The Sony USA up to $500 rebates are back!

New $500 rebates running on camera, lenses and accessories at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama.

Camera rebates:

Lens rebates:

Curiosity: First batch of the $7400 Hasselblad X2DII sold out in a few hours!

I think all SAR readers are curious about what’s selling hot—and what’s not—these days. I can report from reliable sources that the first batch of the new Hasselblad X2D II medium format camera (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama) sold out quickly. The cameras have already shipped out, and anyone placing a preorder now will likely have to wait until at least the end of September to receive theirs.

Just imagine how a Sony medium format camera would sell if it had that super fast Sony Autofocus….

Hasselblad X2D II at B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet DE, WexUK.

Photographer Patrick M.R calls on Sony to release a 500mm f/4 GM lens

In a recent video, photographer Patrick shares his excitement for Sony’s latest telephoto lenses—and makes a compelling case for the next one Sony should build: a 500mm f/4 G Master.

Patrick praises the outstanding performance of the Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS and the new Sony 50-150mm f/2.8 G Master, calling them “game-changing” for sports and wildlife photography. He’s already planning to bring the 50-150mm GM to the sidelines of high school basketball games this fall.

“The 300mm f/2.8 and 50-150mm f/2.8 together give me such incredible versatility. But there’s still one lens missing.”

Why Sony should release a 500mm f/4 GM
Patrick argues that a 500mm f/4 would perfectly complete Sony’s long lens lineup—filling the gap between the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS and the Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS. He wants a lighter, more affordable super-telephoto that still delivers that razor-sharp “eye candy” look you only get past 400mm.

According to him, in the old days of prime-only setups, the 300/500/600 trio was a common focal-length progression. Today, a 500mm f/4 GM would make a lot more sense than jumping straight from 300mm to the massive 600mm.

Other lenses on his wish list:

  • A lightweight, budget-friendly 300mm f/4 G (non-GM) lens for birders and enthusiasts
  • More telephoto lenses with built-in 1.4x converters
  • Possibly even a 200mm f/2 G Master to rival Canon and Nikon’s legacy primes

Patrick ends the video with a clear message to Sony:

“If you build a 500mm f/4 G Master, I will buy it. No question.”

What do you think? Should Sony add a 500mm f/4 GM to the lineup? What long lens are you still waiting for?

Check out the lenses Patrick mentioned:

Sony 50-150mm f/2.0 G Master (BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK)

Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS (BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK)

Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS (BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK)

Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS (BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK)

Reminder: Join the BHphoto Creator Roundtable on August 31

On August 31 at 2pm eastern time you are kindly invited to follow the new BHphoto Creator Table event (Click here):

B&H presents the Creator Roundtable: Video Podcasting 101, an educational workshop on how to successfully podcast with video. Join established creators, Diana Gladney, Heather Ramirez and Cat Mulvihill for an afternoon full of creative insight, inspiration, video podcasting tips, techniques, and the best gear to help you kickstart your video podcasting journey