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Sonys new 100-400mm a big dissapointment


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I have the Sony 70-200 and it's without doubt a fantastic lens  so when I read all these reviews on the 100-400mm saying how great it was and equel to the 70-200 I was really excited. When  I finally got it t you could not believe how disappointed
I was and have since returned it at a return cost $360 for restocking. It's nowhere near the performance of the 200 and for the cost it should have been as good as.
Not once could I get it to outclass the 200, maybe the 400 was defective if so readers should be warned to test one before buying.
The picture attached shows the upper picture taken at 400mm and the lower taken with the 200 at 200mm and then I zoomed 200 picture on the original, so as to get the same perspective
and even having zoomed in it's clearly better than the 400 unzoomed as taken....the originals can be supplied...taken with the A7r2
Cheers

 

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Everyone else is not wrong about this lens.  You may have gotten a bad copy, but more likely the issue is atmospheric haze and/or heat shimmer which is significantly more pronounced at 400mm than at 200mm).  I have both lenses, and except at about 300mm there is no discernible difference between IQ (and difference at 300mm is negligible).

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The images I have seen produced with this lens are exceptional.  Too bad you didn't try and exchange for another copy.  For most folks objects to be photographed with this lens will be just a reasonable distance away, not long landscapes over water.  Did you try it, for example, at a zoo or a sporting event?  (two venues where this lens should be very useful).

 

Check out the images posted by George Levy (another thread in this very forum).  georgelevyphotography.com and viewbug.

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Guest Jaf-Photo

Hmmm... I have to agree that's not the best photo for doing lens comparisons, neither is viewing them in Windows Photo Viewer.

 

Also, if you are happy with your 70-200, did you consider using teleconverters to extend your reach?

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........more likely the issue is atmospheric haze and/or

heat shimmer which is significantly more pronounced

at 400mm than at 200mm).  .......  

  

Reread the description of the procedure of the the 

comparison. What you've suggested is 1/2 true. It 

holds only when the distance is altered to achieve

matching image sizes. If distance is not different

the depth of atmosphere is likewise not different.

Here, the distance was not altered. 

   

Exposure difference may be part of the problem if 

the sample images really do represent the degree 

of difference apparent in the "as-posted" versions. 

   

Another thing: The "PP zoomed" 200 would have 

far fewer MP in the image. While this would reduce 

resolution, it would likely increase the perception

of sharpness. IQ PhD candidates who have not

yet passed their dissertations ... BEWARE !

        

 

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And then acoarst there's the matter of expectations 

based on online commentary/reviews/tests. Anyone 

expecting a 400 to approximately equal a 200 when 

both optics represent the same level of tech suffers 

from "expectations syndrome". Add to that the usual 

sample-to-sample variations and any IQ geek would 

be well advised to face the possible need to try out 

2 or more samples. "Regular" users can most likely 

just test 1 sample to make sure it images well enuf 

to make good looking pictures when used properly. 

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