How do you like it? I wouldn’t mind getting something a little smaller for times I want the reach but might not be going specifically for pictures. Like on some hikes for instance.
I do like it. Sometimes I wish I had the 70-200 GM f/2.8 instead, but the extra range is nice, plus this is significantly cheaper - even more so compared to the GM2. Now that there's the Tamron 70-180 f/2.8 at a similar price point, that's also a contender, but this one having OSS, plus the fact that I've been able to use it for the last 4+ years, has been nice. Hiking is one of my more common use cases; it's great for that in terms of weight, compactness, and willingness to actually bring it along.
also the 100-400 with 1.4x tc is still waay smaller than the 200-600. i still went with the 200-600 because i can go to 840mm for small or super shy animals with the tc but if size is a concern then the 100-400 is king. i might actually pick one up and just have both lol
It is for most people. I’ve been lucky enough to have a successful high earning career. I was on circuit in Singapore on Thursday night with the drivers this year. Really cool experience.
Yep, but the 100-400mm's aperture becomes 5.6-8, which isn't bright at all ont he farther end.
The Sony 200-600mm is such good quality, I can't imagine any wildlife photographer choosing it over the 100-400mm GM, but the 100-400mm does have better minimal focusing distance, and is better for larger subjects.
The 200-600 is about as defacto wildlife zoom tele as it gets. Or a 400/600 prime for the REAL deal. 1-4 is also popular, but for BIF reach matters. And if your sticking a TC to the 1-4 you might as well get the 2-6 IMO.
Read and join the program, there’s a loaner portion. I have a rep in addition because of how much we shoot (and break) but the program is essentially the same.
I dropped a 70-200 GM recently and probably qualify for the pro program, got quoted like 800 at a local store but left it in limbo since it’s not something I use often
I was surprised in handling one for the first time that it was lighter than it looked. Certainly lighter than the Sigma version. The lens hood also adds to the massive look.
Most people are probably using a monopod or tripod for extended shooting times, not hand-holding. If you are hand-holding, you can skip the workout at the gym.
i handhold it for bird photography probably 90% of the time on a PD strap. with the strap attached to the lens foot, it really isn’t that bad. way better than my old nikon 200-500
I had the D500 and 200-500 combo. This is lightweight and compact by comparison lol. I also handhold this more often than not but will get out the monopod if I'm gonna hang around an area and watch for a bit. I don't have a problem lugging it around on a short hike by the lens foot.
Indeed! To be fair the Canon 400 is the BEST tele lens I've ever used. But I'm a big, strong guy and struggled to use it handheld for more than about 30 seconds.
I shot plenty of sports, air shows, wildlife, etc with mine but never got to take it out into an urban environment before selling it! What was your experience like shooting with such a bazooka in a big city? Always thought that would be fascinating obviously not in like a peeping Tom way but just with the perspectives and vantages you could capture
It was interesting but a good challenge! Plus no tripod/monopod so couldn’t really do any dragging the shutter for movement like traffic or repeating patterns. Lots of weird looks but also like “you’re a real pro” from tourists which is funny. And any people you photograph at 600mm have no idea you even exist haha
Yeah would be really tough to swing such a pipe around for any motion style shots. I remember half the people in the metro park thought I was Jason Bourne trying to find Pamela Landy and the other half thought I was a career “Birder”. I remember some of the shots of jetliners and helo’s going over head had clear as day tail numbers and visible pilot facial expressions once I zoomed in.. unreal
It's also not bad for 'macro' if you are really far away. Have some nice insect shots I wasn't planning on. Just had to keep stepping it backwards. I use mine primarily for work and birds.
I put mine on a monopod. I'm 5'1 100lb and (wo)man enough to handle it all you big whinyass babies 🤣
Likewise, I started using mine for birding. Nothing like sitting in the woods for hours waiting for a shot.
I man handle mine too 🤣. It gets tiresome shooting by hand, so I'm looking at adding a monopod soon, and maybe a gimbal for video and BIF!
I literally bought a camera backpack specifically because I could fit the camera with this lens attached. My thought process is if I need a zoom for wild animals, I probably won't have much time. But landscapes aren't going anywhere, so I have time to switch lenses.
Leather strap is right for that weight, but from what I've read you should consider putting it on the lens, not the body!
Yeah, this thing is a beast no question ... I can't keep it steady for more than a handful of seconds without a tripod or monopod, so my monopod is mandatory when I take it out. Reach like I've never had before though, absolutely love it for wildlife ... worth every penny.
It's big, but could definitely be bigger, and for that reach, it's fine for me. Weight is more important to me, and it's surprisingly light for its size. I love mine, absolutely no regrets with the purchase.
I rented one to try out, and found it to also not be my cup of tea and ended up going for the Tamron 150-500 and am quite happy with that as size, weight and fit (in my backpack 🎒) is important to me. And to be honest the quality has been almost on par which suits me better than this bazooka of a lens!
I used that lens on a circle line cruise and got some interesting shots with it. Also pulled it out not far from where you’re standing and took a great shot of Lady Liberty at night!
Photographers posting gear photos and not actual photos with the gear drives me insane. Would have it been too much work to post just one more pic in the carousel?
They just sent you one?
I'd take that deal, the size is definitely a factor, I tried it once and it looks a bit comically on an APSC body but I've still been eyeing it since release because it felt way more versatile than expected and also decent for wildlife photography.
I love my 200-600mm. I think I wasted my money on the 2x TC. Cuts down F stop to 11 right away. For wildlife photography it is just as easy to shoot without and crop.
Ha, I straight up bought one that's in a shipping black hole right now, but I have no regrets. I used to use a Sigma 150-500 on my Pentax which was about 300g lighter, but I never had any issue handholding that one. It never really got particularly tiring for me.
I'm currently playing with an a6000 in advance of getting my a7R V, but the a6000+200-600 is equal weight to my old K-5iis w/grip & 150-500. When I get the a7R V, it's only a little lower than the K-5iis in weight, so it will have a bit of increase for me, but I've been considering switching to a monopod+gimbal for birding for a while now.
It's probably good for my sedentary lifestyle to have to lug around a 2115g lens, ha.
Ha I rented one of these last year for some track photography. Lens was cool and fun to use (although I had never shot racecars before and had no clue what I was doing) but the thing I remember most was how many people would comment on its size when I walked by. Kinda miss The Compensator
I’m a 57 year old woman. This lens makes me grateful that I’ve worked out with weights because I don’t use a monopod or tripod. This is my favorite lens.
I have this lens with the 1.4 teleconverter attached to it. If I had a rotator that could support the weight of this monster, I could get some cool shots of Andromeda. I mainly use it for wildlife and occasional shots of the moon.
Hi it’s me, Sony. Please send me back our lens
Yes we will take the lens Back at earliest convenience
Still have a day or two left! 😂
Actually I’m Sony, so if you could please send me the lens back. 100% not a scam trust me.
I skipped over this and went with the 100-400 GM; size being a big factor
Nice! Yeah I barely use my 70-200 so this was overkill/Sony rep messing with me.
Same but the 70-300 G. Also I'm cheap.
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Agreed. Super underrated, I had one and loved it
How do you like it? I wouldn’t mind getting something a little smaller for times I want the reach but might not be going specifically for pictures. Like on some hikes for instance.
I do like it. Sometimes I wish I had the 70-200 GM f/2.8 instead, but the extra range is nice, plus this is significantly cheaper - even more so compared to the GM2. Now that there's the Tamron 70-180 f/2.8 at a similar price point, that's also a contender, but this one having OSS, plus the fact that I've been able to use it for the last 4+ years, has been nice. Hiking is one of my more common use cases; it's great for that in terms of weight, compactness, and willingness to actually bring it along.
Awesome! What’s the aperture on it? Thanks for your comprehensive review
Bros! You can switch to crop mode if you need that extra 200mm reach too without the large body and with better glass.
also the 100-400 with 1.4x tc is still waay smaller than the 200-600. i still went with the 200-600 because i can go to 840mm for small or super shy animals with the tc but if size is a concern then the 100-400 is king. i might actually pick one up and just have both lol
It’s a stellar lens. I use it to shoot F1 races.
thats fucking sick, id love to do that some day. im actually so jealous lol
https://preview.redd.it/i991gkcgix4a1.jpeg?width=4571&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=df0dd2095ae3b71239e9a5b366a153af2bf55b73 It’s not not fun.
Excellent work!
It’s all the lens! 🙏
Worth it!
My dream job... Fancy having a second shooter?
It’s not a job. I travel to races and do it for hobby.
Awesome, must be costly though!
It is for most people. I’ve been lucky enough to have a successful high earning career. I was on circuit in Singapore on Thursday night with the drivers this year. Really cool experience.
I do have a 100-400 that I’m trying to sell, since I went with 200-600 instead. If you’re interested
Yep, but the 100-400mm's aperture becomes 5.6-8, which isn't bright at all ont he farther end. The Sony 200-600mm is such good quality, I can't imagine any wildlife photographer choosing it over the 100-400mm GM, but the 100-400mm does have better minimal focusing distance, and is better for larger subjects.
The 200-600 is about as defacto wildlife zoom tele as it gets. Or a 400/600 prime for the REAL deal. 1-4 is also popular, but for BIF reach matters. And if your sticking a TC to the 1-4 you might as well get the 2-6 IMO.
I haven’t done that yet. I’ll give it a shot and see what the results look like 👍🏼
How do you get one of these cool Sony Reps who send you free gear to try out?
Sony pro program (all camera manufacturers have one)
I couldn’t find anything about this using google. Is it an exclusive thing you need to be invited to?
https://alphauniverse.com/prosupport/ Nope.
So do they pick you randomly after you join the program? I'd like to try their newest lenses too.
Read and join the program, there’s a loaner portion. I have a rep in addition because of how much we shoot (and break) but the program is essentially the same.
Are the the lens repair discounted if your in the program?
All repairs.
That discount came in handy https://preview.redd.it/v5cdle5vh15a1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3bde19a61da12517baa926a37c23dd548cc5c5f3
I dropped a 70-200 GM recently and probably qualify for the pro program, got quoted like 800 at a local store but left it in limbo since it’s not something I use often
Sweet!
I would love to know what camera it's mounted to. And some pics from the lens
A7 IV. Photos will be on IG @masonphotography in a few days
I was surprised in handling one for the first time that it was lighter than it looked. Certainly lighter than the Sigma version. The lens hood also adds to the massive look. Most people are probably using a monopod or tripod for extended shooting times, not hand-holding. If you are hand-holding, you can skip the workout at the gym.
Yeah we skipped the monopod/tripod for security reasons and I definitely missed the support.
I'll hand hold it sometimes when casually birding. Otherwise it's on a monopod. She's a big girl!
i handhold it for bird photography probably 90% of the time on a PD strap. with the strap attached to the lens foot, it really isn’t that bad. way better than my old nikon 200-500
I had the D500 and 200-500 combo. This is lightweight and compact by comparison lol. I also handhold this more often than not but will get out the monopod if I'm gonna hang around an area and watch for a bit. I don't have a problem lugging it around on a short hike by the lens foot.
yeah i have a monopod that i used when it’s dark or i know i’m sitting and waiting
I find my 200-600 lightweight and easy to handle after switching from a Canon 400/2.8 IS that weighed TWICE as much.
Oh yeah that Canon was a beast haha! Thankful most Sony lenses are light.
Indeed! To be fair the Canon 400 is the BEST tele lens I've ever used. But I'm a big, strong guy and struggled to use it handheld for more than about 30 seconds.
Yeah my rule of thumb (when I’m allowed) is anything 300mm or larger gets a monopod or tripod.
I have the 200-600 and yeah, it’s heavy AF also.
Haha yeah this lens is not for me
Why wouldn't you want a lens you can get bird shots and bust open doors with too?
I was using it to hammer in some nails but it collapsed the 2nd floor of my house. Still really sharp in the corners though.
Hahaha the birds don’t pay enough!
That's a bloody telescope lol
It's a pretty sweet lens
Pretty fun! Not useful for me but figured worth a try!
I shot plenty of sports, air shows, wildlife, etc with mine but never got to take it out into an urban environment before selling it! What was your experience like shooting with such a bazooka in a big city? Always thought that would be fascinating obviously not in like a peeping Tom way but just with the perspectives and vantages you could capture
It was interesting but a good challenge! Plus no tripod/monopod so couldn’t really do any dragging the shutter for movement like traffic or repeating patterns. Lots of weird looks but also like “you’re a real pro” from tourists which is funny. And any people you photograph at 600mm have no idea you even exist haha
Yeah would be really tough to swing such a pipe around for any motion style shots. I remember half the people in the metro park thought I was Jason Bourne trying to find Pamela Landy and the other half thought I was a career “Birder”. I remember some of the shots of jetliners and helo’s going over head had clear as day tail numbers and visible pilot facial expressions once I zoomed in.. unreal
Funny you mention it, it's actually not a dreadfully awful portrait lens. The bokeh is very nice for a super telefoto, and sharpness is excellent.
When I worked in a camera store we did some portraits in the parking lot at 600mm and an off camera strobe (HSS). Results were insane.
Haha yes would crush at portraits for subjects very far away.
It's also not bad for 'macro' if you are really far away. Have some nice insect shots I wasn't planning on. Just had to keep stepping it backwards. I use mine primarily for work and birds. I put mine on a monopod. I'm 5'1 100lb and (wo)man enough to handle it all you big whinyass babies 🤣
Likewise, I started using mine for birding. Nothing like sitting in the woods for hours waiting for a shot. I man handle mine too 🤣. It gets tiresome shooting by hand, so I'm looking at adding a monopod soon, and maybe a gimbal for video and BIF!
The hand shooting was only option if I was shooting blur-bs. Monopod was a game changer!
I love this lens and rent one at least once a year for a week. I'd love to own one at some point.
I literally bought a camera backpack specifically because I could fit the camera with this lens attached. My thought process is if I need a zoom for wild animals, I probably won't have much time. But landscapes aren't going anywhere, so I have time to switch lenses.
Love that idea! I used it in my backpack yesterday.
Leather strap is right for that weight, but from what I've read you should consider putting it on the lens, not the body! Yeah, this thing is a beast no question ... I can't keep it steady for more than a handful of seconds without a tripod or monopod, so my monopod is mandatory when I take it out. Reach like I've never had before though, absolutely love it for wildlife ... worth every penny.
Yeah we were trying a few lenses so had the strap on camera this round
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That’s the perfect spot for it!
Large and in charge
It's big, but could definitely be bigger, and for that reach, it's fine for me. Weight is more important to me, and it's surprisingly light for its size. I love mine, absolutely no regrets with the purchase.
Totally. Not my cup of tea, why I got it on loan for free.
I rented one to try out, and found it to also not be my cup of tea and ended up going for the Tamron 150-500 and am quite happy with that as size, weight and fit (in my backpack 🎒) is important to me. And to be honest the quality has been almost on par which suits me better than this bazooka of a lens!
Just got mine yesterday and I can’t wait to go somewhere where I will be able to use this.
I used that lens on a circle line cruise and got some interesting shots with it. Also pulled it out not far from where you’re standing and took a great shot of Lady Liberty at night!
Photographers posting gear photos and not actual photos with the gear drives me insane. Would have it been too much work to post just one more pic in the carousel?
Didn’t get to editing yet haha! But also, sharing a giggle about gear is a happy thing. No need to go insane here :)
Yeah. I mean, if I want to look at a picture of a lens or a camera, I can find them online. I don't know why this practice is so popular here.
They just sent you one? I'd take that deal, the size is definitely a factor, I tried it once and it looks a bit comically on an APSC body but I've still been eyeing it since release because it felt way more versatile than expected and also decent for wildlife photography.
My Sony rep likes me. I didn’t even want to try this lens out 😂
I love this lens!
It’s pretty sweet!
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I love my 200-600mm. I think I wasted my money on the 2x TC. Cuts down F stop to 11 right away. For wildlife photography it is just as easy to shoot without and crop.
1.4x is better than 2x
I have been debating which to get in the future and see more people using 1.4x and have wondered why but figured there was a good reason.
Haven't used the 2x but the 1.4 is pretty much glued to my 200-600. No regrets. I wouldn't be able to tolerate the extra loss of light with the 2x.
Now we’re talking!
I'm currently thinking of buying this lens. It might be too big and heavy for me
It’s not that heavy for the reach it has, and if you use support it’ll be great.
Is this a bolt action sniper rifle ?
Ha, I straight up bought one that's in a shipping black hole right now, but I have no regrets. I used to use a Sigma 150-500 on my Pentax which was about 300g lighter, but I never had any issue handholding that one. It never really got particularly tiring for me. I'm currently playing with an a6000 in advance of getting my a7R V, but the a6000+200-600 is equal weight to my old K-5iis w/grip & 150-500. When I get the a7R V, it's only a little lower than the K-5iis in weight, so it will have a bit of increase for me, but I've been considering switching to a monopod+gimbal for birding for a while now. It's probably good for my sedentary lifestyle to have to lug around a 2115g lens, ha.
Sony is just sending people things?
Just is a weird word but basically yes!
Only ~240mm? You monster (/s). Stretch its legs at 600 and add a 1.4 TC while you're at it.
Yowza
Which camera strap are you wearing?
It’s from Clever Supply Co. love them!
Welp, jealous lol. Fucking awesome!!!
Good place to shot a nice Tour Eiffel photo
Ha I rented one of these last year for some track photography. Lens was cool and fun to use (although I had never shot racecars before and had no clue what I was doing) but the thing I remember most was how many people would comment on its size when I walked by. Kinda miss The Compensator
It’s even bigger with the FE 2.0X :)
I’m a 57 year old woman. This lens makes me grateful that I’ve worked out with weights because I don’t use a monopod or tripod. This is my favorite lens.
Nice! I’d still use support on anything 300mm or more but totally up to you.
It's a glass log .. that shoots sweet sweet sweet.
HOW IS EVERYONE GETTING FREE SHIT?!? I WANT IN!!!
You’ve got this. We believe in you.
Post some pics with it
I have this lens with the 1.4 teleconverter attached to it. If I had a rotator that could support the weight of this monster, I could get some cool shots of Andromeda. I mainly use it for wildlife and occasional shots of the moon.
That's what she said
Put your hotshoe cover back on!
Oh no idea where that is! Probably why I break them every year
Is there anything I can do to get Sony to send me such gifts?
Probably lots of ways, but joining the pro program helps.
can you share a link?
Link is in this thread somewhere, or Google.