The Sony Lens I Should Have Bought Sooner...

The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 is a lens I've always wanted to try and own, finally I have one. How good is it at photographing wildlife, especially birds in flight? Let's find out!

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[inrain]

This is my main lens for 2 years now that I use for birds in flight. Initially I used it with an A7R III which was not a bad combination. But the autofocus of the camera is a bit dated which you are really going to note with BIF.
Half a year ago I got an offer for an A7R V that I simply could not refuse and now I am really happy. The weight of the lens is OK in my view. I mostly shoot handheld and don't bother to carry the tripod around. For its price the lens is a fantastic deal.

[brianbracherphotography]

Just bought mine after much deliberation - very pleased👍

[DarrenRowse]

Currently my most used lens - I use it for sports (football) and just love it. While you might think it needs loads of light but I find even on a cloudy day its great (in fact I prefer shooting on such days). Focusing is fast and it's sharp sharp sharp. Monopod is an essential though!

[iandico]

I just bought this lens, absolutely amazing quality images effortlessly, hand held no problem 👍

[DEditor]

Thank you for posting this video. I was already considering buying the a7RV with the 200-600mm sony lens together for fast flying birds. Those two together look like a perfect bird photography combo.

[stephaniegraham]

I love my 200-600. I initially bought the tampon 150-500 because I was put off by the weight on the Sony lens, but within 6mo realised that the extra focal length was really worth it with wildlife, especially birds and birds in flight. I was at Bempton cliffs this bank holiday weekend, and the lens did not let me down. Even with the 1/4tc and losing 1 stop of light, it still performed fabulously fast allowing me to get some great images (and just the higher noise to handle on the cloudier days). I can honestly say it's a great, sharp lens at this focal length and price point.

[georgemahlum]

I will get the lens soon...but not to much for birds...LOI...I an American retired in Bangkok...so... I will use the lens for street...boats on the river ...concerts... aircraft ....Balcony shots form my apartment...etc...Cheers

[cameraprepper]

I had the SONY 200-600mm 5.6-6.3 G Lens, I sold it last year, too big, too heavy and not handy ! I got the Sigma 500mm 5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens in March 2024 and it is much better in any way !

[bert]

I just retired so I thought I would give photography a try. I just bought the Sony A7RV, Sony FE 14mm F/1.8 GM, Sony 35mm GM f/1.4, Sony 85mm GM 2 f/1.4 and the Sony FE 200-600mm G f/5.6-6.3 Whenever I start a new hobby I hate upgrading later

[overlanderuk]

200-600 is brilliant paired with the Sony a9 20fps.

[HiethGeorge]

I remember how tempted you where at the Camera Show !

[Bo_Hazem]

I just bought the A7Rv to complement my A7SIII. Your videos were helpful. Have the 200-600mm as well!

[matiscrap]

Hiring this lens for Cosford air show in couple weeks to try, not sure if want to purchase or wait for version 2 as don't need anything past 200mm often

[johnstrachan]

Fab video - I had a 200-600 and thought it was great but bit the bullet to get the 600mm prime which is even better.and is still light enough not to need a tripod.

[truphot]

Would you say its good for plane spotting and airshows?

[ThomasGush]

this is going to sound silly, But I have a Sony a6400, I love wildlife photography, and have my eyes on this lens, would it be a waste of money with the specs of my current camera?

[kushalsharma]

How about pairing it with a6600 apsc cam? I am trying to switch to sony mirrorless system from nikon dslr...

[pentagramyt]

I am not so happy with this lens. I'd rather have a 600 mm f6.3 prime as Nikon do have. If sony had 100-400 GM with internal zooming, I'd switch for sure. It's heavy, it has problems with hunting at 600 mm (if you start looking for targes at that focal lengths), the 6.3 aperture is low contrasty, and images are soft. You need to be almost all the time at 300-400 mm lock the target and then zoom in to 600 mm to lock the focus, and keep f/8.0 almost whenever possible to have sharp image. And it's FREAKING heavy to handheld wildlife for 4-6 hours.

[LucasOfficial-N]

In the video you said Sony 200-600mm lens + Sony A7RV, what megapixel can it shoot in Full Frame?

[dennislivesay]

85% of my photographs are made with lens. Sharp as a tack! I shoot mostly birds in flight. Money well spent!