I just purchased 200-600 and wow the image quality is unbelievably great,so sharp AF and colour is fantastic with this lens,matched with A7iv absolutely amazing 😍
Great video!! Really enjoyed comparison and I was at the same place a while back and like you went with the 600 f4. Pricy but worth it. I use the Lowpro lens tracker 600 backpack . It fits the 600 f4 with a z9 attached. It’s snug but it fits. Thanks for the video!
I have 600 f4. I use the Gura Gear Kiboko 30+ 2.0 with the lens hood packed in my checked luggage. No camera attached. I put it in the other side of the bag.
Hi Pavlik, I been shooting with the 600mm for a long time. Love that lens even though I'm loving the 300mm a bit more even with the teleconverters. I use two different bags, none fit the lens with the body attached. But they fit the 600mm even with the lens hood backwards. I use both with the 600mm and 300mm and camera and teleconverts in these bags: MindShift Gear BackLight 18L and for airport travel with nothing on my back VANGUARD ALTA Fly 58T 4 Wheel Spinner/Trolley. The Vanguard has been my go to as it also acts as a backback besides roller bag.
Great bag recommendations, thanks! I’ll check them out. I just traveled with this setup and my new bag for the first time and will be doing a video review for that bag. I’m really enjoying it!
Excellent Comparison. I'm about to pull the trigger on the 600 F4. I rented one and used it with both TC's. The 2.0 works very well on the lens too. The Vanguard Alta Sky 66 will allow you to carry it with the camera attached. Not sure if it will fit in the overhead though.
Congrats on the soon-to-be new lens! It really is on another level. I found a bag that seems to be perfect for travel for this setup. I’ll make a video soon. Stay tuned!
If you are looking for something light, handy with a long range and high image quality for an FE bayonet, there is nothing better than the Sigma 500mm f/5.6. It is definitely much more sharper than 200-600mm. I have been using it since launch with great results. At close range, birds look even better (bokeh & size) than at 200-600mm because the Sony has a large focus breathing and at the minimum distance it is not 600mm. Now I only take the Sony when I intend to observe animals from a hiding place. I always take Sigma when cycling and hiking !
@@TomStrong-w1y yes I agree that lens is sharper than the 200-600 and provides very nice images. However 500mm is a little on the short side for me, and not having the 30fps for BIF is a downside. Compromises in all these lenses!
@@pavlikphotographyproductions There is no big difference between 500mm and 600mm and on the A7rV you can have 26mpix in APS-C mode. 30 frames per second is too much, you get a huge number of very similar photos and then you have to sit at the computer for hours and look through them. 15 frames from A1 are really enough. This small compromise saves you lens weight and a lot of money. Personally, this is completely enough for me. If I had a 600mm f/4 I'm sure I wouldn't take it to many places where the lightweight Sigma works great.
Glad to hear that you’re enjoying the Sigma! I know many who praise the lens and it works well for them. I decided against it since it can’t take a TC, and I’m shooting at 840mm f5.6 with the 1.4TC on the 600f4 quite a bit. I love having the reach, which was one of my top priorities. It does come with compromises as stated, but so far, no regrets! We are lucky that we have so many great lenses to choose from right now.
@@pavlikphotographyproductions The most important thing is to properly match the equipment to your needs. By the way, 200-600mm with a 1.4x converter is not that bad if there is enough light and the subject is not very far away. Good luck with your photography !
I use a Vanguard-ALTA-SKY-66....it carries my Nikon Z8 attached to a 500mm f4. I think it's too large to take on a plane but i take it out in the field all the time. I may also get a Lowepro 650 awii.
I have a Nikon Z400mm f/2.8 TC, and I can fit it in an f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond backpack. They make a Shinn 80L DuraDiamond, which is a bit bigger, and should accommodate a 600mm f/4.
@@ronschuddeboomdigiscoping3693 I’ve looked into it, and actually owned the OM-1 for some time. I’ve seen some incredible photos from the combination you recommend and it is a killer combination for sure. There are a few reasons I went with the 600f4 though.
This was not meant to be a full-on review of the two lenses. There are plenty of those videos already on RUclips. Just my first impressions of actually using them in the field.
@@pavlikphotographyproductions but it is the huge elephant in the room for people choosing between the two and should have at least been mentioned. FYI, I currently own A1, A9III, A7RV and even I pause when contemplating dropping $13K on a single lens. If you are well-healed or make your living from wildlife photography, then you can justify the expense, otherwise likely not. Cheers
@@pentagramyt417 sorry as an International Award Winning working pro of over 50 years in the business I know the fact that you NEVER do paid work with only one camera body and no backup. And each of my bodies is best for specific work, as i shoot all subjects around the world. Cheers
@@6gwilliams Lens make the image not the body thou so with all that money you spent on those 3 bodies which you cant use all at once anyway, you could get a 600mm f4 and still keep A7RV.
200-600 Has no Full Time manual focus to help "nudge" the AF along when it needs. I find that super duper annoying on the 2-6. if it doesnt grab, then you have to zoom out and hope it grabs, then zoom back in. Kingfishers dont hang around for that kind of thing. The 2-6 is Good but that is a killer fort me.
I’ll wait afew more years hopefully the gm ii will be smaller, shorter and lighter. I totally dont mind paying afew thousand more of that is the case. I live in a small country with no wildlife. So. If I want to use this lens. I need to travel. I need to take the plane n etc. So I really apperciate if its smaller/shorter lenght and lighter. Meanwhile I am so happy with the 300GM
IMO it's unnecessary to use a TC for birding. The bird is too far if you want a TC. TC may only work well for very close subjects, for example butterflies or bees.
@fredlar9421, then you havent been in areas where it's hard to pass through a specific grounds, that could cost you calling emergency.... some birds are enough skittish that you need 1400 mm minimum.
@pavlikphotographyproductions If you can fill it up with TC, it means the bird is not that far. Image quality from the lens with TC is not better than cropped image from the bare lens. Less sharpness (resolution), lower contrast, takes away the benefits it gained. Much worse, it slows down the AF a lot. I have both of Canon EF and RF TC. Rarely I use them except for perched butterflies to get some magnification.
@@fredlar9421 Idk whats wrong with your TC but I use RF 1.4x TC on 100-500mm a lot with my R6mkII and it doesn't compromise the AF at all, and R5 start to really struggles, all of this is for catching kingfisher, contrast difference is hard to tell once you edited the RAW, and sharpess differences is barely noticeable unless you zoom in at 200%. However, I still do agree to use bare lens whenever you can + I would never use 2x because it does impact your image noticeably. Sonys one are always much more clinically sharp so that isn't much of a problem for most Sony high MP sensors.
@@frostybe3r it may not be worth the price difference for you, but certainly is for others. And I never claimed I couldn’t get shape images with the 200-600, but it was very difficult to get critically sharp images with the 1.4x TC on the 200-600. There is zero doubt the 600 f4 is sharper.
@pavlikphotographyproductions I hope for your sake you're using a 4K OLED 32"/6K MINILED display. The real issue with the 200-600 is focusing and sharpness on far away subjects, it's sharp enough for most people and almost as sharp as the 600 4, but I hope you made the right decision because I sold my 600 GM due to the size, it's just awkward to use.
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I just purchased 200-600 and wow the image quality is unbelievably great,so sharp AF and colour is fantastic with this lens,matched with A7iv absolutely amazing 😍
@@iandico the 200-600 is an incredible lens for the price. I enjoyed using it for years!
Great video!! Really enjoyed comparison and I was at the same place a while back and like you went with the 600 f4. Pricy but worth it. I use the Lowpro lens tracker 600 backpack . It fits the 600 f4 with a z9 attached. It’s snug but it fits.
Thanks for the video!
That’s great to know! I’m really happy with the bag I got for this setup. Will do a video on it soon!
Excellent commentary from a true birder/photographer.
I have 600 f4. I use the Gura Gear Kiboko 30+ 2.0 with the lens hood packed in my checked luggage. No camera attached. I put it in the other side of the bag.
I have heard great things about Gura Gear. Sounds like a great bag for travel if you don’t need the camera attached.
Hi Pavlik, I been shooting with the 600mm for a long time. Love that lens even though I'm loving the 300mm a bit more even with the teleconverters. I use two different bags, none fit the lens with the body attached. But they fit the 600mm even with the lens hood backwards. I use both with the 600mm and 300mm and camera and teleconverts in these bags: MindShift Gear BackLight 18L and for airport travel with nothing on my back VANGUARD ALTA Fly 58T 4 Wheel Spinner/Trolley. The Vanguard has been my go to as it also acts as a backback besides roller bag.
Great bag recommendations, thanks! I’ll check them out. I just traveled with this setup and my new bag for the first time and will be doing a video review for that bag. I’m really enjoying it!
I just got the 600 f4 and 300 f2.8 and I love them both. I don't see the 200-600 much moving forward...
I have to agree! My 200-600 is already sold.
Excellent Comparison. I'm about to pull the trigger on the 600 F4. I rented one and used it with both TC's. The 2.0 works very well on the lens too. The Vanguard Alta Sky 66 will allow you to carry it with the camera attached. Not sure if it will fit in the overhead though.
Congrats on the soon-to-be new lens! It really is on another level. I found a bag that seems to be perfect for travel for this setup. I’ll make a video soon. Stay tuned!
If you are looking for something light, handy with a long range and high image quality for an FE bayonet, there is nothing better than the Sigma 500mm f/5.6. It is definitely much more sharper than 200-600mm. I have been using it since launch with great results. At close range, birds look even better (bokeh & size) than at 200-600mm because the Sony has a large focus breathing and at the minimum distance it is not 600mm. Now I only take the Sony when I intend to observe animals from a hiding place. I always take Sigma when cycling and hiking !
@@TomStrong-w1y yes I agree that lens is sharper than the 200-600 and provides very nice images. However 500mm is a little on the short side for me, and not having the 30fps for BIF is a downside. Compromises in all these lenses!
@@pavlikphotographyproductions There is no big difference between 500mm and 600mm and on the A7rV you can have 26mpix in APS-C mode. 30 frames per second is too much, you get a huge number of very similar photos and then you have to sit at the computer for hours and look through them. 15 frames from A1 are really enough. This small compromise saves you lens weight and a lot of money. Personally, this is completely enough for me. If I had a 600mm f/4 I'm sure I wouldn't take it to many places where the lightweight Sigma works great.
Glad to hear that you’re enjoying the Sigma! I know many who praise the lens and it works well for them. I decided against it since it can’t take a TC, and I’m shooting at 840mm f5.6 with the 1.4TC on the 600f4 quite a bit. I love having the reach, which was one of my top priorities. It does come with compromises as stated, but so far, no regrets! We are lucky that we have so many great lenses to choose from right now.
@@pavlikphotographyproductions The most important thing is to properly match the equipment to your needs. By the way, 200-600mm with a 1.4x converter is not that bad if there is enough light and the subject is not very far away. Good luck with your photography !
I use a Vanguard-ALTA-SKY-66....it carries my Nikon Z8 attached to a 500mm f4. I think it's too large to take on a plane but i take it out in the field all the time. I may also get a Lowepro 650 awii.
@@anteater74 thanks for the bag suggestions! I did find one that works perfectly for carrying in the field and airline travel! I’ll make a video soon.
I have a Nikon Z400mm f/2.8 TC, and I can fit it in an f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond backpack. They make a Shinn 80L DuraDiamond, which is a bit bigger, and should accommodate a 600mm f/4.
That Shinn 80L looks nice, but outside of the carry on specs for most airlines. I have a bag I’m very happy with now. Video coming soon!
Have a look at OM-Systems OM-1 mark ii paired with the 150-400 1,25 tc lens. Much more affordable and suited for your kind of shooting birds.
@@ronschuddeboomdigiscoping3693 I’ve looked into it, and actually owned the OM-1 for some time. I’ve seen some incredible photos from the combination you recommend and it is a killer combination for sure. There are a few reasons I went with the 600f4 though.
You never mentioned the HUGE price difference. Not all photographers can afford a $13K USD lens vs a $2000 USD lens. Cheers
This was not meant to be a full-on review of the two lenses. There are plenty of those videos already on RUclips. Just my first impressions of actually using them in the field.
@@pavlikphotographyproductions but it is the huge elephant in the room for people choosing between the two and should have at least been mentioned. FYI, I currently own A1, A9III, A7RV and even I pause when contemplating dropping $13K on a single lens. If you are well-healed or make your living from wildlife photography, then you can justify the expense, otherwise likely
not. Cheers
@@6gwilliams you don't need 3 cameras, sell two and get one lens... I would ALWAYS choose lens first over a tripplet cameras.
@@pentagramyt417 sorry as an International Award Winning working pro of over 50 years in the business I know the fact that you NEVER do paid work with only one camera body and no backup. And each of my bodies is best for specific work, as i shoot all subjects around the world. Cheers
@@6gwilliams Lens make the image not the body thou so with all that money you spent on those 3 bodies which you cant use all at once anyway, you could get a 600mm f4 and still keep A7RV.
200-600 Has no Full Time manual focus to help "nudge" the AF along when it needs. I find that super duper annoying on the 2-6. if it doesnt grab, then you have to zoom out and hope it grabs, then zoom back in. Kingfishers dont hang around for that kind of thing. The 2-6 is Good but that is a killer fort me.
I can’t wait to get a chance to use that function!
I might be a freak, but for me perfect lens would be 500 mm f4.5 + "perfectly consutrcted" built in x2.0 TC without image degradation 😅😅
That would be one impressive lens!
The real question is: Are your photos US12,000 better ?
@@AlbertoAcero or are you having $12,000 more fun!? Just kidding. I purchased this used and it was much cheaper than that.
I’ll wait afew more years hopefully the gm ii will be smaller, shorter and lighter. I totally dont mind paying afew thousand more of that is the case. I live in a small country with no wildlife.
So. If I want to use this lens. I need to travel. I need to take the plane n etc. So I really apperciate if its smaller/shorter lenght and lighter. Meanwhile I am so happy with the 300GM
It would be great if it’s smaller! A built in 1.4x TC would be a game changer.
IMO it's unnecessary to use a TC for birding. The bird is too far if you want a TC.
TC may only work well for very close subjects, for example butterflies or bees.
It can be difficult to fill the frame with small birds like warblers and sparrows even when you are close. The TC definitely comes in handy.
@fredlar9421, then you havent been in areas where it's hard to pass through a specific grounds, that could cost you calling emergency.... some birds are enough skittish that you need 1400 mm minimum.
@pentagramyt417 then you are a birder not a photographer. Recording is your purpose , not something we called art.
@pavlikphotographyproductions If you can fill it up with TC, it means the bird is not that far. Image quality from the lens with TC is not better than cropped image from the bare lens.
Less sharpness (resolution), lower contrast, takes away the benefits it gained.
Much worse, it slows down the AF a lot.
I have both of Canon EF and RF TC. Rarely I use them except for perched butterflies to get some magnification.
@@fredlar9421 Idk whats wrong with your TC but I use RF 1.4x TC on 100-500mm a lot with my R6mkII and it doesn't compromise the AF at all, and R5 start to really struggles, all of this is for catching kingfisher, contrast difference is hard to tell once you edited the RAW, and sharpess differences is barely noticeable unless you zoom in at 200%. However, I still do agree to use bare lens whenever you can + I would never use 2x because it does impact your image noticeably. Sonys one are always much more clinically sharp so that isn't much of a problem for most Sony high MP sensors.
It is not worth the price difference, you werent using the 200-600 properly if you never got sharp images with it.
@@frostybe3r it may not be worth the price difference for you, but certainly is for others. And I never claimed I couldn’t get shape images with the 200-600, but it was very difficult to get critically sharp images with the 1.4x TC on the 200-600. There is zero doubt the 600 f4 is sharper.
@pavlikphotographyproductions I hope for your sake you're using a 4K OLED 32"/6K MINILED display.
The real issue with the 200-600 is focusing and sharpness on far away subjects, it's sharp enough for most people and almost as sharp as the 600 4, but I hope you made the right decision because I sold my 600 GM due to the size, it's just awkward to use.