Thanks for checking out my channel! I’m a wildlife photographer, jazz musician and bandleader, and creativity coach. In this channel I post videos regularly to help people become better wildlife photographers. I share tips, tricks, tools, and techniques to help you build confidence with your camera and make the most of your photographic opportunities. I hope you’ll find some helpful information in the videos on this channel and that you’ll share your feedback and tips.
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Thanks - it’s a few years down the line but your views are very helpful. I’ve bought used A7R4 and A9iii to trial switch over to Sony… I like zooms… I used to use prime in Nikon days but don’t have staff to carry them 😂. It’ll be interesting to see how imperfect the zooms are.😮
Interesting to watch this now after the release of the GFX 500mm f/5.6
Any update on using Fuji for wildlife? There is now the GFX 100 II & upcoming GF 500 5.6 lens. I think you request is being fulfilled
I also prefer the 135mm. For me it is a 135-200mm f/1.8-2.8 😂
Great review, also like your website a lot, gives me some inspiration to make my own website :)
i"m planning to go to masai mara, and I have 300 f2.8, 35-150 f2-2.8 and 24 f1.4, will 300 would be enough?
I think so, especially if you can get a driver who will take your direction in terms of getting closer or further away.
If you have a 1.4x teleconverter you can use with the 300, that would be help in any situations where you really need to cover the distance.
Yep! I will get 1.4x convert.
I made a comment on a utube channel that was talking about fullframe cameras and my comment was that there were pro photographers that used crop sensor cameras and he basically said that the only cameras a professional photographer would use was a full frame or larger sensor, no one that he knows or works with uses a crop sensor camera as the photos that they produce are inferior to a full frame camera, im glad that I learned digital photography going back 15 years ago, before utube was the primary source of information for photography, i got my information from outdoor photography and other magazines that covered wedding and outdoor spaces without the biased full frame snobs that we have today. In the over 15 years I have acquired cameras from Panasonic ,Pentax, Olympus, Fujifilm and recently Nikon. The cameras cover full frame from Pentax, Panasonic and Nikon, APSC from Pentax and Fujifilm and micro 4/3 from Panasonic and Olympus They all have different purposes and each has unique features that can handle different subjects. Each camera setup has both primes and zoom lenses and has strengths and weaknesses. So one is not better than the other they are photography tools that have a purpose and a distinct personality which makes photography much more interesting and has allowed me to photograph events weddings wildlife, landscapes, seascapes, airshows and travel photography.
Really like your review, the idea of shooting wildlife with 135mm is truly inspiring! I'm hesitating to purchase it, but looking for information if this lens mounted on A7c can deal with ronin dji 3rs mini (regarding size and weight)?
My understanding is that you have to apply the 1.5 crop to both the focal length and the aperture, so, for example, a 24mm f1.4 lens in crop mode becomes a 36mm f2.1. Is this not correct? If that's the case, then aren't you losing a stop of light in crop mode?
You got some nice images of the cranes, especially the environmental shots. It has been a while since you visited Hokkaido. I hope you can make it back again.
Over the past decade, I've shot with both Sony full-frame cameras, as well as many different M4/3 cameras. During most of that time, I've owned at least one of each. Somedays I want superior image quality, be deliberate, and take my time with everything. On those days I pick up a Sony. However, on other days, I just want to have some easy photography fun, on those days I pick up a M4/3 camera. For me, these systems complement eachother perfectly: as they offer a totally different experience. Both of which are essential to me. Part of me loves big cameras with primes for the image quality they are capable of, and part of me dislikes the hassle they can often be. Of course, I am just an amateur, my top priority is just finding enjoyment in the hobby.
Discovered your channel today. Have to say, I really like the down-to-earth attitude, sensitive nature, and insight that you bring to your videos.
Just ordered the Samyang 135mm f/1.8, as a second lens for wildlife, to go with a 200-600mm. Thank you!
Really beautiful results!
thank you for making this review! considering renting this for a safari later this year
Fullframe in a7riv video mode is pixel binned while the apsc mode is not; it is performing a full pixel readout, downsampling 6k to 4k. I believe that is the main advantage and use of the crop mode.
A refreshingly no nonsense, very well presented review, by a real professional.
🌹🌹
Bonjour Adrian Dommage que vous ne publiez plus de contenu.
I think the photo of the two arctic foxes playing (one jumping facing at the other) IS a great image. It shows behavior. It tells a story. It has nice light. It can make a connection with viewers (especially dog owners...) All good things. I thought it was a very impactful photo (at least for me...)
Well it has to be noted that the only thing the crop mode can do for you is reduce the file size of your images. Aside of that it really doesn't have a single benefit over cropping in post (which is what I'd prefer 100% of the time).
Very helpful thank you!
I’ve just discovered your channel and hope that you will start some new videos 2 years later. I’m sure you have so much more to share I’m so sorry you have found this platform full of hateful comments- I don’t know why people who are likely very good people feel it is ok to be disrespectful on a platform like this (or others) when they would likely not be so rude if we were all meeting face to face. Respect seems to be thin when you are able to be anonymous- please don’t be discouraged as there are so many who think your content is helpful
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Sometimes I put my 135mm GM on my a6600 just for fun. Gives me effectively a really fast 200mm lens. I also have 2 A7R4 cameras and longer lenses. But, the 135mm GM is an incredible lens.
Thanks man for the video I'm going to the world cup by land even though it's a safe country and allies with my country in the GCC I'm still worried because of the amount of foreigners.
Just order this big boy after the 400 prime !! What a lense !! Sooo sharp 🙏
I shoot birds and wildlife. Here we are in 2022 and I am using the a7rIV with the G master 100-400mm and sometimes with the 1.4x teleconverter since this great camera came out. I had been a Canon shooter for years having moved from Sony years earlier to the 5Dmk II, 5DmkIII and the 5DmkIV which is probably in its time was the best wedding photography camera available. I needed the higher resolution to crop into which at the time Canon was stuck in a rut and was behind times not being able to keep up with technology which Sony was leading the market. I became frustrated with Canon not being able to deliver what I needed having waited almost 2 years for Canon's counteroffer to what Sony had available. I sold everything and moved over to the a7rIV with no regrets. The high-resolution issues are more pronounced like ISO noise which was a frustration but now with programs like Topaz DeNoise AI and ON1 NoNoise AI, that issue has been all but removed from the table. Each of those editing products adds to POST time which the better of the two programs (in some situations) takes longer to process the image. As far as the quality of the 100-400mm GM glass, I find it better than Canon and there have been KZread videos addressing that question, I think accurately. I had the same issues with burst mode. Now having mastered the a7rIV to my satisfaction, time spent in that mode is limited. Yes, I might not get some shots, but I am better at the getting the images I do get without having to spend more time editing sorting through the tons and tons of what use to be wasted shots that eat up buffer time. I now use burst mode more selectively. Going back, this is a great review that addressed questions I had back then, which through KZreads algorithm, or your long title, I somehow, missed. Final word. The a7rIV and the 100-400mm GM lens combination is a camera package that will be hard to replace as it does what I need it to do. Yes, I do have a hit list of things that Sony should do in the next offering to tempt me to spend more money on this photographic addiction I have. I did have the Canon 500mm f4 lens which was "the lens" especially with their 1.4x teleconverter. The Sony glass quality has satisfied my need and lightened my gear weight significantly.
Crop mode (especially when set to a custom button) is EXCELLENT for event/function/social photography - the resolution is still good enough, you don't have to crop in post (who wants to edit 500+ images individually?), and the files are smaller. You also have the crop you intended when shooting rather than having to remember what it was later.
Great video. Your comment at 8:40 is the point often missed about the GFX100: It's "peers" are Hasselblad and Phase One. Comparing the GFX100 to these gives every checkmark to Fuji: price, speed, flexibility... by a w-i-d-e margin. No other larger-than-full-frame comes close. The GFX is rarely compared against these medium format systems, probably because there is no comparison. The comparison is made instead against the Sony A7rIV (and now the Canon R5). Then the checkmarks go to Sony and Canon on price, speed, and flexibility. I agree that if the A7rIV with a 300mm lens can give better wildlife photos than the GFX with a 200mm lens, then Sony has won. But, if image quality is the primary thing, then no 100mp full frame will match the GFX, because as Sony and Canon advance in their technology, so will Fuji. The larger sensor gives--and maintains--a significant advantage. Sony and Canon cannot catch up so long as Fuji keeps advancing as well. Whether that is an advantage that any individual shooter needs is up to that person, but it is a unique advantage. BTW: The DP Review image comparisons show a noticeable advantage to the GFX on high ISO and moire. Moire especially is a concern in wedding photography. Possibly Sony and Canon can get past this, but so far Fuji's 100mp (and its medium format cousins) are the only ones that show no moire in the DP Review tests.
Thank you. Very helpful video. Another advantage of using crop mode, along with full frame in a shooting session (not studio or formal): I do not do spot metering. The downside of that is if you don't compose well, very bright areas outside your main subject will throw off the metering. Especially with primes, often you are stuck with the composition you have. It is not always possible to get to a new shooting position quickly. Switching to crop mode, it is possible to get rid of unwanted marginal areas in the composition. Especially when shooting at an indoor wedding reception, often there are windows and inside lighting that cause problems with the exposure setting in your composition. A 33mm prime would instantly convert to a 50mm prime to mask out bright intrusions.
Strange how no one mentions there’s no quality of image lost when shooting video 🤔
Bingo 🙌
Is there possibility to use different crop ratio in crop mode? For example 1.2 or 1.3 instead of 1.5?
Hi. First of all thank you so much for such explicative video… I have to decide between a7 r4 and A9ii but I can’t find anything that match my necessities…. I do dancesport photography, which means fast action under many different conditions… low lights, coloured lights, strobe lights etc etc… I am using an A7iii with the 70-200 f2.8 . It does the job but there is too much edit to do after, and what I am looking for is to give the photos during the competition. If you have a suggestion I really appreciate
Great video. I'm trying to justify this lens over the 100-400 and 200-600. Have you tried these lenses pleasE?
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I hope those Froebel Fuji see your video and think about bringing longer-range lenses to the market, since I am interested in this system for wildlife photography.
hi Adrian, are some of the shown pictures cropped? If so, can you tell us how "hard"? thx j
I have the 100-400 and 200-600. Just came from Costa Rica where I used both. The issue I have with what you said is that 400 is just not enough for birds, also 2.8 depth of field is sometimes to shallow. The problem I have with the 200-600 is the aperture and sharpness. This lens does not produce good results in low light on moving subjects. Even on medium shade and stationary birds. Using DeNoise helps but the feather and fine details are lost. I want to get printable results. The 200-600 does not produce that. The 600 with it’s insane price does. In a big way! It’s a shame Sony does not have some middle of the range prime or zoom for a high price but not insane one 🤭
I’m a little late to the party, but I wanted to thank you for the very informative video. This is what KZread should be all about.
Thank you very much for this very informative post. I just bought a second hand a7R4, and I like to use it for wildlife photography after listening to you I am thinking did I made a mistake by buying this camera for wildlife photographer.
Nice video but you neglected the most important reason to shoot in crop mode rathe than cropping in post: Its the only way to shoot 4K video at 60 fps. Also, teleconvertes are a really bad idea. In addition to what you mentioned, they introduce some image quality degradation, they add weight and cost, and they may impair the full functionality of some lenses. Its a huge pity that Sony didnt manage to give us 60fps 4K recording in full frame (i shoot a lot of 60fps for slow motion and speed ramps)
Great video. I shoot hand-held, and dynamic (I use camo and not moving over sheltering). If I understood correctly, this is close to how you prefer to shoot also. If so, would you prefer the 400 to the 600, the other way around? -I actually thought of waiting for the nikon f2.8 400mn with built-in TC, and using an adapter ring (I shoot with A1 and A9). Any help from you, as to what your thoughts about this are and general tendency (or specific), will be greatly appreciated.
What focus mode are you using for animal eye af. I haven’t really liked the results. Tjanks
Would there be any motivation to NOT using apsc mode when you are using an apsc lens?
PLEASE HELP! I just recently purchased an A7R iv and the Sony 200-600mm and ALL of my photos are blurred and have no detail at all. Seems like the megapixels aren’t even there. Any advice?
You mentioned eye problems. My eyes are not great and I've been using a Meike MK-VF2 LCD monitor viewer on my A7RIV and it's much better than the viewfinder. It lets me see the LCD monitor at 3X magnification while excluding extraneous light with a huge eyecup. It is easy to attach and detach. No longer available on Amazon or B&H because of stupid trade war but available on Ebay and Ali Express. .
Very interesting video, I’m torn up between the 135mm and the 70-200mm f/2.8… for dog photography mainly (portraits and action) - which one of the two would you recommend me, knowing that I own a Sony Alpha 7II ?
Great and informative video. It's a nice change to hear from someone who actually uses these cameras in the field. I'm an A7R2 user. I have been looking to upgrade for sometime now. It has amazing image quality but battery, ergonomics and focusing on moving subjects is poor. I have been thinking about the A7R3a but am hesitant as its been out for 4 years already. Now in Dec 2021 they have the A7R3a and A7R4a on sale for $2000 and $3000 respectively. I shoot landscapes, portraits and wildlife. The A7R2 works well for stills but stinks for moving subjects. I initially wanted to upgrade to the A7R4a for the ability to crop and still get decent size images when using my 100-400 GM. I am also looking to get the Sony 200-600 in the future. I also have a 1.4 TC which is useless with the A7R2. Not sure if I can use PDAF with the 1.4 TC on either of those zooms with an A7R3a or A7R4a. With current prices and my complaints about the A7R2, do you think I should go with the A7R3a or A7R4a? If focusing is not going to be a big improvement with the A7R4a to justify the extra noise then maybe the A7R3a is the right choice. Btw, I don't see myself getting the 400 or 600 GM anytime soon. Thoughts? Thanks!
I am having the same problem right now.