p.124 #8 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
I've really liked the OOF rendering of this lens from day 1 with it. Not just smooth - sometimes has interesting structure to it. Chipmunk in Amelanchier earlier this spring. A7iii, FE 200-600.
p.124 #9 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
arbitrage wrote:
The main things I did different than in the past was to use OSS OFF or OSS 3. I figured out awhile ago that the OSS setting makes the biggest difference. OSS 1 is terrible with this combo but ironically I use OSS 1 all the time on the A9II and all the time on both bodies with my 100-400 and 600GM.
The other notable change I did this time was stop down to f/8 and f/11 (with 1.4TC). I put my TS on 3. I used to use 5 and then used 1 for awhile because I use 1 all the time on the A9/A9II. I just decided to try default of 3 this time. I'm not sure if the TS makes much difference.
I also used ES for everything but the flight.
I also find focus is best on the first one or two shots and even though I used 10FPS mode I'd try and just do single shots of the perched birds. Also for the BIFs I mostly did just 3-4 shot bursts, paused, and then another short burst. With the A9 you can just hammer down at 20FPS as long as you like and consistency is maintained, with the RIV you lose focus after a few shots and long bursts are hopeless. That may have to do with the laggy EVF and me not keeping up properly and/or with the slower AF calculations which eventually lose the subject.
I still think stopping down and OSS settings make the biggest difference in turning this combination into an effective tool for birding.
As for the flight, the mallard, KF and PF all had very consistent hit rates...this is something I've never seen before although I hadn't done much flight after figuring out the OSS settings months ago. The swallow hit rate was very low but there was heat waves and really two days before I shot the same location, same conditions with the A9II and it didn't do much better....Show more →
Thanks so much for the feedback. I dont really shoot BIF and have wanted to give it another go but read how troublesome this combo is. Ill definitely try your recommendations and post my experience
Heres the only BIF shots I attempted with this combo so far... definitely room for improvement.
p.124 #12 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
Wild turkey poult (chick), my guess is about 4-5 weeks old. It flew about 10 feet up into a tree on my approach; it waited to hear calls from its mother and the other poults before flying off to join them. A7iii FE 200-600.
p.124 #18 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
A couple shots of a green heron family late afternoon yesterday. I didn't get to see the feeding. Shot with the A7IV. Topaz Denoise AI is my good friend.
p.124 #19 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
While I wait around for the hummingirds to show up, the hummingbird moth is usually around. They have an amazingly long proboscis, carried around curled up when flying. They stabilize themselves while feeding with their front legs on the flower. A9 with FE 200-600 + 1.4TC.
