Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
p.1 #1Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
I was wondering if anyone has any experience or thoughts on using the Sony 400-800mm f8 and Tamron 50-400mm f6.3 as a combo for wildlife, nature, and air show photography. In theory, this setup should cover most uses.
Mar 31, 2026 at 11:39 AM
p.1 #2Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
I know @Douglas L shoots airshows and birds with the Sony 400-800mm, and I believe he recently acquired the Tamron 50-400.
I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.
I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.
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ILCE-7RM5 E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067 lens 277mm f/6.3 1/640s 12800 ISO 0.0 EV
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ILCE-7RM5 E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067 lens 329mm f/6.3 1/1000s 3200 ISO 0.0 EV
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ILCE-7RM5 E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067 lens 362mm f/6.3 1/1000s 1250 ISO -1.3 EV
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ILCE-7RM5 E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067 lens 349mm f/6.3 1/640s 3200 ISO 0.0 EV
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ILCE-7RM5 E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067 lens 76mm f/6.3 1/640s 10000 ISO 0.0 EV
Mar 31, 2026 at 12:13 PM
p.1 #3Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
Ross Martin wrote:
I know @Douglas L@ shoots airshows and birds with the Sony 400-800mm, and I believe he recently acquired the Tamron 50-400.
I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.
Thanks Ross. Yes, I recently bought a Tamron 50-400 to replace the Sony 100-400 GM, mainly as a more compact/lighter and wider alternative for landscape.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for me. I can imagine for zoos, some mammals, the 50-400 would work. The obvious problems with the 400-800 are the aperture and the messy background from f8, if the background is not far enough from the subject.
I can say I am big into airshows (about 10 shows a year), as a hobby. I also have the Sony 200-600. But for day time airshows, the main lens is the 400-800. If I know I need something wider, I will bring the Tamron 50-400 (used to be the Sony 100-400 GM) on another body, but you know Sony restricts third party lenses to no more than 15 FPS, if it matters.
In about two weeks, I will be shooting my first airshow of the year for two days. The first day will be an air-to air shoot, where planes, including fighter jets, could get real close to the photoship that I will be on, maybe just 40' behind the open ramp of the photoship. I will have the Tamron 50-400 on an A1II, and the Sony 24-70 GM II on another A1II. Yes, they could get this close that you can use a 24-70. The organizer doesn't allow big lenses on the photoship, which is basically a skydiving plane with an open ramp. At sunset/evening of the second day, there will be an airshow that includes some very unique planes. For that show, I will use the 300 GM+1.4X TC, or +2XTC if the light is permitted. The 400-800 is simply not bright enough for sunset shows. I used to shoot with the 600 GM for sunset/evening shows.
As you can see, I use different lenses for different scenarios. Everyone is different. In the 400-800 image thread, I posted some airshow and bird pictures taken with the 400-800, if you are interested.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1895169/
The pictures below show you how close the A2A shoots can get.
I know @Douglas L@ shoots airshows and birds with the Sony 400-800mm, and I believe he recently acquired the Tamron 50-400.
I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.
Thanks Ross. Yes, I recently bought a Tamron 50-400 to replace the Sony 100-400 GM, mainly as a more compact/lighter and wider alternative for landscape.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for me. I can imagine for zoos, some mammals, the 50-400 would work. The obvious problems with the 400-800 are the aperture and the messy background from f8, if the background is not far enough from the subject.
I can say I am big into airshows (about 10 shows a year), as a hobby. I also have the Sony 200-600. But for day time airshows, the main lens is the 400-800. If I know I need something wider, I will bring the Tamron 50-400 (used to be the Sony 100-400 GM) on another body, but you know Sony restricts third party lenses to no more than 15 FPS, if it matters.
In about two weeks, I will be shooting my first airshow of the year for two days. The first day will be an air-to air shoot, where planes, including fighter jets, could get real close to the photoship that I will be on, maybe just 40' behind the open ramp of the photoship. I will have the Tamron 50-400 on an A1II, and the Sony 24-70 GM II on another A1II. Yes, they could get this close that you can use a 24-70. The organizer doesn't allow big lenses on the photoship, which is basically a skydiving plane with an open ramp. At sunset/evening of the second day, there will be an airshow that includes some very unique planes. For that show, I will use the 300 GM+1.4X TC, or +2XTC if the light is permitted. The 400-800 is simply not bright enough for sunset shows. I used to shoot with the 600 GM for sunset/evening shows.
As you can see, I use different lenses for different scenarios. Everyone is different. In the 400-800 image thread, I posted some airshow and bird pictures taken with the 400-800, if you are interested.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1895169/
The pictures below show you how close the A2A shoots can get.
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ILCE-7RM5 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens 70mm f/9.0 1/200s 100 ISO -1.0 EV
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ILCE-7RM5 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens 70mm f/14.0 1/160s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
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ILCE-7RM5 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens 62mm f/16.0 1/160s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
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ILCE-7RM5 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens 50mm f/7.1 1/2000s 400 ISO 0.0 EV
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ILCE-1 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens 206mm f/6.3 1/3200s 1000 ISO +0.3 EV
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ILCE-1 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens 285mm f/8.0 1/2000s 1000 ISO +0.3 EV
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ILCE-1 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens 391mm f/6.3 1/2500s 500 ISO +0.7 EV
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ILCE-1 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens 145mm f/8.0 1/2000s 1000 ISO +0.3 EV
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ILCE-7RM5 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens 44mm f/8.0 1/2500s 500 ISO -1.0 EV
Mar 31, 2026 at 07:51 PM
p.1 #4Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
Damn, now I need a 24-70 II 
Thanks Doug.
Douglas L wrote:
I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.Thanks Ross. Yes, I recently bought a Tamron 50-400 to replace the Sony 100-400 GM, mainly as a more compact/lighter and wider alternative for landscape.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for...Show more →
Thanks Doug.
Douglas L wrote:
Ross Martin wrote
I know @Douglas L@@ shoots airshows and birds with the Sony 400-800mm, and I believe he recently acquired the Tamron 50-400.I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for...Show more →
Mar 31, 2026 at 09:19 PM
p.1 #5Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
Douglas L wrote:
Ross Martin wrote
I know @Douglas L@@ shoots airshows and birds with the Sony 400-800mm, and I believe he recently acquired the Tamron 50-400.I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for...Show more →
Great shots Douglas!
What airshow are you headed too? Looking forward to seeing your pics!
Apr 01, 2026 at 03:22 AM
p.1 #6Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
BigBabyMoses06 wrote:
Damn, now I need a 24-70 II
Thanks Doug.
Thank you! I keep my 24-70 GM II even though I have been using the 20-70 f4 more for its size and range.
I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.Thanks Ross. Yes, I recently bought a Tamron 50-400 to replace the Sony 100-400 GM, mainly as a more compact/lighter and wider alternative for landscape.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for me. I can imagine for zoos, some mammals, the 50-400 would work. The obvious problems with the 400-800 are the aperture and the messy background from f8, if the background is not far enough from the subject.
I can say I am big into airshows (about 10 shows a year), as a hobby. I also have the Sony 200-600. But for day time airshows, the main lens is the 400-800. If I know I need something wider, I will bring the Tamron 50-400 (used to be the Sony 100-400 GM) on another body, but you know Sony restricts third party lenses to no more than 15 FPS, if it matters.
In about two weeks, I will be shooting my first airshow of the year for two days. The first day will be an air-to air shoot, where planes, including fighter jets, could get real close to the photoship that I will be on, maybe just 40' behind the open ramp of the photoship. I will have the Tamron 50-400 on an A1II, and the Sony 24-70 GM II on another A1II. Yes, they could get this close that you can use a 24-70. The organizer doesn't allow big lenses on the photoship, which is basically a skydiving plane with an open ramp. At sunset/evening of the second day, there will be an airshow that includes some very unique planes. For that show, I will use the 300 GM+1.4X TC, or +2XTC if the light is permitted. The 400-800 is simply not bright enough for sunset shows. I used to shoot with the 600 GM for sunset/evening shows.
As you can see, I use different lenses for different scenarios. Everyone is different. In the 400-800 image thread, I posted some airshow and bird pictures taken with the 400-800, if you are interested.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1895169/
The pictures below show you how close the A2A shoots can get.
---------------------------------------------
robert614 wrote:
I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.Thanks Ross. Yes, I recently bought a Tamron 50-400 to replace the Sony 100-400 GM, mainly as a more compact/lighter and wider alternative for landscape.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for me. I can imagine for zoos, some mammals, the 50-400 would work. The obvious problems with the 400-800 are the aperture and the messy background from f8, if the background is not far enough from the subject.
I can say I am big into airshows (about 10 shows a year), as a hobby. I also have the Sony 200-600. But for day time airshows, the main lens is the 400-800. If I know I need something wider, I will bring the Tamron 50-400 (used to be the Sony 100-400 GM) on another body, but you know Sony restricts third party lenses to no more than 15 FPS, if it matters.
In about two weeks, I will be shooting my first airshow of the year for two days. The first day will be an air-to air shoot, where planes, including fighter jets, could get real close to the photoship that I will be on, maybe just 40' behind the open ramp of the photoship. I will have the Tamron 50-400 on an A1II, and the Sony 24-70 GM II on another A1II. Yes, they could get this close that you can use a 24-70. The organizer doesn't allow big lenses on the photoship, which is basically a skydiving plane with an open ramp. At sunset/evening of the second day, there will be an airshow that includes some very unique planes. For that show, I will use the 300 GM+1.4X TC, or +2XTC if the light is permitted. The 400-800 is simply not bright enough for sunset shows. I used to shoot with the 600 GM for sunset/evening shows.
As you can see, I use different lenses for different scenarios. Everyone is different. In the 400-800 image thread, I posted some airshow and bird pictures taken with the 400-800, if you are interested.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1895169/
The pictures below show you how close the A2A shoots can get.Great shots Douglas!
What airshow are you headed too? Looking forward to seeing your pics!
Thank you Robert! I am going to Sun N Fun in Florida. It's a big event like Oshkosh. I have been there twice before, never had time to check out all it had to offer. This time I have only two days, one day for the A2A shoot, one day for the sunset/evening show. I love shooting the sunset shows, the light is just beautiful. The sunset show I am attending will include the F-22, F-100, F-5, warbirds, Lockheed Constellation, and a bunch of aerobatic performers. I am praying we will get the F-22 flying for us for A2A. I have never shot an F-22 in A2A.
Update: big bummer, just received the notification from the organizer, the skyvan they were going to use for the A2A shoot needs to have her engines replaced and certified, won't be available in time for Sun N Fun. So the A2A project for Sun N Fun is cancelled...
To answer the OP's question in a very simple way, yes, the Tamron 50-400 and the Sony 400-800 can be a nice combo for wildlife and airshows, IMHO, as long as light is not a big issue.
Damn, now I need a 24-70 II
Thanks Doug.
Thank you! I keep my 24-70 GM II even though I have been using the 20-70 f4 more for its size and range.
Douglas L wrote
Ross Martin wrote
I know @Douglas L@@@ shoots airshows and birds with the Sony 400-800mm, and I believe he recently acquired the Tamron 50-400.I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for me. I can imagine for zoos, some mammals, the 50-400 would work. The obvious problems with the 400-800 are the aperture and the messy background from f8, if the background is not far enough from the subject.
I can say I am big into airshows (about 10 shows a year), as a hobby. I also have the Sony 200-600. But for day time airshows, the main lens is the 400-800. If I know I need something wider, I will bring the Tamron 50-400 (used to be the Sony 100-400 GM) on another body, but you know Sony restricts third party lenses to no more than 15 FPS, if it matters.
In about two weeks, I will be shooting my first airshow of the year for two days. The first day will be an air-to air shoot, where planes, including fighter jets, could get real close to the photoship that I will be on, maybe just 40' behind the open ramp of the photoship. I will have the Tamron 50-400 on an A1II, and the Sony 24-70 GM II on another A1II. Yes, they could get this close that you can use a 24-70. The organizer doesn't allow big lenses on the photoship, which is basically a skydiving plane with an open ramp. At sunset/evening of the second day, there will be an airshow that includes some very unique planes. For that show, I will use the 300 GM+1.4X TC, or +2XTC if the light is permitted. The 400-800 is simply not bright enough for sunset shows. I used to shoot with the 600 GM for sunset/evening shows.
As you can see, I use different lenses for different scenarios. Everyone is different. In the 400-800 image thread, I posted some airshow and bird pictures taken with the 400-800, if you are interested.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1895169/
The pictures below show you how close the A2A shoots can get.
---------------------------------------------
robert614 wrote:
Douglas L wrote
Ross Martin wrote
I know @Douglas L@@@ shoots airshows and birds with the Sony 400-800mm, and I believe he recently acquired the Tamron 50-400.I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for me. I can imagine for zoos, some mammals, the 50-400 would work. The obvious problems with the 400-800 are the aperture and the messy background from f8, if the background is not far enough from the subject.
I can say I am big into airshows (about 10 shows a year), as a hobby. I also have the Sony 200-600. But for day time airshows, the main lens is the 400-800. If I know I need something wider, I will bring the Tamron 50-400 (used to be the Sony 100-400 GM) on another body, but you know Sony restricts third party lenses to no more than 15 FPS, if it matters.
In about two weeks, I will be shooting my first airshow of the year for two days. The first day will be an air-to air shoot, where planes, including fighter jets, could get real close to the photoship that I will be on, maybe just 40' behind the open ramp of the photoship. I will have the Tamron 50-400 on an A1II, and the Sony 24-70 GM II on another A1II. Yes, they could get this close that you can use a 24-70. The organizer doesn't allow big lenses on the photoship, which is basically a skydiving plane with an open ramp. At sunset/evening of the second day, there will be an airshow that includes some very unique planes. For that show, I will use the 300 GM+1.4X TC, or +2XTC if the light is permitted. The 400-800 is simply not bright enough for sunset shows. I used to shoot with the 600 GM for sunset/evening shows.
As you can see, I use different lenses for different scenarios. Everyone is different. In the 400-800 image thread, I posted some airshow and bird pictures taken with the 400-800, if you are interested.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1895169/
The pictures below show you how close the A2A shoots can get.
What airshow are you headed too? Looking forward to seeing your pics!
Thank you Robert! I am going to Sun N Fun in Florida. It's a big event like Oshkosh. I have been there twice before, never had time to check out all it had to offer. This time I have only two days, one day for the A2A shoot, one day for the sunset/evening show. I love shooting the sunset shows, the light is just beautiful. The sunset show I am attending will include the F-22, F-100, F-5, warbirds, Lockheed Constellation, and a bunch of aerobatic performers. I am praying we will get the F-22 flying for us for A2A. I have never shot an F-22 in A2A.
Update: big bummer, just received the notification from the organizer, the skyvan they were going to use for the A2A shoot needs to have her engines replaced and certified, won't be available in time for Sun N Fun. So the A2A project for Sun N Fun is cancelled...
To answer the OP's question in a very simple way, yes, the Tamron 50-400 and the Sony 400-800 can be a nice combo for wildlife and airshows, IMHO, as long as light is not a big issue.
Apr 01, 2026 at 04:28 AM
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p.1 #7Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
Douglas L wrote:
BigBabyMoses06 wrote
Damn, now I need a 24-70 II Thanks Doug.
Thank you! I keep my 24-70 GM II even though I have been using the 20-70 f4 more for its size and range.
Douglas L wrote
Ross Martin wrote
I know @Douglas L@@@@ shoots airshows and birds with the Sony 400-800mm, and I believe he recently acquired the Tamron 50-400.I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for me. I can imagine for zoos, some mammals, the 50-400 would work. The obvious problems with the 400-800 are the aperture and the messy background from f8, if the background is not far enough from the subject.
I can say I am big into airshows (about 10 shows a year), as a hobby. I also have the Sony 200-600. But for day time airshows, the main lens is the 400-800. If I know I need something wider, I will bring the Tamron 50-400 (used to be the Sony 100-400 GM) on another body, but you know Sony restricts third party lenses to no more than 15 FPS, if it matters.
In about two weeks, I will be shooting my first airshow of the year for two days. The first day will be an air-to air shoot, where planes, including fighter jets, could get real close to the photoship that I will be on, maybe just 40' behind the open ramp of the photoship. I will have the Tamron 50-400 on an A1II, and the Sony 24-70 GM II on another A1II. Yes, they could get this close that you can use a 24-70. The organizer doesn't allow big lenses on the photoship, which is basically a skydiving plane with an open ramp. At sunset/evening of the second day, there will be an airshow that includes some very unique planes. For that show, I will use the 300 GM+1.4X TC, or +2XTC if the light is permitted. The 400-800 is simply not bright enough for sunset shows. I used to shoot with the 600 GM for sunset/evening shows.
As you can see, I use different lenses for different scenarios. Everyone is different. In the 400-800 image thread, I posted some airshow and bird pictures taken with the 400-800, if you are interested.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1895169/
The pictures below show you how close the A2A shoots can get.
robert614 wrote
Douglas L wrote
Ross Martin wrote
I know @Douglas L@@@@ shoots airshows and birds with the Sony 400-800mm, and I believe he recently acquired the Tamron 50-400.I have been shooting the 50-400 for the last year as my main landscape lens, and also for animals/birds at the local zoo, and I’m very pleased with it - the versatility is wonderful, and it is notably smaller and lighter than my Sony 100-400.
I just sold my 600 F4 GM, so my lenses for birds now are the 300 f2.8 GM+2X TC and the 400-800 (if the light is good). My wildlife hobby is pretty much just about hummingbirds, bald eagles, ospreys, and ducks. I can't say I am big into wildlife. I can't think of a usage for the Tamron 50-400 in shooting birds, it's just not long enough 99% of the time, at least for me. I can imagine for zoos, some mammals, the 50-400 would work. The obvious problems with the 400-800 are the aperture and the messy background from f8, if the background is not far enough from the subject.
I can say I am big into airshows (about 10 shows a year), as a hobby. I also have the Sony 200-600. But for day time airshows, the main lens is the 400-800. If I know I need something wider, I will bring the Tamron 50-400 (used to be the Sony 100-400 GM) on another body, but you know Sony restricts third party lenses to no more than 15 FPS, if it matters.
In about two weeks, I will be shooting my first airshow of the year for two days. The first day will be an air-to air shoot, where planes, including fighter jets, could get real close to the photoship that I will be on, maybe just 40' behind the open ramp of the photoship. I will have the Tamron 50-400 on an A1II, and the Sony 24-70 GM II on another A1II. Yes, they could get this close that you can use a 24-70. The organizer doesn't allow big lenses on the photoship, which is basically a skydiving plane with an open ramp. At sunset/evening of the second day, there will be an airshow that includes some very unique planes. For that show, I will use the 300 GM+1.4X TC, or +2XTC if the light is permitted. The 400-800 is simply not bright enough for sunset shows. I used to shoot with the 600 GM for sunset/evening shows.
As you can see, I use different lenses for different scenarios. Everyone is different. In the 400-800 image thread, I posted some airshow and bird pictures taken with the 400-800, if you are interested.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1895169/
The pictures below show you how close the A2A shoots can get.
What airshow are you headed too? Looking forward to seeing your pics!
That sucks about the cancellation. Getting some A2A shots of the Raptor would have been so awesome
I really need to look into these A2A photo opportunities. The photo perspective you get is so unique and cool!
Apr 01, 2026 at 10:35 AM
p.1 #8Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
@Douglas L Awsome photos! Air to air must be an amazing experience!
Have you noticed anything, such as AF or IQ, being noticeably worse with the Tamron 50-400mm than the Sony 200-600mm G? Currently, I have the 200-600mm, and more times than not, I have the TC 1.4x added to it. So on the long end, the 400-800mm seems like the logical upgrade.
Have you noticed anything, such as AF or IQ, being noticeably worse with the Tamron 50-400mm than the Sony 200-600mm G? Currently, I have the 200-600mm, and more times than not, I have the TC 1.4x added to it. So on the long end, the 400-800mm seems like the logical upgrade.
Apr 01, 2026 at 10:36 AM
p.1 #9Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
DWOfPaul wrote:
@Douglas L@ Awsome photos! Air to air must be an amazing experience!
Have you noticed anything, such as AF or IQ, being noticeably worse with the Tamron 50-400mm than the Sony 200-600mm G? Currently, I have the 200-600mm, and more times than not, I have the TC 1.4x added to it. So on the long end, the 400-800mm seems like the logical upgrade.
Don’t have any experience with the Tamron, but I do own the 400-800mm. I also had the 200-600mm before upgrading
The AF is definitely better on the 400-800 than the 200-600
Apr 01, 2026 at 11:09 AM
p.1 #10Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
DWOfPaul wrote:
@Douglas L@ Awsome photos! Air to air must be an amazing experience!
Have you noticed anything, such as AF or IQ, being noticeably worse with the Tamron 50-400mm than the Sony 200-600mm G? Currently, I have the 200-600mm, and more times than not, I have the TC 1.4x added to it. So on the long end, the 400-800mm seems like the logical upgrade.
I haven't really tried the Sigma 50-400 for anything fast since I bought it. As a matter of fact, I have only used it to take some random test shots. I bought back a Sony 200-600 few months ago primarily for video. I haven't taken it outside yet. So I don't have a first hand experience in terms AF comparison. Based on the reviews of the Sigma 50-400 I have read, its AF is fast. I don't know what kind of wildlife you shoot, if you are not shooting fast birds, I can't imagine the Sigma's AF can't catch up. But only you would know.
If you are using a 1.4TC on the 200-600 very often, I would pick up the 400-800. Not only it's sharper than the 200-600 with a TC, it's slightly brighter too at the long end.
@Douglas L@ Awsome photos! Air to air must be an amazing experience!
Have you noticed anything, such as AF or IQ, being noticeably worse with the Tamron 50-400mm than the Sony 200-600mm G? Currently, I have the 200-600mm, and more times than not, I have the TC 1.4x added to it. So on the long end, the 400-800mm seems like the logical upgrade.
I haven't really tried the Sigma 50-400 for anything fast since I bought it. As a matter of fact, I have only used it to take some random test shots. I bought back a Sony 200-600 few months ago primarily for video. I haven't taken it outside yet. So I don't have a first hand experience in terms AF comparison. Based on the reviews of the Sigma 50-400 I have read, its AF is fast. I don't know what kind of wildlife you shoot, if you are not shooting fast birds, I can't imagine the Sigma's AF can't catch up. But only you would know.
If you are using a 1.4TC on the 200-600 very often, I would pick up the 400-800. Not only it's sharper than the 200-600 with a TC, it's slightly brighter too at the long end.
Apr 01, 2026 at 02:28 PM
p.1 #11Sony 400-800mm and Tamron 50-400mm combo?
Douglas L wrote:
Have you noticed anything, such as AF or IQ, being noticeably worse with the Tamron 50-400mm than the Sony 200-600mm G? Currently, I have the 200-600mm, and more times than not, I have the TC 1.4x added to it. So on the long end, the 400-800mm seems like the logical upgrade.I haven't really tried the Sigma 50-400 for anything fast since I bought it. As a matter of fact, I have only used it to take some random test shots. I bought back a Sony 200-600 few months ago primarily for video. I haven't taken it outside yet. So I don't have a first hand experience in terms AF comparison. Based on the reviews of the Sigma 50-400 I have read, its AF is fast. I don't know what kind of wildlife you shoot, if you are not shooting fast birds, I can't imagine the Sigma's AF can't catch...Show more →
Thanks again for the info!
DWOfPaul wrote
@Douglas L@@@ Awsome photos! Air to air must be an amazing experience!Have you noticed anything, such as AF or IQ, being noticeably worse with the Tamron 50-400mm than the Sony 200-600mm G? Currently, I have the 200-600mm, and more times than not, I have the TC 1.4x added to it. So on the long end, the 400-800mm seems like the logical upgrade.
Thanks again for the info!
Apr 01, 2026 at 05:15 PM