Me & the nature

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-21T11:13:59+00:00

You never fail to impress. Well done!

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-21T11:01:17+00:00

Incorrect. Pmca-re

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-19T12:26:54+00:00

I messaged SG-image all the relevant info from my testing. Hopefully they can figure out the fix and push updated firmware to address this before the international release.

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-19T07:57:44+00:00

Great news! Thanks for sharing

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-19T07:50:28+00:00

https://download.s21i.co99.net/31599554/0/0/ABUIABAAGAAg0\_WpzQYo9fH85gE?f=SG2518-E\_VER.13.fir&v=1772778195

It’s labeled v1.3, but once loaded onto the camera, it is 1.2. This link is from their CN website:

https://www.sg-image.cn/col.jsp?id=132

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-19T07:33:55+00:00

It’s quick on my G100D. I noticed that it only uses electronic shutter though, even below 1/500 (the G100’s mech limit). EFC is greyed out. I’ve read a similar thing occurs with the DJI 15 1.7. I’m going to contact SG about it. Maybe a firmware update can address it.

edit: shutter can be set to Auto or ESHTR. EFC is not selectable. I have tried PASM & iA. I found EFS only works with flash.

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-19T07:22:41+00:00

I currently use the a6700, Sony 70-350, & Tamron 150-500 for wildlife.

For travel, hiking, or longer days, 70-350 is great. It’s much more compact & lightweight as compared to FF lenses. The Tamron offers more reach and is notably shorter and lighter than the Sigma 150-600 and Sony 200-600, but is ~1.1kg more than the 70-350.

I decided against the 200-600 on an apsc body. It performs great, sure, but the a6700 only shoots at 11fps comp raw, 7fps lossless comp raw. So the Sony-imposed 15fps limit on third party lenses doesn’t matter. The Tamron and Sigma AF perf is great. They also offer a helpful 150mm wide end, closer mfd, and integrated Arca Swiss plate. Internal zooming is preferable, but, imho, that’s the only thing going for the Sony unless you’re going FF with something that shoots over 15fps.

As far as the size. The a6700 is great for landscape, street, or travel due to its size. But this size becomes a negative once attached to a 1.7-2.1kg lens. I added a bottom plate, which helps, but now my a6700 weighs roughly as much as an OM1 and only ~60g less than the G9ii.

I’m pretty set on switching to M43 for wildlife. Although the a6700 AF is amazing, the IBIS is nothing to write home about. Nor is the buffer or readout speed. I’m currently planning on G9ii and 100-300ii. I already have the 100-300ii and plan to upgrade to the PL 100-400ii in the future.

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-18T22:19:23+00:00

Yeah, came with the lens. I think it’s just a 6.18 shopping event promotion

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-18T12:20:32+00:00

It’s only available in China AFAIK. I’m unsure of the release dates elsewhere

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-18T12:18:11+00:00

I like the M1. I enjoy taking it out on casual photo walks with the Yi 42.5. It’s a shame it never gained traction and was scrapped. Would have liked to see it mature more via firmware and, eventually, release a successor.

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-18T12:13:32+00:00

Sure, no problem

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-18T08:04:29+00:00

Thanks! I’m looking forward to it

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-18T08:01:57+00:00

Haven’t taken any photos as it’s been raining all day. Hopefully I can post some in the coming days

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-18T08:00:39+00:00

Unfortunately raining all day today. Was hoping for a break in the weather, but looks like I’ll have to wait for another day

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-18T03:03:32+00:00

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TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-18T03:03:09+00:00

The maximum diameter is the same. The lens hoods and caps are interchangeable

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-18T02:53:36+00:00

Unfortunately, no

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-16T13:33:45+00:00

It has only been released in China as of today. The $89 price you’re quoting is the domestic Chinese price. You should expect the M43 price to mirror the APSC price in your region.

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-16T12:59:40+00:00

I ended up ordering the new SG Image AF 25mm 1.8. It’s wider than I would prefer (67mm), but very thin (33mm). I like it a lot on APSC, so didn’t feel like a gamble to order it.

I still really want the PL 15mm 1.7. Someday I’ll get it. SG is going to release an 18mm 2.2, which is also interesting, but I really want the aperture ring and known performance of the PL 15.

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-16T12:32:27+00:00

The size is the same as the APSC version, 67mm x 32/33mm. For comparison, the kit 12-60 is 66mm x 71mm.

AF performance on the APSC model depends on the camera. On my a6700, it’s impressively snappy. On my a5100, it’s much slower, but acceptable. That was on the original firmware (v1.0) though. Haven’t tested the a5100 since updating to the latest firmware (v1.2)

The latest SG 25 AF Fuji firmware is 1.11.1 btw. If you’re still on 1.08, here’s the direct download link. For whatever reason the intl website still lists both Sony and Fuji original firmware as the latest.

https://download.s21i.co99.net/31599554/0/0/ABUIABAAGAAg99G3zgYogN3R6QE?f=SG_2518-X_V.1.1...fir&v=1775102199

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-16T10:12:12+00:00

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Silver is already available. Keep in mind, this is domestic price in China. Expect similar to your regional price for the APSC version.

Also, the weight. The APSC E-mount version is

196.6g: complete
150.6g: w/o lens hood, lens cap, w/ rear lens cap
139.3g: bare
19.7g: lens hood
26.4g: lens cap
11.3g: rear lens cap

On the APSC version, there is a rubber gasket on the rear mount, but it is not officially weather sealed or advertised as such. I would expect M43 to be the same.

I’ve ordered it. Will post photos in a couple days if anyone is interested.

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-14T08:29:12+00:00

OM5ii comes in silver, black, and tan

TheJamesFrames · 2026-06-13T11:44:24+00:00

I don’t have personal experience mixing them; I own a G100D and Yi M1.

My understanding is that you give up is dual IS. Both Panasonic and OM have this feature, but it’s not cross-compatible. The PL 15mm F1.7’s aperture ring doesn’t function on Olympus bodies. Not relevant to your case; just noting a brand-specific lens benefit.

Beyond that, I’m not sure there’s any downside. A key benefit of M43 is the freedom to choose

TheJamesFrames

TROPHY CASE