Your 2025 Gear Wish List

[AlphaWorld]

I know. It has been a couple years since they released a lens that has held any real interest for me. Then this year the A1ii, 400-800, they broke my HVAC system and now the 100 macro.

I better check my HVAC!

 

[Madrab]

Sigma 300-600mm F4 - possibly.
I shoot a fair amount of sport and also enjoy wildlife photography, although I haven't done any wildlife stuff since a good friend of mine who I used to go with suddenly passed away. I am currently shooting with the Sony 200-600mm and thought it was pretty good for the price. Now I have got the A1 mk 2, I'm not so sure. The images are noticeably softer than those from my Sony 100-400mm GM lens. For my 60th we plan to go on a photo safari, and I'd love a faster, sharper lens. I've reached out to Sigma to see if there is anywhere local where I could try their 300-600mm F4 lens out, but I'm just hitting a blank wall. I'd really like to try one of those out and see if they are worth the additional price from my 200-600mm

Just to reach out with regards to the Sony 200-600mm I too found the lens soft on both my Sony a7iii, and later the Sony a7riv I thought was slightly better, but still wasn't happy, since selling the 200-600mm I bought the tamron 150-500 lost a bit of reach, but in my opinion it's far better lens for birds and wildlife, I now seek the Sony a1ii, which will be my last body, as I have reached a certain age in other words just an old git, I would be keen on finding out how impressed you are with the Sony a1ii, awe the best to you and your family.

 

[AlphaWorld]

Just to reach out with regards to the Sony 200-600mm I too found the lens soft on both my Sony a7iii, and later the Sony a7riv I thought was slightly better, but still wasn't happy, since selling the 200-600mm I bought the tamron 150-500 lost a bit of reach, but in my opinion it's far better lens for birds and wildlife, I now seek the Sony a1ii, which will be my last body, as I have reached a certain age in other words just an old git, I would be keen on finding out how impressed you are with the Sony a1ii, awe the best to you and your family.

The A1 II is a massive upgrade from the A7RIV in every way but pixel count (and 50 vs 60 isn't a huge difference) I really liked the A7RIV for a long time, and kept it when I got the original A1, but the A7RIV pales against the A1 II:

• Sony's newest AF system - and it works superbly
• the awesome rear screen - higher resolution and much more manoeuvrable
• a viewfinder with a lot more detail and a larger view
• lossless compressed files - all the detail of uncompressed, but size cut by almost half
• shooting at 50Mpixel at 20fps for long bursts - awesome when shooting birds (OK, 15fps with third party lenses!)
• pre-capture for when your reflexes aren't quite quick enough!
• the new comfortable body shape (my little finger fits on the camera at last!)

I'm feeling the age, too, and I have zero regrets about buying the A1 II - the new viewfinder is easier with glasses, and the extra size helps my eyes