Cliff L. wrote:
Have you considered the 200-600 G?
Briefly, haven't used either but from what I gather size and weight are broadly similar, Image quality between them is heavily debated but tends to focus on comparisons of the 100-400 & TC @ 600mm vs the 200-600 whereas I imagine ill be between 150-350mm most of the time where I think the 100-400 has a slight edge
Focus speed was the main concern, tricky and changing lighting with a relatively fast moving subject made me think the 100-400 might be the better option
Andyuk109 wrote:
Briefly, haven't used either but from what I gather size and weight are broadly similar, Image quality between them is heavily debated but tends to focus on comparisons of the 100-400 & TC @ 600mm vs the 200-600 whereas I imagine ill be between 150-350mm most of the time where I think the 100-400 has a slight edge
Focus speed was the main concern, tricky and changing lighting with a relatively fast moving subject made me think the 100-400 might be the better option
For your stated use case, I don't think you will find a significant difference in image quality or focusing speed. I've had the new 100-400 for a week now, and I'm already regretting having sold my 200-600 because it was such a versatile lens.
Out of curiosity which would you hire given the choice? The slight difference in rental costs isnt a factor, just purely based on use between 200-400mm
Thank you
Cliff L. wrote:
For your stated use case, I don't think you will find a significant difference in image quality or focusing speed. I've had the new 100-400 for a week now, and I'm already regretting having sold my 200-600 because it was such a versatile lens.
Everything needs to go into a backpack so limited to 1 'big' lens and a pair of smaller ones really and ideally sony lenses to unlock the faster frame rates
Have I missed other options or anything to be aware of with the 100-400?
Thank you
Caveat: I don't photograph birds much, and I'm not very good at it. I am an expert at pixel peeping, though
Every summer, I visit Monhegan Island in Maine for a week. I shoot larger / slower birds in flight and seals from a bouncy boat ride around the island. I have done this a bunch with the A7Rv + 2-6 naked and this year I'm doing it with A1ii + 1-4 + 1.4TC. It could be the body differences, but the latter combination wipes the floor for sharpness with the former.
I'm primarily attempting to shoot birds to evaluate my rental 1-4 for shooting field sports. The 2-6 was never satisfactory in this regard wrt tracking, contrast and sharpnesss; the 70-200GMii + 1.4TC lacks reach for what I do. Plus this form factor / handling of the 1-4s is way better than the 2-6. On this count alone, I am seriously considering buying the new 1-4
Me neither when it comes to bird photography, hence needing every little bit of help possible from whichever lens I hire for this trip
Did debate hiring an A1ii as well but after a little use happy my A7Rvi will keep up, and if it doesnt, almost certainly user error which would apply equally to the A1ii
