Re: Brief Comments on the 200-600 with A7R4 (Harlequin Duck)
rdcny wrote:
"The caveat is that it is no 100-400 (or 400 F2.8) in performance...meaning I could not count on the lens (with the A7R4) getting me a sharp shot of a duck on the water. Despite having the focus on the head (or body) of a duck, the area of focus could be in front (or behind) the bird in a rapid burst series. I don't know why this happens - but it happened consistently enough to give me pause - I would not use this combo if I needed 100% assurance I would get the shot especially if I could not shoot a burst of images (say 4-6) of the subject."
I could say, NSS or "I told you so" but what would be the point? There were so many arrows slung at me when I raised this issue that any confirmation is a bit late. Given that the 7RIV and the 200-600 seemed like the ultimate birder combination providing reasonable size, tremendous range, hand holdability, etc. there were so many compelling reasons to want to like the pair. Unfortunately, you are encountering what I and many others have experienced, namely the AF just ain't that reliable or consistent. Yes, there are folks who say the 200-600 paired to an a9 series is a deadly combination, but it just doesn't perform up to snuff on the a7RIV. Is it the body, the lens, the pairing of the two? I think it is pointing to the later as the a7RIV seems to work well with the 100-400, 600, and in fact it even works well with my Canon 500 IS II with a 1.4x III TC and MC-11 in terms of accuracy and tracking though it doesn't rack the lens the entire distance (one has to get it close manually and then it locks on).
Sony has asked me to return the camera and lens for inspection though quite frankly, I'm a bit leary. CPS, no problem. Sony repair? Can't say. And again it appears to be a pairing of the two which is problematic rather than one or the other. Overall, it's disappointing and hope that Sony figures it out.
Jan 12, 2020 at 11:42 AM
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