Full-Frame Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2x TC Image Thread

[AlphaWorld]

OK, I took the 300GM out on a bouncy jolting bus through the savannah area of Werribee Zoo. First observation - the IBIS + OSS is genuinely effective at neutralising the bumps and jolts.

This is with the 2x teleconverter - you know, the one that people slam as decreasing image quality? There was mention in the 300GM announcement about it waking well with the teleeconverters. I had to try it, right?

This was shot at f/5.6 (wide open with the TC) ISO 800 1/2000 at an effective focal length of 600mm.

This combination is just a tad lighter than the 600 GM (1.67kg instead of 3kg). Also lighter than the 200-600 G (2.1kg), and f/5.6 instead of f/6.3, but lacking the zoom. I'm getting old enough that I'm struggling a bit with the 200-600 (weight and length) - no such problems with this.

Full frame as shot. No denoise. no output sharpening.

And now details at 100%

Note that they do not have a skin condition - they were in a mud wallow earlier, and clearly enjoyed it. These are Southern "White" rhinos.

 

[AlphaWorld]

This was pretty much an accident. I saw a small bird, and was wondering if I could identify (I haven't).

Shot wide open f/5.6, ISO 800, 1/2000 on the 300 + 2x - no de-noise

Not a bad shot - bird eye AF definitely working.


But that is a 100% crop from this:

 

[Unframed Dave]

Very impressive. We'd call it a house sparrow this side of the world.

 

[AlphaWorld]

Very impressive. We'd call it a house sparrow this side of the world.

Oh. well that's a bit deflating - I was hoping it might be something exotic

Thank you for identifying it.

 

[Unframed Dave]

Oh. well that's a bit deflating - I was hoping it might be something exotic

Thank you for identifying it.

Hey, don't knock it. Great little characters, I have them nesting in my seventeenth century roof. Noisy little buggers!

 

[AlphaWorld]

One more -this one a bit more exotic than a house sparrow :-D

This is an eland

image slightly cropped on the right.

Also wide open f/5.6, ISO 640, 1/2000 on the 300 + 2x

 

[MyDogsOwner]

"I'm getting old enough that I'm struggling a bit with the 200-600 (weight and length) - no such problems with this."

Off topic here, but, I purchased a monogimbal and monopod and absolutely love shooting the longer lens with this set-up. Right now, I think Wimbley and Leophoto are the only ones selling a monogimbal. My shoulders are shot and this has saved me.

 

[RogerSmith]

great stuff, Mark Smith just posted his review of this combo (300 2.8 with 2X)

Sony 300mm 2.8 + 2x Tele - Beautiful Combo for bird and wildlife photography.

Sony A1 Wildlife Video Shooting Guide: https://photoworkshopsandtours.com/index.php/product/sony-a1-video-capture-guide-the-definitive-online-course/Photogra...

www.youtube.com

 

[Amor Lucis]

Would be very interested to see this combination tested directly against the 200-600mm.

 

[Amor Lucis]

- YouTube

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Yeah - just watched that before posting the message above. Would like to see it compared with the 200-600m (without TC) for image quality.

 

[RogerSmith]

Would be very interested to see this combination tested directly against the 200-600mm.

I would bet (don't have the 300) it will be killer sharp at 300, sharper at 420 (1.4TC) and maybe even or a little less sharp at 600 f5.6. Keeping in mind f5.6 at 600 vs f6.3 for the 200-600. So faster shutter speeds, lower ISO, etc. Grounding my comments in having used a Canon 300 in the past.

 

[Amor Lucis]

I would bet (don't have the 300) it will be killer sharp at 300, sharper at 420 (1.4TC) and maybe even or a little less sharp at 600 f5.6. Keeping in mind f5.6 at 600 vs f6.3 for the 200-600. So faster shutter speeds, lower ISO, etc. Grounding my comments in having used a Canon 300 in the past.

That would be my intuition, too. And now with the release of the Sigma 500mm f5.6, at a fraction of the cost and weight of more direct Sony competition and with really glowing reviews, my thoughts are now drifting in a rather different direction. (I don't shoot sports, so the frame rate is perhaps less of a consideration for me.) Cheers.

 

[AlphaWorld]

I’ve started a thread for 300 + 2x following the pattern of another thread. Spoiler alert - I’m happy!

UPDATE; Would have been smart to check which thread I am in first, wouldn’t it?

 

[Andrew Nik]

Turdus philomelos by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

Regulus regulus by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

Sitta europaea by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

Strix aluco by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

 

[Andrew Nik]

Vanellus vanellus by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Vanellus vanellus by Andrew Nik

Magnificent bird and I love that fir-tree-branch background. Super shot.

 

[Andrew Nik]

Fringílla coélebs by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

 

[Andrew Nik]

Podiceps cristatus by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

 

[Andrew Nik]

Motacilla flava by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

 

[Andrew Nik]

Wide open, 6400 ISO

Aeshna soneharai Asahina by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

 

[Andrew Nik]

Lanius collurio by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

 

[spudhead]

A few from the first two trail runs with this combo

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1600

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 800

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 500

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 250

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 2000

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 1600

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 400

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 400

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 1000

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/7.1
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 640

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 500

 

[spudhead]

kestrel

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/5000 sec
• ISO 1250

 

[Andrew Nik]

Wide open
Sciurus vulgaris by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

 

[Andrew Nik]

Melanitta fusca by Andrew Nik, on Flickr

 

[Amor Lucis]

OK, I took the 300GM out on a bouncy jolting bus through the savannah area of Werribee Zoo. First observation - the IBIS + OSS is genuinely effective at neutralising the bumps and jolts.

This is with the 2x teleconverter - you know, the one that people slam as decreasing image quality? There was mention in the 300GM announcement about it waking well with the teleeconverters. I had to try it, right?

This was shot at f/5.6 (wide open with the TC) ISO 800 1/2000 at an effective focal length of 600mm.

This combination is just a tad lighter than the 600 GM (1.67kg instead of 3kg). Also lighter than the 200-600 G (2.1kg), and f/5.6 instead of f/6.3, but lacking the zoom. I'm getting old enough that I'm struggling a bit with the 200-600 (weight and length) - no such problems with this.

Full frame as shot. No denoise. no output sharpening.

View attachment 55942

And now details at 100%

View attachment 55943

Note that they do not have a skin condition - they were in a mud wallow earlier, and clearly enjoyed it. These are Southern "White" rhinos.

Gosh - I have to admit - that is *impressively sharp*. I'd never use the 2x TC with my 200-600mm G because of the hit in image quality. Even my 1.4TC hardly ever gets used (and when it does it is usually on the 100-400mm), but this looks really sharp. Well done!
I'm still more tempted, to be honest, by the Sigma 500mm f5.6 at half the price and even less weight. I suspect that cropped on the a7Riv or v to match the extra 100mm it might still be a match for IQ. Granted, you lose some flexibility as well since you can't use TCs, but at least 95% of my shots with the 200-600mm (bird photography) are at 600mm anyway. And it will be interesting to see how sharp and pricey is the 400-800mm f6.3-8 G lens that is expected to be announced in February.

 

[AlphaWorld]

Gosh - I have to admit - that is *impressively sharp*. I'd never use the 2x TC with my 200-600mm G because of the hit in image quality. Even my 1.4TC hardly ever gets used (and when it does it is usually on the 100-400mm), but this looks really sharp. Well done!
I'm still more tempted, to be honest, by the Sigma 500mm f5.6 at half the price and even less weight. I suspect that cropped on the a7Riv or v to match the extra 100mm it might still be a match for IQ. Granted, you lose some flexibility as well since you can't use TCs, but at least 95% of my shots with the 200-600mm (bird photography) are at 600mm anyway. And it will be interesting to see how sharp and pricey is the 400-800mm f6.3-8 G lens that is expected to be announced in February.

I have come to the conclusion that the negative comments about the 2x TC are probably from people using it with zoom lenses, and fair enough, too - I have used the 2x with the 200-600, and there are two negatives: the largest aperture at 600mm x 2 is f/13; and yes, there is an impact on sharpness.

When they say that the large primes are built to work well with the teleconverters, I think that’s because it is possible to design a prime to do so; a zoom, maybe not.

 

[spudhead]

So I thought I should add some images in here

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 4000

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 5000

 

[spudhead]

fox 10,000 iso

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 10000

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 10000

 

[spudhead]

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/640 sec
• ISO 1600

• ILCE-9
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
• 300.0 mm
• ƒ/3.2
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 1000

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1250 sec
• ISO 6400

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 640

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/5000 sec
• ISO 2000

• ILCE-9
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 640