I bought this lens two years ago and I love it, obviously is not the sharpest but do the job. It has travelled with me around the world and I had put it through some rough conditions and still working great. Interesting that in Australia this lens is more expensive than the 70-200 F4 and some people say that the 70-200 is better than this one.
Released this vid just in time I was about to buy this lens, but was not one hundred percent sure, definitely changing my view, thank you for doing this, God bless
I used to have this lens and I REALLY liked it. Unfortunately, for what I was using it, I needed a little more reach. I started to save my pennies for the 100-400 GM, but then (last summer) Sony released the 200-600mm. I love the extra reach of the 200-600, but it is a beast to carry around. Unless you are shooting something that you need a longer reach, I would recommend this lens.
Have had this lens for quite a while now and are pleased with how it performs. It is important to best match the lens for what you are shooting and have found it very versatile from portrait to sports. Corner sharpness was not of any concern for me and for my subjects and how I shoot not particularly relevant. Important to also convey focus performance is very dependent on the body being used as is also the reach. On apsc the reach extends to 450mm. Another way to think about it is that it is almost as good as the gm range but only at half the price. That was my rational when I made the decision to purchase.
I own this lens for some time now and I use it with a distance ring and manual focus for macro photos at 70mm, then you can go really close for flowers or insects. You can make great portraits from a distance of 5-10 m for example at an event and get quite a nice background separation. I like the natural facial expressions people have when they don´t know they are photographed and this lens is perfect for this because it is not too big and heavy and it is stabilized. I have it on an APSC so it gives me the extra range of a 105-450 mm lens. With APSC the corners do not matter much and there is no vignetting visible. The Sony teleconverters don´t work with this lens and it is not made for low light conditions, these are two of the downsides of this lens you need to know. It is possible to shoot this lens handheld at 450 mm on APSC because it´s stabilized, but it is not easy and you will miss some shots, so it is more convenient on the tripod fully zoomed in. I also recommend the tripod for wildlife and landscape photography.
This was one of my go-to lenses for a couple years until I bought the 100-400. Still have it and use it now and then when I want reach, but not the weight of the GM. I picked it up second hand so it was in the 900-ish range which I think was more of a fair price. One thing that should be noted is that the 70-300 is well-known for copy-to-copy variation, which may have an affect on your results.
Great review dude :D And even greater timing, I am uploading a video doing "high magnification macro photography" with THAT lens (video will be published in 50 minutes)
Hey Stefan, I've been really torn going back and forth with either buying this lens or the 70-200 f4. I can't seem to make up my mind. If possible would you be able to do a comparison video with both of them and specifically how much of a difference the reach is on the 2 side by side in both full frame and in body crop mode? If so that would be great! 👍🏼
I can buy this sony 70-300 second hand at the same price than the new tamron 70-300, should i buy the sony? Do u think is better or the Tamron is better because is a new lens? Difficult decision the price is the same! Please help
I had the Tamron for a few days. It is a tad sharper than the Sony, however, I had to really crank up the shutter speed on the Tamron at the long end. I much prefer the OSS on the Sony, even it it is not quite as sharp a lens. On the used market, you can usually get a used Sony for about 700-800 dollars. Just get it from a source where you can return it if you don't like it. There is some copy to copy variation.
Hi, thanks for this review of a sony zoom. As an alternative, Sigma offers a 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Price: $609.00 on their website (I did not check Amazon's price). Price is a big deal to me since this lens on Amazon goes for $1273.00 on Amazon.
I used to have this lens and I REALLY liked it. I shot it extensively for 2 days (well over 1000 images) at the "Jedi Transition" - a part of the "Sidewinder Complex" Low Level Training Area in Death Valley California. I was happy with every aspect of what I was getting from this lens except I wanted more reach. I started to save my pennies for the 100-400 GM, but then (last summer) Sony released the 200-600mm. I love the extra reach of the 200-600, but it is a beast to carry around. Unless you are shooting something that you need the longer reach that the 100-400GN or the 200-600G would give, then I would recommend this lens without hesitation. Here are the shots from the Jedi Transition: rob-hogarth.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Jedi-Transition-Star-Wars-Canyon/
I checked your shots. I have to say that I love the A10 shots, especially the one flipping against the sky. Beautiful shot of a beautiful plane! I noticed most of the shots are taken against the busy canyon walls. Did the lens struggle with maintaining focus on the planes? I have ordered this lens before I read your comment, and now I can't wait to try it out. Cheers
Had this lens for a few weeks in the summer of 2018 but did not like the etched, hard look and busy bokeh. My experience was that it lacked the magic image quality that comes with better optics and concluded it was an overpriced kit lens. I returned it.
@@StefanMalloch Until the Tamron 70-180 2.8 was released I got by with the Tamron 70-200 G2 2.8 for Canon with an MC-11 Canon to Sony adapter. The lens was extraordinary for photos, equal or better than their 70-180, but it did not track moving subjects well and was completely unusable for video. Used the G2 for close to two years and having bought the G2 + MC-11 for about $1200 I was able to sell it for what I had into it.
Whats your favorite telephoto?
samyang 135mm f/2.0
I bought this lens two years ago and I love it, obviously is not the sharpest but do the job. It has travelled with me around the world and I had put it through some rough conditions and still working great. Interesting that in Australia this lens is more expensive than the 70-200 F4 and some people say that the 70-200 is better than this one.
Released this vid just in time I was about to buy this lens, but was not one hundred percent sure, definitely changing my view, thank you for doing this, God bless
I used to have this lens and I REALLY liked it. Unfortunately, for what I was using it, I needed a little more reach. I started to save my pennies for the 100-400 GM, but then (last summer) Sony released the 200-600mm. I love the extra reach of the 200-600, but it is a beast to carry around. Unless you are shooting something that you need a longer reach, I would recommend this lens.
Have had this lens for quite a while now and are pleased with how it performs. It is important to best match the lens for what you are shooting and have found it very versatile from portrait to sports. Corner sharpness was not of any concern for me and for my subjects and how I shoot not particularly relevant.
Important to also convey focus performance is very dependent on the body being used as is also the reach. On apsc the reach extends to 450mm. Another way to think about it is that it is almost as good as the gm range but only at half the price. That was my rational when I made the decision to purchase.
I have this lens. I agree with your review. It'll get the job done...mostly.
I have this lens and I like it because it’s so vesatile. Great review!
Just got one used without a scratch on it for $580... at that price was an absolute no brainer.
I own this lens for some time now and I use it with a distance ring and manual focus for macro photos at 70mm, then you can go really close for flowers or insects. You can make great portraits from a distance of 5-10 m for example at an event and get quite a nice background separation. I like the natural facial expressions people have when they don´t know they are photographed and this lens is perfect for this because it is not too big and heavy and it is stabilized. I have it on an APSC so it gives me the extra range of a 105-450 mm lens. With APSC the corners do not matter much and there is no vignetting visible. The Sony teleconverters don´t work with this lens and it is not made for low light conditions, these are two of the downsides of this lens you need to know. It is possible to shoot this lens handheld at 450 mm on APSC because it´s stabilized, but it is not easy and you will miss some shots, so it is more convenient on the tripod fully zoomed in. I also recommend the tripod for wildlife and landscape photography.
This was one of my go-to lenses for a couple years until I bought the 100-400. Still have it and use it now and then when I want reach, but not the weight of the GM. I picked it up second hand so it was in the 900-ish range which I think was more of a fair price. One thing that should be noted is that the 70-300 is well-known for copy-to-copy variation, which may have an affect on your results.
Thank you for another excellent review! I have this lens and i do like it for those longer range shots.
Great review dude :D And even greater timing, I am uploading a video doing "high magnification macro photography" with THAT lens (video will be published in 50 minutes)
Based on how you described the performance I was anticipating 3-3.5 stars vs. the 4 that you gave it.
Hey Stefan, I've been really torn going back and forth with either buying this lens or the 70-200 f4. I can't seem to make up my mind. If possible would you be able to do a comparison video with both of them and specifically how much of a difference the reach is on the 2 side by side in both full frame and in body crop mode? If so that would be great! 👍🏼
You got it! You'll have it in a week or so. 😎
Stefan Malloch thanks! I'd really appreciate it!
What would be your choice between this and sigma 100 400 and tamron 70 300 with a7c?
Haven't used the Tamron yet so I cant say unfortunatly.
great review
Great video!! Thanks!!
Glad you liked it!
Awesome review
Thanks!
Stefan Malloch please review new samyang 75mm specially for video usage
...and comparing to Viltrox 85 mark II:)
@@youmysterious yes....
somehow in my country this lens is either cheaper than the 70-200m f4 or bit expensive around 100 more or less depend on the seller
I'm a beginner and on a budget. Do u recommend buying used??
Sure just make sure you test is properly. Check out my lens test video for some tips.
Agreed on the price, i dont have the coins to get it. Haha. Wish it come down in coins!
its 600 euros in the netherlands
What is lens like for astrophotography?
I can buy this sony 70-300 second hand at the same price than the new tamron 70-300, should i buy the sony? Do u think is better or the Tamron is better because is a new lens? Difficult decision the price is the same! Please help
I had the Tamron for a few days. It is a tad sharper than the Sony, however, I had to really crank up the shutter speed on the Tamron at the long end. I much prefer the OSS on the Sony, even it it is not quite as sharp a lens. On the used market, you can usually get a used Sony for about 700-800 dollars. Just get it from a source where you can return it if you don't like it. There is some copy to copy variation.
@@martin9410 thanks my friend
Hi, thanks for this review of a sony zoom. As an alternative, Sigma offers a 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Price: $609.00 on their website (I did not check Amazon's price). Price is a big deal to me since this lens on Amazon goes for $1273.00 on Amazon.
I feel like a professional for having this lens that I bought used for half the price and my heart breaks when I hear that it is for begginers hahahah
Hello watching❤🇵🇭
Nice video
Thanks friend
I used to have this lens and I REALLY liked it. I shot it extensively for 2 days (well over 1000 images) at the "Jedi Transition" - a part of the "Sidewinder Complex" Low Level Training Area in Death Valley California. I was happy with every aspect of what I was getting from this lens except I wanted more reach.
I started to save my pennies for the 100-400 GM, but then (last summer) Sony released the 200-600mm. I love the extra reach of the 200-600, but it is a beast to carry around. Unless you are shooting something that you need the longer reach that the 100-400GN or the 200-600G would give, then I would recommend this lens without hesitation.
Here are the shots from the Jedi Transition: rob-hogarth.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Jedi-Transition-Star-Wars-Canyon/
I checked your shots. I have to say that I love the A10 shots, especially the one flipping against the sky. Beautiful shot of a beautiful plane! I noticed most of the shots are taken against the busy canyon walls. Did the lens struggle with maintaining focus on the planes? I have ordered this lens before I read your comment, and now I can't wait to try it out. Cheers
Great all around telephoto but expensive!
True story
Had this lens for a few weeks in the summer of 2018 but did not like the etched, hard look and busy bokeh. My experience was that it lacked the magic image quality that comes with better optics and concluded it was an overpriced kit lens. I returned it.
Hard to find magic
@@StefanMalloch Until the Tamron 70-180 2.8 was released I got by with the Tamron 70-200 G2 2.8 for Canon with an MC-11 Canon to Sony adapter. The lens was extraordinary for photos, equal or better than their 70-180, but it did not track moving subjects well and was completely unusable for video. Used the G2 for close to two years and having bought the G2 + MC-11 for about $1200 I was able to sell it for what I had into it.