"Joy to my life" That's what it's all about really! Thanks for saying that and thanks for a great video 😊 I've been thinking about getting this lens for a while and have been watching some videos about it here on KZfaq. You just convinced me! Thank you 😊

Man I’m so thankful for this video - I’ve had this lens for a month and the struggles I’ve had is adjusting to the things you mentioned, to the point I’ve been starting to regret my choice. My images don’t come out as expected or as sharp and I’ve not quite got used to the adjustment I’m needing to make with settings. So seeing you discuss these is reassuring that it’s not just me!

I’m glad I found your channel. I enjoy your style. I Have an a7iv on the way and planning to buy this lens soon. Got a new subscriber 😊

Nice! I just got my 200-600 today and can’t wait to get out and start shooting. I have my 2x tele converter I used on my 70-200 on it now and wow! It’s a f13 but getting out to 1200mm is going to be something amazing. Anyways…keep up the great videos. I look forward to seeing more on the 200-600 📷👍🏼

Luv your enthusiasm and keep on enjoying what you are doing. I use the 1.4 T/C when the light is good and i am well impressed with my shots. Luv it.

The Sony 200-600mm is great. The 1.4x teleconverter may not be needed, a personal choice, but going to APS-C mode is a 1.5x operation (you will be using the center of the sensor where AF will be faster). The 2X teleconverter is a must for anything +100 yards you get a 1800mm images (kinda sorta), but doing say a moon capture the moon will fill the image, great for lunar eclipse for a close-up But stick to 1200 or even 600 that way you get stars also and with most any program you can crop it and resize because also the moon moves and the closer the shot the more movement so a faster SS. For walking around YES a tripod or monopod the best is using a binocular harness, it will be at the ready on your chest. I keep the 2x teleconverter on most all the time, you may say that makes it a f/11+ and less light well so be it. Say capturing a Great White Egret or anything with feathers or hair with Zebras on at + 109 you will have to use the +/- EV dial to rid or lower. WHY? To get feather detail, if highlights not controlled you endup with just a white blob no detail, so a 2x is kind of helping. Look you also get DOF anyway! As far as cropping and MP camera for detail, rent a A7riv - it does make a difference but if not a pro selling a A7Rii will kick it also. Lastly I started with the Sigma 150-600mm that needed an adapter (it was the canon model) plus used the 1.4x and 2x before the Sony came out and I had a Canon T2i, the problem using any Canon [(or Nikon) you can look it up] is when using a teleconverter it will be above f/8 and AF will not work, on a Sony and combo getting above f/11 it affects tracking - I have had no problems but if you have the subject covering the entire frame you are the tracker not the camera.The plus of each lens is while following a fast bird that flies behind trees or bushes with no leaves and using HI+ shooting (10+ frames) the subject will stay in focus and the tree limbs will be blurry but also will be in focus on the other side! In Oct '14 I did a lunar eclipse with a Canon FD 200-400mm on the A7s and the surface was sharp also did a lot of birds and all were very sharp not a pro just like to play!

Thanx bro nice info I've been thinking of pull the trigger on this lens

Thanks so much man! Loved your enthusiasm for the 600mm focal length. Also loved your cat!! I’ve got two myself and once I now purchase this lens I’ll be practicing on them first! 😂

Nice vid bro. Keep it up!

I have the same lens strap for my setup with the Sony A7RIV and 200-600, love it. Great video bro

Thanks for the follow up. I have Tamron 150-500 and rented the 200-600 to see what extra 100mm would mean and if my focus hits would be better. Yes the 100mm is a difference and I had a little better hit rate. It's a beautiful lens mechanically and optically on the a7RV. The biggest thing I noticed is being able the move the zoom ring with my thumb opposed to having manually zoom the Tamron out without internal focus. I can't imagine bringing the Sony traveling, where the Tamron is just enough more compact to make it packable.

Video is one area where Micro Four Thirds still has the advantage when it comes to handheld shooting at these long focal lengths. I can shoot with my G9 and 100-400 (800mm FF equivalent) handheld 10-bit 4K no problem - the stabilisation on this combo is insanely good, and of course it's about half the weight which really helps. Obviously there's also about a 2 stop disadvantage for noise, but in practice the noise in video has not been an issue for me, it's more of a problem for photos (but things like Topaz Denoise clean it up nicely).

Sub'd. I like your style of presenting. I'm looking to buy this lens. I think I've made my mind up watching this vid. Yep, my Peak strap is definitely my friend.

I love my 200-600. I ended up getting a nice Kirk replacement foot that has a quick disconnect on it. I use a Rose Anvil single strap and it's just amazing. I used the Peak Desgin with the anchors on the points you use in this video. I found it awkward the way the lens would hang this way. I'm not sure about anyone else but i seem to get a better keeper rate with the steady shot on mode 2.

Good stuff, thanks for the video. I use the Sony 100-400 with 1.4x for Wildlife. I rented the 200-600 and found it noticeably sharper at 600 than the 100-400x1.4 at 560. But I love the 100-400 for some landscapes. I wish I could afford both.

An awesome, honest video. I love seeing and hearing the joy with photography. If I may make a suggestion as to you wanting to try different lenses, think about renting. That lens does need light - so does the Tamron and the Sigma at 600mm. You can compensate with exposure compensation, at least I can with my Canon and Nikons, to get as low as a 1/160th or 1/90th in the rain. Heck, I was out shooting my R7 with my 500 F4 and 1.4 tele putting me at 1120mm. That is fun, but I do use a monopod or full gimbal at that range. As far as cropping, .... there is usually no way around it. My philosophy that works for me, is the larger the sensor, the more I can crop and still be happy. I am a new subscriber to your channel and i will look forward to seeing you videos!!! 🤗❤

This is the next lens I’m getting ! Just got the Sony a7rv and got the 70-200mm 2.8ii with it and love that set up so going to get this lens next and going to also get the 1.4 and the 2x converter to try out for here in alaska to take pics of bears and the Engels here

G'day mate, yeh loved mine heaps but now that I introduced my partner to wildlife photography, I have not used it for a year now as she loves it that much so I hooked it up to my a9 and she is starting to impress me. So I am considering the GM 600f4 but i cannot justify the $20.000 price tag here in Australia, meanwhile I settle for the GM 70-200ii connected to my a1, now thats a bloody beauty too just not quite close enough for the eagles we chase. Nice vid dude, I look fwd to your next 1.

Thanks for the film. Really useful for me. I'm currently doing my research on cameras and lenses for wildlife photography. This Sony lense does seem to be the best option. I was looking to pair it with the Sony a6400 which isn't full frame but looks to be a good camera for my budget. I'd be interested to know what you or any others think. Thanks again and I'll keep an eye out for your future posts. Beautiful cat by the way !

I had a 200-600 n struggled every time I used it. Too bulky n generally unsucessful shooting birds in flight. Now hav changed it for a 100-400 n life is so much more pleasant(used with a 1.4 teleconverter :)

I got this several months ago and really like it. But a few things I notice: I have to 'be in the mood' for wildlife photography, it's something I wanted to add to my arsenal, hence I bought this lens, but lugging this around all day is pretty hard work. As I've had it mostly during the dark wintertime here in Scotland I've not taken it out as much as I'd wanted to. I normally shoot street/urban/landscape so it is a very different proposition. The other thing is that the camera really matters with this beast. I shoot on an old A7 and the camera holds me back quite a lot with this lens. The AF just isn't good enough to track birds in flight and that means that I now realise why the A9 series exists... The A7 is still absolutely fine for my other photography needs, but I wish I had realised that it would not work well with this lens. The Custom function buttons on the lens aren't programmable on the A7 either.

Loved the cat at the end! I wish there were longer focal length lenses for APS-C (lighter). I have a a Canon M50 Mark II and am still dreaming of one day getting the Sigma 150-600mm.

Thanks for an honest note Thanks for an honest reviews. There are some people who think that you should rather have 100-400 sony with teleconverter. But it seems that the Sony 200-600mm is a better choice even if it is a bit big. 🙂

I bought my Sony 200-600 almost two years ago and have not used it yet. How silly is that!😳 But I know I will use it and at the time I had the money so no regrets. I switched from Canon to Sony back then. I only use APS-C bodies for birding so had a Canon 60D and EF300mm f/4 L and EF400mm f/5.6 L lenses and a 1.4x teleconverter. The 300mm lens is an IS lens and worked very well with the 1.4x converter, a combo that made better images than the 400/5.6 (I got a less than stellar example of the 400mm even though I bought it new). I plan to keep the 300mm lens because it is that good but have been trying to sell the 400mm with no luck, unless I want to basically give it away. Anyway, thanks for the video. I need to get out and use my Sony A6600 and the 200-600. And thanks for the tip about the Peak Design strap. I have a couple of their slide lite and leash models but think I will get the heavier Slide model like you have and dedicate it to the Sony 200-600 to better distribute the weight. Here's hoping you get some decent weather and a running car soon.👍 BTW, another very good Sony lens is the 70-350mm OSS lens in terms of image quality. On my Sony A6600 camera it is equal to a 105 to 525mm lens. I think you'd have to use it in crop mode on a full frame camera, but it is excellent as a lighter package for outdoors/nature photography. I bought a tripod collar for it that makes a world of difference when using the lens at the long end even though it too is image stabilized.

I had the Sony a7rii and I hated it 40+ MP was way too much and needed more light then what I was used to. I now have the Sony A7iv and I couldn’t be happier. So consider that if you get a high MP camera

Hi ,Malcon which would you recommend between 200-600 or 70-200 f.2.8 gm II with Sony a6700 maybe with a 2x teleconverter

I shoot this lens on my Sony a6400, and LOVE IT!! ❤ My only complaint is the low light issue. Like you said , auto ISO helps . I use it for wildlife, and mostly shoot hand held. You will get used to the weight Great video 👍

You are one of the few people who know: A tripod is a must, especially when you narrate. Speech mistakes can be cut out here and there ... here is your "excellence" Never keep the zoom level the same for the next shot. You changed it slightly and it works perfect. Another way is to change the tripod position slightly (or use two different cameras on tripods). Besides, your narrative is perfect and informative. I just miss a couple of "example shots" with your lens. The cups are beautiful example how objects in the foreground deepen the image, even when slightly out of focus. If you happen to drink, don't cut it out, it's part of the "action" and gives the audience a short break. You see how different shooting video and shooting photo can be. Good luck.

I use this lens with A1 for surf photography and videography. So many times I have forced myself to pretend it to be a 600mm f4 GM prime, or 400mm f2.8 GM prime (by prohibiting myself to touch the zoom ring for 10 minutes) just to test if any of those 2 lenses would be at all usable for me, and the answer has always be a clear NO. 400mm is too short (for surf) 85% of the time, 600mm becomes too long (especially in video mode because I shoot 4K 120fps S&Q slow-motion videos mostly, wich come with an additional 1.2x crop on the A1, making the 600mm -> 720mm) as the surfer approaches me and I am unable to zoom out. The only thing I would trade-up this lens for would be for a (non-existant) 300-800mm f5.6-6.3 GM zoom. (I have tried and returned TC1.4)

One trick you can use when the light is low, is lowering your shutter speed to 1/50 and fire off shots. You’ll only get 1/100 sharp on small birds, but it’s better than getting 100 sharp shots at iso 25600

Filming with it is much more forgiving as going up to 4K@120fps and 1/250s is still doable even in dim lighting conditions.

Putting the camera on automatic ISO is surely a very good idea. If there is too much noise, try Topaz Labs' Denoise AI.

Hi man, nice video. I share a lot of your thoughts on the light gathering; I've learnt to shoot at 12,800 which I would have never touched before! Just one note on your video; The wide angle distortion in the corners of the video is really, really off-putting - I would be tempted to shoot in Super35 mode to cut out some of that. Cheers!

If Canon would make this I'd be all,over it. But still very happy with the RF 100-500 7.1

Be honest, who's here for the cat?

apsc mode seems like a good idea but it stops you from physically getting closer most times. Closer normally means you get a cleaner images. I have shot with it for over a year and my other shooter who does not would get slightly closer and I was wondering why their images looked better than mines and that was the reason.

For me, Lighter the better. Used sigma 150-600mm for 4 years and sold it recently mostly because of weight and purchasing canon 100-500 for RF mount. It is much more lighter than sony 200-600, sigma 150-600 or tamron which makes photography more enjoyable and versatile. If I need extra reach I can either put 1.4x teleconverter or use crop mode. I find 100-500 perfect specially 100mm end which is perfect for close up and environmental shots.

Oo.. Nice. will u give me, can I buy sir..

The Sigma 60-600 has better image stabilization than this lens I've heard.

That lens is soft....save your money and get the 100-400 with a TC .... it is sharper and lighter to carry on a strap. Sony needs to come out with a new updated for higher Mpxl sensors. If you need one, get a used one &save your money; don't buy a new one.