Why does Sony's 500 f4 cost $13000?

[Douglas F Watt]

Salivation, serious salivation here in the deep mountains of Appalachia. I do think with some sacrificial EOS cameras/lenses that are rarely used I could just about pull it off, but something tells me to wait. I for one believe the a99ii is an earthquake in photography, a swell that keeps rising and rising; and that the Sony execs know this and (my belief) that someting long in a-mount comes this way. The a99ii challenges the D5 and 1DXii, who can argue that? and at 1/2 the price.....they must address the only thing missing, they must! I jumped the gun too soon and got a sad copy of the Minolta 400 but my gut says patience and it will come.

I'm very happy for those who now wield the Sony 500mm/4. Maybe someday I too can walk/click among you. In the meantime I'll keep humble with my 70-400G2 and just be thankful that I have it. So click on!

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/medicineman4040/

I'm really happy with the Sigma 500 4.5 although it's screw drive. Wish that the new Sigma Art 500 f4 was going to be made in A mount. But the older lens is still impressive. And can be had for $3k used. here's a work sample.




Sigma 500 4.5 Note the mixed up lens ID issue.





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Sony A99ii-A77ii-RX10III-RX100III
Sigma: 8-16 f4.5-5.6, 500 F4.5 EX DG APO
Tamron: 70-200 f2.8 USD
Sony ZA: 24 f2, 85 1.4, 135 1.8, 24-70 2.8 SSMII
Sony: 16-50 f2.8, 100 f2.8M, 70-400 f4-5.6 G2
Minolta: 600 f4, 70-210 f4 ('Beercan'), 28-135 f4-4.5 ('SH')
DFW

 

[Lensmate]

Salivation, serious salivation here in the deep mountains of Appalachia. I do think with some sacrificial EOS cameras/lenses that are rarely used I could just about pull it off, but something tells me to wait. I for one believe the a99ii is an earthquake in photography, a swell that keeps rising and rising; and that the Sony execs know this and (my belief) that someting long in a-mount comes this way. The a99ii challenges the D5 and 1DXii, who can argue that? and at 1/2 the price.....they must address the only thing missing, they must! I jumped the gun too soon and got a sad copy of the Minolta 400 but my gut says patience and it will come.

I'm very happy for those who now wield the Sony 500mm/4. Maybe someday I too can walk/click among you. In the meantime I'll keep humble with my 70-400G2 and just be thankful that I have it. So click on!

I'm really happy with the Sigma 500 4.5 although it's screw drive.

Meh....stick with the Sony 500mm f4 and don't waste a shackle more....


Sony 500mm f4

-Martin P

Martin Passchier

Explore Martin Passchier’s 973 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[MedicineMan999]

Haha! Yes the she-boss/better-half/economic-ruler just said 'yes it is possible after tax season with some strings attached. BUT I really feel in my innermost bone marrow that something is astir within Sony.....as much as I'd like the 500/4 the reality is that the EOS 500 I have is weighty...Sony and their genius might give me a mighty gift-a 400 that I can wield.

No worries on the 400APO, is what it is. Confirmed today in a call that Sanford Camera repair in Mass had the APO in hand and are soon to apply the fairy dust. I know I can wield it, truthfully probably cannot with the 500/4 and more truth is I am not in love with a tripod or monopod though blessed with both in spades.

Hey, any of you know the feeling of 'wish they'd make it/invent it/get it on the market BEFORE I'm too old!!!

And in the way way background is the Canon 600DObr.

 

[fzrTom]

Because Nikon and Canon 600 F4 cost the same price.

 

[tbcass]

Because Nikon and Canon 600 F4 cost the same price.

That's 600, we're talking about 500mm.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754507-USA/Canon_5124B002_500mm_f_4L_EF_IS.html