Sony 1.4x Teleconverter + The 200-600: One Year Later

After a year of using the Sony 200-600mm lens with the 1.4x teleconverter, I'm sharing my honest review and experiences. Is this the best combo for wildlife photography? Watch as I dive into the pros and cons, share my favourite shots, and discuss the technical details that make or break this setup.

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[CurtisSnapshot]

Your experience with this lens and teleconverter may vary depending on the camera you use. I have been exclusively shooting with the Sony a7iv, and its autofocus features really help this setup excel. If you have any experiences with the 1.4x teleconverter and the 200 - 600, share them below. Good or bad, I would love to hear them and it might help someone else who's deciding on this combination.

[anulearntech]

I saw a video about this 1.4 tc + 200-600 and its effects. They mentioned that there are extra light diffusion and internal reflections that happen which contribute to they haziness and loss of contrast. This effect is perhaps exacerbated when the light is reflected in such a way that it forms specular highlights, like harsh light being directly reflecting from a smooth surface.

[kualilo]

I often use my 1.4x with my 200-600 on my A7R V with great results. The only thing I can say is that it takes practice and more patience with the 1.4x. Keep in mind that every little movement is multiplied and can quickly make your photos blurry. As a result, I always increase my shutter speed around 2x what I normally shoot without a teleconverter. And yes, watch out for those heat distortions. Even on a nice day, you may be surprised to see some heat distortions when looking through the viewfinder/screen with a teleconverter.

It takes some practice. But you will figure out what works and what doesn't. Just like any gear you have.

[nickday]

Thanks. I found your videos informative and helpful. I purchased the 1.4 Tele Converter at the same time that I purchased the 200-600 zoom, but because my results using the converter were pretty dismal, I never used it. After watching your videos and tempering my expectations a bit, I'm beginning to get some nice images from the combo. By the way, I'm using a Sony A7RV, which I'm quite happy with.

[FitzMichael]

nice vid


200-600 &1.4 is my fav setup on my A1

[KurtisPape]

I have this combo, if I start at sunrise I only add the TC about 45 minutes after sunrise when the light is stronger. The key is to use it in good light. If you left the TC on all the time, I feel like it would only benefit you 1/4 of the time, where 3/4 it would almost negatively effect your images due to higher ISO. So it's a skill knowing when to use it 1/4 of the time.

This is only advice for high resolution cameras though, teleconverters are more useful on lower resolution cameras like 30mp, also heaps useful for video. All I know is I don't use the TC much, but it's necessary I have the option available.

[CameraRay]

One big issue found with the 1.4x was ghosting and haze when shooting through grass and small limbs. You photos also shows this issue. When photos are taken through grass is can make your subject hazy and look not in focus when you know it was dead on when you took it. Shoot through the same grass blades without the tele and there is no ghosting. Shooting through brush will cause loss of contrast with any lens, but the tele on the 200-600mm magnifies this more than any other combo i have used. I mostly just use the combo for video and just crop for photos. 👻👻

[michielbuse]

I recently had the opportunity to get my hands on a 100-400 GM together with both 2x and the 1, 4 TC. Best combo i ever had in my hands, superior IQ and great results! With 1, 4 TC sharper than the 200-600 without TC!

[MaurySmith]

Your solution is getting a second setup. Then you will have the best of both worlds and will capture the pictures you're ultimately expected to capture and possibly some you wouldn't, without the second setup, otherwise.

I'm interested in setting the buttons on the lens to change to the APS-C format. What do you have your buttons set on? It's my understanding even though there are three, or four buttons, they will all only change the same function. So we might as well only have one button, apart from the convenience of multiple locations. Is this true? I just received this lens about a week ago. I've test driven it a couple of times for an hour, or two. I absolutely love the lens. I haven't seen any images apart from what one sees through the view finder, but based upon that experience alone, I'm blown away by the focusing speed, tracking and image perspective. I feel like a kid with a new toy. To have that feeling, by itself, the $2, 500 was worth it. I thought the 70-200 was a new level. This lens gives the experience of having a PhD. You begin to believe all the claims were real after all. Next my teeth will return by putting a dollar under my pillow. 🧑‍🎄

[cw]

Great video, glad I have stumbled upon your channel, happy to subscribe!

[Ryanswildlifephotography]

Great video mate, something I'm looking to pair with my 200-600 in the near future!

[kbellanger]

I never shoot below 1000 unless the subject is a rock. I use a flash extension in darker situations

[翠始皇]

I use 1.4x with 100400gm on a a7rv and the experience is similar to yours. It's hit and miss, especially the subject is far away. If the subject is near, say within 5 meters then the focus is always spot on.

[ionmihai]

very good channel, good info! subscribed :)

[MichalOlender]

I'm tempted from time to time to buy it, and then I see videos of people talking about it, and I don't want to buy it 😆
Have this lens paired with a7IV and it does a great job, but I think I'll wait for a1mII and it'll be easier to crop with almost double megapixels.
Thanks for the video brother!

[marcelrothmund]

Thanks for the video with these magnificent photos. Probably the problem with the duck was caused by air flickering. Especially if the lake had a different temperature than the air. As the photo is magnified so is the flickering. Also, if the subject is too distant for a photo without converter (more then 40m) with a lot of air between you and the subject, the converter will not help to take a clear picture as the problem of air flickering increases.

[Trident_Media]

Great review thanks, My main worry is, Does the teleconverter add another stress point to the lens? If I'm shooting handheld on my 200-600 do I have to be more careful not to stress the Emount?

[SmuVid]

Hi Curtis, may I ask which Tripod you use at the 1:10 minute mark. Looks like the KF concept carbon tripod, but I am not sure which model. How is your experience with this tripod and the big 200-600 lens? I am trying to find a good travel tripod which can support this tele lens. Thanks!

[nickh]

Nice...Thanks for the think I will pass on the TC with the 200-600.

[LisaSaffell]

I have found that combo to be extremely inconsistent. When the subject is closer the results are better. You can't use it to to make a far away subject closer and have a sharp outcome. You can use it to fill the frame with a close subject and will have better results. On the 300 2.8 the 2.0 TC and 1.4 TC are fantastic!