Amazing lens - but not perfect for birding.

SafariBob

Veteran Member
Messages
5,355
Solutions
3
Reaction score
2,425
Location
Nyc, NY, US
It's an incredible lens for the money. It fully resolves 50+ mp sensors under good conditions, and perfect for any intentional wildlife excursion. It's also decent as a portrait super tele or tele landscapes. It competes well with the 200-400 1.4 tc lenses of the DSLR era, but obviously it does not do the 200-400 f4 part for sports.

What I have come to realize it is not, is an opportunistic lens. So, for ornithologists mainly wanting to go for walks and see birds, I do think it's too much too carry, and something like the sigma 500 5.6 would be more appropriate.
 
This lens is not sharp like others. It is simply the only option in this range and it has very nice ergonomics. This does not make it a great lens but the only lens people can afford like the various Sigma 150-600 Tamron 150-500

This is a 100% magnified crop from a full frame uncropped image covering the whole bird

The detail is just not there

155d493c858240d7bd21987788873226.jpg.png
Not a keeper, unfortunately. Out of focus, noisy, blown highlights. No wonder the detail is just not there.
this is a similar 1:1 crop with Panasonic Leica 200mm on Micro Four Thirds

Even if the subject is smaller the details are there this lens is much better than the Sony 200-600
You must be joking.
3df9554737ef4690a77bb4d29447c86c.jpg.png

According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

The Panasonic resolves 90 lp/mm with a 16 megapixel sensor
And apparently puts out a blurred artifact laden mess as above.
Here I shot with a 20 megapixel sensor but in essence the two systems produce at the end the same result.
In their dreams.
So you don't loose anything going micro four thirds and the system is lighter
I don't 'loose" (sic) anything at all except the edges compared to the 600 f4.
Ultimately the point is if you want to go full frame for super high quality wildlife you need primes.
No thanks. I'll keep that money for a couple of trips to Africa or the Pantanal and I won't ever be limited to 600mm, which for me is a disqualifier in itself. The 200-600 outresolves my a7rIV center to mid at every FL with no problem whatsoever.
The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
Any dope can produce a sharp 600 mm prime lens that costs fourteen thousand dollars. The real challenge is to produce a variable FL which is equally sharp center to mid under two thousand and focuses equally fast. (Per Steve Perry.) Sony has done it, as well as a 400-800 and they have well earned the many accolades appurtenant thereto.

600mm TDC
600mm TDC

Which is which?

600mm TDC
600mm TDC
 
This lens is not sharp like others. It is simply the only option in this range and it has very nice ergonomics. This does not make it a great lens but the only lens people can afford like the various Sigma 150-600 Tamron 150-500

This is a 100% magnified crop from a full frame uncropped image covering the whole bird

The detail is just not there

155d493c858240d7bd21987788873226.jpg.png
Not a keeper, unfortunately. Out of focus, noisy, blown highlights. No wonder the detail is just not there.
this is a similar 1:1 crop with Panasonic Leica 200mm on Micro Four Thirds

Even if the subject is smaller the details are there this lens is much better than the Sony 200-600
You must be joking.
3df9554737ef4690a77bb4d29447c86c.jpg.png

According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

The Panasonic resolves 90 lp/mm with a 16 megapixel sensor
And apparently puts out a blurred artifact laden mess as above.
Here I shot with a 20 megapixel sensor but in essence the two systems produce at the end the same result.
In their dreams.
So you don't loose anything going micro four thirds and the system is lighter
I don't 'loose" (sic) anything at all except the edges compared to the 600 f4.
Ultimately the point is if you want to go full frame for super high quality wildlife you need primes.
No thanks. I'll keep that money for a couple of trips to Africa or the Pantanal and I won't ever be limited to 600mm, which for me is a disqualifier in itself. The 200-600 outresolves my a7rIV center to mid at every FL with no problem whatsoever.
The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
Any dope can produce a sharp 600 mm prime lens that costs fourteen thousand dollars. The real challenge is to produce a variable FL which is equally sharp center to mid under two thousand and focuses equally fast. (Per Steve Perry.) Sony has done it, as well as a 400-800 and they have well earned the many accolades appurtenant thereto.

600mm TDC
600mm TDC

Which is which?

600mm TDC
600mm TDC
Book an eye test followed by examination of placebo

looking at your fickr galleries am not sure you have anything to boast!

--
If you like my image I would appreciate if you follow me on social media
instagram http://instagram.com/interceptor121
My flickr sets http://www.flickr.com/photos/interceptor121/
Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/interceptor121
Underwater Photo and Video Blog http://interceptor121.com
If you want to get in touch don't send me a PM rather contact me directly at my website/social media
 
Last edited:
you can make a billboard if you want but the detail is not there
I agree it is not there in the shot that you posted, but disagree for the shot that I posted. I fwill leave it at that.
When something is close maybe but at the working range of a medium bird in flight not really
which is aligned to another review here

No comment of what each one of us decides to print or not
 
When something is close maybe but at the working range of a medium bird in flight not really
which is aligned to another review here

No comment of what each one of us decides to print or not
We must agree - Interceptor121 is right, regardless of others' experience because . . . Interceptor121 is always right.

Steve
 
When something is close maybe but at the working range of a medium bird in flight not really
which is aligned to another review here

No comment of what each one of us decides to print or not
We must agree - Interceptor121 is right, regardless of others' experience because . . . Interceptor121 is always right.

Steve
What I posted here is lenstip review which is aligned to the most competent review here

you don’t have to agree but posting shots mediocre shots at short distance is not helping the cause

majority of emount super tele are average lenses this one has better built than optical performance

note am not saying there are better super tele they are all average. See sigma 150-600 is not an amazing lens but for years that was the only affordable option on a dslr so it was the best lens because there was no other lens

issue is when someone that owns the 200-600 in question gets annoyed because suddenly their toy is not loved by everyone

grow up
 
issue is when someone that owns the 200-600 in question gets annoyed because suddenly their toy is not loved by everyone

grow up
Interceptor121,

Got it.

However, a trend I've noticed since I've started recognizing your comments is that whatever the thread is about, and however, innocuously it ends, the thread usually end up with you explaining why your insights about whatever are superior to those of the other posters. Your comments are almost always polite (you even used little letters to tell me to grow up), but nonetheless, your commenting practice is noticeable.

I shouldn't even read the posts but hey, it's a guilty pleasure, kind or like smelling . . .

Steve
 
Ok lens for amateur bird photography according to Optyczne (lenstip)
"...amateur"? And just "ok"? Given that full time professional bird photographer Roman Kurywczak has made a lot of use of the Sigma zooms such as the 150-600 Contemporary, and expresses great satisfaction with their performance, I conclude that Optyczne/Lenstip need to get down from the fake elitist pedestal and bestow appropriate praise. Because this lens beats those Sigmas.

cheers
gear is likley 5% of the equation ,having big expensive primes just sort of gives you some credence in wildlife fraternity ,but the magic comes from other sources mainly light ,subject and knowledge .
Not really
really so what sony lenses give blurry images ,and blurry images could be the intent of the photographer for impressionist effect
lens properties are important most times more than the camera
They can be but photographers know this but lenses have become so now days even the chinese ones perform at a level of perfection
And a blurry images with nice colors is just blurry
really now we all know what we like ,but your not going to win any more awards with sharp image than a intended blurry image ,its the photographers intent ,or the moment ,light ,behaviour, and understanding of the subject that wins ,gear is just gear and only component of your photography.unique images tend be better imo regardless of sharpness of your image ,
This lens is not sharp like others. It is simply the only option in this range and it has very nice ergonomics. This does not make it a great lens but the only lens people can afford like the various Sigma 150-600 Tamron 150-500
You have a very pointed view on what great is (technical perfection above all else), but for me this is the greatest lens I have in my collection (even with the 600 f/4) because it is such an effective gateway drug. No it's not razor crispy sharp like the other GMs, but it's more than adequate for what you get.

View attachment 20cd3043134148108b47227800f6ecc4.jpg
This is a 100% magnified crop from a full frame uncropped image covering the whole bird

The detail is just not there

155d493c858240d7bd21987788873226.jpg.png

this is a similar 1:1 crop with Panasonic Leica 200mm on Micro Four Thirds

Even if the subject is smaller the details are there this lens is much better than the Sony 200-600

3df9554737ef4690a77bb4d29447c86c.jpg.png
Honestly the first picture looks better. First one looks like you're just too far away, second one looks waxy.
According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

The Panasonic resolves 90 lp/mm with a 16 megapixel sensor
Since the results are in lines per mm, pixel density is much more important here. The LP/mm would've been much fairer of a comparison if they used the A7RIV/V's 61MP sensor. Alternatively if the subject covers the frame equally across both systems, use the LP/LH instead for a wholistic measurement.
Here I shot with a 20 megapixel sensor but in essence the two systems produce at the end the same result. So you don't loose anything going micro four thirds and the system is lighter

Ultimately the point is if you want to go full frame for super high quality wildlife you need primes. The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
I tend to agree with you - FF advantage is not in telephotos unless you have big primes like the 400 f/2.8, which for some reason there's no 200 f/1.4 or 300 f/2 lens for MFT. That being said, the Panasonic you mentioned is 2x the price of the 200-600, so hardly a fair comparison there.
A lens being ‘affordable’ if that’s what a £1599 lens is doesn’t make it great it is ok for the price

on sony emount there is no middle ground on tele foto next stop 600/4 that here is £11999

the leica is or was £2,199 and yes better lens than many
You're getting fleeced in the UK - the Leica is 1.5x-2x more expensive here (~$2200 AUD for the Sony, $3,600 AUD for the Leica).

That being said, the fairer comparison here is the 300mm Olympus, not the 200mm. Now that lens made me almost fall to the dark side........

Also, just for funsies, I wanted to see what the MTF of the 200-600 was compared to other lenses. Let's take the 70-200GMII, with LP/PH:

https://opticallimits.com/sony/sony-fe-70-200mm-f-2-8-gm-oss-ii-review/
https://opticallimits.com/sony/sony-fe-200-600mm-f-5-6-6-3-g-oss-review/

Pretty comparable, and I don't think it's controversial to say that the 70-200GMII is a very sharp lens in general.

Onto our favourite topic dUe dILiGenCE, I don't know where you got your numbers from Lenstip from:
So, where did your numbers come from?
 
Last edited:
issue is when someone that owns the 200-600 in question gets annoyed because suddenly their toy is not loved by everyone

grow up
Interceptor121,

Got it.

However, a trend I've noticed since I've started recognizing your comments is that whatever the thread is about, and however, innocuously it ends, the thread usually end up with you explaining why your insights about whatever are superior to those of the other posters. Your comments are almost always polite (you even used little letters to tell me to grow up), but nonetheless, your commenting practice is noticeable.

I shouldn't even read the posts but hey, it's a guilty pleasure, kind or like smelling . . .

Steve
Considering how often he rains on people's parades, I reckon he should get his bladder checked.......
 
Last edited:
Ok lens for amateur bird photography according to Optyczne (lenstip)
"...amateur"? And just "ok"? Given that full time professional bird photographer Roman Kurywczak has made a lot of use of the Sigma zooms such as the 150-600 Contemporary, and expresses great satisfaction with their performance, I conclude that Optyczne/Lenstip need to get down from the fake elitist pedestal and bestow appropriate praise. Because this lens beats those Sigmas.

cheers
gear is likley 5% of the equation ,having big expensive primes just sort of gives you some credence in wildlife fraternity ,but the magic comes from other sources mainly light ,subject and knowledge .
Not really
really so what sony lenses give blurry images ,and blurry images could be the intent of the photographer for impressionist effect
lens properties are important most times more than the camera
They can be but photographers know this but lenses have become so now days even the chinese ones perform at a level of perfection
And a blurry images with nice colors is just blurry
really now we all know what we like ,but your not going to win any more awards with sharp image than a intended blurry image ,its the photographers intent ,or the moment ,light ,behaviour, and understanding of the subject that wins ,gear is just gear and only component of your photography.unique images tend be better imo regardless of sharpness of your image ,
This lens is not sharp like others. It is simply the only option in this range and it has very nice ergonomics. This does not make it a great lens but the only lens people can afford like the various Sigma 150-600 Tamron 150-500
You have a very pointed view on what great is (technical perfection above all else), but for me this is the greatest lens I have in my collection (even with the 600 f/4) because it is such an effective gateway drug. No it's not razor crispy sharp like the other GMs, but it's more than adequate for what you get.

View attachment 20cd3043134148108b47227800f6ecc4.jpg
This is a 100% magnified crop from a full frame uncropped image covering the whole bird

The detail is just not there

155d493c858240d7bd21987788873226.jpg.png

this is a similar 1:1 crop with Panasonic Leica 200mm on Micro Four Thirds

Even if the subject is smaller the details are there this lens is much better than the Sony 200-600

3df9554737ef4690a77bb4d29447c86c.jpg.png
Honestly the first picture looks better. First one looks like you're just too far away, second one looks waxy.
According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

The Panasonic resolves 90 lp/mm with a 16 megapixel sensor
Since the results are in lines per mm, pixel density is much more important here. The LP/mm would've been much fairer of a comparison if they used the A7RIV/V's 61MP sensor. Alternatively if the subject covers the frame equally across both systems, use the LP/LH instead for a wholistic measurement.
Here I shot with a 20 megapixel sensor but in essence the two systems produce at the end the same result. So you don't loose anything going micro four thirds and the system is lighter

Ultimately the point is if you want to go full frame for super high quality wildlife you need primes. The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
I tend to agree with you - FF advantage is not in telephotos unless you have big primes like the 400 f/2.8, which for some reason there's no 200 f/1.4 or 300 f/2 lens for MFT. That being said, the Panasonic you mentioned is 2x the price of the 200-600, so hardly a fair comparison there.
A lens being ‘affordable’ if that’s what a £1599 lens is doesn’t make it great it is ok for the price

on sony emount there is no middle ground on tele foto next stop 600/4 that here is £11999

the leica is or was £2,199 and yes better lens than many
You're getting fleeced in the UK - the Leica is 1.5x-2x more expensive here (~$2200 AUD for the Sony, $3,600 AUD for the Leica).

That being said, the fairer comparison here is the 300mm Olympus, not the 200mm. Now that lens made me almost fall to the dark side........

Also, just for funsies, I wanted to see what the MTF of the 200-600 was compared to other lenses. Let's take the 70-200GMII, with LP/PH:

https://opticallimits.com/sony/sony-fe-70-200mm-f-2-8-gm-oss-ii-review/
https://opticallimits.com/sony/sony-fe-200-600mm-f-5-6-6-3-g-oss-review/

Pretty comparable, and I don't think it's controversial to say that the 70-200GMII is a very sharp lens in general.

Onto our favourite topic dUe dILiGenCE, I don't know where you got your numbers from Lenstip from:
So, where did your numbers come from?
The 200-600 has been reviewed on optyczne your diligence is always poor because you only look for a single hypothesis thats is convenient to you

not to worry you would never get a job there

in few days lenstip will have it translated meanwhile use this

i know you should do better but hey you admit is not your thing in fact you miss the link I posted so here it is for you as you miss things and only look for what you want to find




50 lpmm in the centre 40 at apsc edge and mid 30 at full frame edge

Value similar to the dslr sigma 150-600 on the canon 5d mark III 22 megapixels except the sony is tested on the 42 megapixels a7rII

Shortly I expect some statements like you and lenstip have a bad copy

The statement at the end is theirs good lens for amateurs and the fact you can get the lens on offer at good prices

This lens is the only one that has some decent ergonomic at the price point however any time the subject is far or the light is weak on an overcast day the detail is missing

this doesn’t happen with any other G zoom I have (16-25 24-50 20-70 70-200 and 24-105) all of them are better than this lens unfortunately the alternatives are poor so this is the best lens amongst a set of fairly average options

yet it is not a great lens it wont become one because you have it

--
If you like my image I would appreciate if you follow me on social media
instagram http://instagram.com/interceptor121
My flickr sets http://www.flickr.com/photos/interceptor121/
Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/interceptor121
Underwater Photo and Video Blog http://interceptor121.com
If you want to get in touch don't send me a PM rather contact me directly at my website/social media
 
No thanks. I'll keep that money for a couple of trips to Africa or the Pantanal and I won't ever be limited to 600mm, which for me is a disqualifier in itself. The 200-600 outresolves my a7rIV center to mid at every FL with no problem whatsoever.
The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
Any dope can produce a sharp 600 mm prime lens that costs fourteen thousand dollars. The real challenge is to produce a variable FL which is equally sharp center to mid under two thousand and focuses equally fast. (Per Steve Perry.) Sony has done it, as well as a 400-800 and they have well earned the many accolades appurtenant thereto.
correct
 
Ok lens for amateur bird photography according to Optyczne (lenstip)
"...amateur"? And just "ok"? Given that full time professional bird photographer Roman Kurywczak has made a lot of use of the Sigma zooms such as the 150-600 Contemporary, and expresses great satisfaction with their performance, I conclude that Optyczne/Lenstip need to get down from the fake elitist pedestal and bestow appropriate praise. Because this lens beats those Sigmas.

cheers
gear is likley 5% of the equation ,having big expensive primes just sort of gives you some credence in wildlife fraternity ,but the magic comes from other sources mainly light ,subject and knowledge .
Not really
really so what sony lenses give blurry images ,and blurry images could be the intent of the photographer for impressionist effect
lens properties are important most times more than the camera
They can be but photographers know this but lenses have become so now days even the chinese ones perform at a level of perfection
And a blurry images with nice colors is just blurry
really now we all know what we like ,but your not going to win any more awards with sharp image than a intended blurry image ,its the photographers intent ,or the moment ,light ,behaviour, and understanding of the subject that wins ,gear is just gear and only component of your photography.unique images tend be better imo regardless of sharpness of your image ,
This lens is not sharp like others. It is simply the only option in this range and it has very nice ergonomics. This does not make it a great lens but the only lens people can afford like the various Sigma 150-600 Tamron 150-500
You have a very pointed view on what great is (technical perfection above all else), but for me this is the greatest lens I have in my collection (even with the 600 f/4) because it is such an effective gateway drug. No it's not razor crispy sharp like the other GMs, but it's more than adequate for what you get.

View attachment 20cd3043134148108b47227800f6ecc4.jpg
This is a 100% magnified crop from a full frame uncropped image covering the whole bird

The detail is just not there

155d493c858240d7bd21987788873226.jpg.png

this is a similar 1:1 crop with Panasonic Leica 200mm on Micro Four Thirds

Even if the subject is smaller the details are there this lens is much better than the Sony 200-600

3df9554737ef4690a77bb4d29447c86c.jpg.png
Honestly the first picture looks better. First one looks like you're just too far away, second one looks waxy.
According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

The Panasonic resolves 90 lp/mm with a 16 megapixel sensor
Since the results are in lines per mm, pixel density is much more important here. The LP/mm would've been much fairer of a comparison if they used the A7RIV/V's 61MP sensor. Alternatively if the subject covers the frame equally across both systems, use the LP/LH instead for a wholistic measurement.
Here I shot with a 20 megapixel sensor but in essence the two systems produce at the end the same result. So you don't loose anything going micro four thirds and the system is lighter

Ultimately the point is if you want to go full frame for super high quality wildlife you need primes. The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
I tend to agree with you - FF advantage is not in telephotos unless you have big primes like the 400 f/2.8, which for some reason there's no 200 f/1.4 or 300 f/2 lens for MFT. That being said, the Panasonic you mentioned is 2x the price of the 200-600, so hardly a fair comparison there.
A lens being ‘affordable’ if that’s what a £1599 lens is doesn’t make it great it is ok for the price

on sony emount there is no middle ground on tele foto next stop 600/4 that here is £11999

the leica is or was £2,199 and yes better lens than many
You're getting fleeced in the UK - the Leica is 1.5x-2x more expensive here (~$2200 AUD for the Sony, $3,600 AUD for the Leica).

That being said, the fairer comparison here is the 300mm Olympus, not the 200mm. Now that lens made me almost fall to the dark side........

Also, just for funsies, I wanted to see what the MTF of the 200-600 was compared to other lenses. Let's take the 70-200GMII, with LP/PH:

https://opticallimits.com/sony/sony-fe-70-200mm-f-2-8-gm-oss-ii-review/
https://opticallimits.com/sony/sony-fe-200-600mm-f-5-6-6-3-g-oss-review/

Pretty comparable, and I don't think it's controversial to say that the 70-200GMII is a very sharp lens in general.

Onto our favourite topic dUe dILiGenCE, I don't know where you got your numbers from Lenstip from:
So, where did your numbers come from?
The 200-600 has been reviewed on optyczne your diligence is always poor because you only look for a single hypothesis thats is convenient to you

not to worry you would never get a job there
Ha, when I sell out I'll become a consultant.
in few days lenstip will have it translated meanwhile use this

i know you should do better but hey you admit is not your thing in fact you miss the link I posted so here it is for you as you miss things and only look for what you want to find

https://www.optyczne.pl/592.1-Test_obiektywu-Test_Sony_FE_200-600_mm_f_5.6-6.3_G_OSS.html
So basically you're complaining that I asked where you got your numbers from when your mentioned resource doesn't have it? Come again?

Lemme paraphrase what you said:

According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

I don't care that Optyczne has it which means Lenstip will have it in a few days or so. You specifically called out Lenstip.

That being said, got any other sources or is this the limit of your dUe DiLigeNce? You do realise you're literally doing exactly the same thing I'm doing, using only one source.
50 lpmm in the centre 40 at apsc edge and mid 30 at full frame edge

Value similar to the dslr sigma 150-600 on the canon 5d mark III 22 megapixels except the sony is tested on the 42 megapixels a7rII
Let's look at the results, because it's actually quite interesting:

Sony 200-600
Sony 200-600

Sigma 150-600
Sigma 150-600

At 600m it's not even close. Personally, I think you'd agree that the 600mm point is the most useful aspect of this lens.

If you want perfection from primes, see the Sigma 500 - that one is basically theoretically at the limit. So 65 lp/mm vs 50 lp/mm.

Sigma 500 f/5.6
Sigma 500 f/5.6
Shortly I expect some statements like you and lenstip have a bad copy
Nice try. It's a datapoint, whether it's a bad copy or not. I've actually owned at different times 2 of this lens, and never noticed a problem with either,.
The statement at the end is theirs good lens for amateurs and the fact you can get the lens on offer at good prices
Sure, I guess? I mean, I could get all Sony lenses at good prices, the prices thankfully are much more merciful down here in the penal colony than the motherland.
This lens is the only one that has some decent ergonomic at the price point however any time the subject is far or the light is weak on an overcast day the detail is missing
Isn't that because your ISO is too high at that point then? Then in that case it's a slow lens, but detail doesn't magically go missing for a particular lens just because low light.
this doesn’t happen with any other G zoom I have (16-25 24-50 20-70 70-200 and 24-105) all of them are better than this lens unfortunately the alternatives are poor so this is the best lens amongst a set of fairly average options
So, a great lens amongst a set of fairly average options? ;)
yet it is not a great lens it wont become one because you have it
I'll defer to your omnipotent wisdom when deciding whether something is great or not.
 
Last edited:
This lens is not sharp like others. It is simply the only option in this range and it has very nice ergonomics. This does not make it a great lens but the only lens people can afford like the various Sigma 150-600 Tamron 150-500

This is a 100% magnified crop from a full frame uncropped image covering the whole bird

The detail is just not there

155d493c858240d7bd21987788873226.jpg.png
Not a keeper, unfortunately. Out of focus, noisy, blown highlights. No wonder the detail is just not there.
this is a similar 1:1 crop with Panasonic Leica 200mm on Micro Four Thirds

Even if the subject is smaller the details are there this lens is much better than the Sony 200-600
You must be joking.
3df9554737ef4690a77bb4d29447c86c.jpg.png

According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

The Panasonic resolves 90 lp/mm with a 16 megapixel sensor
And apparently puts out a blurred artifact laden mess as above.
Here I shot with a 20 megapixel sensor but in essence the two systems produce at the end the same result.
In their dreams.
So you don't loose anything going micro four thirds and the system is lighter
I don't 'loose" (sic) anything at all except the edges compared to the 600 f4.
Ultimately the point is if you want to go full frame for super high quality wildlife you need primes.
No thanks. I'll keep that money for a couple of trips to Africa or the Pantanal and I won't ever be limited to 600mm, which for me is a disqualifier in itself. The 200-600 outresolves my a7rIV center to mid at every FL with no problem whatsoever.
The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
Any dope can produce a sharp 600 mm prime lens that costs fourteen thousand dollars. The real challenge is to produce a variable FL which is equally sharp center to mid under two thousand and focuses equally fast. (Per Steve Perry.) Sony has done it, as well as a 400-800 and they have well earned the many accolades appurtenant thereto.

600mm TDC
600mm TDC

Which is which?

600mm TDC
600mm TDC
For the pixelpeeping folks out there, here's a comparison of the same subject at the same distance. Straight export from Lightroom with identical settings (zero'd sliders). Cold day, so no excuses about atmospheric haze, etc. The focal length looks shorter on the 200-600 as that's what it does - its focal length drops the closer you get more drastically than the 600 f4.

Forgot that the 200-600 is f/6.3 at 600mm, so the 600 f/4 is at f/5.6 instead. Chalk it up to crappy testing.

View attachment f4748aa5e33743e39973fc33b031dd33.jpg

View attachment 59ce39903c3f47bda3df0e044cb8db83.jpg

No commentary from me regarding the pictures, make it what you will.
 
Last edited:
This lens is not sharp like others. It is simply the only option in this range and it has very nice ergonomics. This does not make it a great lens but the only lens people can afford like the various Sigma 150-600 Tamron 150-500

This is a 100% magnified crop from a full frame uncropped image covering the whole bird

The detail is just not there

155d493c858240d7bd21987788873226.jpg.png
Not a keeper, unfortunately. Out of focus, noisy, blown highlights. No wonder the detail is just not there.
this is a similar 1:1 crop with Panasonic Leica 200mm on Micro Four Thirds

Even if the subject is smaller the details are there this lens is much better than the Sony 200-600
You must be joking.
3df9554737ef4690a77bb4d29447c86c.jpg.png

According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

The Panasonic resolves 90 lp/mm with a 16 megapixel sensor
And apparently puts out a blurred artifact laden mess as above.
Here I shot with a 20 megapixel sensor but in essence the two systems produce at the end the same result.
In their dreams.
So you don't loose anything going micro four thirds and the system is lighter
I don't 'loose" (sic) anything at all except the edges compared to the 600 f4.
Ultimately the point is if you want to go full frame for super high quality wildlife you need primes.
No thanks. I'll keep that money for a couple of trips to Africa or the Pantanal and I won't ever be limited to 600mm, which for me is a disqualifier in itself. The 200-600 outresolves my a7rIV center to mid at every FL with no problem whatsoever.
The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
Any dope can produce a sharp 600 mm prime lens that costs fourteen thousand dollars. The real challenge is to produce a variable FL which is equally sharp center to mid under two thousand and focuses equally fast. (Per Steve Perry.) Sony has done it, as well as a 400-800 and they have well earned the many accolades appurtenant thereto.

600mm TDC
600mm TDC

Which is which?

600mm TDC
600mm TDC
For the pixelpeeping folks out there, here's a comparison of the same subject at the same distance. Straight export from Lightroom with identical settings (zero'd sliders). Cold day, so no excuses about atmospheric haze, etc. The focal length looks shorter on the 200-600 as that's what it does - its focal length drops the closer you get more drastically than the 600 f4.

Forgot that the 200-600 is f/6.3 at 600mm, so the 600 f/4 is at f/5.6 instead. Chalk it up to crappy testing.

View attachment f4748aa5e33743e39973fc33b031dd33.jpg

View attachment 59ce39903c3f47bda3df0e044cb8db83.jpg

No commentary from me regarding the pictures, make it what you will.
in this example the background rendition i prefer on the 200-600mm swirly the 600mm f4 looks jaggy but really that is not selling the 600mm f4 very well with this image mainly due to the image not being of interest in fact i would be more than happy to put my sigma 500mm 5.6 in this example up against the 600mm f4 .
 
This lens is not sharp like others. It is simply the only option in this range and it has very nice ergonomics. This does not make it a great lens but the only lens people can afford like the various Sigma 150-600 Tamron 150-500

This is a 100% magnified crop from a full frame uncropped image covering the whole bird

The detail is just not there

155d493c858240d7bd21987788873226.jpg.png
Not a keeper, unfortunately. Out of focus, noisy, blown highlights. No wonder the detail is just not there.
this is a similar 1:1 crop with Panasonic Leica 200mm on Micro Four Thirds

Even if the subject is smaller the details are there this lens is much better than the Sony 200-600
You must be joking.
3df9554737ef4690a77bb4d29447c86c.jpg.png

According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

The Panasonic resolves 90 lp/mm with a 16 megapixel sensor
And apparently puts out a blurred artifact laden mess as above.
Here I shot with a 20 megapixel sensor but in essence the two systems produce at the end the same result.
In their dreams.
So you don't loose anything going micro four thirds and the system is lighter
I don't 'loose" (sic) anything at all except the edges compared to the 600 f4.
Ultimately the point is if you want to go full frame for super high quality wildlife you need primes.
No thanks. I'll keep that money for a couple of trips to Africa or the Pantanal and I won't ever be limited to 600mm, which for me is a disqualifier in itself. The 200-600 outresolves my a7rIV center to mid at every FL with no problem whatsoever.
The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
Any dope can produce a sharp 600 mm prime lens that costs fourteen thousand dollars. The real challenge is to produce a variable FL which is equally sharp center to mid under two thousand and focuses equally fast. (Per Steve Perry.) Sony has done it, as well as a 400-800 and they have well earned the many accolades appurtenant thereto.

600mm TDC
600mm TDC

Which is which?

600mm TDC
600mm TDC
For the pixelpeeping folks out there, here's a comparison of the same subject at the same distance. Straight export from Lightroom with identical settings (zero'd sliders). Cold day, so no excuses about atmospheric haze, etc. The focal length looks shorter on the 200-600 as that's what it does - its focal length drops the closer you get more drastically than the 600 f4.

Forgot that the 200-600 is f/6.3 at 600mm, so the 600 f/4 is at f/5.6 instead. Chalk it up to crappy testing.

View attachment f4748aa5e33743e39973fc33b031dd33.jpg

View attachment 59ce39903c3f47bda3df0e044cb8db83.jpg

No commentary from me regarding the pictures, make it what you will.
in this example the background rendition i prefer on the 200-600mm swirly the 600mm f4 looks jaggy but really that is not selling the 600mm f4 very well with this image mainly due to the image not being of interest in fact i would be more than happy to put my sigma 500mm 5.6 in this example up against the 600mm f4 .
Apologies for the crappy example, I just had a wallaby stuck in my garden so it makes for an ideal (if boring) subject for comparison.

I bet the Sigma 500 f/5.6 will look more or less the same as the 200-600 or the 600 f/4 without pixel peeping.

Personally I think the background looks busier on the 200-600. Sharpness is where if you pixel peep, you can tell the difference pretty easily. That being said, it's not like the 200-600 is a sloppy mess.
 
Last edited:
For the pixelpeeping folks out there, here's a comparison of the same subject at the same distance. Straight export from Lightroom with identical settings (zero'd sliders). Cold day, so no excuses about atmospheric haze, etc. The focal length looks shorter on the 200-600 as that's what it does - its focal length drops the closer you get more drastically than the 600 f4.

Forgot that the 200-600 is f/6.3 at 600mm, so the 600 f/4 is at f/5.6 instead. Chalk it up to crappy testing.

View attachment f4748aa5e33743e39973fc33b031dd33.jpg

View attachment 59ce39903c3f47bda3df0e044cb8db83.jpg

No commentary from me regarding the pictures, make it what you will.
in this example the background rendition i prefer on the 200-600mm swirly the 600mm f4 looks jaggy but really that is not selling the 600mm f4 very well with this image mainly due to the image not being of interest in fact i would be more than happy to put my sigma 500mm 5.6 in this example up against the 600mm f4 .
Apologies for the crappy example, I just had a wallaby stuck in my garden so it makes for an ideal (if boring) subject for comparison.

I bet the Sigma 500 f/5.6 will look more or less the same as the 200-600 or the 600 f/4 without pixel peeping.

Personally I think the background looks busier on the 200-600. Sharpness is where if you pixel peep, you can tell the difference pretty easily. That being said, it's not like the 200-600 is a sloppy mess.
Besides weight/size, not very sharp at edges and a bit less contrast, busy background from 200-600 G is another reason I replaced with 300GM. Compared to my 1st safari trip about 12 years ago from Canon EF 500L/4.0 IS, my 2nd trip from 200-600 G demos the difference in the background rendering and bokeh clearly. Hope 300GM+1.4x TC (420mm/F4.0) and 300GM+2.0x TC (600mm/F5.6) will be closer to legendary EF 500L/4.0 IS (weighted 8.5 lb/3870 g alone) but likely still will not be as good as in this area. I will carry this main set to the forthcoming Tanzania safari trip at end of June, wait to see the outcoming :-)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
 
Last edited:
When something is close maybe but at the working range of a medium bird in flight not really
which is aligned to another review here

No comment of what each one of us decides to print or not
We must agree - Interceptor121 is right, regardless of others' experience because . . . Interceptor121 is always right.

Steve
Quite right ;)
 
This lens is not sharp like others. It is simply the only option in this range and it has very nice ergonomics. This does not make it a great lens but the only lens people can afford like the various Sigma 150-600 Tamron 150-500

This is a 100% magnified crop from a full frame uncropped image covering the whole bird

The detail is just not there

155d493c858240d7bd21987788873226.jpg.png
Not a keeper, unfortunately. Out of focus, noisy, blown highlights. No wonder the detail is just not there.
this is a similar 1:1 crop with Panasonic Leica 200mm on Micro Four Thirds

Even if the subject is smaller the details are there this lens is much better than the Sony 200-600
You must be joking.
3df9554737ef4690a77bb4d29447c86c.jpg.png

According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

The Panasonic resolves 90 lp/mm with a 16 megapixel sensor
And apparently puts out a blurred artifact laden mess as above.
Here I shot with a 20 megapixel sensor but in essence the two systems produce at the end the same result.
In their dreams.
So you don't loose anything going micro four thirds and the system is lighter
I don't 'loose" (sic) anything at all except the edges compared to the 600 f4.
Ultimately the point is if you want to go full frame for super high quality wildlife you need primes.
No thanks. I'll keep that money for a couple of trips to Africa or the Pantanal and I won't ever be limited to 600mm, which for me is a disqualifier in itself. The 200-600 outresolves my a7rIV center to mid at every FL with no problem whatsoever.
The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
Any dope can produce a sharp 600 mm prime lens that costs fourteen thousand dollars. The real challenge is to produce a variable FL which is equally sharp center to mid under two thousand and focuses equally fast. (Per Steve Perry.) Sony has done it, as well as a 400-800 and they have well earned the many accolades appurtenant thereto.

600mm TDC
600mm TDC

Which is which?

600mm TDC
600mm TDC
For the pixelpeeping folks out there, here's a comparison of the same subject at the same distance. Straight export from Lightroom with identical settings (zero'd sliders). Cold day, so no excuses about atmospheric haze, etc. The focal length looks shorter on the 200-600 as that's what it does - its focal length drops the closer you get more drastically than the 600 f4.

Forgot that the 200-600 is f/6.3 at 600mm, so the 600 f/4 is at f/5.6 instead. Chalk it up to crappy testing.

View attachment f4748aa5e33743e39973fc33b031dd33.jpg

View attachment 59ce39903c3f47bda3df0e044cb8db83.jpg

No commentary from me regarding the pictures, make it what you will.
in this example the background rendition i prefer on the 200-600mm swirly the 600mm f4 looks jaggy but really that is not selling the 600mm f4 very well with this image mainly due to the image not being of interest in fact i would be more than happy to put my sigma 500mm 5.6 in this example up against the 600mm f4 .
Apologies for the crappy example, I just had a wallaby stuck in my garden so it makes for an ideal (if boring) subject for comparison.

I bet the Sigma 500 f/5.6 will look more or less the same as the 200-600 or the 600 f/4 without pixel peeping.

Personally I think the background looks busier on the 200-600. Sharpness is where if you pixel peep, you can tell the difference pretty easily. That being said, it's not like the 200-600 is a sloppy mess.
to be honest niether look great in the oof but i like the swirly on 200-600mm not for everyone the 600mm looks a little nervous but does have more blur effect .If a 13k lens is not sharper and being stopped down a stop does not produce excellent sharpness ,then something is way off .I am not even going to pixel peep
 
This lens is not sharp like others. It is simply the only option in this range and it has very nice ergonomics. This does not make it a great lens but the only lens people can afford like the various Sigma 150-600 Tamron 150-500

This is a 100% magnified crop from a full frame uncropped image covering the whole bird

The detail is just not there

155d493c858240d7bd21987788873226.jpg.png
Not a keeper, unfortunately. Out of focus, noisy, blown highlights. No wonder the detail is just not there.
this is a similar 1:1 crop with Panasonic Leica 200mm on Micro Four Thirds

Even if the subject is smaller the details are there this lens is much better than the Sony 200-600
You must be joking.
3df9554737ef4690a77bb4d29447c86c.jpg.png

According to lenstip the sony resolve 50 lp/mm with a 42 megapixel sensor

The Panasonic resolves 90 lp/mm with a 16 megapixel sensor
And apparently puts out a blurred artifact laden mess as above.
Here I shot with a 20 megapixel sensor but in essence the two systems produce at the end the same result.
In their dreams.
So you don't loose anything going micro four thirds and the system is lighter
I don't 'loose" (sic) anything at all except the edges compared to the 600 f4.
Ultimately the point is if you want to go full frame for super high quality wildlife you need primes.
No thanks. I'll keep that money for a couple of trips to Africa or the Pantanal and I won't ever be limited to 600mm, which for me is a disqualifier in itself. The 200-600 outresolves my a7rIV center to mid at every FL with no problem whatsoever.
The cheap zooms would give a cost effective bulky system and the IQ improvement may not be there at all
Any dope can produce a sharp 600 mm prime lens that costs fourteen thousand dollars. The real challenge is to produce a variable FL which is equally sharp center to mid under two thousand and focuses equally fast. (Per Steve Perry.) Sony has done it, as well as a 400-800 and they have well earned the many accolades appurtenant thereto.

600mm TDC
600mm TDC

Which is which?

600mm TDC
600mm TDC
For the pixelpeeping folks out there, here's a comparison of the same subject at the same distance. Straight export from Lightroom with identical settings (zero'd sliders). Cold day, so no excuses about atmospheric haze, etc. The focal length looks shorter on the 200-600 as that's what it does - its focal length drops the closer you get more drastically than the 600 f4.

Forgot that the 200-600 is f/6.3 at 600mm, so the 600 f/4 is at f/5.6 instead. Chalk it up to crappy testing.

View attachment f4748aa5e33743e39973fc33b031dd33.jpg

View attachment 59ce39903c3f47bda3df0e044cb8db83.jpg

No commentary from me regarding the pictures, make it what you will.
in this example the background rendition i prefer on the 200-600mm swirly the 600mm f4 looks jaggy but really that is not selling the 600mm f4 very well with this image mainly due to the image not being of interest in fact i would be more than happy to put my sigma 500mm 5.6 in this example up against the 600mm f4 .
Apologies for the crappy example, I just had a wallaby stuck in my garden so it makes for an ideal (if boring) subject for comparison.

I bet the Sigma 500 f/5.6 will look more or less the same as the 200-600 or the 600 f/4 without pixel peeping.

Personally I think the background looks busier on the 200-600. Sharpness is where if you pixel peep, you can tell the difference pretty easily. That being said, it's not like the 200-600 is a sloppy mess.
to be honest niether look great in the oof but i like the swirly on 200-600mm not for everyone the 600mm looks a little nervous but does have more blur effect .If a 13k lens is not sharper and being stopped down a stop does not produce excellent sharpness ,then something is way off .I am not even going to pixel peep
If you want great bokeh, then step up to f/4. Damn thing moved further away, but despite that the blur is noticeably less busy.

View attachment 7fbb1c5c26da4f66b86514bdac688b04.jpg

And that's why I even bothered with the 600 f/4 - not so much for the sharpness (although it is), but for the ability to just blur things out more when in shrubbery. A lot of times I'm shooting through chicken wire fence, and the larger the aperture, the more you can get away with it from becoming too distracting.
 
Last edited:

Keyboard shortcuts

Back
Top