I can't wait for the 2x teleconverter video. This lens is soo tempting, less for the 300mm F2.8 (although I am sure it will have its uses), but more for the 420mm F4, and the 600mm F5.6. I would be keen to see how well it autofocuses if you get a chance...

Thank you for sharing this video. I recently got this lens with both the 1.4 and 2.0 TCs and could not be happier. I have been shooting with the 200-600 for 2 years and although an outstanding lens, the 300 2.8 has taken it to another level. The IQ is amazingly good! And with the TCs I can hardly notice any difference in the degradation of the image. It’s negligible. For the price point it’s a deal. And if you’re a handheld user like me this is the best lens to use because it’s so light! Your video says it all. 👍🏻

Love the videos and your storytelling Mark. Beautiful. And the 2x test...yes, please.

I'm so glad to see a new long-format story telling video as birding season here in Central Florida is really bumping!

Wonderful!! It was a beautiful, brilliant, and cool 8 minutes that kept me glued to the screen. Thank you so much.🪶🪽✨

My favourite shot was the 2nd to last 1 with the rocky background, glad I hung around to the end

Thank you, Mark! Excellent pictures, and great information, can’t wait to see more. Your work is so inspiring!

Always a treat to watch your videos, listen to your commentary, and view your amazing images.

The osprey passing throw the rainbow. Beautiful!

Absolutely phenomenal... Thank you for sharing. Can't wait for part 3.

Great video. I’m back in FL this winter. Can’t wait to see a few in person. I was lucky enough to see a bald eagle in November hunting a pond in West Lafayette, IN. That too is a very majestic bird.

👍👍🦅🦅Excellent video & terrific photography as usual Mark!

perfect 👍 Thank you Mark for your first assessment of the Lens.

Awesome camera work again Mark, Happy new year to you sir!

Amazing recap of 300m F2.8. I am getting this lens for sure. Thanks Mark.

Very nice! I have the 300 GM on order and can't wait to receive it. Mind you I will probably mostly use it for mammals. Your storytelling and images in this video are as always stunning.

More content of truly impressive quality - Thanks Mark

Felicidades por el gran trabajo q realizas mark siempre con exelentes videos.🎉

Nice to see you back Mark. I've missed your videos and narration. Cheers Z

I quite enjoy the way the math works out on that 300 x 1.4... And combined with that rainbow intro?! Good stuff Mark

That side lighting shot was🔥🔥🔥

Z8 + old 300 2.8 vr1 + 1.4x TC is my combo. Super versatile and relatively affordable

Sebastian Inlet sure provides you an amazing assortment of wonderful birds, very nice.

Love your story telling . The photos and video are amazing.

Hi Mark, Fantastic video and presentation, as always! I'm excited to begin shooting with the same setup. I ordered the 300mm lens a month ago and am expecting it to arrive in early February. Regarding the 2x teleconverter, I'm still on the fence. My past experiences with it haven't been great. However, I'm open to the possibility that your next video might just change my mind.

Awesome video Mark, love your sense of humour and am looking at a 300 f2.8 to use with my 1.4x. and A1.

❤️the video +Story Mr Mark Smith &Happy New Year to you and family

Excellent video. Thank you Mark.

Perfect, very captivating video and good storytelling.

Beautiful presentation. I am signed up to purchase the 300. I will look forward to your tests with the 2x teleconverter. I’ve owned that for years and found it slowed down my camera. I normally only need 400mm for my subjects, which are big mammals, not moving much and pretty close by. Your love of the ospreys and their prey, plus the gorgeous reddish egret shows. I think I know that spot in Florida. Thanks, Mark.

Love your work Mark

Hermoso víde, como de costumbre, me gusa la forma de narrarlos y como no, las imágenes una gozada para la vista. Buen combo el 300+1.4+A1.

Just purchased the lens. So far just used in combo with the 1.4x TC. It's pretty mind blowing. Amazing given the price point. Can't wait for decent light and will try with the 2x TC.

That golden back light is to die for!

Vey nice videos as always Mark! as for A f/2.8 lens can easily take 2x tele. I used to use D810 And that cobination for Eagles fishing events and could capture moment of impact

I have this 300mm2,8 lens for two weeks now and I have photographed finnish winter birds with 1,4 tc and results are fantastic ,super sharp. I have ordered 2,0 tc also and next week I can test it

Beautiful!!

Just beautiful ❤

Excellent. I want one now. Mark, you are a fantastic storyteller 👍🏻

Mark. Thanking you before I'm even watching this vid-because I know it's 😎 awesome. Jim

Fantastic footage....👍👍

Excellent shots Mark, and quite the photo of you 😅

Spectacular, dude!

Amei seu canal, voltarei sempre que possível

Awesome photos

Great video, fun commentary and, as always, outstanding photography. Any plans to try out the Sony A9 Mark 3?

Hi my friend! Simply stunning videography!! I'm so delighted to watch your expertise first hand as you artistically embody the physical and mental inner workings of the majestic Osprey... 😂👍🫶 Are you sure you weren't an Osprey in a former lifetime??!! 🌸❤️😂

I always love your storytelling, it totally keeps me engaged in your videos! Are you cropping into your photos at all, or are you close enough to all the action that the birds take up that much space in your photos? I always feel like I'm slightly too far out from our birds but they are pretty skittish around here if you start trying to get too close.

Maravillosos videos

Great video, I was hoping see this combination lens and teleconverter on your channel..Thanks

Great job 👌

GFBSA: Howzit Mark. long time no chat.... Unfortunately family health took a hit in 2023, and I went dark on social media.... But things have worked themselves out, so let's hope that our escapades start agin this year with a great trip planned for the Okavango Delta - Botswana, one of our most favourite wilderness areas...😉 I have watched your "Short Videos" , but the regular ones like this one are not only entertaining, but always highly informative, so keep up the great work. Take care and be safe out there 😁 Tim

l Strongly looking forward Sony will have 400 and 600mm with built-in teles !

Great video. Loved the format! Question, what bodies were used? Thank you.

The slomo is exquisite!!!

Bird humor, yay!!! 🤗😂🤣

Glad to see you back with the usual funny, storytelling and on-location videos. May not sound as a positive feedback but I really dont like the "shorts" format, much prefer your longer 10-15min videos, so beautiful and entertaining. Cheers

I pre-ordered on the day of the announcement. I am looking forward to your feedback on the 2X. I have heard some minor loss of quality from others who have evaluated the combo.

I just want to say, I'd like to see that with 600 mm as beeing with x2.0 telecoverter. Honestly, I feel like A LOT of people are interested with this lens, as cheaper than 400 mm f2.8, and so they want to use it only in 2 ways: 1) as basic 300 mm f2.8 when it's darker and obbject is closer 2) with x2.0 teleconverter with f5.6 for smaller objects when they are further. ... that 120 mm with x1.4 gives a lot, but at the same time not really - if you have not enough megapixels to crop in and dont want to use third apps to make bigger resolution. So please try if posssible x2.0 teleconverter and make honest opinion about autofocus speed, and contrast/sharpness difference vs none teleconverter. :)

Fantastic video Mark, Are you going to try out Sony a9 lll ?

It is my next lens for my A1

Great video and storytelling, THX! Do you see any or noticeable drop in AF performance and sharpness compared to the bare lens AND the 400mm 2.8 lens? That info and also on the 2X tc compared to the 600mm f4 prime is of much interest , and probably what a lot of viewers and potential buyers are looking for. Would appreciate a detailed input on it 🙂

Cool❤ interestiing

Amazing shots, I like the ones with the backlighting the most. I wonder if you'll be able to get your hands on the A9III. I know you're happy with 30fps x 50MP, but curious what you would think about 120fps :D Like, does it help at all, or not? I think the "turbo" button is so smart, and also the precapture. Only problem is the lower resolution.

I like the Nikon Z400mm F4.5 - so very interested in your new Sony GM 420mm F4.0 😎 - for my upcoming Africa trip in next summer... to compliment my GM II 70-200mm F2.8 - so very interested how it works with the TC2x... so far only the GM600 works quite well with the TC2x - weight matters.

Love your videos binge watching them at the moment. Thinking about getting a Sony a7riv to do wildlife photography myself will it do the job or does the 10 frames per second drive you mad? Thanks.

Already order the lens. It wont ship until early feb for me. Cant wait!

Have you tried the new 400 and 600mm with built-in teles from Nikon? No suspense, they are incredible!

Thank you for the video Mark, would you be more likely to recommend the 300mm gm with a teleconverter or the 200-600mm G lens? Currently have an a7m3 so I dont know if it would be better to put the price difference into a better body (a9 or a7r series) or go for the best lens

Hi Mark, did you get an A9III to test the 300mm F/2.8?

Mark - Are you typically using matrix metering on these shots?

I’m really interested in how this lens with teleconverters stack up against the 200-600. I have to 200-600 now but am kinda interested in getting this lens.

❤❤❤❤❤❤

We are in suspense of the 2x. If one has the 400GM and 600GM do you see a strong benefit for the 300? When I had Canon EF there was a strong weight saving to use the 300f2.8 plus 2x over the 600f4 of the time. But the differences are not as dramatic now. I also use a OM-1 plus 300f4 when I want to keep it light.

You are very talented, Mark. Thanks for all your efforts to teach and thrill us. _Blessed is God Almighty the Creator, Giver of Life!_ Oh, and btw, . . . glad I'm not a fish.

Aps-c with 300 + 2 converters?

Cute water 15

Smart warrior 05

Intelligente head 40

Lonely hunter 93

Crazy duck 17

Cruel tiger 20

Unfortunately this video shows the difference between me and a pro but hey l am improving.

Cut water 15

Athletic engineer 57

Lonely hunter93')

Not sure the teleconverter worked that we'll many of the last osprey shots seems out of focus and blury. What does everyone else think?

🤣Willit, will it. But do not crop bird image too much, they get so boring ! I may get the Sony 300mm 2.8, Sony really lacks long tele prime Lenses, Nikon is ahead ! 300mm 4.0, 400mm 4.5 and 500mm 5.6 in compact size and light weight will be very nice.

It's an 8 min vid covering the 1.4 tele. You couod have made it a 10 min video including the 1.4 and 2.0 bit want to make a 2nd video for "more creation" "more views". Time is valuable. Will not be back.

Looks great ! Do I need this lens if I have the 400mm though ? There is times a wish I had it and I’m too close, but not many. The 1.4tc is great on the 400mm too. Super interested to see the 2xtc results because I sold that last year .. thinking it was 💩 🤷‍♂️

This lens gets my vote for next purcahse. I was debating on the 400mm - which certainly has a place for sure, however, I think with the 300mm with the 1.4x is an outstanding route to go given the fact that the 1.4x is fast and reliable to get a little more then 400mm. Great video - thanks for sharing your feedback on it.