100-400 GM F4.5 zoom lens

[Landshark99]

I just got the new 100-400GM F4.5 , hope to get out this week and see how it does
I have the 400- 800G coming this week as well to try out here in sunny So Cal

 

[Chris 3754]

I just got the new 100-400GM F4.5 , hope to get out this week and see how it does
I have the 400- 800G coming this week as well to try out here in sunny So Cal

Please let us know, especially the 400-800, I am considering that one.

 

[AlphaWorld]

I'll be curious to hear what you think of the balance of the 100-400 f/4.5. I'm waiting as fast as I can for my favourite store to get a demo copy so I can go it, feel the heft and balance, and fail to convince myself that I don't need it...

It sounds like a good fit between the 50-150 and the 400-800 (which I admit is heavy enough that I sometimes choose not to take it).

 

[THXGEEK]

A few quick & dirty images from the new lens. Horrid, gloomy conditions, but the lens really shines. Well balanced & easy to handle. I think the thing I enjoy most is that the zoom is effortless - a simple twist to go from 100 to 400!

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/4.5
• 1/800 sec
• ISO 6400

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS
• 300.0 mm
• ƒ/4.5
• 1/800 sec
• ISO 5000

 

[Unframed Dave]

What is the second bird, it's so pretty, it looks unreal?

 

[iamdlewis]

What is the second bird, it's so pretty, it looks unreal?

Blue jay.
Now you can watch that dumb episode of Big Bang Theory and question why the writers made such an effort to get equations correct but failed at getting a common US bird correct.

 

[THXGEEK]

Daylilies.

This one had an unwelcome visitor...

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 500

 

[AlphaWorld]

Took my shiny new 100-400 f/4.5 out for a first shoot. I think this was the seventh shot I took, first one of Indrah the tigress in her little stone cubby - it was fairly cool (about 9 degrees C).

This is the full frame I shot, no crop, no adjustments, and no de-noise.

This was shot at 400mm, f/4.5 on the 100-400mm f/4.5, 1/2000, ISO 8000 on the A7R6 in dull overcast light. Looking at the image, I really don't see any need for de-noise. At 100% there's some "grain" in the shadows, but hey, it's a 66Mpixel sensor and it's ISO 8000.

So my preliminary reaction to this new lens? This is the 100-400 that I have wanted for my Sony bodies for some time - I have considered the older version several times, but could not bring myself to buy it - it just didn't suit me. This one is fixed length and fixed maximum aperture, and I like that a lot. It's sharp, and the focus is rapid (I like Sony's quad focus motor approach). I think Sony chose wisely to settle on f/4.5 instead of taking it up to f/4 - the 1.8kg weight makes it easy to use hand-held for s extended period - going f/4 would probably have upped the weight without a huge benefit.

I put Peak Design anchors onto the lugs on the lens, and used a Peak Design Slide strap. That balanced well.

I've ordered the Leofoto foot (they have one specifically for this lens), but honestly, the Sony foot is pretty good - it has nice padding for when carrying the lens by the foot, and the foot is long enough. The foot has both a quarter inch and a 3/8" thread. I may be waiting a while for the Leofoto foot - it's well back-ordered, and I was warned it might take several weeks.

I'm looking forward to using this lens with my other cameras, too.

Sony's lens design teams have been producing extraordinary lenses over and over. This is another. A lovely addition to fit between the 50-150 and the 400-800.

 

[Chris 3754]

Great review and photo thank you. I am on the fence between this lens and the older version. For my needs though the extra expense is a factor. Getting input, good and bad, on the older lens, what made you not get that one in the past or even now? Thanks

 

[THXGEEK]

I put Peak Design anchors onto the lugs on the lens, and used a Peak Design Slide strap. That balanced well.

I've ordered the Leofoto foot (they have one specifically for this lens),

Ditto!

Not sure if this will work for folks Down Under, but here in the States if you are a member of Sony's Professional Services, you get a 20% discount off of Leofoto USA gear.

 

[THXGEEK]

Great review and photo thank you. I am on the fence between this lens and the older version. For my needs though the extra expense is a factor. Getting input, good and bad, on the older lens, what made you not get that one in the past or even now? Thanks

For me, the 100-400mm range is my most used - on all my platforms (Nikon, Canon, etc). The new Sony's internal zoom is awesome, focus is near instantaneous. Not much to dislike other than the expense.

 

[AlphaWorld]

Great review and photo thank you. I am on the fence between this lens and the older version. For my needs though the extra expense is a factor. Getting input, good and bad, on the older lens, what made you not get that one in the past or even now? Thanks

I wouldn't buy the older lens because:

• it extends:
  • means the zoom ring has to push the extending part out and pull it back, so the ring takes more push to turn
  • there's the risk of it pulling stuff (rain / dust) into the lens as it pulls back
• it uses older focus motors, so it cannot focus as quickly

Those are the logical parts of my bias against it, but I also feel that extending lenses must either be heavier due to the need for multiple nested barrels, or the barrels must be less sturdy to keep the weight down; also means more moving parts to wear; and I wonder if the moving barrel may cease to be aligned. I don't mind an extending lens where the extension is quite small (28-70 f/2), or the lens is much less expensive (20-70 f/4). On a big lens like this one, I'm much happier with a fixed length design.

The older lens has advantages for those who need a lens that packs down smaller so it's easier to carry - I am currently looking around for a suitable bag to use with my new lens. I could use the Glass Limo that I got for the 400-800, but I think I'll find something a bit smaller than that.

And yes, the older lens is significantly less expensive - that's a major consideration if you have a more limited budget for lenses.

I am glad Sony is keeping both lenses in its range, because they are both good, just for different people.

 

[Chris 3754]

Great points thank you. The big two on both sides for me are the old lens extends and I completely agree with you, vs the cost of the new lens. My other two factors are carry size old vs new. Have to sleep on it a bit. Will probably make a trip to the local shop and play for a while with both. Thanks again for the very useful info! Who are you guys down under pulling for in the world cup. For me at this point, Norway. Their fans are having a blast in the USA so good for them. Let’s see how today goes for them.