement event on February 21! So far I only got info about a new 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens coming on that day. I don't know if the Sony A1 firmware update will be released before that date or on the very same day. It also

www.sonyalpharumors.com

 

[nandbytes]

Doesn’t look particularly small

CONFIRMED: Sony 24-50mm f/2.8 will be announced on February 21 | sonyalpharumors

I can now confirm that Sony will have a product announcement event on February 21! So far I only got info about a new 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens coming on that day. I don't know if the Sony A1 firmware update will be released before that date or on the very same day. It also

www.sonyalpharumors.com

F2.8 zoom on FF (especially starting at 24mm) will inevitably end up big I think because you need larger elements.

I think the only real savings you get is reduction in length by about 20mm and it's respective weight saving.

But let's wait and see. The image in the rumour will be is hardly accurate to go by.

 

[wookie6262]

Price falling on A9iii on Panomoz. They are making it harder to resist and while it is only another 50 quid cheaper I'm guessing the camera could be a bit of a unicorn. Low sales and demand but actually a fantastic camera for niche needs. Hopefully the A1 new firmware is really good as that might put more buyers off and make the A9iii even cheaper. Just sold all my Nikon gear so teh bank account is not as scary as it was and a few paid gigs in the next month or so may tip me over the edge and make the purchase. I'll wait for the A1 firmware though in case it adds pre-capture

 

[nandbytes]

I'll wait for the A1 firmware though in case it adds pre-capture

And with RAW support like A9III

 

[woof woof]

Price falling on A9iii on Panomoz. They are making it harder to resist and while it is only another 50 quid cheaper I'm guessing the camera could be a bit of a unicorn. Low sales and demand but actually a fantastic camera for niche needs. Hopefully the A1 new firmware is really good as that might put more buyers off and make the A9iii even cheaper. Just sold all my Nikon gear so teh bank account is not as scary as it was and a few paid gigs in the next month or so may tip me over the edge and make the purchase. I'll wait for the A1 firmware though in case it adds pre-capture

When I sell stuff anything I then buy with the money is "free."

I recently sold a few items and bought a Voigtlander 50mm f1.2 but that hasn't eaten all the incoming money up... but I can't think of anything else to buy, yet.

 

[nandbytes]

When I sell stuff anything I then buy with the money is "free."

I recently sold a few items and bought a Voigtlander 50mm f1.2 but that hasn't eaten all the incoming money up... but I can't think of anything else to buy, yet.

Please don't stress yourself.
I'll be happy to spend it for you. I'll PM you my bank details.

 

[snerkler]

Price falling on A9iii on Panomoz. They are making it harder to resist and while it is only another 50 quid cheaper I'm guessing the camera could be a bit of a unicorn. Low sales and demand but actually a fantastic camera for niche needs. Hopefully the A1 new firmware is really good as that might put more buyers off and make the A9iii even cheaper. Just sold all my Nikon gear so teh bank account is not as scary as it was and a few paid gigs in the next month or so may tip me over the edge and make the purchase. I'll wait for the A1 firmware though in case it adds pre-capture

Panamoz usually knock some price off their listed price too if you ask them

I've not seen anything to suggest the A1 will get pre-capture, in fact the latest announcement from SAR stating that the A1 update will have loads of stuff is actually rather disappointing unless you're a video shooter

 

[woof woof]

Please don't stress yourself.
I'll be happy to spend it for you. I'll PM you my bank details.

I have three cars and two of them are getting worked on at the moment and the third car needs new tyres. The creaking old MX5 is going to cost well over £1k to fettle as it seems to have been made out of steel not good enough to contain baked beans and my Evoque needs some work too but having said all that... the money that I got from selling is for photography stuff.

 

[wookie6262]

Panamoz usually knock some price off their listed price too if you ask them

I've not seen anything to suggest the A1 will get pre-capture, in fact the latest announcement from SAR stating that the A1 update will have loads of stuff is actually rather disappointing unless you're a video shooter

I'm just hoping for pre capture.

 

[snerkler]

I'm just hoping for pre capture.

Hot rumors: New Sony A1 firmware update is coming soon and will have some new “Burano” features! – sonyalpharumors

www.sonyalpharumors.com

 

[snerkler]

Sigma 500mm f5.6 will be under 1.5kg and allegedly sharper than the 200-600mm

New leaks and more info about the upcoming Sigma 500mm f/5.6 lens | sonyalpharumors

On top you can see the upcoming Sigma 500mm f/5.6 lens mounted on the Sony A1. It's kind of an odd style...almost looks like it has some telconverter built-in or not? Anyway, I got some additional specs: Sigma 500mm f/5.6 specs: Lightweight lens...less than 1,5kg and so the lightest telephoto...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

 

[Icee]

Sigma 500mm f5.6 will be under 1.5kg and allegedly sharper than the 200-600mm

New leaks and more info about the upcoming Sigma 500mm f/5.6 lens | sonyalpharumors

On top you can see the upcoming Sigma 500mm f/5.6 lens mounted on the Sony A1. It's kind of an odd style...almost looks like it has some telconverter built-in or not? Anyway, I got some additional specs: Sigma 500mm f/5.6 specs: Lightweight lens...less than 1,5kg and so the lightest telephoto...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

That will take some doings my 200-600mm is sharp.

 

[nandbytes]

a prime being sharper than a zoom is no surprise really.
for me the question is how it compares with 300mm f2.8 with TCs.
Basically 300GM+1.4x+crop vs sigma 500mm + downsize OR 300GM+2x+downsize vs. sigma 500mm + crop

Either way I am petty sure I'll be swapping out the 200-600mm for either of the primes.

 

[mav]

Looks like it may be similar to nikons pf 500 which is a stonking lens , downside is not being able to use tc with it . The 300 f2.8 looks promising , the canon version is very sharp with the 2x converter sharper then the sony 200-600

 

[nandbytes]

Looks like it may be similar to nikons pf 500 which is a stonking lens , downside is not being able to use tc with it . The 300 f2.8 looks promising , the canon version is very sharp with the 2x converter sharper then the sony 200-600

I have been following this thread on FM

New Sony 300mm f2.8GM with TC's

Mark Galer has a very nice review on the new Sony 300mm f2.8GM.One particular remark caught my attention:"I think the sharpness when using th...

www.fredmiranda.com

In the last few pages there's many comparisons and one even with canon 300mm f2.8. This lens seems sharper than the older canon design which isn't a surprise.

 

[woof woof]

And at the other end of the scale

A cheap manual 50mm f2.

Review: AstrHori 50mm 2.0 - phillipreeve.net

The AstrHori 50mm 2.0 is an affordable compact 50mm lens for Sony E-mount. Compared to other 50mm lenses this is actually

phillipreeve.net

Downsides seem to be softness and resistance to flare but one critisism I'd make is that it looks rather ordinary and maybe they could have made it look a bit more appealing.

The reviewer prefers the TTArtisan 50mm f2 which I have, it's problem areas are IMO flare resistance, off the scale vignetting at f2 when focusing at a longer distance and frankly awful corners. The TTA may win out overall but I can see some preferring this Astrhori lens as the TTA could be seen by some as being a bit fiddly.

I do appreciate that in this thread these lenses will probably only appeal to me

 

[T_J_G]

So is the best bet for a long telephoto the Sony 200-600? Must be 400+ have OSS and ideally internal zoom?

 

[Faldrax]

So is the best bet for a long telephoto the Sony 200-600? Must be 400+ have OSS and ideally internal zoom?

Well, the FE 400 f/2.8 OSS GM and FE 600 f/4 OSS GM both outperform the 200-600, but they lack the flexibility of the zoom and cost a little more

 

[nandbytes]

So is the best bet for a long telephoto the Sony 200-600? Must be 400+ have OSS and ideally internal zoom?

if you need a zoom yes.
if you are ok with primes there is a sigma 500mm f5.6 on the cards and you can use 300mm GM with TCs and there are of course the 400mm f2.8 and 600m f4.

There are other options
Tamron 150-500mm f6.7 - too slow IMO
Sigma 60-600mm and 150-600mm - might be a good alternative to 200-600mm but overall still prefer the Sony for 1st party AF support, sharpness, internal zoom etc.

 

[snerkler]

So is the best bet for a long telephoto the Sony 200-600? Must be 400+ have OSS and ideally internal zoom?

Depends what you class as a long telephoto, there's obviously the 100-400mm which is a superb lens but if you want 500+ and don't have the funds for a 600mm f4 then the 200-600mm is likely your best bet. I wish the 100-400mm was internal zoom like the 200-600mm, or the 200-600mm was significantly lighter than it is.

 

[snerkler]

Interesting thought, although I'd argue it's not just women that would prefer manufacturers to go in this direction.

Pancake Lenses Could Solve the Digital Camera's Biggest Problem

Pancake Lenses are a great way to make someone want to get into photography. But there aren't enough really good ones. That's a problem.

www.thephoblographer.com

 

[snerkler]

Is it me, or does the 35mm f1.4 GM look just as sharp in the centre at f1.4 compared to f8 on here? It is a crazy good lens.

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

 

[snerkler]

Great deals on Sony TC’s at the moment

 

[JohnMcL7]

Depends what you class as a long telephoto, there's obviously the 100-400mm which is a superb lens but if you want 500+ and don't have the funds for a 600mm f4 then the 200-600mm is likely your best bet. I wish the 100-400mm was internal zoom like the 200-600mm, or the 200-600mm was significantly lighter than it is.

I have been wondering whether a lightweight 500mm would be a better option than the 100-400mm but from what I can see it would still be a fairly hefty lens. I was looking through some photos from the 100-400mm and thinking I'd like to get a bit longer but I just know the likes of the 200-600mm is going to be too heavy for my use.

Interesting thought, although I'd argue it's not just women that would prefer manufacturers to go in this direction.

Pancake Lenses Could Solve the Digital Camera's Biggest Problem

Pancake Lenses are a great way to make someone want to get into photography. But there aren't enough really good ones. That's a problem.

www.thephoblographer.com

I was puzzled by that aspect as well as it's been a frustration of mine for a while since many of the primes seem pretty hefty these days, I had a few small primes for m4/3 used to like the old Nikon 50mm F1.4G which was fairly small, light and cheap.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Is it me, or does the 35mm f1.4 GM look just as sharp in the centre at f1.4 compared to f8 on here? It is a crazy good lens.

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

yes; wide open in the centre and f/2.8 in the periphery... that's really what you want in a good modern prime

 

[snerkler]

I have been wondering whether a lightweight 500mm would be a better option than the 100-400mm but from what I can see it would still be a fairly hefty lens. I was looking through some photos from the 100-400mm and thinking I'd like to get a bit longer but I just know the likes of the 200-600mm is going to be too heavy for my use.

I was puzzled by that aspect as well as it's been a frustration of mine for a while since many of the primes seem pretty hefty these days, I had a few small primes for m4/3 used to like the old Nikon 50mm F1.4G which was fairly small, light and cheap.

Yeah the 200-600mm is just too heavy for prolonged handholding. Having the high res sensors mean lenses like the 100-400mm give you more effective reach, and for everything but small birds find it long enough for me.

I do really like the m4/3 system but now having got used to f1.4 and f1.2 lenses on FF you just can’t get that shallow DOF on m4/3, at least not on an AF lens.

 

[nandbytes]

yes; wide open in the centre and f/2.8 in the periphery... that's really what you want in a good modern prime

Is it me, or does the 35mm f1.4 GM look just as sharp in the centre at f1.4 compared to f8 on here? It is a crazy good lens.

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

May be there is theoretical difference but even on A1 past F2 I don't notice any gain in sharpness by stopping down.
You have less vignetting by stopping down further and of course DoF.

Its a super nice lens and one I have had since day of release. I buy and sell loads but this one has stuck with me.
probably best lens I have owned overall (of course that is because I like 35mm).

 

[Mike.P]

I have been wondering whether a lightweight 500mm would be a better option than the 100-400mm but from what I can see it would still be a fairly hefty lens. I was looking through some photos from the 100-400mm and thinking I'd like to get a bit longer but I just know the likes of the 200-600mm is going to be too heavy for my use.

The 100-400mm takes the 1.4x well, I have one and tend to take it out with the TC a lot more than the 200-600mm.

 

[JohnMcL7]

The 100-400mm takes the 1.4x well, I have one and tend to take it out with the TC a lot more than the 200-600mm.

It's the Sigma 100-400mm I have which I don't think there's a teleconverter option for? It's useful to know you favour the smaller 100-400mm lens as I think I'd end up doing the same even without the TC.

 

[snerkler]

It's the Sigma 100-400mm I have which I don't think there's a teleconverter option for? It's useful to know you favour the smaller 100-400mm lens as I think I'd end up doing the same even without the TC.

No third party can work with TC’s

I use the 1.4x TC with my 100-400mm GM sometimes, IQ is still great and it’s still much lighter than the 200-600mm.

 

[snerkler]

No mention of Pergear, not sure if that should worry me or not

Finally: CFA finally shared a list of VPG VERIFIED CFexpress Type A cards. And here are the recommended cards for your Sony camera! | sonyalpharumors

Finally we have an accurate list of RELIABLE Type A cards! The CompactFlashAssocitation tested all currently available Type A cards and those are the cards that are proven to support the minimum Bitrate and therefore ave consistent performance: VPG 400 class (minimum fo 400MB/s the card can...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

 

[nandbytes]

No mention of Pergear, not sure if that should worry me or not

Finally: CFA finally shared a list of VPG VERIFIED CFexpress Type A cards. And here are the recommended cards for your Sony camera! | sonyalpharumors

Finally we have an accurate list of RELIABLE Type A cards! The CompactFlashAssocitation tested all currently available Type A cards and those are the cards that are proven to support the minimum Bitrate and therefore ave consistent performance: VPG 400 class (minimum fo 400MB/s the card can...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

not sure, they are part of the CF association. so they are hopefully designing it to spec.

 

[woof woof]

May be there is theoretical difference but even on A1 past F2 I don't notice any gain in sharpness by stopping down.
You have less vignetting by stopping down further and of course DoF.

Its a super nice lens and one I have had since day of release. I buy and sell loads but this one has stuck with me.
probably best lens I have owned overall (of course that is because I like 35mm).

I am tempted.

 

[wookie6262]

No mention of Pergear, not sure if that should worry me or not

Finally: CFA finally shared a list of VPG VERIFIED CFexpress Type A cards. And here are the recommended cards for your Sony camera! | sonyalpharumors

Finally we have an accurate list of RELIABLE Type A cards! The CompactFlashAssocitation tested all currently available Type A cards and those are the cards that are proven to support the minimum Bitrate and therefore ave consistent performance: VPG 400 class (minimum fo 400MB/s the card can...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

I must have taken over 10k of images on my Pergear Card without an issue. I've been really impressed with it

 

[snerkler]

I must have taken over 10k of images on my Pergear Card without an issue. I've been really impressed with it

Mine's been fine so far, although in terms of performance I can't say I've noticed much difference over my high speed SD cards. I thought transferring the files on to my computer would be noticeably faster, and whilst I've not done a side by side test I wasn't wowed by the transfer speed. Maybe it's limited by the card reader and/or USB-C port?

 

[Mike.P]

I am tempted.

Me too and I never use primes.

I bought the 20mm 1.8, 35mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 when I got my first Sony body and can honestly say I have never even put them on the camera.

 

[nandbytes]

Me too and I never use primes.

I bought the 20mm 1.8, 35mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 when I got my first Sony body and can honestly say I have never even put them on the camera.

you could sell all 3 three and get the 35GM. better to not use one prime than 3. gathers less dust