Yes, it's certainly not cheap. But the whole setup including memory cards and other accessories was less than a Sony a1 body (no lens) by over $1000. It's basic

Yes, it's certainly not cheap. But the whole setup including memory cards and other accessories was less than a Sony a1 body (no lens) by over $1000. It's basically right below the "knee" in the exponential price increases. The next steps up are the a1 and the 400mm f/2.8 lens (with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters), that lens is $12,000 and the teleconverters are $550 each. The 600mm f/4 lens is the top of the line, can also use the teleconverters, and is another $13,000. So cash wise I'm well below top-of-the-line. But in overall gear capabilities I'm honestly really close, the added speed of the big prime lenses also comes at a cost of reduced compositional versatility (and size/weight).