AlphaPhotography wrote:
Did you be sure to manually reduce sharpening to 0 in photoshop when processing? I only ask because my understanding is that Photoshop (and Lightroom) applies a default "40" sharpening to imported files unless manually reduced which I've seen many users are unaware of.
I just checked the Camera Raw Preferences and it look like sharpening is applied to all images. Thanks for letting me know that. I do have the option of turning it off so it only applies it to the preview images.
I have the same issue with A7R iv and 200-600mm. Almost 50% of my shots (whether they are tracking mode or AF-S) are blurred. Even when I'm shooting a bird on the branch - and pinpoint bird's eye (seen perfectly sharp on EVF) - the result is blurred. And the problem is not in technique. This occurs even in 1 / 3000 on the still subject.
My second body is A7R iii and even with 1.4tc, and in AF-S mode I've got 95% sharp images.
Mark Galer has published a new video on his youtube channel regarding sony's telephoto lenses and there are few photographers that reported the R4+200-600 issue. Mark says he has reported this issue to Sony Australia and the product specialist from Sony Australia will escalate this to Sony Japan (check the comments).
Not that Mark’s recognition of an issue we’ve been talking about for > 6 months is any indication of the validity of the problem, but perhaps he can sway Sony in a way we can’t. Thank you Mark.
The more folks on this forum post their issues with this combo under Marks video the better. The more we get this information out there the sooner we are likely to see a fix. Don’t let Sony walk away from the issue and sell you their next flagship body as a fix. Sad that it’s been well over 6 months that both body and lense were released and we continue to hear about AF issues with this combination (A7RIV and 200-600G). Sony had better fix it or it may be my last Sony body ever.
The more folks on this forum post their issues with this combo under Marks video the better. The more we get this information out there the sooner we are likely to see a fix. Don’t let Sony walk away from the issue and sell you their next flagship body as a fix. Sad that it’s been well over 6 months that both body and lense were released and we continue to hear about AF issues with this combination (A7RIV and 200-600G). Sony had better fix it or it may be my last Sony body ever.
Seems like sensitivity setting is way more important on the Riv than on a9. While setting the sensitivity to 1 improved hit rate on a9 it made a huge difference on the Riv.
sami71 wrote:
Seems like sensitivity setting is way more important on the Riv than on a9. While setting the sensitivity to 1 improved hit rate on a9 it made a huge difference on the Riv.
Are you finding a setting of 1 to be best on the RIV? I've always used 1 on the A9. But then read a number of people on here and Mark Smith recommending setting the A7RIV to 5. I've been using 5 but I will go back to 1 maybe and see if I notice a difference or not. This R4 and 200-600 is a confusing mess.
On my combination, 4 seems best. 5 was a bit too twitchy though I suspect that others might find different sensitivities work better. I think we’ve agreed before that the combination is much like the appropriately maligned Canon 7d2.
Today I had the problem with the A6400 and 200-600. It was hot and humid. I had to turn the camera off at least 14 times throughout the day . I also noticed that the lens felt warm around the focusing ring and distance ring. The lens would refuse to focus. This happened at different focal lengths.
I have had it happen on rare occasion before. Today was a nightmare dealing with it. Missed shots I had sat and waited over an hour for !
arbitrage wrote:
Are you finding a setting of 1 to be best on the RIV? I've always used 1 on the A9. But then read a number of people on here and Mark Smith recommending setting the A7RIV to 5. I've been using 5 but I will go back to 1 maybe and see if I notice a difference or not. This R4 and 200-600 is a confusing mess.
So far it has been the best option. I have only had it for 3 weeks now so still playing with the settings. The default 3 would lose focus way too easily. Based on my experience I have to say the R4's AF capabilities have been overhyped. I did not expect a9 level performance and the AF is quick, just not very reliable like it is on the a9.
Been shooting the G 200-600 since the very first days available to purchase in the USA. Several hours at a time in hot, humid temps in the Florida Wetlands or the coastline has not resulted in any sort of over-heated lens or inoperatable lens focusing. Wish I could say the same for me !
FWIW, I don't use any sort of Lens coat or any other lens covering and I carry the G 200-600 kit around my shoulder with the OP/TECH USA Utility Strap-Sling with OP/TECH Lens Loops around the lens itself to protect the camera mount while walking. No backpack in these temps/humidity or I'd probably go down... into the trail face first.
LBJ2 wrote:
Been shooting the G 200-600 since the very first days available to purchase in the USA. Several hours at a time in hot, humid temps in the Florida Wetlands or the coastline has not resulted in any sort of over-heated lens or inoperatable lens focusing. Wish I could say the same for me !
FWIW, I don't use any sort of Lens coat or any other lens covering and I carry the G 200-600 kit around my shoulder with the OP/TECH USA Utility Strap-Sling with OP/TECH Lens Loops around the lens itself to protect the camera mount while walking. No backpack in these temps/humidity or I'd probably go down... into the trail face first. ...Show more →
AlphaPhotography wrote:
On which body? How has the AF performed?
I've shot the G 200-600 with the A9, A7rIII and A7rIV. I currently use the A7rIV with the G 200-600 and will continue to do so. By far, A9 was the most consistent AF in high burst mode with the G 200-600 IMO. Notes from my previous post here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1645952/14#15259531
The strange part is my lens + body issue does seem so severe that it's unable to achieve focus with fast action. It also misses completely even on still subjects (perched birds) as if it's back focusing slightly. I've tried dozens of setting combinations but I will continue to try and see if medium or low burst + 1 or 4 sensitivity makes any difference as I've seen recommended here.
Do you think this is a software specific issue (i.e. High burst is the issue but medium is not a problem?) or do you find issues with every combo but are able to sometimes "get lucky" and nail focus regardless of the combo?
LBJ2 wrote:
For anyone curious, there is a problem with the A7rIV + G 200-600. Full Stop as of June 19, 2020.
I along with others have reported the same direct to Sony with image samples/full EXIF some months ago. You should know however Sony does not read your complaint on any forum and then take action. As a customer with issues, you must send your image samples and full EXIF data to Sony if you want to be heard. Otherwise you are just another comment on some forum.
The A7rIV + G 200-600 issue is NOT so severe that you can't use this combo for great fast action results even handheld, as I have posted many evidence. It is however, one of those insidious issues that experienced will miss too many shots in High Burst modes that would otherwise nailed with other Sony lenses and the A7rIV in High Burst mode.
Very glad to hear Lensrentals has reported the issue too--they are a very large Rental House/Important Customer to Sony and other camera companies. The more the merrier but the fact that Sony has not yet come with a fix means to me it might be more complicated which is not surprising since Sony might be the first to fling UNBELIEVABLY 61MPs Full Frame at fast moving subjects
I am not giving up on the otherwise fantastic G 200-600. Way...way, way too much bang for the buck on this spectacular even relatively compact super telephoto up to 600mm zoom lens. Now if you want G 200-600 and 61Mps perfection high burst aka ( Unicorn Magic) you might have to wait a bit and even IF ...Or just buy the Sony GM 600 and off you go. Likewise 24MPs Sony A9 or A9II are FIRE with the Sony G 200-600. ...Show more →
AlphaPhotography wrote:
The strange part is my lens + body issue does seem so severe that it's unable to achieve focus with fast action. It also misses completely even on still subjects (perched birds) as if it's back focusing slightly. I've tried dozens of setting combinations but I will continue to try and see if medium or low burst + 1 or 4 sensitivity makes any difference as I've seen recommended here.
Do you think this is a software specific issue (i.e. High burst is the issue but medium is not a problem?) or do you find issues with every combo but are able to sometimes "get lucky" and nail focus regardless of the combo?
Yes, my combo also has a strong tendency to inexcusably miss even perched subjects and I've now figured out that it is almost always a slight back focus. The A9 is always nailing the head when I place a Small Flex Spot there or even if I give up a bit of control and use Zone on a perched/twitching bird. The A7RIV and 600GM seems to nail the head also. But the A7RIV and 200-600 just constantly back focuses on the body.....it is actually a case that if Sony allowed AF-Tune (Even though it shouldn't be needed) like Canon does on the EOS R and Nikon does on the Z, I could probably solve the issue via a negative AF-tune value. Because, it is very consistent with back focus and only just slight.
I still feel that changing the OSS mode to 3 or OFF, shooting at a lower FPS and even just a single click at a time have helped the bird on a stick consistency the most. I also feel that cloudy conditions go a long ways to improving the bird on a stick consistency. But it is still an unacceptable hit rate IMO.
I have no idea if FW for lens or body can fix this. That would be a happy day if it did. But I'm starting to consider selling the RIV and picking up an RIII to try that. 42MP should still be a nice bump in reach even though I'll miss the ergonomics.
LBJ2 wrote:
I've shot the G 200-600 with the A9, A7rIII and A7rIV. I currently use the A7rIV with the G 200-600 and will continue to do so. By far, A9 was the most consistent AF in high burst mode with the G 200-600 IMO. Notes from my previous post here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1645952/14#15259531
I would appreciate your thoughts on how the A7RIII compares to the performance of the A9 and to the A7RIV with the 200-600. I'm considering swapping my R4 for an R3 to keep most of the reach but get a better bird on stick hit rate without slight back focus. I've given up on wasting time shooting BIF with R4/200-600 and could live without that with the RIII if it sucks also but I just want a good reach walk-around birding combo without having to go to 840 f/9 on the A9.
arbitrage wrote:
I would appreciate your thoughts on how the A7RIII compares to the performance of the A9 and to the A7RIV with the 200-600. I'm considering swapping my R4 for an R3 to keep most of the reach but get a better bird on stick hit rate without slight back focus. I've given up on wasting time shooting BIF with R4/200-600 and could live without that with the RIII if it sucks also but I just want a good reach walk-around birding combo without having to go to 840 f/9 on the A9.
Geoff, I tried the RIII+200-600 combo last year for two airshows, they gave me sharp sharp pictures! I tried the RIV +200-600 for two flyovers recently and was shocked that the pictures weren't that sharp! Shooting airplanes is a lot easier than shooting birds though.
This afternoon there will be another flyover in my area (Thunderbirds, B-1, B-2, F-22, F-35 and F-15), I will bring the RIII+200-600+1.4 TC and the RIV+100-400 GM. I thought about using the A9 instead of the RIII but I like the higher resolution of the RIII in this situation, and I don't really need the super duper AF and FPS of the A9 for flyovers. However, a Canon R5 type of body may be very desirable...
arbitrage wrote:
I would appreciate your thoughts on how the A7RIII compares to the performance of the A9 and to the A7RIV with the 200-600. I'm considering swapping my R4 for an R3 to keep most of the reach but get a better bird on stick hit rate without slight back focus. I've given up on wasting time shooting BIF with R4/200-600 and could live without that with the RIII if it sucks also but I just want a good reach walk-around birding combo without having to go to 840 f/9 on the A9.
It's been a while. I don't think I can help much at this point. When I was dueling A9/A7rIII, the A9 AF was so much better/responsive and the A9 electronic shutter mode is just excellent IMO for wildlife. After some initial and brief BIF tests with the a7rIII + G 200-600, I ended up just using A9 + G 200-600 for both sports and Birding/BIF. Likewise, I've always been impressed with 24MPs of the A9 for pushing and pulling in post.
Maybe someone else on this thread with current A7rIII + G 200-600 kit would present their AF experience.
kdrk888 wrote:
Geoff, I tried the RIII+200-600 combo last year for two airshows, they gave me sharp sharp pictures! I tried the RIV +200-600 for two flyovers recently and was shocked that the pictures weren't that sharp! Shooting airplanes is a lot easier than shooting birds though.
This afternoon there will be another flyover in my area (Thunderbirds, B-1, B-2, F-22, F-35 and F-15), I will bring the RIII+200-600+1.4 TC and the RIV+100-400 GM. I thought about using the A9 instead of the RIII but I like the higher resolution of the RIII in this situation, and I don't really need the super duper AF and FPS of the A9 for flyovers. However, a Canon R5 type of body may be very desirable......Show more →
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LBJ2 wrote:
It's been a while. I don't think I can help much at this point. When I was dueling A9/A7rIII, the A9 AF was so much better/responsive and the A9 electronic shutter mode is just excellent IMO for wildlife. After some initial and brief BIF tests with the a7rIII + G 200-600, I ended up just using A9 + G 200-600 for both sports and Birding/BIF. Likewise, I've always been impressed with 24MPs of the A9 for pushing and pulling in post.
Maybe someone else on this thread with current A7rIII + G 200-600 kit would present their AF experience.
Thanks to both of you for your thoughts/experiences. I also am very happy with the A9 files and what I can get out of them and if I have enough light for f/9, I actually prefer getting a 24MP FF file off the A9 (with 2-6/1.4TC) vs a similar FOV on a 26MP "APS-C" sensor (with bare 2-6).
What I really need to do is convince myself once and for all that I'm much happier with FF sensors in the 20-30MP range. I've always preferred files from my 1DX, 1DXII and now A9/A9II over the other pixel dense sensors I owned beside them (like 7D2, 5DSR, D850, A7RIV). But for whatever reason I'm always suckered into the extra pixels to crop with....and yet always end up favouring bigger glass on the lower MP FF sensor. One day I'll kick the habit
and even IF ...Or just buy the Sony GM 600 and off you go. Likewise 24MPs Sony A9 or A9II are FIRE with the Sony G 200-600.