The Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM Lens. Not for everyone …
When it comes to a workhorse focal length for bird photography, I would recommend a 600mm f/4 over the 400mm f/2.8 for just about everyone. Why? The size of the bird in the frame is determined by the square of the focal length. Thus, a 600mm focal length will always have a huge 36:16 advantage over a 400mm focal length. Except, perhaps, for some folks living in either southern corner of the US. Bird photographers living in San Diego or in many Florida locations have access to lots of fairly large and tame birds. That said, I’d still recommend that all bird photographers should own a 600mm f/4 lens before considering a 400mm f/2.8.
So, aside from sports photographers, who is the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens meant for? It would be the perfect complement for serious bird photographers who already own a 600mm lens who wish to change up their style a bit while enjoying the hand hold-ability of a 400mm f/2.8 lens and who wish to routinely produce images with smooth, soft, creamy, luscious, de-focused backgrounds like those seen in today’s 9 featured photographs, all made in only three mornings. Robert Hollyer’s 400mm f/2.8 lens is now priced at rock bottom and we could not find a single used copy available from any of the major retailers. If the 400 f/2.8 is a good fit for you, it would be best to get in touch with him immediately.
Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
Price reduced a shocking $600.00 on 13 July 2024
Price reduced a shocking $400.00 on 18 December July 2024
Used Gear Page veteran Robert Hollyer is offering a Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens in Like-New condition for a BAA record low $9398.00 (was $9,998.00). The sale includes the front lens cap, the rear lens cap, the lens hood, the lens strap, that hard case & strap, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Bob via e-mail or by phone at 1-206-359-0018 PST.
I purchased my Sony 400mm f/2.8 two years ago to complement my 600mm f/4. Robert is selling his because he rarely uses it, opting instead for the 600mm f/4! It is far easier for me to handhold the 4 ounces lighter, much smaller, and better balanced 400 f/2.8 than it is to handhold the 600mm f/4. The 400 kills for flight with or without the 1.4X teleconverter. This lens sells new right now for $11,998.00 at B&H and there are used copies going for $10998.00 as well. Act quickly to save a handsome $3,000.00 by grabbing Robert’s might-as-well-be-new 400mm GM lens. And remember, you can’t beat the f/2.8 bokeh! artie
Today’s Blog Post
Including the time spent on the nine image optimizations, today’s blog post took more than six hours to create. That plus an additional six plus hours in the field. There is a wealth of information in today’s post. Please take the time to read and enjoy it.
If you missed the item on bokeh in the last blog post, you might wish to check out the rerun by scrolling down to the bottom of this post.
What’s Up?
Today is Wednesday 18 December. Bob Eastman and I will be heading down to the lake at 6:45am to put out a dead, smelly, rotting raccoon. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Whatever you choose to do, we hope that like us, you choose to be happy and have fun.
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This image was created on 14 December 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on a pillow on the South Peninsula, I used the toe-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/2000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:06:41am on a partly cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Sandhill Crane adult foraging |
Nosybody
We had set up a road kill cafe on the South Peninsula cafe but the wind was less than ideal. The light clouds were a blessing. The Turkey Vultures came in first followed by hordes of Black Vultures. A local pair of cranes moseyed on over and gave the vultures what for. At times they blocked out flight shots. When one of the foraging cranes wandered over to me, I put the lens on my toes and worked off the rear screen.
Without my reading glasses, I relied on Tracking Zone to render the eye tack sharp. I love the sharp eye with everything else in the frame blurred by the f/2.8 aperture and the point blank working distance.
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This image was also created on 14 December 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Again, seated on a pillow on the South Peninsula, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:08:51am on a partly cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Black Vulture in flight |
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Look for the Odd-flying Bird
In the morning with the wind from the north with a touch of west, the trick is to find the one bird out of dozens that is not flying and landing into the wind. This was one of the very few that morning.
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This image was also created on 14 December 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Crouching on the slope that leads down to a canal, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 250. 1/4000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:43:43am on a then sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Sandhill Crane foraging |
Change of Strategy
Once the sun came out for good, I worked my way down the slope to the canal between the South Field and the South Peninsula in an effort to photograph the crane from a low perspective and include the wicked storm cloud to the west in background. As for the head angle, I am more and more liking the view of the top of a crane’s head with just a sliver of one eye visible.
Whatever your definition of bokeh, you will likely consider the soft, sweet background in this image something to die for.
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This image was also created on 14 December 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Now standing on the slope that leads down to a canal, I again used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 250. 1/3200 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:48:18am on a then sunny morning. Tracking: (upper center) Zone AF/C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Sandhill Crane adult head and neck portrait |
Curiosity
This crane walked right up to me and posed. What’s not to love about the wide open 400mm f/2.8? Another incredibly soft and sweet background, more bright colors, and more incredible sharpness and contrast.
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This image was created on 15 December 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 640. 1/4000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:08:26am on a mostly sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #5: Crested Caracara braking to land |
A New Roadkill Cafe Location
I have long considered setting up a morning roadkill cafe in winter at the edge of the canal that abuts the North Field. During the (relatively) colder months — it was 85° here yesterday, the sun comes up well to the south of east allowing for being perfectly on sun angle. When we got back from Sebastian, Bob set up a low perch in the perfect spot we had discussed previously.
The first menu item was an 80-pound female Wild Boar we had picked up on SR 630. Yes, 80 pounds. We set it out on the afternoon we had found it, Saturday past, as we figured it would last several days at least. To our surprise, the entire carcass but for a single lower jawbone, was gone the next morning. We were puzzled until we noted a trail of flattened grasses going down to the water. “Woodsman” Bob figured that the only explanation was that it had been a midnight snack for a large gator.
Anyhoo, we put out some old fish scraps and lots of birds came to the party. Though far smaller than either of the vulture species, the caracaras more than hold their own at the dining table.
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This image was also created on 15 December 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Still working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 640. 1/4000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:54:29am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #6: Bald Eagle in flight gaining altitude |
Bokeh
I would describe the bokeh in this image, i.e., the quality of the out-of-focus background, as sweet and luscious. That thanks for the most part to the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens.
Occasional Roadkill Cafe Visitors
The Bald Eagles that nested in two different trees in the South Field for the past three years moved across the South Canal and built a new nest in a live pine tree. Photography is pretty much impossible. Another pair of lakefront eagles has always nested somewhere in the woods northeast of the North Field. On occasion, a Bald Eagle will drop by for a look-see. This bird flew over the bait once, circled behind us, and then flew by again right at us. It was a very good chance and both of us made some really nice images. A few years ago, I put out a dead rabbit on the South Peninsula. The light (cloudy bright) and wind (east) were perfect as the first vulture landed. Then a Bald Eagle swooped down and flew off with the rabbit. Party over.
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This image was also created on 15 December 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on the grass beside my SUV, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 640. 1/4000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:10:54am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #7: Black Vulture taking flight |
The Knee-Pod Rest Position
In the second edition of the revised The Art & Science of Photographing Birds in Flight with the Sony α-1 (and More), I write in detail about how I use my left knee as an efficient rest position while seated and hand holding the 400mm f/2.8 GM lens. On our first morning at the new location, birds were constantly landing on and taking flight from the handsome new perch. (Great Job, Bob!). Though only 4 ounces lighter than the Sony 600mm f/4 lens, I can hand hold it easily for long flight sessions. Holding the lens up while waiting for a vulture to take flight is, however, another story.
Details on the updated version will be available here soon.
So I sat on the grass, bent my left knee, and rested my forearm on the knee until a bird would take flight at which point I would need only to lift the rig an inch or two while firing away. Wide AF tracked the bird’s face and eye perfectly. Fortunately, the a9 iii features Pre-capture. When I am shooting take-offs, I take a moment to visit My Menu and increase the Pre-capture time to the max, 1.0 seconds. At 60 fps, I had a hard time picking the best image from about 7 keepers.
The new Sony a-1 II will feature Pre-capture along with the brilliant 51MP raw files and a rear screen that tilts both ways.
Sony a-1 II Pre-order Info Updated
The new camera will begin shipping in two days.
Those who wish to receive my Sony a-1 II settings for free in the form of a CAMSET.DAT file with instructions and an explanatory Buttons and Dials Guide should pre-order from one of my affiliate programs as below.
To pre-order your Sony a-1 II from B&H, you must use this link: Sony a-1 II
Once your camera ships, you must send me your B&H receipt to me via e-mail.
If you were on the B&H please-notify-me list and order using a link that they sent you, I will not receive the credit and you will not receive my camera set-up guide information for free.
Those who prefer more personalized service, a far shorter wait list, enjoy free second day air FedEx, and receive 3% back on their credit card when their a1 II ships, should to visit the Bedford website here, at or after 9:30am today, search for the Sony a-1 II, pre-order they camera body, and enter the BIRDSASART discount. There is no need to e-mail Steve Elkins.
Thanks to those who pre-order using one of my affiliate links and for the faith they place in the information provided by BIRDS AS ART.
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This image was created on 16 December 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Wide AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #8: Turkey Vulture taking flight |
A Slightly Different Tack
When shooting flight from the car, I usually prefer to move the BLUBB to the front passenger seat and place it on top of my lens collection. That gives me more room to maneuver the lens. When trying for the takeoff shot, however, I rest my left forearm on the big beanbag (instead of on my left knee as in the previous example). Older folks like and including me, will find Pre-capture a huge plus when photographing birds taking flight.
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This image was also created on 16 December 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Again working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Wide AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #9: Black Vulture dorsal view — turning in flight |
Dorsal View/Wings Forward
The combination of flight pose and wing position in Image #9 is one of my very favorites. If you can think of a good name to describe this flight pose, please leave it in a comment.
Detective Question
How is the water level in Lake Walk-in-Water at this season? How do you know?
Bokeh
The word “bokeh” was used often in today’s post. First off, nobody is sure how to pronounce the word. A web search offers several alternatives. The video might or might not have the definitive answer, but it is a fun watch.
Not only are most folks not sure how to say the word, but not everyone agrees on its meaning. Some state that it refers only to the quality of out-of-focus specular highlights, while others are sure that it refers to the quality of the out-of-focus areas in the background. Some say that bokeh is determined by the focal length and aperture, while others believe that bokeh has more to do with the construction of a given lens. Check out the Bokeh: A Term that Means More than Blurry and Fuzzy article by Allan Weitz on the B&H Explora page here. Mr. Weitz makes some interesting points along with more than a few that I do not agree with.
When it comes to bokeh, I am not sure of much. I am sure, however, that some spectacular bokeh is featured in many of the images above.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
