Sony 70-300 'G' SSM : Did I made the right choice?

[Dodge]

Well it arrived this morning and I'm blown away by it, it's vastly different to anything I've used before. I only had an hour to nip out and test it was all working ok, so got nothing special, but it really screams potential. Got a nice surprise too as it came with a Hoya 62mm UV filter attached.

It's going to take some getting used to the weight, the speed and quietness of the AF and especially the zoom ring being at the end of the lens rather than at the camera end, but I'm sure I'll get used to it as I doubt it's going to be off the camera much when I'm out.

Here's a few differing shots I caught this afternoon. Can't wait til next week when I can get out properly and get a proper feel for it.



Crop detail of the above shot:

[DonSchap]

As anticipated ... this lens can deliver a sharp looking image... Good job!

[Dodge]

Cheers Don and Thank You for the advice !

[Heyho]

Some lovely crisp shots there Dodge!

I couldn't justify the money for a Sony G, so instead opted for the Minolta 100-300 APO for £150, and so far it is looking good - I hope to get out with it later today now the sun is out!

I must admit though, I was tempted when jessops had the Sony up for £499 new!

[Dodge]

Thanks Heyho.

I completely understand what you mean about the price, to be honest if the one I bought hadn't started at £300 on ebay I doubt I'd have looked at it twice and if it had gone above the £420 that was my maximum bid, I may never have had one and would more than likely have plumped for a minolta to solve my medium range zoom needs at a later date after buying something with a 500mm reach, that i'd been saving for.

I'm kind of lucky too, as my wife takes her pick of all my shots for her design business, so actually encourages me to buy better gear as well as contributing to the cost. She says it's still cheeper for her than buying stock images, although it does have the downside of me being at her beckon call whenever she wants a pic of something in particular, but well worth it I reckon.

Hope you have a good day today, I got lucky yesterday when I popped out, it was glorious weather, I'm hoping it holds out until next week now so I can get some time in with it.

[DonSchap]

I was thinking: you blokes across the pond should get some killer atmospherics from the Icelandic volcano eruption, eh? The best part is that you will not have to wait for aircraft to clear the area before you take them. They are purposely avoiding being photographed. How's that for diplomatic SPIN?

[Dodge]

Indeed, I was talking to a friend who said that on a nice morning the sunrise is pretty interesting. I guess I'm going to have to get up at Silly O'clock if I'm going to investigate further. Of course it's sods law that ever since I thought about it we have had nothing but grey overcast skies

I'm beginning to wonder about Iceland, first their banks lose all our money and then they cover us in volcanic dust. I suspect they are saving the Whale blubber embargo for when all our crops die as a result.