p.37 #1 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
Chris_88 wrote:
I can hear you, Geoff. My preference would be to get beyond 1000mm too, but that 600mm GM looks to be even more expansive than the 400 2.8 and hence is way out of my financial reach. I've started wondering whether I should just get the 200-600 and use that with the a7riii when I need reach, and with the a9 when I need speed.
Do we already know anything about the initial focus acquisition performance of this lens? This was, at least in my book, one of the few weaknesses of the otherwise excellent Nikon 200-500.
The AF was mentioned in a number of the YouTube videos as being almost indistinguishable from the 600/4 they were also testing. Some said they couldn’t tell a difference. Others said the differences were slight in favour of the prime. So far it sounds like it will be very good. Not like the slow drive of the Nikon 2-5.
p.37 #2 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
Does the 2.4m MFD occur at 200mm, at 600mm, at both, throughout focal range? Does somebody have any idea?
Jun 12, 2019 at 08:29 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.37 #3 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
Justin Stone wrote:
"When a Teleconverter (SEL14TC) is mounted, focal plane phase detection AF cannot be used for focal lengths with a maximum aperture value of F9 or above."
That's pretty outrageous that a $3300 (at release) current generation camera can't phase detect AF with a 1.4x and this lens after 325mm (the point where the max aperture drops to f6.3 and thus with the 1,4x tc mounted becomes an f9).
Outrageous? The A9 is still as far as I know, the only camera that AF using phase detect at apertures narrower than f/8. The Canon 1D series cameras cannot. The Canon 5D IV cannot. The Nikon D series cannot. The Nikon D850 cannot. The Nikon Z7 cannot. Why do you think it is outrageous that the A7r III isn't better than all their competitors? It would be great if they did beat their competitors in this aspect and others but I find it hard to see having the same capabilities as one's competitors outrageous.
p.37 #4 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
So am I correct in that there are only three Sony bodies that will PdAF at f/9 with the 1.4TC (A9, A7III, A6400) and only the A9 will PDAF with the 2xTC with FW 5.0.
p.37 #5 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
Steve Spencer wrote:
Outrageous? The A9 is still as far as I know, the only camera that AF using phase detect at apertures narrower than f/8. The Canon 1D series cameras cannot. The Canon 5D IV cannot. The Nikon D series cannot. The Nikon D850 cannot. The Nikon Z7 cannot. Why do you think it is outrageous that the A7r III isn't better than all their competitors? It would be great if they did beat their competitors in this aspect and others but I find it hard to see having the same capabilities as one's competitors outrageous.
A73 and A6400 also.
Jun 12, 2019 at 08:33 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.37 #6 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
arbitrage wrote:
A73 and A6400 also.
Thanks for the correction. I guess my point is that Sony in general is clearly ahead of the competition here, but if one camera is only equal to the competition it is hard to see that as outrageous. We have known for some time that the A7r III AF was not quite up to the A7 III AF, and the A7 III is a fair bit behind the A9. It is important to know how those differences fall out with this lens, but we shouldn't lose perspective and forget that all three cameras have quite good AF and are at least competitive with what other camera companies offer.
p.37 #7 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
arbitrage wrote:
The AF was mentioned in a number of the YouTube videos as being almost indistinguishable from the 600/4 they were also testing. Some said they couldn’t tell a difference. Others said the differences were slight in favour of the prime. So far it sounds like it will be very good. Not like the slow drive of the Nikon 2-5.
Thanks, Geoff. That's great to hear. As you can tell, I haven't had the time to watch those videos thus far.
p.37 #8 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
Steve Spencer wrote:
Thanks for the correction. I guess my point is that Sony in general is clearly ahead of the competition here, but if one camera is only equal to the competition it is hard to see that as outrageous. We have known for some time that the A7r III AF was not quite up to the A7 III AF, and the A7 III is a fair bit behind the A9. It is important to know how those differences fall out with this lens, but we shouldn't lose perspective and forget that all three cameras have quite good AF and are at least competitive with what other camera companies offer....Show more →
There are a number of threads on DPReview of using the EOS R and RP with 100-400 + 2xTC so I guess those also focus at f/11. Although it sounds like that combo is strictly a static subject affair on the Canons and not reliable for action...although I'm not sure any lens on those cameras is reliable for fast action anyways.
I have a 95mm filter from a previous lens, now I need the Arca-Swiss foot and the lens coat so the lens barrel doesn't get scratched if I put the lens on hard surface. This day and age, why don't they just make an Arca-Swiss compatible foot in the first place?
p.37 #10 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
I’m pairing this lens with the a6400 so I’m good with af with the 1.4 tc. Doubt I would even try the 2 tc anyways as I wouldn’t be very optimistic of any kind of decent image quality at that huge focal length.
p.37 #11 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
I'm not crazy about the af on the a7riii, so it doesn'y surprise me. I wouldn't personally do more than static or barely moving shots with the a7riii. The G9 is better and then A9 is better than that.
p.37 #12 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
C_n_red_again wrote:
I’m pairing this lens with the a6400 so I’m good with af with the 1.4 tc. Doubt I would even try the 2 tc anyways as I wouldn’t be very optimistic of any kind of decent image quality at that huge focal length.
The a6400 with the new lens and 1.4 is 1260 max right?
Jun 12, 2019 at 08:58 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.37 #13 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
arbitrage wrote:
There are a number of threads on DPReview of using the EOS R and RP with 100-400 + 2xTC so I guess those also focus at f/11. Although it sounds like that combo is strictly a static subject affair on the Canons and not reliable for action...although I'm not sure any lens on those cameras is reliable for fast action anyways.
Or whether they are using PDAF or CDAF. It sounds to me like they may be relying on CDAF with all the Sony cameras will have even at f/13 if they can get it to work.
p.37 #14 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
kdrk888 wrote:
I have a 95mm filter from a previous lens, now I need the Arca-Swiss foot and the lens coat so the lens barrel doesn't get scratched if I put the lens on hard surface. This day and age, why don't they just make an Arca-Swiss compatible foot in the first place?
Hi Douglas,
I suggested at Photo Plus this past October that Sony include an exchangeable Arca Swiss type foot with the big lenses. I guess they either didn't pass the request on or ignored the suggestion.
p.37 #15 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
naturephoto1 wrote:
Hi Douglas,
I suggested at Photo Plus this past October that Sony include an exchangeable Arca Swiss type foot with the big lenses. I guess they either didn't pass the request on or ignored the suggestion.
Rich
Seems only Sigma and Tamron have got that message so far. I think Sigma was an extra on the 150-600S but standard on the 60-600. Tamron standard on the 150-600G2.
I'm assuming my RRS 100-400 foot will fit on the 200-600. If I follow through getting the 200-600 I will swap that onto it and then sell the 100-400.
p.37 #16 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
Chris_88 wrote:
I can hear you, Geoff. My preference would be to get beyond 1000mm too, but that 600mm GM looks to be even more expansive than the 400 2.8 and hence is way out of my financial reach. I've started wondering whether I should just get the 200-600 and use that with the a7riii when I need reach, and with the a9 when I need speed.
Do we already know anything about the initial focus acquisition performance of this lens? This was, at least in my book, one of the few weaknesses of the otherwise excellent Nikon 200-500.
I am sure at some point Sony will launch a higher MP full frame camera with better AF and higher FPS, that will solve a lot of problems.
p.37 #17 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
Between the Sony 100-400 and the new Sony 200-600, which is better for bird photography? Or should I wait for native primes?
On the Canon system, years ago, I handheld my Canon 500/4 and 400/5.6 with great success. I also used the Canon 100-400 with mixed success, usually with the 1.4x converter.
I gravitate toward smaller birds, more songbirds than raptors.
I already own the Sony 100-400 and use it primarily for landscapes and elk/bears/deer.
The $10,000 + prices for the current Sony long primes would strain my budget.
p.37 #18 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
smpetty wrote:
Between the Sony 100-400 and the new Sony 200-600, which is better for bird photography? Or should I wait for native primes?
On the Canon system, years ago, I handheld my Canon 500/4 and 400/5.6 with great success. I also used the Canon 100-400 with mixed success, usually with the 1.4x converter.
I gravitate toward smaller birds, more songbirds than raptors.
I already own the Sony 100-400 and use it primarily for landscapes and elk/bears/deer.
The $10,000 + prices for the current Sony long primes would strain my budget.
Scott, for birds it's the 200-600 hands down, assuming the AF is as good as the youtubers claimed. 400mm is just way too short in most conditions. Adding the TC will help, at the expense of slower F stop and slightly slower AF.
p.37 #20 · Pre-order: Sony FE 200-600 f5.6-6.3 G OSS ($1,998)
kdrk888 wrote:
Scott, for birds it's the 200-600 hands down, assuming the AF is as good as the youtubers claimed. 400mm is just way too short in most conditions. Adding the TC will help, at the expense of slower F stop and slightly slower AF.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I agree. The 100-400 GM + 1.4x is doable in good light but I prefer the 600-840mm range for bird photography.
Thanks, I think. More lens shuffling to be done, just when I thought I had the perfect setup
