Daniel, just curious; what are your favorite focus modes? I have always used Mark’s suggestion of shooting mostly Zone and Expand flexible spot and flex spot (small) .

@@plumshoejeff, since the A7rIV was my first Sony, I too followed Marks videos on the set up. I do the same settings as he suggested and the same as you are using. A real game changer as I never shot hand held before with my Nikon D4s. I really like how it locks on the subject and stays with it.

Thank you!

I agree on the need for Sony to upgrade the feet on these lenses. The Leofoto replacements work great. I've had one for the 200-600 and just ordered the version for the 70-200GM2.

me2

The guys at pro media gear make the foot. Congratulations and enjoy!

@@MarkSmithphotography PMG must have changed their foot, the new one I see doesn't have the silver knob with the black in the center unless the photos just hide it on their product page. The one in the video looks exactly like the Kirk. I'm sure they're all pretty similar, I see PMG offers the QD or SS2 port option. I am curious if yours has a little bit of wobble, mine does, I carry it all the time by the foot with a QD and Peak Designs strap. I think it was tighter when it was new but I worry about the collar on the lens possibly failing after enough use. I know several people have had the feet crack.

I agree on internal zooms, i wish my 100-400 had the internal design. I do see Sony went with the 70-200 now using internal zooming. I'd much rather have a slightly larger lens than deal with creep, dust and long throws.

The 200-600 is only the best because Sony is missing something better at this price point. It is light weight and nicely priced but has a lot of drawbacks. The 6.3 F stop make capturing stills of birds in motion hard in medium light not even low light. The sharpness is not that good in my mind as well. Larger birds at noon on a sunny day would work great, and that’s about it. Smaller subject in the early morning or shaded places will result in very high iso and lost details. The zoom throw is quick but sometimes moves and changes without you noticing. The 100-400gm is a better lens even though because of the missing lenses at 500mm and 600 for affordable price this lens is a necessity 🤭🥲.

@@sfiron The 100-400 and 200-600 are probably the most compared lenses ever. I always see people asking which one should I get. I own them both and would say both but which one you get first depends on what you like to shoot. For birds almost always the 200-600 will be a better fit but for a walk around lens where you may also be doing some almost macro photography or just need something like the 100-400 can be nice. I got the 100-400 first and later bought the 200-600 after shooting right alongside a friend that had one and his images were almost always sharper than mine (birding). I agree the 100-400 maybe just slightly sharper, it definitely has a bit more contrast but I don't see it as far superior in the least. I also own the 1.4TC and have used that on the 100-400 and the results are definitely worse than using the 200-600 if you need the extra focal length. Maybe I got a better copy thatn some people but as long as I have good light, good technique, perfect focus and a fast enough shutter speed the results from my 200-600 are excellent. I also own the 135GM and the 50GM, those are incredibly sharp lenses in another class from the zooms.

@@robwasnj I agree with most of what you said. TC are never a good idea. Never found a good use for it. I used the 135gm as well in my latest trip to Costa Rica. Very good lens. We desperately need a light weight 500mm gm with 5.6 f-stop and mid range price

Yes I do!

Agreed

Practice, practice, practice your techniques. Cheers

One cheat? Film at 4k120p. You still need to keep steady, but, it becomes MUCH more forgiving when slowed down to 1/5 speed.

It’s a ton of fun!

Great suggestion. I like the tripod foot on the bottom because I use it and anchor it into the heel of my hand and I feel it helps me handhold better.

It is, once I got the grip for my A1 it fixed that problem. Of course now it’s a little heavier.

Ditto

Marleen, do you prefer the a9ii or a7r4?

@@KenToney both work fine for me!The a7R4 is excellent for macro and landscape work. The a9II scores very good in high iso and is much faster than the r4

@@marleenvandam6931 ok, I have A1 and wife shoots a7r3, we’re trying to get best upgrade without spending $6500 again

Turn it off completely on the lens

Since I’ve had my 200 600 I no longer use my 100 400 except for macro

I would do some research on that combo. Check your tube.

It doesn’t come with an Arca Swiss?

@@erichramone7812 unfortunately it does not.

As fast as the light will allow

Best kept secret of the 100-400 is. Throw the 1.4 tele on it and use it as a macro lens.

I turn it off for stills mode 2 for video.

@@MarkSmithphotographyI see. I guess that's at 1/2000 and above?

@@henrikw377 1/1600

Agreed! For video I use mode 2