DjAlbatros
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First of all, it is very clear to me that there are numerous threads about this subject already (1 , 2 , 3 , 4, 5, ...) but I didn't find them very bundled or clear. And there are some additional questions for my specific setup so here we go...
Currently, I have the following setup:
- A7RIII
- Sony FE 70-300mm
I am using this setup for wildlife and birds because at the time of buying this combo I didn't want to spend more on a zoom lens. Having played with this telelens for over one year it is time for something different, better and longer. As there are only a few native options, there are numerous third-party options:
NATIVE:
-FE 400 mm F2.8 GM OSS: way out of my league and financially not feasible. And I don't want to be stuck at fixed zoom.
- G Master FE 100-400mm: seems to be the best native compact zoom for a "decent" price.
- A-mount 70–400 mm F4–5.6 G SSM II with Sony adapter: anyone has experience with this one how it compares to the 100-400 and what is the best adapter to use to get most functionality?
THIRD-PARTY:
- TAMRON 150-600mm G2 A-mount seems to be the best option for A7RII
- SIGMA 150-600mm S or C
What I like about these third-party lenses is the extra reach which comes in really handy for me (wildlife living in trees, birds flying over or sitting in trees quite far away). It can be a challenging environment where I mostly shoot in. Dark (the sun doesn't always get through the jungle canopy) and fast-moving objects, portability is also a plus...
So I would be willing to sacrifice some functionality in the favor of reach...BUT...not completely.
I have never used adapters on my Sony body so I really don't know how it feels using them with third-party lenses. I have seen many videos already related to my search for a good tele.
As a photographer, I use certain functions on my A7RIII a lot and maybe those are important for my lens choice so that's why I want to share them:
- I use crop mode a lot and have it assigned to C1 (APSC toggle) for that extra reach when needed.
- I also use AF/MF toggle a lot and have it assigned to C2 for quick changing so I can get my object tack sharp adjusting manually where needed.
- When focusing manually I use the focus magnifier all the time for 2 reasons. First as binoculars to identify my object. Second as a magnifier to get the focus spot on.
- My settings for wildlife are usually HI+ / AF-C / Flexible spot S / Aperture mode with min SS set to 1/125 or 1/250 to avoid blurry birds / metering mode MULTI.
So the questions are:
Are these settings available on an adapter and third party lens?
Can I still crop a 150-600 with adapter to a 225-900mm?
Can I still toggle AF / MF?
Will the magnifier still work properly? Currently, the stabilization of this combo is quite good so the magnifier works really well.
Will the third-party stabilization (if there is any) work well with the Sony IBIS?
I am aware there will be focus modes and areas unavailable with certain adapters and I do realize that "works well" is subjective but since I explained my current setup maybe there are people out there that have (had) both and can really compare with the same reference as me.
Oh and what about the rumors for a new Sony native telephoto? I'm guessing it will empty my bank account
Maybe Sigma or Tamron will release a well-priced version soon??...
I would like to conclude with a gallery of images I found in other threads as a good reference for other people who are seeking the same answers and comparisons.
Tamron 150-600 (with different Sony bodies)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/71187330@N08/sets/72157670450229086/with/27771342080/
https://explorecams.com/photos/pair/ilce-7rm2=150-600mm-f5-6-3-ssm
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60941589
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60806074
Sigma 150-600 (with different Sony bodies)
https://explorecams.com/photos/pair/ilce-7rm2=sigma-150-600mm-f-5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-c
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4221276
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4279494
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60704889
And at last for the people who want to see my work with this setup, it is displayed here
Thanks in advance!
Currently, I have the following setup:
- A7RIII
- Sony FE 70-300mm
I am using this setup for wildlife and birds because at the time of buying this combo I didn't want to spend more on a zoom lens. Having played with this telelens for over one year it is time for something different, better and longer. As there are only a few native options, there are numerous third-party options:
NATIVE:
-
- G Master FE 100-400mm: seems to be the best native compact zoom for a "decent" price.
- A-mount 70–400 mm F4–5.6 G SSM II with Sony adapter: anyone has experience with this one how it compares to the 100-400 and what is the best adapter to use to get most functionality?
THIRD-PARTY:
- TAMRON 150-600mm G2 A-mount seems to be the best option for A7RII
- SIGMA 150-600mm S or C
What I like about these third-party lenses is the extra reach which comes in really handy for me (wildlife living in trees, birds flying over or sitting in trees quite far away). It can be a challenging environment where I mostly shoot in. Dark (the sun doesn't always get through the jungle canopy) and fast-moving objects, portability is also a plus...
So I would be willing to sacrifice some functionality in the favor of reach...BUT...not completely.
I have never used adapters on my Sony body so I really don't know how it feels using them with third-party lenses. I have seen many videos already related to my search for a good tele.
As a photographer, I use certain functions on my A7RIII a lot and maybe those are important for my lens choice so that's why I want to share them:
- I use crop mode a lot and have it assigned to C1 (APSC toggle) for that extra reach when needed.
- I also use AF/MF toggle a lot and have it assigned to C2 for quick changing so I can get my object tack sharp adjusting manually where needed.
- When focusing manually I use the focus magnifier all the time for 2 reasons. First as binoculars to identify my object. Second as a magnifier to get the focus spot on.
- My settings for wildlife are usually HI+ / AF-C / Flexible spot S / Aperture mode with min SS set to 1/125 or 1/250 to avoid blurry birds / metering mode MULTI.
So the questions are:
Are these settings available on an adapter and third party lens?
Can I still crop a 150-600 with adapter to a 225-900mm?
Can I still toggle AF / MF?
Will the magnifier still work properly? Currently, the stabilization of this combo is quite good so the magnifier works really well.
Will the third-party stabilization (if there is any) work well with the Sony IBIS?
I am aware there will be focus modes and areas unavailable with certain adapters and I do realize that "works well" is subjective but since I explained my current setup maybe there are people out there that have (had) both and can really compare with the same reference as me.
Oh and what about the rumors for a new Sony native telephoto? I'm guessing it will empty my bank account
I would like to conclude with a gallery of images I found in other threads as a good reference for other people who are seeking the same answers and comparisons.
Tamron 150-600 (with different Sony bodies)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/71187330@N08/sets/72157670450229086/with/27771342080/
https://explorecams.com/photos/pair/ilce-7rm2=150-600mm-f5-6-3-ssm
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60941589
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60806074
Sigma 150-600 (with different Sony bodies)
https://explorecams.com/photos/pair/ilce-7rm2=sigma-150-600mm-f-5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-c
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4221276
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4279494
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60704889
And at last for the people who want to see my work with this setup, it is displayed here
Thanks in advance!
Last edited:
