En Route
Cruise ship and cargo cranes on Burrard Inlet.
Cruise Ship at Port of Vancouver

First Photos: Sony 100-400 f4.5-5.6 GM

By

Christopher Thomas

ยท

This might be the best lens I’ve ever owned. Photography has been a hobby of mine for more than 20 years, having owned a number of different cameras and lenses. None of the lenses I’ve previously owned have ever come close to the quality of the Sony 100-400 f4.5-5.6 GM.

I recently picked a used version up for a “reasonable” price from eBay and took it out for the first time a few weeks ago.

Golden autumn leaves against a softly blurred background.
Sunlit green foliage in soft focus.

Leaves at the Vancouver Public Library

First Experience

Kelsey and I were heading into Vancouver for the day and figured it would be a good opportunity to try and take some photos. Having just received this lens I was excited to give it a go.

This lens is big. The next largest lens I have is a Sony 70-200 f4 G which isn’t really all that comparable in size. That said, I found it decently easy to hand hold.

Our first stop was at the Vancouver Public Library. We initially wanted to go to the book sale but the line was wrapped most of the way around the building, so we abandoned that idea and headed up to the rooftop to check out the views. I didn’t find much in the way of views from up there, but there were some interesting and well lit trees. I’m happy with how both of these turned out with the vibrant colour.

The blue The Drop sculpture at Vancouver Convention Centre overlooking Burrard Inlet and North Vancouver.
Single-engine floatplane flying over a forested North Shore mountainside.

Vancouver Waterfront

Next up we headed down to the waterfront and Coal Harbour areas, aiming to catch the seaplanes and any birds that might be around. Being cruise season it was packed with people, but it’s always a nice time strolling along the water.

Harbour Air floatplane beside a windsock on Vancouver Harbour.
Lions Gate Bridge framed by North Vancouver homes, with boats and a fuel dock in Coal Harbour.
People walking along the waterfront at Lonsdale Quay.
Juvenile Glaucous-winged Gull resting on a seaweed-covered concrete edge beside the water.
Classic motor yacht on Burrard Inlet with Stanley Park and North Shore mountains behind it.

Initial Impressions

I said at the start of this post that this might be the best lens I’ve ever owned and it honestly absolutely is. Not having previously owned a GM branded lens, I was not sure the additional costs were ever worth it, but in this case I am glad I went for it.

Despite it’s size and weight I found it manageable to just walk around and hand hold it which is something I was a bit concerned about before using it. The image quality in combination with my A7 III is absolutely stunning.

I bought this lens primarily for a couple of things: plane spotting and bird spotting. After using it for the first time I can see how it will not only be amazing for both of these but can be useful for other styles of photography such as landscapes.

I’m looking forward to taking this with me on our upcoming Seoul and Taiwan trip and will be sure to post photos from both places after the trip!