Opinions on renting a Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 SSM or similar lens?
Dec 21, 2012 15:49:07 #
I have a similar but much more generic thread going...with limited responses. I am going on a cruise to Alaska for my 50th birthday next June and have never rented any equipment before. After talking to my local camera store (which doesn't offer any Sony rentals) I am thinking about this lens. Does an extra 100mm (150 with my A330) really make that much of a difference? I currently have the kit lenses...18-55 and 75-300. The reviews seem to be pretty good, except for the bokeh and it's a "G" lens, which I've never used. Any pics (i.e. 300mm vs 400mm) would be appreciated.
Dec 21, 2012 16:15:51 #
oldmalky
Loc: West Midlands,England.
Sorry i cannot supply pictures but a friend of mine hired that lens for the British grand prix, and posted the pics on our other forum,he couldnt use a tripod so he had to hand hold, the pics were superb and sharp the camera used was the a55.
Dec 21, 2012 16:17:05 #
Dec 21, 2012 16:25:08 #
oldmalky wrote:
After hiring he bought it.
Sounds promising. Can you send me a link to the post?
Dec 21, 2012 19:27:39 #
Rob O'
Loc: Freakin' Hot Arizona
planepics wrote:
I have a similar but much more generic thread goin... (show quote)
Well, if you're comparing it to your 75-300 Sony lens it's like comparing a Kia Rio to Ferrari. The SAL70400G SSM is one of the best 400mm lenses on the market regardless of brand. I'm not sure where you heard bad things about the bokeh, I think it's creamy and smooth. This is probably my favorite lens. It's pricey, but then quality always is. It's sharp wide open and at both ends. BUT while it focuses very fast and silently, it isn't as fast focusing as the SAL70300G SSM. I prefer the 70400 because I like the little extra reach. My wife likes the 70300 because it's half the weight.
at 400mm
at 400mm
wide open
SAL70300G SSM
Dec 21, 2012 20:06:17 #
I too am a Sony user A77.I have this lens and find it easy to hand hold using a kirk handle see attached
kirk handle -1
osprey hand held
kirk handle 2
Dec 21, 2012 21:04:19 #
The pics seem to look great, but could one of you please re-post a couple with "save original" so i can see the detail? The lens, if I decided to get it would be probably around $130 with shipping for my 8-day cruise...I could probably take a nice shore excursion for that price, so I'd like to know if it's worth it. I still have a long time to decide, though.
Dec 21, 2012 21:08:07 #
spphoto wrote:
I too am a Sony user A77.I have this lens and find it easy to hand hold using a kirk handle see attached
is the handle a substitute for the tripod? I'd love to buy a premium lens, but the 70-400 costs about as much as the cruise and airfare!
Dec 21, 2012 21:35:30 #
Rob O'
Loc: Freakin' Hot Arizona
I don't like to post original because a few people think that means the photo is theirs to do what they want with. I'll do one for you. If you don't want to spend the $2000 for the 70400G then you might want to try the 70300G at half the price. Not as much reach, but you'd just have to zoom 'with your feet' a little.
Dec 21, 2012 21:36:27 #
Dec 21, 2012 22:15:36 #
Wow, really nice detail! Don't know if I want to get a new lens with the same reach as the other one (if I ever bought one). Granted, the optical quality would certainly be better then my kit lens, but if I upgraded clarity, I might as well spend the extra money and get extra range too....too many nice lenses and too little money!!!!!! Speaking of which, today was my last day on the job until the 8th. I drive a school bus. I would never steal anyones pics. By the way, do you use the lens on a crop sensor or a full frame camera? On my A330, the 400mm would be like 600mm.
Dec 21, 2012 22:42:56 #
Dec 21, 2012 23:11:17 #
There are a lot of Minolta and tokina 100-400 lens that are also available.I purchased A Minolta 100-400 lens for only $575.00
on e-bay a few months ago.i use it when i need a lighter lens than the Sony 70-400.
on e-bay a few months ago.i use it when i need a lighter lens than the Sony 70-400.
Dec 22, 2012 08:15:16 #
photonphysicist
Loc: Texas
Does Sony have an extender (like Canon's 1.4x and 2x)? That would be another way to get more reach out of your existing lens. Yes, you give up 1 or 2 f-stops but it's less investment (maybe even less than renting the bigger lens). Just a suggestion.
Dec 22, 2012 08:54:34 #
How about the Sigma 150-500. Everyone on the site that has one talks very highly of it. Check out MTShooters posts. He does some great things with it. And it looks like half of the price the Sony is going for.
This will be my next lens.:)
Erv
This will be my next lens.:)
Erv
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