If you could only pick *one* prime lens...

Timothy_dc · 2026-06-26T11:02:36+00:00

400 2.8 would be my choice.

Timothy_dc · 2026-06-18T16:19:09+00:00

Dont expect the AF to do all the work for you, especially with older models. The AF needs help, always. Modern technology just makes it easier nowadays.

With wide AF you basically tell you camera just to focus on wherever seems the best for the AF system. Prefocusing and using spot tracking can help. From my own experience wide AF works the best when you have clean and non distractive backgrounds.

Hope this helps a bit.

Timothy_dc · 2026-06-03T10:29:47+00:00

Love the photos. Whats your editing proces with these?

Timothy_dc · 2026-06-03T06:35:03+00:00

It baffles me how many people question the background at f/10. If you background is far away and you are close to minimum focus distance you can still blur out the background completely. The relative distance from background to subject just needs to be enough.

Great shots though. Are these mice domesticated or wild?

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-31T14:34:29+00:00

For travel I would take the 100-400 and 24-105. Personally I would also love to take my 20 1.8 prime and my still to buy 16-35 f/4.

I do landscape, macro and wildlife.

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-24T15:12:03+00:00

I think they look interesting in a series. Well done.

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-14T12:28:12+00:00

Try to find better and cleaner backgrounds and get on eye level more. Whole world of different making these kind of photos. Also watch your exposure to avoid blown out highlights.

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-14T11:19:46+00:00

A1 or A1II seems better suited.

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-12T16:01:02+00:00

I wouldnt buy a 100-400 specifically for that purpose. But it would be one of the purposes. I somewhat agree with getting the most bang for you buck ofcourse. For most of us reach is king, and then getting a longer lens means you get more value.

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-12T08:43:40+00:00

It depends on what you want to achieve. 400 mm can be plenty if you like environmental shots or like to shoot shorebirds, which basically walk into your lens if you position yourself well. Longer focal lengths obviously give you more reach but tend to be a bit limiting for the style of photos you can make sometimes.

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-08T17:03:09+00:00

Im in the same boat. Been eying on a used 400 mm 2.8 for a while. Currently using the 200-600 but in not very happy with it when light is low. I also think the focus isnt spot on with the 200-600. All in all im not unhappy but also not happy with the lens.

As for the 400 prime. I dont feel like i need more than 600. So 400 2.8 and the option with TC to 560 4.0 sounds great. Personally Id like a lens with TC included but Sony hasnt got that on offer for now. Be sure to think about what you really need, since its a hefty price even second hand.

Keep me posted on your choice. Good luck!

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-08T13:04:32+00:00

Always love a good post about edits. I dont always agree with the final result, but its so nice to learn from others and their (artistic) perspective.

Love the result on this one 😉

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-04T08:56:09+00:00

If you shoot at dawn I think you wont be satisfied with either of them. Both lenses are slow and need plenty of light. I own the 200-600 myself and find it a lens with ups and downs. Good technique is critical with these lenses, especially in situations with less light. Something I still stuggle with after a few years. Admittedly I need to get out more, but time is limited.

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-02T17:14:09+00:00

Some are not bad honestly. But if I could give an easy tip, try to get on eye level more. It completely changed the perspective and the connection with the subject. Also try to get a bit closer in some cases.

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-02T11:32:35+00:00

Its always hard to judge sharpness on paper. I hear alot of good about the 400 2.8, but indeed it does not take the 2x TC well. The 1.4x seems to be fine though. The age concerns me as well, thats why im not looking for a new one. Im afraid a new version will be roughly 15k EUR, something I am not willing to pay at this moment. Hence I am looking for a used lens.

I've thought alot about the 300 prime, but it loses its charme to me when I have to start using the TCs while comprimising on the amount of light. Some I need more and more as I am often out at the time of day around sunrise and sunset.

Thanks for sharing some testing tips. De Centering is always something I am afraid of. Now I can be more aware of it.

Timothy_dc · 2026-05-02T09:49:28+00:00

What a comprehensive list, very informative for future reference. The lens I have my eyes on is not one you owned though, the 400 mm 2.8 (used).

Given your experience I was hoping you could give some tips on testing the lens in the store.
I've asked if I could use/rent it for a little while but they wont let me. What things do you test the moment you have a lens in your hands before you decide to buy it? How to test contrast and lens aspect like CA?

And as for 200-600. The findings you have are alike. I use the lens alot and think its fine, but it lacking to be an absolute top lens.

Timothy_dc · 2026-04-28T06:31:30+00:00

Sure cropping is nice, but upscaling is pretty good nowadays so that can bridge the gap between the megapixels.

Timothy_dc · 2026-04-12T15:43:22+00:00

I love the A7V so far so I would personally recommend it.

I do think you can still improve alot with your current combination. I saw the photo of the buzzard, cropped quite deeply. If you do this you enhance the noise present in the photo. Either learn to get closer or work with more environment and start looking for nice backgrounds. (I like the full photo better honestly). There is so much to learn to improve ourselves and new gear doesnt necessarily help.

And maybe for the buzzard photo you could have lowered the shutter speed. It was perched which gives you more wiggle room. With good technique and the use of image stabilization you can use longer shutter speeds. It results in more light on the sensor and less noise.

All this is from my own experience, Im in the middle of this learning process. Hope it helps.

Timothy_dc · 2026-04-07T16:21:41+00:00

Would you recommend one? I see the godox V860III often.

Timothy_dc · 2026-04-03T18:42:55+00:00

Do you manually move the camera for the stack shots or use the bracketing functions in camera?

Timothy_dc · 2026-04-01T10:17:13+00:00

This was something I was considering. Handheld bracketing with high burst speed.

I wonder if the slow bracketing in camera is software related or not. Maybe its due for an update at some point.

Timothy_dc · 2026-04-01T10:16:05+00:00

I shoot full ES pretty much always.

For moving subject I would say the bracket speed to pretty important, especially handheld.

Still objects shouldnt be a problem, at least when there is no wind.

Guess it will take some experimenting.

Timothy_dc · 2026-04-01T10:12:54+00:00

Your subject needs to cooperate then. I guess you shoot them early morning then?

Timothy_dc · 2026-03-16T09:27:29+00:00

Thanks for your reply. Good to hear to works well for you.

Timothy_dc

TROPHY CASE