Sony 100-400mm

[iain clyne]

I am contemplating a Sony 100-400mm but there seems to be a lot of contradictions with some people saying its soft at 400mm but others saying its sharp. To those of you that have it what is your findings?
thanks.

 

[iamdlewis]

It is my favorite lens. It is very fast and sharp at all the ranges. I don't know what people are looking at to say that it is soft.

• ILCE-7RM4
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/800 sec
• ISO 3200

 

[RogerSmith]

I owned it and found it a tad sharper than the 200-600. I just didn't use it a lot.

 

[iain clyne]

That’s what I was looking for, opinions of people I trust.

 

[GvilleRick]

Here are a few shots I have taken with the 100-400 @400mm.

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 1600

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 2500

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1250 sec
• ISO 6400

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 3200

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 1000

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 190.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 200

 

[iain clyne]

Has anyone tried it with the 1.4tc on?

 

[etiennescamera]

Has anyone tried it with the 1.4tc on?

Very happy with my 100-400, sharp at all focal lengths, but in my experience results with the 1.4TC on were disappointing, definitely became significantly softer than the 200-600.

 

[spudhead]

Has anyone tried it with the 1.4tc on?

Yes Iain and it shows a fair bit of vignetting in my personal opinion, although I have only used the 1.4 on it a couple of times

 

[spudhead]

One thing with the 100-400 for me is I am not keen on the fact it is not internal focusing, I guess spoilt by the 200-600 and the primes I love so much, I have had it a couple of years and not really used it that much

 

[iain clyne]

One thing with the 100-400 for me is I am not keen on the fact it is not internal focusing, I guess spoilt by the 200-600 and the primes I love so much, I have had it a couple of years and not really used it that much

The internal focusing is a bonus. I’m having to look at lens weight as my arthritis in my wrist has got worse and the 200-600mm is causing issues

 

[iamdlewis]

Has anyone tried it with the 1.4tc on?

Both the 100-400 & 200-600 are noticeably softer with the 1.4x. Also for some reason the 100-400 with the 1.4x seems some much heavier than the added weight of the 1.4x. I should probably just trade in my 1.4x.

 

[spudhead]

The internal focusing is a bonus. I’m having to look at lens weight as my arthritis in my wrist has got worse and the 200-600mm is causing issues

Yep for sure Iain I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists, and need shoulder op

 

[iain clyne]

Yep for sure Iain I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists, and need shoulder op

It’s no good this getting old is it.

 

[Slug]

Has anyone tried it with the 1.4tc on?

Yes do that a lot when travelling. No issues. Here's a sample or two.

 

[Unframed Dave]

It’s no good this getting old is it.

The alternative sucks!

 

[spudhead]

The alternative sucks!

 

[Doug Herr]

I used the 100-400 GM for several years and found that the lens is quite sharp over most of the image area at 400mm. I was not satisfied with the performance when using it with the 1.4x TC and the non-internal zoom was difficult to use with arthritic hands. I traded it for the 300mm GM.

• ILCE-7RM2
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 400

• ILCE-7RM3
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/400 sec
• ISO 400

• ILCE-7RM3
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/400 sec
• ISO 400

• ILCE-7RM2
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/7.1
• 1/320 sec
• ISO 400

 

[iain clyne]

The alternative sucks!

Yes, I'll put up with the pain to the alternative.

 

[iain clyne]

I tried one this morning and have bought it. Been out trying it with and without the 1.4 tc and below are the results.
With out TC but big crop.


with TC

 

[Slug]

Yes do that a lot when travelling. No issues. Here's a sample or two.

Did this not publish or am I one of those not trustworthy?

 

[Tim Mayo]

Did this not publish or am I one of those not trustworthy?

It's visible.

 

[Tim Mayo]

The 100-400 is a great lens Iain. I used mine exclusively until the 200-600 came along from which point it started to collect dust. The minimum focusing distance is much smaller than the 200-600 which makes it a great bug and butterfly lens. I never felt mine was soft. However, since picking up the Sigma 500 my 200-600 is now collecting dust. I don't feel like there's anything between them in terms of sharpness but I appreciate the lighter weight.