I have just recorded another Video with Jonathan Hodgetts who has owned the 300mm since its release in March & has already used it on Safari in Africa and Recently Yellowstone National Park on Brown Bears . So more coming from Jonathan and a bonus the "A1 v A9III" which one should you buy if given a choice . Let's face it your not going to buy both unless your a pro or have very deep pockets👌
I had rented that Sigma 500 and used it at an airshow along with the 100-400. Later I did careful test bed shots back at home comparing it to my 200-600 and my 600 f4 and in all cases, even against the zooms, the Sigma was simply not as sharp. I had great hopes for it as I loved the 'flickability' of it compared to my main birding lens, the 600 f4. I've been watching the reviews of the 300 f2.8 'stack up' and I pick up my 300 f2.8 tomorrow. It was interesting that your face off mentioned at the beginning of your video matches my own experience as well. Thanks for the fun and well done review!
I used to have the 600mm f4 on my A1 90% of the time now it is the 300mm plus TC's on the A9III. Amazing. I will no doubt buy the A1 mark 2 but may wait six months, the A9III is that good 😉
Agree entirely Mark, sold my Canon 500mm f4 mkii and 300mm f2.8mkii, and replaced with A1+Sony 300mm f2.8 +1.4 and 2x . Best gear decision I ever made. I tested it thoroughly on a wildlife photography trip to Florida in April , 8000 images , amazing AF performance on all sorts of wildlife from diving Osprey to Dragonfly . Nearly all taken at 600mm, it's sharp and very lightweight . Still have my R5 and 100 500mm , but rarely use the Canon gear now
Thanks for sharing it is really an amazing package with the TC Johnathan Hodgetts has had one since March for his travel and Wildlife more coming from him and an update on his A9III🙂
Hi, I note you are using a 'camo' wrap for your 300GM. How do you find it. Does it help you get closer than standard 'white'? Ditto your jacket, does camo work or is it a look over functionality? On lens wraps, what differences between makes. Any really good or any to avoid? Thanks.
Camo is a tricky one and is largely for the look, having said that contrast is noticed by the wildlife. So a bright white lens is definitely not a good idea, so I use normally (Moss colour) OutdoorPhotoographyGear.co.uk for my lens camo . Cheaper than Lens Coat and much the same Neo Propane material 👌
I was very fortunate that Castle Cameras liked my last video so much they sold it at their recent Fair and gave me a full refund towards the Sony 300mm . It pays to develop a good relationship with your local supplier or spend a lot of money there ! 😉🤔
Awesome review. I used to shot wildlife with my 70-200 gm ii with tc1.4 now I bought the 300mm f2.8 gm and it a tremendous lens I use it without TC cause of my 61mpx. 😊
The 300mm is too short for most birds & generally here in the UK but with the 2.0 Teleconverter you get a very fast light weight 600mm f5.6 which is half the weight of the 600mm f4 and about 95% as sharp with equal AF speed 🙂
Mark, looking forward to our discussion and new video. After 3 months of owning the 300 GM F2.8 it is my favourite lens ever. I sometimes wonder if I even need anything else for wildlife photography. I have now used in the UK, China, USA and Africa and its lightness, balance and sharpness makes it a pleasure to use every time be it with or without teleconverter which I put on or take off according to circumstances, in Africa with big game 300 at F2.8 is perfect, but for small birds in the UK will shoot F5.6 600mm using the 2x and for such as ducks at the local lake 420 at F4 with the 1.4x is often a choice. I think you over stated the weight in video, with the A1 attached it is only just over 2kg and feels no heavier than having the 70-200 on the camera.
@@Jonathantuba With A1 it's over 2,0 kg? Math says, with x2.0 TC and lens hood and tripod foot, it's almost 2,7 kg, which is only 0,5 kg difference to 200-600 mm f6.3
Nice review! I need to upgrade my camera system primarily for wildlife. Im open to any camera system. If my primary focus is on large mammals, the big cats, what are your thoughts between the A1 + 300 f2.8 vs a R5 with 100 to 500 and Nikons 180 to 600? Im partial to Canons color science a bit
I am interviewing Jonathan Hodgetts again soon where he goes more into his set up . He now favours the A9III . But he uses two cameras he also has the A1 with the 600mm f4. Anyway more coming . Jonathan said he will answer comments after his next video 👌
Well I am trying a new product called a Speed Gimbal which is essentially a ball in a socket. The Monopod is the Sirui P-326. It is certainly speedy to use but lacks friction support. I might be coming up with one of my own soon watch this space . 😉
I have just recorded another Video with Jonathan Hodgetts who has owned the 300mm since its release in March & has already used it on Safari in Africa and Recently Yellowstone National Park on Brown Bears . So more coming from Jonathan and a bonus the "A1 v A9III" which one should you buy if given a choice . Let's face it your not going to buy both unless your a pro or have very deep pockets👌
You are looking very relaxed with the SpeediGimbal, loving the videos.. Colin
I am ! It is a very useful addition to the arsenal 👍
I had rented that Sigma 500 and used it at an airshow along with the 100-400. Later I did careful test bed shots back at home comparing it to my 200-600 and my 600 f4 and in all cases, even against the zooms, the Sigma was simply not as sharp. I had great hopes for it as I loved the 'flickability' of it compared to my main birding lens, the 600 f4. I've been watching the reviews of the 300 f2.8 'stack up' and I pick up my 300 f2.8 tomorrow. It was interesting that your face off mentioned at the beginning of your video matches my own experience as well. Thanks for the fun and well done review!
Well I will be amazed if you are not extremely happy with the 300mm . Congrats 👍
Fully agree, this lens is a game changer! And I will also wait fot the a1 mark 2, I need the 50 M pixel sensor with high dynamic range for wildlife
I used to have the 600mm f4 on my A1 90% of the time now it is the 300mm plus TC's on the A9III. Amazing. I will no doubt buy the A1 mark 2 but may wait six months, the A9III is that good 😉
Agree entirely Mark, sold my Canon 500mm f4 mkii and 300mm f2.8mkii, and replaced with A1+Sony 300mm f2.8 +1.4 and 2x . Best gear decision I ever made. I tested it thoroughly on a wildlife photography trip to Florida in April , 8000 images , amazing AF performance on all sorts of wildlife from diving Osprey to Dragonfly . Nearly all taken at 600mm, it's sharp and very lightweight . Still have my R5 and 100 500mm , but rarely use the Canon gear now
Thanks for sharing it is really an amazing package with the TC Johnathan Hodgetts has had one since March for his travel and Wildlife more coming from him and an update on his A9III🙂
Hi, I note you are using a 'camo' wrap for your 300GM. How do you find it. Does it help you get closer than standard 'white'? Ditto your jacket, does camo work or is it a look over functionality? On lens wraps, what differences between makes. Any really good or any to avoid? Thanks.
Camo is a tricky one and is largely for the look, having said that contrast is noticed by the wildlife. So a bright white lens is definitely not a good idea, so I use normally (Moss colour) OutdoorPhotoographyGear.co.uk for my lens camo . Cheaper than Lens Coat and much the same Neo Propane material 👌
Hi Mark, that’s a tasty new lens but outta my budget. Did you sell the Sigma 500mm f5.6? I love the Sigma and it’s amazing for video on my a6700.
I was very fortunate that Castle Cameras liked my last video so much they sold it at their recent Fair and gave me a full refund towards the Sony 300mm . It pays to develop a good relationship with your local supplier or spend a lot of money there ! 😉🤔
300 mm is a beast lens.Love it!
It has become my favourite now 😉
Awesome review. I used to shot wildlife with my 70-200 gm ii with tc1.4 now I bought the 300mm f2.8 gm and it a tremendous lens I use it without TC cause of my 61mpx. 😊
Thanks, you must really enjoy the extra reach. I had the 300mm plus 1.4 TC on for my last session with Terns amazing and so fast at f4 🙂
@@CamillaI this lens is blazing fast indeed!!! And the « croppability » is out of this world 😉
@@Dan.gibson.photographer Agreed, more coming on this lens from Jonathan Hodgetts
Great video mate, love your equipment reviews really informative !!!
Much appreciated thanks Ryan 👍
What’s the advantage of this over the 600mm, as I’ve found 300mm bit short for wildlife?
The 300mm is too short for most birds & generally here in the UK but with the 2.0 Teleconverter you get a very fast light weight 600mm f5.6 which is half the weight of the 600mm f4 and about 95% as sharp with equal AF speed 🙂
@@CamillaI Ok thought size and weight would be an advantage, looks good 👍
@@deegreen3351 More coming from Jonathan Hodgetts who has owned the lens since March and has used it all over the World 🙂
Mark, looking forward to our discussion and new video. After 3 months of owning the 300 GM F2.8 it is my favourite lens ever. I sometimes wonder if I even need anything else for wildlife photography. I have now used in the UK, China, USA and Africa and its lightness, balance and sharpness makes it a pleasure to use every time be it with or without teleconverter which I put on or take off according to circumstances, in Africa with big game 300 at F2.8 is perfect, but for small birds in the UK will shoot F5.6 600mm using the 2x and for such as ducks at the local lake 420 at F4 with the 1.4x is often a choice. I think you over stated the weight in video, with the A1 attached it is only just over 2kg and feels no heavier than having the 70-200 on the camera.
@@Jonathantuba With A1 it's over 2,0 kg? Math says, with x2.0 TC and lens hood and tripod foot, it's almost 2,7 kg, which is only 0,5 kg difference to 200-600 mm f6.3
Nice review!
I need to upgrade my camera system primarily for wildlife. Im open to any camera system. If my primary focus is on large mammals, the big cats, what are your thoughts between the A1 + 300 f2.8 vs a R5 with 100 to 500 and Nikons 180 to 600?
Im partial to Canons color science a bit
I am interviewing Jonathan Hodgetts again soon where he goes more into his set up . He now favours the A9III . But he uses two cameras he also has the A1 with the 600mm f4. Anyway more coming . Jonathan said he will answer comments after his next video 👌
Sold my 200-600 and will backfill with this 300GM plus both TCs for a 300 2.8, 420 F4, and 600 5.6 versatile!!
Great choice 👌
@@CamillaI excellent videos! Keep up the fantastic work 💪
nice tasty lens that bloody cuckoo
Yes two of them flew past again I was under such pressure to get the shot as I was using the A1 not the A6700
👍What kind of monopod and ball head do you have here?
Well I am trying a new product called a Speed Gimbal which is essentially a ball in a socket. The Monopod is the Sirui P-326. It is certainly speedy to use but lacks friction support. I might be coming up with one of my own soon watch this space . 😉