Sony 70-300mm G , worth the premium ?

[godzilla60]

maybe he got big arms.. :bsmilie:

but seriously, 'heavy' depends on each individual strength i guess..

haha...very soon, we will get a "jane fonda" style workout video for photographers.....

work those arms baby.....10 reps on each arm, with a pro body fixed with big mama sigma lens and flash on each arm.....:sweatsm:

 

[godzilla60]

Hmm just wondering , do the 70-200m G and 70-300m G both fare well in low lighting conditions like concerts ? Especially if we have to resort to shoot with slow shutter speeds , with the weight bond to be alot of shake .

I have seen pple clunging their canon 70-200mm for night shooting without flash at around 8 pm at Merlion park , i wonder do they get a decent sharp well exposed picture , or the lenses itself is so marvelous =D

actually it is quite achievable, depending on what they are shooting and the lighting condition....and prb the ISO?

i have shot Ballet Under The Stars at 8pm plus with a normal 70-300mm F4-5.6 lens. Using spot focus and shutter priority, i manage to use the tele 300mm end of my lens to reach speeds of 1/40 ~ 1/60. However, my photo is composed around the ballet dancers with the help of stage lighting only...:sweat:

 

[ongll]

The 70-200G is about 1.4 kg, no? Your A700 is 850g, plus grip, plus 58 flash, you're carrying about 3 kg on one hand for a whole day... think about carrying a full-szied laptop around... heavy? Surely!

It's really relative and something you'd build over the time. I'm not saying it's not heavy, but it is bearable with hand and neckstrap for some hours of shooting without tripod or monopod.

For A100/200/300/350 users who upgraded to A700, sure they will say it's a lot heavier. After sometime, they got used to it. Then one day, the user wants to add a VG to already 'heavy' A700, he will comment again, wow that's a lot heavier. After sometime, he got used to it again.

It just the way we are. Remember how do you do your first push-ups? can do 20 at one go at the beginning?

I seldom use flash, so it'll be a camera bag, A700 and a lens. The lens i.e. CZ24-70 or 70-200G is about the same weight anyway.

The only exception may be the 300mmG

 

[TME]

It's really relative and something you'd build over the time. I'm not saying it's not heavy, but it is bearable with hand and neckstrap for some hours of shooting without tripod or monopod.

For A100/200/300/350 users who upgraded to A700, sure they will say it's a lot heavier. After sometime, they got used to it. Then one day, the user wants to add a VG to already 'heavy' A700, he will comment again, wow that's a lot heavier. After sometime, he got used to it again.

It just the way we are. Remember how do you do your first push-ups? can do 20 at one go at the beginning?

I seldom use flash, so it'll be a camera bag, A700 and a lens. The lens i.e. CZ24-70 or 70-200G is about the same weight anyway.

The only exception may be the 300mmG

Aiyah! VG cannot compare to the 70-200G lar... VG like 300g the lens is 1.4kg?!?!

 

[greenieadi]

I had the chance to try the 70-300mm G and CZ 16-80mm at SonyStyle Wisma Atria. I give the overall experience and IQ of the CZ 16-80mm an OK.

But that G lens is something else, honestly it's my first time handling a G + SSM lens. Focusing is almost silent and the IQ and bokeh are :thumbsup:. Nevermind that it's not a constant aperture or fast lens, I now dare to shoot using ISO 1600 or 3200 after v4 on my A700 to compensate for low light condition up to a certain degree, of course. It's weight shouldn't be an issue for me as it's slightly heavier than my ALL-Metal Tokina 24-200mm.

Tried the A900 with a 16mm F2.8 and I wonder what's the fuss is about.

Further to add, the Sony staff was very kind to entertain to my request to test those lens. He even ask me to try the 2 great whites which I decline politely as those lens will only add to my misery and burn my pocket.

So, my take is - 70-300mm G is definitely a value for money lens.

And experience too, Like.nther, at that Sony store.

 

[TME]

I had the chance to try the 70-300mm G and CZ 16-80mm at SonyStyle Wisma Atria. I give the overall experience and IQ of the CZ 16-80mm an OK.

But that G lens is something else, honestly it's my first time handling a G + SSM lens. Focusing is almost silent and the IQ and bokeh are :thumbsup:. Nevermind that it's not a constant aperture or fast lens, I now dare to shoot using ISO 1600 or 3200 after v4 on my A700 to compensate for low light condition up to a certain degree, of course. It's weight shouldn't be an issue for me as it's slightly heavier than my ALL-Metal Tokina 24-200mm.

Tried the A900 with a 16mm F2.8 and I wonder what's the fuss is about.

Further to add, the Sony staff was very kind to entertain to my request to test those lens. He even ask me to try the 2 great whites which I decline politely as those lens will only add to my misery and burn my pocket.

So, my take is - 70-300mm G is definitely a value for money lens.

And experience too, Like.nther, at that Sony store.

Tempting no? Hear the siren call of the G lenses...

 

[Atarandas]

yeah tempting indeed. but the price is a good barrier to call for abstinence =D

I didnt know the sales person would like u demo with the big lenses . I did try the CZ24-70 at Sony Wisma with A900. Very sharp and bright . I guess a combination of the lens and the FF camera .

 

[TME]

yeah tempting indeed. but the price is a good barrier to call for abstinence =D

I didnt know the sales person would like u demo with the big lenses . I did try the CZ24-70 at Sony Wisma with A900. Very sharp and bright . I guess a combination of the lens and the FF camera .

I'm bitten already lar... I think the 70-300G and the 24-70G will be the 2 first lenses I will get if I change my body next year... still waiting with bated breath for a lower resolution FF... 24MP a bit hard to stomach lar...:think:

 

[greenieadi]

I didnt know the sales person would like u demo with the big lenses

I brought my A700 that day an insists on using my cam, maybe that assures the sales person that I'm serious about my intent or looked "pro-like"......he...he....he

 

[Rashkae]

I'm bitten already lar... I think the 70-300G and the 24-70G will be the 2 first lenses I will get if I change my body next year... still waiting with bated breath for a lower resolution FF... 24MP a bit hard to stomach lar...:think:

24-70G? Or do you mean the CZ?

 

[Atarandas]

I brought my A700 that day an insists on using my cam, maybe that assures the sales person that I'm serious about my intent or looked "pro-like"......he...he....he

Ooh no wonder . I thought you went in and ask to try the lens and they let you haha. I am quite surprised they fixed the CZ24-70 on the demo A900 already . Last time IMM used to have a a900 demo , but they replaced it with A700 already, currently can only go to Sony Wisma to worship the 900. :sweatsm:

 

[Rashkae]

Ooh no wonder . I thought you went in and ask to try the lens and they let you haha. I am quite surprised they fixed the CZ24-70 on the demo A900 already . Last time IMM used to have a a900 demo , but they replaced it with A700 already, currently can only go to Sony Wisma to worship the 900. :sweatsm:

Junction 8 has it too.

 

[mastermind]

Hi ppl,

Anyone has the street price for the 70-300 ssm g lens in Singapore? I tried an e-quote with some local shops but no respond from them at all. Reason cos I'm going to NZ and with attractive current exchange rate and the opportunity to knock 12.5% off for taxes, I'm considering adding the 70-300 ssm g lens for travel purposes. And if any bro know the current street price for 500mm reflex and 11-18mm dt lens please PM me too if possible, thank you.

Just for information, the A700 body only street price in New Zealand is NZD1590, after converting to SGD is SGD1340, take away 12.5% sales tax leaves it at SGD1190 which is 33% off the current list price from sony, even if you get it from sony NZ it's only SGD1260, comes with 4gb card and spare battery. The A900 deal is not as 'sweet' though at SGD3510 (SGD3750 from sony NZ) street price before tax and of course it comes with the card and batt.

I got some quotes from NZ dealers and want to see if it is worth the hassle to get from NZ as there are certain rules in getting duty free stuff from NZ.

Thanks in advance!

 

[TME]

Hi ppl,

Anyone has the street price for the 70-300 ssm g lens in Singapore? I tried an e-quote with some local shops but no respond from them at all. Reason cos I'm going to NZ and with attractive current exchange rate and the opportunity to knock 12.5% off for taxes, I'm considering adding the 70-300 ssm g lens for travel purposes. And if any bro know the current street price for 500mm reflex and 11-18mm dt lens please PM me too if possible, thank you.

Just for information, the A700 body only street price in New Zealand is NZD1590, after converting to SGD is SGD1340, take away 12.5% sales tax leaves it at SGD1190 which is 33% off the current list price from sony, even if you get it from sony NZ it's only SGD1260, comes with 4gb card and spare battery. The A900 deal is not as 'sweet' though at SGD3510 (SGD3750 from sony NZ) street price before tax and of course it comes with the card and batt.

I got some quotes from NZ dealers and want to see if it is worth the hassle to get from NZ as there are certain rules in getting duty free stuff from NZ.

Thanks in advance!

Buy it! No way you can get the A700 below S$1500 in S'pore at the moment... I think the best deals are in the S$1600 region... same for the A900... S$3510 is a very good price! I don't know if the Malaysia deal for the A900 is still on but that's an even better offer! For less than S$4000, you get the A900, spare battery and 58 flash!

 

[OldFlower]

I feel the G lenses are exceptional in performance, however, since I collect I simply want completeness of range in collection. ;p
Going for the 35mm G, arrives for me in December. Merry merry Christmas for me...

 

[mastermind]

Buy it! No way you can get the A700 below S$1500 in S'pore at the moment... I think the best deals are in the S$1600 region... same for the A900... S$3510 is a very good price! I don't know if the Malaysia deal for the A900 is still on but that's an even better offer! For less than S$4000, you get the A900, spare battery and 58 flash!

haha... i already have my A700 and a A100 as backup for my wife, thinking that it's better to invest on lens than to get the A900 currently. So far no response about street price locally and Sitex don't carry lens at all... anyway.. think I'll got for some lens from NZ, think the 11-18mm and 500mm will definitely come in useful... praying that the exchange rate gets better over time..

 

[TME]

haha... i already have my A700 and a A100 as backup for my wife, thinking that it's better to invest on lens than to get the A900 currently. So far no response about street price locally and Sitex don't carry lens at all... anyway.. think I'll got for some lens from NZ, think the 11-18mm and 500mm will definitely come in useful... praying that the exchange rate gets better over time..

Sitex is about the worst place to buy a DSLR... I visited Alan Photo today. And I got a pretty good quote for the A900 and the CZ24-70. You might want to check it out.

 

[mastermind]

Sitex is about the worst place to buy a DSLR... I visited Alan Photo today. And I got a pretty good quote for the A900 and the CZ24-70. You might want to check it out.

I'm not looking to buy a DSLR there. I'm looking for lens and Max Photo was there so I thought I could just try my luck since I was at the JL sale to get some stuff... I got my 56 flash more than a year back from one of these fairs (can't remember which one though but MS Color was there) and got a pretty good deal too so its definitely possible.

Anyway, thanks for your suggestion but I'm running out of time to shop around... At least the customer service from NZ is much better as they respond more promptly to my 'e-quotes' so I might just give them a try.

 

[Exposure]

tight budget > 70-300G

enough or more budget > 70-200G (becos it is f2.8 constant, good for low light and bokeh, lens built is stronger and lasting)

decision making is simple, always made simple.

 

[TME]

I'm not looking to buy a DSLR there. I'm looking for lens and Max Photo was there so I thought I could just try my luck since I was at the JL sale to get some stuff... I got my 56 flash more than a year back from one of these fairs (can't remember which one though but MS Color was there) and got a pretty good deal too so its definitely possible.

Anyway, thanks for your suggestion but I'm running out of time to shop around... At least the customer service from NZ is much better as they respond more promptly to my 'e-quotes' so I might just give them a try.

Yes, I suppose it really depends on who the vendor is... MS Colour? No sweat... they know what they are talking about... but Sitex isn't really for DSLRs etc... I didn't even seen Canon or Nikon's colours around... at least SONY had a huge booth... but it was a really mixed booth...