Osprey in flight with Black Crappie in Golden Light

That early morning mist hanging over Lake Blue Cypress, the sun just kissing the tips of the ancient, water-bound cypress trees... there's a magic to it, especially when the air fills with the triumphant cries of Ospreys. One particular moment stands out during my recent "Ospreys Galore & so much more" workshop. Clutching a fresh catch (Black Crappie. Alternate names for the species include calico bass, speck, speckled perch, speckled bass, moonfish, grass bass, strawberry bass, shiner, crawpie, oswego bass, sac-a-lait, and marigane noire). This magnificent bird called out to its mate in the soft, golden light. Our trusty Captain Don maneuvered the pontoon perfectly, allowing us to capture a series of images before letting the Osprey deliver the black crappie to its nest for its chicks to enjoy their breakfast in peace.

Moments like these demand gear that can keep up with the speed and spontaneity of nature, and let me tell you, the new Sony 400-800mm zoom lens paired with the Sony a9 mark III and the Sony 1.4x teleconverter is an absolute game-changer for wildlife photography.

Think about it: a single lens that effortlessly transitions from a generous 400mm reach to a staggering 800mm, and then, with the seamless addition of the 1.4x teleconverter, stretches all the way to 1120mm! This versatility is pure gold in dynamic environments like Blue Cypress. One moment, you're framing a wider scene of the Osprey in its watery habitat; the next, you're zoomed in tight, capturing the intricate details of its plumage or the glint in its eye. No more fumbling with lens swaps and potentially missing that crucial shot.

But reach is only half the story. What truly elevates this combination is the blazing speed and pinpoint accuracy of the a9 III's autofocus system. With its global shutter, the camera locks onto subjects instantaneously, and the Real-time Tracking keeps even erratic flyers like Ospreys locked in focus as they soar and dive. Adding the 1.4x teleconverter introduces more glass into the equation, but I was genuinely impressed by how little it impacted the autofocus performance. The lens and camera communicated flawlessly, delivering sharp, in-focus results even at those extreme focal lengths.

OSPREY in flight with a Black Crappie (Pandion haliaetus, Balbuzard pêcheur, Águila pescadora, OSPR) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop at Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @1,120mm ISO 8,000, f/13 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Dancing with the Wind and a Willet: Willet in flight a la Sony a9 Mark III and the new Sony 400-800mm Zoom Lens

The stage was the wild, windswept beach at Sebastian, Florida, and the star? A stunning willet in striking plumage. If you've ever tried to lock focus on a shorebird in flight, you know they're not exactly known for their predictable flight patterns. Add gale-force wind into the mix, and you've got yourself a real avian acrobat. Tracking that kind of erratic movement, especially when aiming for tack-sharp focus, can sometimes feel impossible.

This is where the magic happened. I had the remarkable Sony a9 Mark III in my hands, paired with the brand-spanking-new Sony 400-800mm zoom, and to reach out and touch those distant subjects, I had the 1.4X teleconverter attached. This combination is a game-changer.

That incredible autofocus system on the a9 III was crucial, with its pre-capture and real-time recognition. It kept me locked onto that willet even as it twisted and turned in the wind. And the 400-800mm zoom, with the added reach of the teleconverter, gave me the flexibility I desperately needed. One moment, the bird was relatively close, buffeting in the wind; the next, it was soaring further out to sea. Instead of fumbling with prime lenses, I could smoothly and quickly adjust my focal length (the lens adjusts from minimum to maximum zoom in 1/4 turn of the zoom ring) while keeping the willet perfectly framed.

The sheer capability of this Sony setup transformed a potentially frustrating experience into an exhilarating one. It allowed me to react instantly to the bird's unpredictable movements, to frame those fleeting moments of beauty against the dramatic backdrop of the windy beach.

Walking away from Sebastian that day, my memory card filled with images that I was truly excited about, I was reminded once again of the incredible advancements in camera technology. This Sony combo isn't just about megapixels or fancy features; it's about empowering photographers to capture the wild beauty of our world, even when nature throws us a curveball – or in this case, a gale-force gust!

Willet in Flight Dorsal View (Tringa semipalmata, Chevalier semipalmé, Playero aliblanco, WILL). From my recent Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress on April 9, 2025 at Sebastien, Florida, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @770mm ISO 3,200, f/11 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Green Heron Calling in Flight Sony 400-800 with Sony 1.4X Tele-converter

A distinct, loud guttural "skeow" broke the silence as we waited for this Green Heron to take flight from a perch it landed on in front of us a few moments earlier. I tracked it flying directly across my frame as it took flight and called—the fleeting moment when you get the shot or don't. Thankfully, the new Sony 400-800mm with the 1.4x teleconverter attached to the Sony a9 mark III was already poised and ready.

What struck me immediately was the sheer versatility of this setup. Going from 560mm to 1,120mm with a 1/4 turn of the zoom ring while maintaining exceptional image quality is a game-changer. There was no time to swap lenses; frankly, I wouldn't have wanted to. The integrated zoom allowed me to track the heron smoothly as it flew, adjusting my composition on the fly.

And the autofocus? Absolutely tenacious. Even with the added magnification of the teleconverter, the focus locked onto the heron's eye instantly and held firm as it zipped past: crucial for capturing birds in flight, where even the slightest hesitation can mean a missed opportunity. The resulting images are tack sharp, revealing the intricate details of its plumage. The detail retention and auto-focus speed are remarkable.

This encounter perfectly illustrates the power and flexibility of the Sony 400-800mm with the 1.4x. It's a setup that allows you to react quickly, achieve incredible reach, and capture breathtaking sharpness, even in challenging situations. This lens is a serious contender for wildlife photographers who demand the best and need to be ready for anything. It's not just about getting closer; it's about capturing the moment with stunning clarity.

Be sure to take a look at my other blog posts from my trip to Florida with only a Sony a9 mark III, the new Sony 400-800 and both teleconverters (1.4X and 2X):

FE 400–800 mm F6.3–8 G OSS Mini-review. Is this the "Holy Grail" for bird photography? by Christopher Dodds

Less is More: Finding Freedom with only the Sony a9 III and 400-800mm in Florida

Red-shouldered Hawk and the freedom of the new Sony 400-800mm Zoom lens

Green Heron Calling in Flight (Butorides virescens, Héron vert, Garcilla Verde, GRHE). From my recent Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @1,036mm ISO 3,200, f/13 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Red-shouldered Hawk and the freedom of the new Sony 400-800mm Zoom lens

Huge thanks to my eagle-eyed friend and workshop regular, Susan A., for spotting this magnificent red-shouldered hawk! Her sharp observation made this incredible shot possible.

As I mentioned in my last blog post (Less is More: Finding Freedom with only the Sony a9 III and 400-800mm in Florida), I've been rocking a minimalist setup during my Florida workshops: the ever-reliable Sony α9 Mark III and the seriously impressive new Sony 400-800 mm zoom. Let me tell you, this duo is a dream!

What truly impresses me is the seamless transition it allows – from capturing the wider environment to a tight, detailed portrait while maintaining exceptional balance in hand and, most importantly, uncompromising sharpness. This adaptability transforms challenges into opportunities in the unpredictable world of avian photography.

When it comes down to it, the ultimate test is sharpness. The Sony Zoom has genuinely blown me away. The exquisite detail in the hawk's plumage and the raw power in its gaze are testaments to the optical mastery within this lens.

Read my mini-review of the new zoom lens here: FE 400–800 mm F6.3–8 G OSS Mini-review. Is this the "Holy Grail" for bird photography? by Christopher Dodds

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus, Buse à épaulettes, Busardo de hombro rojo, RSHA). April 5, 2025, during my Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @800mm ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Less is More: Finding Freedom with only the Sony a9 III and 400-800mm in Florida

I am live and buzzing in the Florida sunshine, ready for the start of my Ospreys Galore Workshop tomorrow! I just landed yesterday, and this morning, I was out before the sun rose and the dew fully lifted. And let me tell you, the light? Absolutely glorious. The wind? Just a whisper, and in the perfect direction. And the subjects? Spectacular roseate spoonbills. Pink perfection against the early morning glow.

Roseate Spoonbill landing in spectacular first light (Platalea ajaja, Spatule rosée, Espátula rosada, ROSP). Image made April 4, 2025, while scouting for my Ospreys of Florida Workshop. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @400mm ISO 4,000, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image

I made a rather deliberate choice for this trip: JUST the revolutionary Sony a9 III and the brand-spankin'-new Sony FE 400–800 mm F6.3–8 G OSS. Just one incredible camera body and one incredible zoom lens. And after this morning’s session, any lingering doubt I might have had has completely vanished.

Getting here was a breeze, literally. Travelling with a single, lightweight, small camera bag (an 18-litre bag with room to spare) felt unbelievably liberating. No more juggling multiple cases, no more strategic repacking in airport security. It was a refreshing reminder that less truly can be more, even before you click the shutter.

But this morning… this morning was the real confirmation. Those spoonbills, with their vibrant plumage and elegant movements, were simply breathtaking. And having the reach and versatility of that 400-800mm lens allowed me to capture them in ways I could only have dreamed of with a more restrictive setup. Whether I was framing a tight portrait of their unique bill or capturing a closer scene of them landing directly toward me, the camera and lens delivered. And the a9 III’s speed and responsiveness? It’s like the camera anticipates the action.

There’s a certain joy in simplifying your tools. You become more attuned to your surroundings and more focused on the moment. You’re not fumbling through a bag of lenses, second-guessing your choices. You’re present, you’re ready, and you’re making the most of the gear you have.

Seeing those spoonbills in that perfect light, knowing I had the right tool for the job, was pure magic. This single-lens approach isn’t a limitation; it’s a focused freedom. And after such a spectacular start, I’m even more excited to see what the rest of my Florida adventure holds. Stay tuned!