congrats on the new lens and the new body hope it arrives sooner than you think. can't wait to see the results. and can't wait more to see you with Olympus and the 300 mm f4.

I thoroughly enjoy your bird photography, and your "just talking over coffee" discussion of your camera body / lens thoughts. My Nikon 200 - 500 is somewhat permanently attached to my D500; eagerly awaiting a mirrorless D500 replacement to go with my Z6. When we traveled to Churchill, Manitoba on multiple small planes, I left the 200 - 500 home, and opted for the 70 - 200. Life is imperfect. Enjoy!

I recently bought the Sony a6400 combined with the Tamron 150-500. It’s not an if lens obviously and if you wouldn’t have already bought the 200-600 that could have been the lens for you. The macro capabilities are awesome the overall quality and the focus speed to. I’m still using my Nikon dslr for Macro. I think it’s very useful for photographers to take closer looks to different brands if possible. Keep it up! Greetings from Austria Michael

Awesome lens you're gonna love it

Looking forward to it.

Great video Phil! I'm also waiting for the a6700 for the same reasons as you are. Currently using the a6400 with the 200-600mm. I recommend the sony 11mm, sigma 18-50mm and sony 70-350mm. I own all those lenses and they're all great. The sony 70-350mm it's a great lens to have, very sharp and lightweight.

I'm using a 200-600 G on an a6000 now & love it. Ordered the a6700 yesterday. I'm looking forward to getting out with it not only for photos but for video too.

On the Sony I use the 28-60mm Kit lens and then bought the G Series Compact lenses 24mm F/2.8 and the 40mm, 50mm F/2.5 and they are fantastic. Of course with the Nifty Fifty Sony FE 50mm F/1.8 is not pricey either. BTW Megadap ETZ-21 adapter costs only $250.

I was waiting for this combo😊

I do like the Sony A6000 series Rangefinder cameras. If the 6700 tops the ZV-E10 because of the extra viewing capability plus the IBIS but you probably still have to use Catalyst Browse software for your videos is a winner.

Hello Phil thach, great to hear that you are going to show us these 2 super telephoto lenses! Sony has an interesting range in addition to APS-C lenses and Nikon is starting its partnership with Sigma they may be releasing an 18-50 F2.8 or equivalent! If Nikon releases a serious APS-C camera, I must admit that this Nikkor Z180-600 catches my eye -) very good optical quality, superb bokeh and superb stabilization! With a TC 1.4 it would cover 90% of my needs! Looking forward to discovering these first tests on your channel ! greetings from France, Ludo

Question: Why not Put your Full Frame cameras in crop mode while shooting Birds? Adding the IBIS stabilization gives you a little more crop.

Enjoy your videos - I wish I could experiment with different systems but an old retired guy's budget doesn't allow it. At the end of last year upgraded my Canon 50d to a 90d - now wish I had went with the R body as I really like the R6 MK 2 and that is how I found your channel. Strictly a rank amateur as I drift from landscape, wildlife, macro and a new budding interest in astrophotography. I did recently splurge on a Sigma 60-600 to expand the reach from my old 70/200 L 2.8 and by using credit card points it only cost me 300.00 - I've had a wonderful Sigma macro lens for years and I think Sigma does a really good job as a 3rd party maker. Only thing with the big Sigma is weight and at my age, 73 I think I will be learning how to use a monopod for the first time for walking about - too heavy for me to hand hold. Keep up the great content I enjoy your, like inviting a friend along style, nothing complicated or over my head, just enough tech plus why and how explanations to help us with less knowledge and experience. I look forward to walking along on your Sony adventure .

Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always Phil, I really like that lens with the Sony a74, it would be an awesome combo for me 🐦👍👌

I have used the Megadap adapter for Nikon to have Sony Lenses for my Z mount cameras. Just bought the Canon R6 II and am loving it. Cheers!

Great lens Phil. Be interesting to see the 6700. I was going for the same combo but opted out at last minute for the new Nikon lens. The 100-400GM lens is pretty awesome too, can vouch after using that on the A1. 👍

I think you will be happy with the 11mm. I am very happy with mine. Its great for landscapes and also astro photography with the wide aperture. I also own the 200-600 and it kicks ass for bird photography as well as moon shots. I picked up the tamron 17-70 f 2.8 which is a 25-105 equivalent. Overall happy with APSC too

Great video! I understand we all have our preferences. In my understanding,the main reason why people generally prefer apsc is reach and higher pixel density. However, I really think the z8 with the 800pf would be the way to go. I understand it’s not a zoom but generally if you prefer apsc you are looking for an effective focal length longer than 600 (generally between 600-900) so the 800 pf splits the difference, plus you get a higher pixel density. Just something to think about!

Nice. The mount collar has dots to indicate the horizontal and vertical alignments. And the shoe never gets clumsy even after years of use.

I think you like the extra reach of the 200 to 600. I ordered the a6700 and looking forward to finally having eye auto focus on a hybrid camera. I program the focus hold button on the lens for manual focus. I can press that and focus with my pinky easily. Another option is to use it for exposure compensation since you only have three command dials on the a6700. A lot of Canon shooters admire the 200 600 but as a Sony shooter I admire the 100 to 500. It's like two lenses in one. For other lenses I would consider getting the Tamron 70 to 180 f 2.8. It's incredibly sharp on the long end and has a 0.5x magnification on the short end. That's a full frame lens, though. It should be a great optic for volleyball, soccer, or basketball. You mentioned the sigma 18 to 50. There's also a Tamron 17 to 70. It's a bit heavier but wider and longer. The best standard zoom for Sony a APS-C is probably the Sony 16 to 55 G lens. It's pricey but delivers. My recommendations other than the 200 600 are just based on numerous reviews over the years. Two good places to go for Sony reviews are Dustin Abbott and Mark Gayler. Mark is a Sony imaging ambassador but he does shoot non-Sony lenses and will praise them appropriately. He might be the best all around photographer of anyone on KZfaq. If you're pretty sure full frame is in your future you may consider going that direction in lenses, but that can defeat the purpose of having the smaller but very capable kit. Looking forward to seeing the pictures you get from the new Sony with the venerable 200 to 600! One last thing: many experienced shooters turn off image stabilization past a 1/1000th shutter or so. You may find that the Sony optic is a little more finicky than your 100 to 500 Canon so hang in there. A super sharp shot of a bird in-flight at 900 mm makes the cost and the weight worth it.

Can't wait to see how the new camera works! I've been intrigued by the Tamron -150mm. I normally wouldn't think of Tamron but since Nikon has been rebranding some of their lenses I might try it.

New to photography but have heard that many modern full-frame mirrorless cameras have an aps-c crop mode setting, curious what the advantage is to using an actual aps-c body vs a full frame body in this crop setting?

Great video Phil, I own R7, ef70-300L, ef100-400L mkii, sigma ef 150-600 C, and Sony A6600 paired with sigma 18-50 f2.8. I have used all my canon ef mount lens on the A6600 via sigma mc-11 and they work reasonable well, though there is no edge to edge focusing, and the focusing is slightly slower than if on canon body. I do believe ATM the A6600 is slightly more reliable than the R7. The R7 does have a more aggressive Eye AF and very sticky and this is using ef glass only. The sigma 18-50 f2.8 is a cracking little lens, though I do have an issue with the lens not auto focusing while in video mode !

I own the 200-600mm for a while and I can recommend the Wimberley AP-620 Replacement Lens Foot. Not only for better balance on tripod but also better handling when picking up the lens etc during hand held bird photography. I also recommend the 11mm F1.8 for landscape or astrophotography. (just replaced my old a6500 with a a6700)

I’ve been tempted to getting SONY 200-600 mm lens on and off, the only thing that’s holding me back is size and weight. I currently own Sony 70-350 mm lens and find it light and compact. It’s been said to turn off ibis above 1/1000 of a second and I’ve also heard never to turn off ibis on SONY 200-600. Many photographers have reported 200-600 to be soft, I think many are not using enough shutter speed on high megapixel cameras. Thank you for your great video especially enjoyed your comments and comparisons. I have a 6700 camera on order, looking forward to your next video when you compare both Camera and lens together. Many thanks.

The new Sony A6700 is amazing - I have got one. I mostly use it with the APSC 70-350 G lens which I would recommend if you want to travel light

I had this lens and shot it with the A9II great lens you are going to love it!

Rented that lens for a week with a Sony A7RV. Was a fine combo but I was a little let down with the Autofocus if I'm being honest . In all fairness that is my only experience with Sony so more time learning the menu would have surely helped. Very sharp and quality images from the combo so I'm sure you will enjoy it. Sony ergonomics just didn't work for me so glad I rented rather than purchased. Will surely be interested to see how you get on with the 6700.

The Sony G Master 100-400 is such a killer lens! It would be great for sports as well as birding.

Try the OM1 or EM1 mark III with the 100-400 Olympus zoom. in FF terms, this a 200-800 lens. Weather sealed and image stabilized. I have the EM1 mark III and older mark II. The lens will fit in in one pocket of a Think Tank Messenger type bag. Olympus camera are very rugged and if you want an all weather camera. I also use the Canon R6 and R7.

I've had the Sony lens for a few years and I think it's fantastic to work with for wildlife and sports, and I use it with my full frame camera Sony A9 👍

Great video! I am looking forward to the review of the Sony A7600 with the Sony 200-600mm telephoto lens, I want to buy this set as well.

did you think about wait for r5 II then use crop mode

Thanks Phil 😎

exactly what I was thinking ! will order the a6700 soon for my 200-600mm, should be an awesome combo.

Phil, The Tamron 35-150 is incredible. You will love it if you get it.

Hi Phil, Congratulations on your lens. I work now for 3 years with that lens. My body is Sony a 6400. Handheld mostly, also monopod and tripod for video and waders in stills. With Gimbal and Balhead. Waiting same you for a 6700. For BIF the lens is perfect. For quick work, you can use 1 of the 3 knobs on the lens body. First on a tree or building in the distance you aspect. The AF works very Quick then. I know you are clever enough. But I wanna give you some tips: 1] You can change the lens foot in another brand. For me Hejnar PHOTO USA. the foot is perfect for handholding in the field. ARCA Style QUICK Release System. 2] RolanPro is my Lenscoat. 3] My back for Travel is Lowepro 500 AW II. 4] In never take off the foot and the BODY. [That is why 2 BODIES] My working EYE is on the left,[because medical problem] In the EVF never any problem. Dont, Know about other lenses. Because only Wildlife. My POCO 3 can take the Landscape surroundings if I will. Good Luck From me in Thailand [forever]!

I own this lens and love it. I did however just receive the 100-400 GM a few days ago because the 200-600mm is starting to get a little heavy. It's not a whole lot lighter, but it's much more comfortable. I have the A7RV and I bet the 6700 will be amazing!

Thanks Phil. I love your reviews. Photography is a very personnel choice and if you want to use different brands that suit your style of photography then that's your choice. I stick with Nikon, only because I know where all the buttons and settings are. 🙂 Watching from Australia.

Being poor I got a micro 4/3 Olympus EM10 and adapter to use a Nikon manual f2.8 300mm giving effective 600mm reach for birds, but the lens is almost too heavy to lift for my 65 year old muscles, tripod only for that one, so went for the Nikon 300mm f4 manual and with Ibis on the camera it's great although a challange to focus at 600mm and the camera has a 2x aditional crop setting to give 1200mm at a little loss of Q.Be careful what you wish for regarding weight!

Hello Phil I enjoyed all the great conversations in the comments! I'm a Sony shooter that's interested in the a6700! I have the 200-600 and love it. I can't wait to hear your feedback about a6700. Yes I hate that Sony only gave it 11 fps. 14 would've been better! I also hate that it is 26 megapixels!!! I was expecting 30 or 33! 2 card slots would have been better, 1 is ok for me!

Im just learning my FE200-600G with my a6400. Getting decent results and slowly getting better. $2k well spent.

I had the Sony A74 with that same lens for a year. My photos overall did not improve drastically. I kept my Canon since the Sony was just a trial. Happy with the R5 and R6mk2 although I might try the Z8 and 180-600 for a year along my Canon.

The Sony 70-200 GM 2- for sports, 100-400mm GM, Tamron 35-150mm- event photography or weddings in particular. For short telephoto the Sony 135mm GM, 16-35mm GM for landscape and for Astro photography, the 14mm f1.8 GM and the 24mm f1.4 GM. The 85mm f1.8 for portraits. The Sony 135mm GM is one of Sony best lens, it is surgical and it is my personal favorite that I take to all of my events. The Sigma 35mm 1.2 is beautiful, but a big lens for 35mm. The 35mm GM f 1.4 is a great lens, but has focus breathing issues for video, which can be controlled with the focus breathing compensation that will be in your a6700. I also own the Sony 200-600mm. And I had the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 when I shot Nikon. A good zoom is the 24-70 GM 1 is a good lens with the GM 2 being the upgraded version with faster autofocus and the equivalent of these are the Tamron 28-75 and at the 200mm equivalent for Tamron is the 70-180mm f2.8. The 55mm f1.8 is also a good walk aground lens and Sony’s 90mm Macro is super sharp. If manual focus and small size glass with both photo and video with a advantage in video would be the Zeiss Loxia series with all metal construction. They are extremely sharp, a little soft in the corners, but for videography not a problem, heck actually not a problem for photography because they have that Zeiss pop. If money is no object, the 400mm f2.8 and the 600mm f4, these two are mostly rented due to price and come with cases due to their sizes. A lot of people complain about Sony’s menus but once these cameras are set up properly, you hardly ever go into the menus. I thought about buying the a6700 as I consider it a baby A7R5. All of the lenses mentioned, I own except the 35mm GM, 70-200 GM 2, I have the 70-200 f4 instead, the Tamron 35-150 and the last two big lenses. Rental with Sony is your friend due to their large selection and due to that selection there is a huge secondary or used market. Welcome to the Sony family, I shot Nikon for decades including the Z series before the Z9 and I shot Canon and Fuji, but I went all in on Sony 2.5 years ago and I haven’t looked back. I own the Sony A7IV, A7RIII, A9-two bodies, A7SIII and an A6000.

I wonder what you will think about the small formfactor of the a6700 paired with the 200-600 and ergonomics of the camera. Please tell us also what the weight distribution is… have a nice weekend😀👍

I can recommend the 105mm Macro from Sigma and also the 14mm GM (but a seperate filter holder is needed)

A Sony 100-400 GM F4.5-5.6 is ore flexible for sports or birding with 1.4x & 2X teleconverters. U can also used Sony Full Frame lenses to Nikon Z mount with Magadap ETZ 21 Pro AF or Neewer , Meike adapters. There are lens cases for this 200-600 or 150-600 mm lenses and affordable.

I have the same Canon setup as you and I've been interested in Sony too, especially that lens, it's literally half the cost of the 100-500 in Australia. Can wait to see what you think

Well you will have all the bases covered. I shoot two systems and going back and forth can be crazy sometimes, can’t imagine juggling three systems.

I have that tamron 35-150, and it is a great basketball lens on a ff body (apsc will limit its usefull range. I can highly recommend the tamron 70-180 btw.

I bought the Sony 200-600mm for my A7 m4. I shoot birds, such as warblers. You need to get pretty close to them because they are tiny birds, I just couldn't get them in focus even when they were perched on a branch just 20 feet away. Went home and checked on the minimum focus distance at 600mm. It was 50 feet which rendered the lens useless for me. I sold it and got the Sigma 150-600mm sport. That is sharp and gets me to 15 feet at 600mm. I just bought the A6700 on a whim. It works real well with my Tamron 50-400, so I'm expecting good things when I put the Sigma on it.

Have Sony 200-600 with a9ii and a6100. Love these combinations

I’m one of the first on the waiting list for the Sony a6700. In DSLR land I was a Canon shooter for years. When Sony came out with their a7Riii, the first serious mirrorless camera for bird photography, I purchased that with the Sony 100-400. I loved that combo and upgraded to the a7Riv and have used that with both the 100-400 and the 200-600. I’m waiting for the Canon R5 mark 2, or the Sony a1 mark ii. Still waiting. So, in the interim I purchased the Canon R7 and the Canon R 100-500 and have been using that for a year. I love the reach but I’ve not been too successful with getting small birds in bushes in focus. Also the rolling shutter is awful and I have the same issue Duane Paton has. It also has trouble picking up fairly small birds in flight, something the Sony is so great at! So, we’ll see how this next combo, the a6700 and the Sony 100-400 and 200-600 work. I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts on it.

Gratz on the lens. Bet you will make the a6700 shine.

Oh wow, I’m looking forward to your reviews of the Sony camera. I wish I could keep up with you on gear! I have a friend who went from Nikon DSLR to a Sony mirrorless. The only knock on Sony he said was their menu is difficult to use. Not sure what he meant but guess you will soon see.

Not a lens suggestion or an APS-C camera but you can get a used Sony A9 pretty cheap as well. The viewfinder on those A6xxx cameras are tiny compared. Not to mention it is a snappy camera and you get those silent 20 frames a second. I have an A9 and the A6400

I had that Sony lens i loved the quality i had it on the Sony a9 body. I found it too heavy and then i switched over to yhe Canon r7 and a few different birding lenses

Variety is the spice of life! It will be interesting to hear your feedback after you get some time with Sony gear.

Got my 200-600mm last week. I like the lens even it's big and heavy. Ordered a6700. Hopefully it arrive in this week. I need new camera so badly because autofocus with a6000 is not that good when birding. I have also sony 70-350mm and tamron 17-70mm.

As Nikon user (Z50) and hobbyist photographer I mainly shot while traveling, family events and general photography. I been toying with the idea of wildlife photography, but don't want to spend lots of money on zoom lens. The Nikon new 180-600 is really tempting, but as you know the Z50 AF is subpar compare to Canon and Sony. I thought of the Canon R7, but Canon RF lenses are too expensive. Not a big fan of Sony color science, so for now I sticking with my Z50. Who knows maybe Nikon will introduce a new D500 mirrorless replacement. Looking forward to your thoughts on Sony 6700.

I have just traded my Sony 100-400 GM lens for the Tamron17-70 f/2.8 and the Sony 70 -350 f/4.5-6.3 lenses plus a new Godox speedlight to replace my tired old Nissin speedlight. I also have the Sony 10-18 f/4 lens, Had it for years and it just a great little lens, I also have the 200-600 as well, plus a bunch of primes the Samyang 8mm F/2.8, the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 & 30 f/1.4 and the Sony 50mm f/1.8 and Sony 90mm F/2.8 macro That is the good thing about Sony is there are just so many lenses available. The a6700 is the next purchase!!

I happen to shoot with Canon for now, but all the big names make some great stuff 🙂 No loyalty here. I know how much you like that R7 + 100-500 combo, so I think with better AEF, and an extra 100mm reach, your going to love that new Sony setup 🙂👍 I couldn’t agree more that my body HAS to be APS-C ! So for now, I don’t have much choice, but the Canon R7. Don’t have any choice on my lens either. That has to be the RF 800 F11. I would Love to see some upgrades with both my body and my lens, but until then, I don’t see anything better for my purposes. How many MP’s will that new Sony be ? Hopefully 30 or more….

I have the sony a7rv with sony 24-105 f4 and the sigma 60-600mm 4.5-6.3 dg dn sport and all was great till the sigma was missing focus badly. I think mostly in continuous autofocus. The sony lens is amazing but the sigma now fails on the telle end mostly and about 23% hit rate vs 94% . Anyone else have this issue? No damage, new, and barely used. Even sent in and sigma replaced lens groups 5 and 6 and it is better but not what it was. Lemon maybe? 🍋

Why not switch to crop mode on a FF camera?

Even my Sony a6400 does well with bird eye detect. The a6700 is way better though. I had the choice of upgrading my lens or body. Decided to go with the 200-600 Sony and keep my a6400 that works just fine. It’s mint and has low mileage. So. I’ll wait for a used a6700 at some point.

You mentioned the Z8 and Z9 which brought me an idea. You could use the 8 or 9 in the crop mode and still have the same pixel pitch as the D500 but with the autofocus and subject tracking. Not to mention the 20-30fps shooting. Just a thought

Phil this should be an interesting setup. I tried the Sony 6400. I wanted to use it for a small sports set up. I really wanted to love it. But, as a right handed shooter but left eye dominant, it drove me nuts. The 6400’s auto focus was excellent along with tracking. But the poor ergonomics and being left eye dominate. The range finder style didn’t work for me. If they would make an APSC in a 7 style body. I’d be all over it.

Hi Phil, this was an interesting video. I have been shooting for 60 years, I have shot every system, and most formats. It is great to experiment , you never know till you try.. Overall the Hasselblad was the best med format , and maybe best Overall. When everyone was shooting Canon and Nikon, I was shooting Pentax screw mount that could possibly be the best 35 system. I know people say other ,but you will be hard pressed to beat their lenses. Thanks for letting me ramble, again great video.

Hey Phil, I use the 200-600+1.4x tc with the A9 and the A6600 and the Tamron 11-20 f2,8(aps-c) 17-28 f2.8, 28-200 f2.8-5.6 my wildlife/nature/landscape set up at the moment

Why do you prefer crop cameras for birds? Is it because of the extra crop zoom?

Tamron has a 17-70 2.8 for sony apsc and its great

I have a nikon D500 with the 200-500mm lens and don't get me wrong its amazing as i do alot of fast fighter jet picture's, i recently then boughta sony A7iv with the 200-600mm lens.... my nikon has not come out of the bag since. Sony real nailed it this time. I would defo recommend the 200-600mm lens from Sony

In the last few years I have bought quite a lot of second hand kit, my 'as new' Canon 100-400Lii was half the new price, £1200. But I have a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 £1100, the new Canon 100-300 f2.8 is over £11000. I also get new stuff online, Hong Kong based UK companies, I saved nearly £2000 when I picked up my R5. I don't want to try other brands, too confusing, still I hope you have fun with your Sony.

How are you going to deal with Sony a6700 having 11fps top?

Buy a 24-70 g master it's an amazing lense and not bad price

Buy the a7R V instead of the a6700! In crop mode both are the same 26mpx but the a7rV offers lots more (just 2sd cards is enough a difference)

You can get an A7RV and use it in crop mode for birding and get the same megapixels as the 6700. Two cameras in one!

I got mine for 1440$/€ 2nd hand with warranty plus acessories, all in perfect condition

If you get the Sony A6700 you could get the Sony 70-350 and that lens is great if you want something small for quick birds.

Wow. 1399 sounds pretty good. Unfortunately here in europe the a6700 retails for atleast 1700.

You know your camera journey is taking you there, just come back to Nikon now. 😁 Looking forward to your Sony adventures.

I have the Sigma 18-50mm for my Fuji X-T5 and it’s a great every day lens. It would be the same for Sony.

25% less effective resolution than an R7 (accounting for the crop difference), but 20% more reach than a 100-500. Should be interesting to see how the tradeoffs work out.

Why didmt you get the new Nikon 180-600???

You probably have what you need but I thought I would comment none the less... I have 2 Sony APSC cameras 3 zoom lenses.... Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 and Sony 70-350 everything fits in a small bag which my wife will carry for me I'll carry the big stuff including the Sony 200-600

I sold my 200-600 to MPB. It was pristine with box and papers, so if anyone is buying this lens from MPB, know that you are getting a well cared for copy. 👍🏼

The Sony 200-600mm just blows me away all the time with it's image quality, the sharpness at F6.3 is perfectly fine but sometimes gets a bit inconsistent at close focus and at different points in the zoom but the quality is absolutely magic at F8 all the time.

My 200-600 was so soft , i hope yours will be better .

You can always return it...

very interested , following

Good luck with the Sony menu's, that was 1 thing that put me off Sony's.

Sony GMs are the way to go, when you need a speedy sharp AF-Lens.

Just buy the z8 and put it in crop mode best if both world

Toss some blue locktite on that tripod foot screw if needed. Never ant to chance that coming lose..

Will Heather be going Sony too?

If I didn’t have the Fuji I’d probably go Sony for that lens. Similar to my lens but faster.

You should have waited for the better IMO Nikon 180-600 f5.6 - 4.5 with the Z Mount advantage

Why do you like the apsc sensor? Just get a Sony a7r5 and shoot it in crop mode. Apsc camera battery life sucks

Tamron 17-70 F2.8. That lens never leaves my A6700

Full Frame rules in the IQ dept and 600 is plenty