70-400G in Atlanta

[calpon]

David...I hope you don't mind, but I will link to Dyxum instead of re-posting this here.

This link will show a visual comparison to the 70-200G and the Tamron 200-500 as well as a couple images taken at the feeder. I am heading off to Florida on Saturday for a bit of birding and I will post along the way if the hotel has adequate high speed service. I have rented a Sony 1.4 TC and a Kenko Pro 1.4(1.5)TC to see if I can get some extra reach. If the Kenko has adequate AF and IQ is somewhat close, I will get it, but I want to compare the IQ of these 2.

[David Kilpatrick]

No problem linking to Dyxum, but why not link the images to a post here?

I often ignore posts which only contain links, not images, and I am sure many others do. If you don't see the image directly on opening the post, it's not as interesting.

David

[calpon]

No problem linking to Dyxum, but why not link the images to a post here?

I often ignore posts which only contain links, not images, and I am sure many others do. If you don't see the image directly on opening the post, it's not as interesting.

David

Alright...will do.

[calpon]

f/7.1, 1/500


f/6.3, 1/500


f/8, 1/1000

[Dr. Harout]

Few comments with your permission:

1- Very nice bird shots, but may I ask how much sharpening on PP? Or is the lens that sharp?
2- In my opinion I think the knob for fixing the tripod collar on the Tamron is much much better than the Sony ones. It should be much easier tightening/loosening the Tamron one Just let me know your thoughts on this.
3- I like the bokeh on 400mm (btw, are the pictures cropped?)
4- Now you've done it, I don't know which to discard from my list the 70-300 or 70-400

Thanks for sharing.

[rogprov]

Very nice, thanks for sharing ... be great to see them compared at maximum extension

[KevinBarrett]

When my wife sees me looking at pictures like the first three on this page, she calls it "camera p*rn."

[calpon]

Few comments with your permission:

1- Very nice bird shots, but may I ask how much sharpening on PP? Or is the lens that sharp?
2- In my opinion I think the knob for fixing the tripod collar on the Tamron is much much better than the Sony ones. It should be much easier tightening/loosening the Tamron one Just let me know your thoughts on this.
3- I like the bokeh on 400mm (btw, are the pictures cropped?)
4- Now you've done it, I don't know which to discard from my list the 70-300 or 70-400

Thanks for sharing.

1. I used a level of 2 on Focus magic (the same level I use for the 70-200G...I use a 4 or 5 for my Tamron 200-500). I'd say it is as sharp at these apertures as the 70-200G (mind you that i have used this lens for all of 15 min.)
2.If find I have no problem with the knobs and tightening. Be warned that the 70-400 will roll off a table (caught fortunately) when sitting on the tripod foot and no camera.
3.In the 2nd bird image....that is a tree, a swing set and a bush in the BG....'nough said? Yes they are cropped a small amount.
4.I say go for the 70-400 if you can spare the extra coin.....more distance and better construction/features

[calpon]

Very nice, thanks for sharing ... be great to see them compared at maximum extension

If I have time after getting home from work and before packing for my trip, I will set one up.

[rogprov]

Very nice, thanks for sharing ... be great to see them compared at maximum extension

If I have time after getting home from work and before packing for my trip, I will set one up.

I look forward to seeing that

[bakubo]

1. I used a level of 2 on Focus magic (the same level I use for the 70-200G...I use a 4 or 5 for my Tamron 200-500). I'd say it is as sharp at these apertures as the 70-200G (mind you that i have used this lens for all of 15 min.)

I didn't know that Focus Magic could be used for routine sharpening. I thought it was just a tool to try to correct a bit for photos that are out of focus and motion blur. Are you saying you use it routinely for normal, in focus shots too? Is it better than using USM or Smart Sharpen?

[Dusty]

Nice shots, Calpon. I'll be interested in hearing a lot more about these lenses when you get back.

Dusty

[harveyzone]

When my wife sees me looking at pictures like the first three on this page, she calls it "camera p*rn."

It isn't really though is it - they all have their caps on.

[Winston]

I'm off to Egypt this Sunday. I had hoped to have the Sony 70-400 with me. The Minolta 100-400 will have to do. Not so terrible; it has served me well in Kenya and Tanzania.

[Dusty]

I'm off to Egypt this Sunday. I had hoped to have the Sony 70-400 with me. The Minolta 100-400 will have to do. Not so terrible; it has served me well in Kenya and Tanzania.

And you'll post some of your shot when you return, I hope?

I don't know which parts you're going to, but you can spend a week in the Valley of the Kings and not have enough time!

Dusty