Ok so who will buy either of the new Sony releases either the a9iii or 300 gm 2.8 or are these irrelevant to you?

[AlphaWorld]

What price did that come in at?

I have a test chart I made and my 70-200mm with the 2x on holds the same consistency through the focal range as the lens does without it, and I think it loses maybe 2% of it's sharpness. In the real world we're looking at identical performances.

I definitely wouldn't hold any reservations in putting a teleconverter onto a new Sony lens based on what I've seen.

I put the pre-order in when the dealer opened on Wednesday. Paid a deposit and it's labelled "price to be determined"

I had a good relationship with this dealer and I expect to get a good price, but it's still going to be a big purchase. I think the most I've paid for a piece of camera gear was pre-ordering a Canon 1Ds in 2007, but this will be close to the same number of dollars - probably about what I paid for my pre-ordered A1.

Spent yesterday shooting with the 70-200 GM II + 1.4x to get a feel for what it will be like. That was fun. The 300 will be a bit heavier, but f/2.8 instead of f/4.

Already anticipating. Sony Australia have a note on the web page for the lens saying "Next estimated shipping date 29 January 2024" - that's better than March 2024, at least!

 

[Deleted Member 5045]

I put the pre-order in when the dealer opened on Wednesday. Paid a deposit and it's labelled "price to be determined"

I had a good relationship with this dealer and I expect to get a good price, but it's still going to be a big purchase. I think the most I've paid for a piece of camera gear was pre-ordering a Canon 1Ds in 2007, but this will be close to the same number of dollars - probably about what I paid for my pre-ordered A1.

Spent yesterday shooting with the 70-200 GM II + 1.4x to get a feel for what it will be like. That was fun. The 300 will be a bit heavier, but f/2.8 instead of f/4.

Already anticipating. Sony Australia have a note on the web page for the lens saying "Next estimated shipping date 29 January 2024" - that's better than March 2024, at least!

Maybe a little under $11,000 in Australia at release I reckon. Maybe you'll get it for $10,000 or so.

How much bloody Sony gear do you have Tony? Do you mind putting your complete gear list down, I'm intrigued!

 

[AlphaWorld]

Maybe a little under $11,000 in Australia at release I reckon. Maybe you'll get it for $10,000 or so.

How much bloody Sony gear do you have Tony? Do you mind putting your complete gear list down, I'm intrigued!

Sony's site shows the starting price for the 300 GM at $10.5k, but I suspect that's just their starting point - won't be surprised if they adjust it a bit downwards before shipping. The current price is the exchange rate of the US price + Aus GST.

Sorry, I'm not going to list all the gear I have, but I have six GM lenses and five G lenses (unless I miscounted) at the moment, and one on order. I have only three Sony bodies at the moment.

Sony has been annoyingly good at releasing them at a rate where I can afford to buy them.

 

[spudhead]

I put the pre-order in when the dealer opened on Wednesday. Paid a deposit and it's labelled "price to be determined"

I had a good relationship with this dealer and I expect to get a good price, but it's still going to be a big purchase. I think the most I've paid for a piece of camera gear was pre-ordering a Canon 1Ds in 2007, but this will be close to the same number of dollars - probably about what I paid for my pre-ordered A1.

Spent yesterday shooting with the 70-200 GM II + 1.4x to get a feel for what it will be like. That was fun. The 300 will be a bit heavier, but f/2.8 instead of f/4.

Already anticipating. Sony Australia have a note on the web page for the lens saying "Next estimated shipping date 29 January 2024" - that's better than March 2024, at least!

Tony in general medium to big primes are much better than zooms and teleconverters, so I think unless Sony have dropped the ball on this one you will be impressed with the 300 2.8

 

[Paul stuart]

I remember a mate having a Sony 300 2.8 version 2 a-mount cleaned, so taken to pieces, this was done by a guy we knew and if you see the thickness of some of the elements in it, it makes you wonder how they could shave the weight to such an extent. I assume it is all glass elements? also recall people saying version 2 of the a-mount had a plastic protector over the big end element but I have no clue if that is correct.

lens development has changed so the bigger front elements have fewer in latest gm ,this also helps keep elements nearer the camera body which aids the balance ,a win win for us users ,lighter and better balanced

 

[Paul stuart]

It has occurred to me, after some consideration, that maybe Sony are trying to move the A9 series away from the dedicated wildlife guys, for which the A1 is much better suited.
Maybe the 9 III has some sports applications, though I'm not sure, it's biggest thing in that respect is the global shutter. Given that pro guys have a limited time to send the shots across for publishing, they aren't that likely to use 120fps in the field, in fact, I don't think anyone will!
Anyway, the A1 is still the definite wildlife (or specifically wildlife in action) king in the Sony range thanks to the resolution and burst speed combo. I'm very disappointed with the delay of the new firmware though, I was hoping it would sway me.

wrong they will use it to get the shot no second takes in sport it is not like the camera stops shooting in continous mode either so you can be set for 20,30 ,40,50 ,80 fps but the touch of the button C5 and boom 120fps and carry on shooting ,so when that baseball player hits the ball at a defining moment you are not missing it ,the flash sync issue is just as huge no more will you need big production lighting a small flash will get a lot done hss will be a non issue ,so bright days when you f1,2 with some flash it will be achievable think up to 1/80000th of second to control the light where as normal flash syncs 1/250th at best try shooting wide open f1.2 with daylight and flash at 1/250th ,you would need a ton of filters and then you would need a ton flashes,s with power ,thinks of gigs also no banding at events super important ,agencies will love this ,Wildlife photographers well they will not really most are of the pixel peeping generation and why not some those wildlife images look super detailed on a 50-60mp camera ,heres the take the A9mk3 is a game changer (hate the term) much like the orignal A9 gave 20fps blackout free shooting with minimal rolling shutter,this led to current flagships A1 Z9 Z8 and R3 and OM1 ,the next a1 will likley have a global shutter think 2 years time, the next a7r6 will maybe have a stacked sensor or at least 80-100mp ,the next a75 will most likley have a stacked sensor also ,but for me i would rather spend 6k on the 300mm f2.8 or look towards a used 400mm f2.8 will be a few of these circulating soon s/h

 

[AlphaWorld]

Tony in general medium to big primes are much better than zooms and teleconverters, so I think unless Sony have dropped the ball on this one you will be impressed with the 300 2.8

I never expect to afford the 400 or 600, so this 300 will be my "great white", but a bit more discreet than the "big boys"

Last weekend I was photographing lion cubs next to a guy with a 600 on a monopod - that is definitely not a discreet lens. It was funny, in a way - it was way too long when the cubs were only 2 or 3 metres away (that would be inside its minimum focus distance, wouldn't it?). I'm really looking forward to the 300mm being handheld.