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A6300 w/FE 70-300mm G, Very First Shot a Bleeding Heart

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Willy81

Willy81

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My lens arrived late in the day. I didn't think I would have time to do any BIF so I grabbed a Bleeding Heart from my backyard. This image was shot handheld at a distance of between 3 and 4 feet. I purchased this lens mainly for BIF but this image shows how versatile the lens will be for me.

24512a1ffe20497bb20b4f12959474b1.jpg

I decided to try to get over to the park while it was still light (7:30pm). The light was totally in the wrong direction from where I shoot. Anyway I was able to pop off a couple shots before I had to go home for dinner. I will try to better shots in the morning with the light on my back. For the two below shots the birds were a great distance away with lots of crop.

ad58b747819440c69b28c2b5a36cdae5.jpg

19311f76b2c842fcbcec72bc4b89b0c3.jpg

The new lens feels amazingly nice. It has a smooth zoom while still feels very tight. The size of the lens on the A6300 feels very comfortable. I think I have fallen in love with this combo. I can't wait to give it a total work out.

--
A6300, A99, A900, A55, A700, R1, w/Zeiss + Sony G Glass, PS CC, Lr CC
BIF, A6300 w/70-400mm G and 55-210mm OSS: https://goo.gl/photos/XVoXeCDsQsW5KzPB8
 
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Wiliam,

What focus mode and focus area set up were you using in those great shots?

I've had mine since this morning, and just some boring test shots so far. With AF-S and small flexible spot I'm finding my keeper rate is not as high as I'd like due to some being out of focus. The in-focus shots are great! A very fine lens.
 
PC Wheeler said:
Wiliam,

What focus mode and focus area set up were you using in those great shots?

I've had mine since this morning, and just some boring test shots so far. With AF-S and small flexible spot I'm finding my keeper rate is not as high as I'd like due to some being out of focus. The in-focus shots are great! A very fine lens.
Click to expand...
Phil, thanks for comment.

For the Bleeding Heart I was using AF-S, Flexible Spot L. I took several shots at varying distances (all zoomed to 300mm and f/5.6). They were all pretty much spot on except for the shallow DOF.

For the BIF I used AF-C, Flexible Spot L and found the focus was darn quick and usually in focus. At 300mm w/Flexible Spot it's hard for me to keep the center area on the bird (when drifted too far off I would go out of focus).

Tomorrow I hope to get some BIF at a much closer distance. I will try other setting combinations (just too much excitement this evening to get good stuff).

I love the way this camera and lens feel.
 
William Curtindale said:
PC Wheeler said:
Wiliam,

What focus mode and focus area set up were you using in those great shots?

I've had mine since this morning, and just some boring test shots so far. With AF-S and small flexible spot I'm finding my keeper rate is not as high as I'd like due to some being out of focus. The in-focus shots are great! A very fine lens.
Click to expand...
Phil, thanks for comment.

For the Bleeding Heart I was using AF-S, Flexible Spot L. I took several shots at varying distances (all zoomed to 300mm and f/5.6). They were all pretty much spot on except for the shallow DOF.

For the BIF I used AF-C, Flexible Spot L and found the focus was darn quick and usually in focus. At 300mm w/Flexible Spot it's hard for me to keep the center area on the bird (when drifted too far off I would go out of focus).
Click to expand...
I'll have to try Flexible Spot Large; generally I have it small.
Willy81 said:
I love the way this camera and lens feel.
Click to expand...
Me, too.
 
Kindly compare your impression of this combo versus A55 or A77ii with SAL70400G (i or ii). Thanks.
 
Nice William! I'm now just about 8 hours from being able to get out and test mine too. First impressions I agree completely with you - the build is excellent, feel is very solid, all actions are smooth and tight. The lens has a lock, but there's not the smallest hint of creep at all - very very tight, yet smooth as silk.

I unfortunately got mine later than you - and absolutely no chance to go anywhere to test it except my backyard or house, both of which were getting quite dark already. But first impressions IQ wise and focus speed wise were fine!
 
pimuk said:
Kindly compare your impression of this combo versus A55 or A77ii with SAL70400G (i or ii). Thanks.
Click to expand...
PMFJI, but I once had the A55 and 70-400G. That lens was very nice, but far too large and heavy for my use. FE 70-300G is not limiting to me in that way.
 
zackiedawg said:
The lens has a lock, but there's not the smallest hint of creep at all
Click to expand...
I did find the lock to be useful today, when removing it from my lens bag: The shade fits a tad snugly in the bag now, so when removing the lens it tended to extend slightly. The lock prevents that.
 
Looking good. 😄
 
PC Wheeler said:
pimuk said:
Kindly compare your impression of this combo versus A55 or A77ii with SAL70400G (i or ii). Thanks.
Click to expand...
PMFJI, but I once had the A55 and 70-400G. That lens was very nice, but far too large and heavy for my use. FE 70-300G is not limiting to me in that way.

--
Phil
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Thanks a lot, Phil and Bill.

I have 70400G1 and A77ii plus A7i+LA-EA3. Thinking of anotuer option for lighter walk like FE70300G though I have FE 70200G already. They have bits of different purposes to me.
 
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Thanks for your thought, Bill.
 
Great shots William! I have had my eye on this lens for a little bit for my a6000 and from all the reviews it looks like this is a great performer (a 70-400 FE would be great though, wonder if that is in the works? )

In the meantime do you or anyone have any idea if the newly announced 1.4x and 2x teleconverters are going to work with this lens? They are made for the 70-200 2.8 GM I believe but they should still work right on this 70-300 right? Maybe auto-focus will be gimped in some way?

If the teleconverters would work, I'd buy this immediately, because I know 300mm is a little limiting (so still considering 150-600 Tamron/ Sigma or even juts 70-400 G with some adapter)
 
Looking forward to seeing more images from you guys.

I currently use my canon 70-300 L glass on my A6000 but obviously have to manual focus. I'd love to sell it and move of to Sony glass but nervous as the IQ of the canon lens is really good.
 
William Curtindale said:
My lens arrived late in the day. I didn't think I would have time to do any BIF so I grabbed a Bleeding Heart from my backyard. This image was shot handheld at a distance of between 3 and 4 feet. I purchased this lens mainly for BIF but this image shows how versatile the lens will be for me.

24512a1ffe20497bb20b4f12959474b1.jpg



Absolutely love the photo!
Click to expand...
 
Nice captures with the lens William. I ordered mine on Sunday and it will be here on Thursday so will try it out in the wetlands on Friday on BIF. How does it handle on the A6300. I will also use it on my A7II.
 
rgwaller1 said:
Nice captures with the lens William. I ordered mine on Sunday and it will be here on Thursday so will try it out in the wetlands on Friday on BIF. How does it handle on the A6300. I will also use it on my A7II.
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Thanks for comments.

On my A6300 the lens gives me the 1.5 crop factor and that helps on reach for BIF.

The lens feels very good to me on the A6300 and easy to handle. As compared to my A99 w/ 70-400mm G the size and weight are a dream.

Hope to see some of your images posted here and hope you enjoy your lens as much as I am enjoying mine..

--
A6300, A99, A900, A55, A700, R1, w/Zeiss + Sony G Glass, PS CC, Lr CC
BIF, A6300 w/70-400mm G and 55-210mm OSS: https://goo.gl/photos/XVoXeCDsQsW5KzPB8
 
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grumpyzeus said:
Great shots William! I have had my eye on this lens for a little bit for my a6000 and from all the reviews it looks like this is a great performer (a 70-400 FE would be great though, wonder if that is in the works? )

In the meantime do you or anyone have any idea if the newly announced 1.4x and 2x teleconverters are going to work with this lens? They are made for the 70-200 2.8 GM I believe but they should still work right on this 70-300 right? Maybe auto-focus will be gimped in some way?

If the teleconverters would work, I'd buy this immediately, because I know 300mm is a little limiting (so still considering 150-600 Tamron/ Sigma or even juts 70-400 G with some adapter)
Click to expand...
IIRC, I read somewhere that Sony mentioned the TC is designed for 70-200/2.8 only. Won't work with anything else. Looking at the photos, those new TCs have pretty extensive protruding element that extends into the lens rear section. So, unless you know the lens has enough room back there, it physically won't fit.
 
Foxbat121 said:
IIRC, I read somewhere that Sony mentioned the TC is designed for 70-200/2.8 only. Won't work with anything else. Looking at the photos, those new TCs have pretty extensive protruding element that extends into the lens rear section. So, unless you know the lens has enough room back there, it physically won't fit.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I think you are correct.
 
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