Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
p.1 #1Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
I may have lied when I said I didn't have any interest in the Sony 50-150 and didn't see a use for it in my style of shooting. I have the Tamron 35-150 and it's an excellent portrait lens, but it's really kinda slow for my needs for sports. I found it too unreliable. The 70-200 2.8GM II is one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used. But for some sports shots, I found it was too tight. I would have loved if Sony had a 35-150 with full AF and FPS, but they came with the 50-150 instead. I saw a few sports guys using them on the sidelines and thought it might help me with some of the wider shots that I was missing when the 70 was too long. Anyway, I've had the 50-150 for a couple of weeks now and have done a few team and individual shoots with it, a HS volleyball game and a couple of football games with it. I've been able to make it work for the most part for my team and individual shoots. For one team I had to use a wider lens due to space limitations (I couldn't foot zoom far enough away to get them all in the frame). However, for pretty much everything else it's been great. It's like all expensive Sony lenses, incredibly fast, accurate and sharp. I've used it with my a1 and a9v3 and the a7r5. No issues as would be expected. My questions now are do I keep the Tamron as an all-around lens, just not for sports? Do I keep the 70-200 2.8GMII?
Anyway, on to a few of the shots it's helped produce.
For indoor sports in a poorly lit HS gym, the f2 is nice.
Even with giant crops of about 1/9th the frame, it holds up good enough for my use.
Anyway, on to a few of the shots it's helped produce.
For indoor sports in a poorly lit HS gym, the f2 is nice.
Even with giant crops of about 1/9th the frame, it holds up good enough for my use.
Sep 21, 2026 at 01:49 PM
p.1 #2Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
timgangloff wrote:
I may have lied when I said I didn't have any interest in the Sony 50-150 and didn't see a use for it in my style of shooting. I have the Tamron 35-150 and it's an excellent portrait lens, but it's really kinda slow for my needs for sports. I found it too unreliable. The 70-200 2.8GM II is one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used. But for some sports shots, I found it was too tight. I would have loved if Sony had a 35-150 with full AF and FPS, but they came with the 50-150 instead. I...Show more →
Great shots Tim!
The lens certainly looks like a great piece of glass! As far as getting rid of the 70-200? Tough call. I love mine, but having both does seem like quite an overlap. Do you also still own the Tamron?
Sep 21, 2026 at 02:15 PM
p.1 #3Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
Thanks. Both the 70-200 and the tamron 35-150 are pretty expensive to have them sitting in drawer. I don’t want to rush selling them but will see how much use they get over the next couple months.
Sep 21, 2026 at 02:51 PM
p.1 #4Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
Great frames! 50-150 is high on my "next lens" list. Have had both the 35-150 and 70-200 mkii. I would sell them both.
Sep 21, 2026 at 08:23 PM
p.1 #5Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
Those are convincing shots Tim for a lens I didn't think I needed 
Really nice work on all aspects, yes if it were 35-150 that would be awesome but it looks looks strong at 50-150!!
Thanks for sharing
Karl
Really nice work on all aspects, yes if it were 35-150 that would be awesome but it looks looks strong at 50-150!!
Thanks for sharing
Karl
Sep 21, 2026 at 09:15 PM
p.1 #6Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
@timgangloff fantastic work! please share more often!
Sep 21, 2026 at 09:30 PM
p.1 #7Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
I rented this lens and it is absolutely fantastic to use other than the weight. It is quite heavy if you are carrying it around for a long stretch but the final results are worth it.
Sep 21, 2026 at 09:45 PM
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p.1 #8Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
If's definitely beefy. Probably not much different than the Tamron 35-150. When shooting sports with the 50-150, I'm using a black rapid strap to carry it, so not hand holding the entire time. But you are right. If you want to carry it all day as a walk-around lens, it may get heavy and a strap would be helpful.
BillD208 wrote:
I rented this lens and it is absolutely fantastic to use other than the weight. It is quite heavy if you are carrying it around for a long stretch but the final results are worth it.
BillD208 wrote:
I rented this lens and it is absolutely fantastic to use other than the weight. It is quite heavy if you are carrying it around for a long stretch but the final results are worth it.
Sep 22, 2026 at 07:23 AM
p.1 #9Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
BillD208 wrote:
I rented this lens and it is absolutely fantastic to use other than the weight. It is quite heavy if you are carrying it around for a long stretch but the final results are worth it.
timgangloff wrote:
If's definitely beefy. Probably not much different than the Tamron 35-150. When shooting sports with the 50-150, I'm using a black rapid strap to carry it, so not hand holding the entire time. But you are right. If you want to carry it all day as a walk-around lens, it may get heavy and a strap would be helpful.
I have replaced the original foot of that lens with that of Leofoto that has a QD connector. The base plate of my camera also has a QD connector. I am using a Leofoto strap that has QD connectors on both ends; one is connected to the base plate of the camera and the other to the replacement foot of the lens. With the strap across your back, the weight is virtually distributed evenly, making it quite comfortable to carry and operate. Plus, the setup is secured.
I rented this lens and it is absolutely fantastic to use other than the weight. It is quite heavy if you are carrying it around for a long stretch but the final results are worth it.
timgangloff wrote:
If's definitely beefy. Probably not much different than the Tamron 35-150. When shooting sports with the 50-150, I'm using a black rapid strap to carry it, so not hand holding the entire time. But you are right. If you want to carry it all day as a walk-around lens, it may get heavy and a strap would be helpful.
I have replaced the original foot of that lens with that of Leofoto that has a QD connector. The base plate of my camera also has a QD connector. I am using a Leofoto strap that has QD connectors on both ends; one is connected to the base plate of the camera and the other to the replacement foot of the lens. With the strap across your back, the weight is virtually distributed evenly, making it quite comfortable to carry and operate. Plus, the setup is secured.
Sep 22, 2026 at 07:40 AM
p.1 #10Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
Great images! Thanks for sharing
Your experience with the 35-150 matches what I just experienced over the weekend - it simply doesn't have hit rate with an A9iii that a white GM does.
1. If you do a lot of indoor sports, keep the 50-150.
2. If you shoot outdoor field sports, keep the 70-200GMii if you like to use it with the 1.4TC. Otherwise, there is a lot of overlap with the 50-150.
3. And if you shoot events, keep the 35-150. Otherwise, no reason to keep it around.
My answers are
1:N
2:Y
3:Y
I've briefly shot with the 50-150 at a Sony Ambassador day here in Boston and loved it. But given my answers on the 3 questions, I'm not in the market and holding onto my 35-150 and 70-200GMii. Your situation might be different...
Your experience with the 35-150 matches what I just experienced over the weekend - it simply doesn't have hit rate with an A9iii that a white GM does.
1. If you do a lot of indoor sports, keep the 50-150.
2. If you shoot outdoor field sports, keep the 70-200GMii if you like to use it with the 1.4TC. Otherwise, there is a lot of overlap with the 50-150.
3. And if you shoot events, keep the 35-150. Otherwise, no reason to keep it around.
My answers are
1:N
2:Y
3:Y
I've briefly shot with the 50-150 at a Sony Ambassador day here in Boston and loved it. But given my answers on the 3 questions, I'm not in the market and holding onto my 35-150 and 70-200GMii. Your situation might be different...
Sep 22, 2026 at 08:10 AM
p.1 #11Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
AGeoJO wrote:
BillD208 wrote
I rented this lens and it is absolutely fantastic to use other than the weight. It is quite heavy if you are carrying it around for a long stretch but the final results are worth it.timgangloff wrote
If's definitely beefy. Probably not much different than the Tamron 35-150. When shooting sports with the 50-150, I'm using a black rapid strap to carry it, so not hand holding the entire time. But you are right. If you want to carry it all day as a walk-around lens, it may get heavy and a strap would be helpful.Interesting setup Joshua
Do you leave the strap plugged into the camera base plate the whole time? Or do you move it to the secondary QD plug on the strap when using the camera
I purchased the Leofoto QD strap last year as possible replacement for my Black Rapid strap that I modified to have a QD socket. I ultimately stuck with the Black Rapid, but I may have to try out your setup method
Sep 22, 2026 at 09:36 AM
p.1 #12Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
robert614 wrote:
I have replaced the original foot of that lens with that of Leofoto that has a QD connector. The base plate of my camera also has a QD connector. I am using a Leofoto strap that has QD connectors on both ends; one is connected to the base plate of the camera and the other to the replacement foot of the lens. With the strap across your back, the weight is virtually distributed evenly, making it quite comfortable to carry and operate. Plus, the setup is secured.Interesting setup Joshua
Do you leave the strap plugged into the camera base plate the whole time? Or do you move it to the secondary QD plug on the strap when using the camera
I purchased the Leofoto QD strap last year as possible replacement for my Black Rapid strap that I modified to have a QD socket. I ultimately stuck with the Black Rapid, but I may have to try out your setup method
Thanks, Robert! It depends on the length you set the strap at. I setup mine that way so I can use the gear to carry and operate the camera/lens at the same time.
AGeoJO wrote
BillD208 wrote
I rented this lens and it is absolutely fantastic to use other than the weight. It is quite heavy if you are carrying it around for a long stretch but the final results are worth it.timgangloff wrote
If's definitely beefy. Probably not much different than the Tamron 35-150. When shooting sports with the 50-150, I'm using a black rapid strap to carry it, so not hand holding the entire time. But you are right. If you want to carry it all day as a walk-around lens, it may get heavy and a strap would be helpful.Do you leave the strap plugged into the camera base plate the whole time? Or do you move it to the secondary QD plug on the strap when using the camera
I purchased the Leofoto QD strap last year as possible replacement for my Black Rapid strap that I modified to have a QD socket. I ultimately stuck with the Black Rapid, but I may have to try out your setup method
Thanks, Robert! It depends on the length you set the strap at. I setup mine that way so I can use the gear to carry and operate the camera/lens at the same time.
Sep 22, 2026 at 09:48 AM
p.1 #13Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
AGeoJO wrote:
robert614 wrote
AGeoJO wrote
BillD208 wrote
I rented this lens and it is absolutely fantastic to use other than the weight. It is quite heavy if you are carrying it around for a long stretch but the final results are worth it.timgangloff wrote
If's definitely beefy. Probably not much different than the Tamron 35-150. When shooting sports with the 50-150, I'm using a black rapid strap to carry it, so not hand holding the entire time. But you are right. If you want to carry it all day as a walk-around lens, it may get heavy and a strap would be helpful.Do you leave the strap plugged into the camera base plate the whole time? Or do you move it to the secondary QD plug on the strap when using the camera
I purchased the Leofoto QD strap last year as possible replacement for my Black Rapid strap that I modified to have a QD socket. I ultimately stuck with the Black Rapid, but I may have to try out your setup method
I see. My base plate does have QD socket, so I just might have to give your setup a try!
Thanks Joshua!
Sep 22, 2026 at 09:59 AM
p.1 #14Sony 50-150 - Some sports and portraits
I have had the 50-150 for about a week. Like Tim, I found 70mm too tight for most volleyball matches and let my Sony 70-200ii go to help fund the upgrade. The difference between f/2 and f/2.8 is significant in some of the venues. I can see where I might miss 200mm shooting some field sports, but not inside. The 50-150 is worth the trade-off. I use a ProMediaGear foot with QD socket. I have not used my strap with it yet.
Chris
Chris
Sep 22, 2026 at 11:36 AM