Sony 300GM

[TomRC]

If you liked the Nikon 105mm 1.4 you need to try the Sigma Art 105mm 1.4 for Sony. Weighs about as much as the 300mm 2.8 My all time favorite portrait lens even over 85mm 1.2's, 135mm 1.8's and puts 70-200mm's to shame!

 

[sh1209]

This cover works for me:

https://www.amazon.com/Center-Pinch-Strong-Springs-Recycled-Plastic/dp/B01J6ZKNRO/

That looks really nice, but I’m sort of confused. Where does that thing snap into? I didn’t think the front of the lens had a groove.

 

[sh1209]

If you liked the Nikon 105mm 1.4 you need to try the Sigma Art 105mm 1.4 for Sony. Weighs about as much as the 300mm 2.8 My all time favorite portrait lens even over 85mm 1.2's, 135mm 1.8's and puts 70-200mm's to shame!

If it’s even as good as the Nikon 105 it’s definitely a good lens

 

[Jose Raposo]

I have definitely decided to keep the 600 F4 I’m just going to add the 300 mm lens sometime between now and spring. I purchased the 2.0 TC this morning to get that out of the way. I have owned probably 30–35 lenses in my life Most of which being Nikon until a couple years ago. Having said that a handful of the lenses I have owned have been very special. One of the first that comes to mind is the Nikon 200 mm F4 macro lens, the second is the Nikon 105 mm 1.4 portrait lens, The third being the Nikon 500 m PF, the fourth being the Sony 600 mm GM, the fifth being the Sony 70–200 mark two zoom lens and finally the 300 mm GM that I just borrowed. I would say the 300 mm GM is the most impressive lens I have ever shot with for many reasons to be honest. I can’t think of a single fault other than I wish it had some way to put in a snap in front lens cover. Other than that, it is perfect in my eyes.

The Zemlin cap for the 300 is perfect, expensive but after trying some of the other caps, it's the best solution out there in my opinion.

 

[sh1209]

The Zemlin cap for the 300 is perfect, expensive but after trying some of the other caps, it's the best solution out there in my opinion.

So I will ask you what I ask arbitrage, does that cap go in the end of the lens or in the hood? I’m not understanding how that works to be honest because I don’t remember seeing any groove in the end of the lens

 

[Douglas L]

So I will ask you what I ask arbitrage, does that cap go in the end of the lens or in the hood? I’m not understanding how that works to be honest because I don’t remember seeing any groove in the end of the lens

It goes into the lens, not the hood. You can use the cap without the hood. The cap has a spring that expands to push the cap to "grip" the lens.

 

[sh1209]

It goes into the lens, not the hood. You can use the cap without the hood. The cap has a spring that expands to push the cap to "grip" the lens.

It is definitely good to hear it. Sounds like a great option.

 

[Jose Raposo]

It is definitely good to hear it. Sounds like a great option.

So I will ask you what I ask arbitrage, does that cap go in the end of the lens or in the hood? I’m not understanding how that works to be honest because I don’t remember seeing any groove in the end of the lens

It goes into the lens, not the hood, you can also reverse the hood with the cap attached to the lens which is how I use it when I travel. It's extremely well engineered and a must have for this lens especially if you travel. I tested some of the other pinch type caps ( Sigma 105 etc ) and they never felt secure on the lens, this one does.

 

[Jose Raposo]

Yep. Almost all hobby gear is not an investment, even though some like to think of it that way.

Except Leica rangefinder stuff. Man, some of that just explodes in value over time compared to regular lenses and bodies.

I've had a bunch Leica M lenses for sale for a while now with no bites even at a substantial discount from listed so even the Leica stuff is difficult to sell at this time.

 

[DavidT]

I have definitely decided to keep the 600 F4 I’m just going to add the 300 mm lens sometime between now and spring. I purchased the 2.0 TC this morning to get that out of the way. I have owned probably 30–35 lenses in my life Most of which being Nikon until a couple years ago. Having said that a handful of the lenses I have owned have been very special. One of the first that comes to mind is the Nikon 200 mm F4 macro lens, the second is the Nikon 105 mm 1.4 portrait lens, The third being the Nikon 500 m PF, the fourth being the Sony 600 mm GM, the fifth being the Sony 70–200 mark two zoom lens and finally the 300 mm GM that I just borrowed. I would say the 300 mm GM is the most impressive lens I have ever shot with for many reasons to be honest. I can’t think of a single fault other than I wish it had some way to put in a snap in front lens cover. Other than that, it is perfect in my eyes.

Buy it on Greentoe. You’ll pay between $5,000-$5,100 shipped and no sales tax.

 

[carbon]

I've had a bunch Leica M lenses for sale for a while now with no bites even at a substantial discount from listed so even the Leica stuff is difficult to sell at this time.

Huh. What do you have listed?

 

[Jose Raposo]

Huh. What do you have listed?

Currently the Leica APO Summicron-M 90 F/2 ASPH. it's in mint plus condition, best offer I've had is $2800 Canadian, it retails up here for $8000, no way I'll sell it for that large of a discount.

 

[sh1209]

Buy it on Greentoe. You’ll pay between $5,000-$5,100 shipped and no sales tax.

I’ve put in a bid twice and can’t get any offers lower than $5542

 

[Doug Herr]

I've had a bunch Leica M lenses for sale for a while now with no bites even at a substantial discount from listed so even the Leica stuff is difficult to sell at this time.

The current market value of my Leica APO Telyt makes me want to cry.

 

[DavidT]

I’ve put in a bid twice and can’t get any offers lower than $5542

Interesting. Earlier this year several of us got them between $5-5100. Maybe it because of the time of the year. We also all got them from the same dealer so maybe that dealer doesn’t have any and it’s someone else who won’t discount as much.

 

[sh1209]

Interesting. Earlier this year several of us got them between $5-5100. Maybe it because of the time of the year. We also all got them from the same dealer so maybe that dealer doesn’t have any and it’s someone else who won’t discount as much.

I’ll keep trying. I’d like to get one before spring so no big hurry

 

[Douglas L]

Interesting. Earlier this year several of us got them between $5-5100. Maybe it because of the time of the year. We also all got them from the same dealer so maybe that dealer doesn’t have any and it’s someone else who won’t discount as much.

Not sure if dealer "C" is still selling through Greentoe. I recently made offers to buy a couple things on Greentoe that I bought there before, at even slightly higher prices than what dealer "C" sold me for before, but this time no counter offer prices came close to what I was able to get before. Hence my question whether dealer "C" is not selling through Greentoe anymore.

 

[DavidT]

Not sure if dealer "C" is still selling through Greentoe. I recently made offers to buy a couple things on Greentoe that I bought there before, at even slightly higher prices than what dealer "C" sold me for before, but this time no counter offer prices came close to what I was able to get before. Hence my question whether dealer "C" is not selling through Greentoe anymore.

That’s possible. That’s who we all used is dealer C. It could be holiday season and all the sales they don’t need to.

 

[carbon]

Currently the Leica APO Summicron-M 90 F/2 ASPH. it's in mint plus condition, best offer I've had is $2800 Canadian, it retails up here for $8000, no way I'll sell it for that large of a discount.

Hmmm, yeah, 90mm is not a real popular focal length. That sucks.

I’ve got a couple film Leicas (MP & M6TTL 0.58), a Noct 1.0 square hood, and a 50mm pre-asph summilux. And a M10-P Safari.

I bought everything except the M10 quite some time ago, and everything’s gone up. For example, the Noct I bought used at $1800 USD. Now they seem to go for $5k.

I think with Leica stuff if one sticks to 35mm & 50mm lenses (maybe 28mm) and black lacquer paint (or green paint…any paint with brass underneath) you’ll do all right selling down the line. My film MP and M10-P are brass underneath, for example.

Perversely, many people, including me, actually like the way the painted brass wears with use and thus don’t mind scuffs lol.

So strange.

However, recently some black models have the name “paint” in their description but are not, in fact, black paint over brass!

If you really want to see your prices go up, buy those special LHSA editions, especially those with black paint lenses! Holy smokes those things tend to skyrocket!

Good luck with your 90mm.

 

[Flemming Morgan]

Both the primes put the 200-600 to shame IMO but man it is really hard to pick a winner between the two primes. The 300 with the 1.4x TC also destroys the 100-400mm which is a very good copy of that zoom. For someone like myself that rarely uses a TC for anything especially on the 600GM, this might be the way to go.

Thanks for all this really good comparison. What is your view of the 400mm f2.8 prime in comparison with the 300mm?

 

[sh1209]

Thanks for all this really good comparison. What is your view of the 400mm f2.8 prime in comparison with the 300mm?

I have never tried that Lynn, but I have heard from a few folks that are not that fond of it and I guess it’s pretty heavy as well

 

[TomRC]

There are VERY good ongoing deals on new (USA warranty, receipt) Sony gear on the FM classifieds including the lens of note in this thread.

 

[DavidT]

Thanks for all this really good comparison. What is your view of the 400mm f2.8 prime in comparison with the 300mm?

I have the 400 and 300. The 400 is beautiful, very sharp, great color, great light transmission and of the 400’s on the market it’s the lightest.

Comparing it to the 300 is difficult as they are different animals. The 300 being newer has a little faster af motors, it is smaller and lighter which it obviously should be, it doesn’t slow down with teleconverters like the 400 and 600 will.

The 300 real advantage is its small, and takes both converters well and is cheaper than a 400. If I needed 400mm I would rather use the 400 than a 300 with a converter.

I have the 300,400 and 600 and haven’t decided what I’ll do with the 400. It’s nice to have choices but not sure for my photography I need all 3.

 

[flyingpoint]

So I joined the Sony Pro program a few weeks ago for the included benefits, One of which being evaluation loans of equipment. I took delivery of the 300GM yesterday with a 2X TC. I only got to take it out for about an hour yesterday evening. First impressions is, it's so small, lightweight and just a pleasure to use. Unfortunately we're having heavy rain so I decided to set up some exotic subjects inside my home today to do some IQ testing. These are done with the 600f/4, 200-600,100-400 and obviously the 300GM. These are taken at 62 feet from our entry door to the back of the living room on a tripod using a remote shutter. This honestly seems like splitting hairs with some of the results just about being impossible to decide which is best. I hope to be able to get out for more real world experience but from what I am seeing so far, The 600GM could possibly be finding a new home depending on how this goes.

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I’m back on Nikon after 5? 6? years on Sony. I had a very early copy of the new 300mm/2.8 and it‘s one of the best / most versatile lenses I’ve ever used. On its own, with a converter, handheld, etc. I’m happy to be back on Nikon (the Sony repair expenses were killing me), but I definitely miss that lens.

 

[sh1209]

There are VERY good ongoing deals on new (USA warranty, receipt) Sony gear on the FM classifieds including the lens of note in this thread.

I’ve been a member over at Fred Miranda for seven or eight years I guess but really don’t have much interaction other than viewing some of the threads. I’d be sort of weary of buying off someone on there unless someone vouched for them that’s a lot of money to trust someone with.