Sony 200-600 for macro

[Cliff]

so.....birds were scare but a few opportunities arose for some pseudo macro with the 200-600, how does everyone else find the 200-600 for macro ?

 

[Vorkell]

I actually have with quite good results (was a slow day looking for herons)! Took it at full 600mm, while hovering right at the minimum focusing distance! I found the clarity quite good, especially considered it's not really meant for it!

 

[Cliff]

that is good....there is a lot of detail contained on the bee - hmmm, I think my early mistake was using the 1.4 TC on the 200-600, my latest efforts have been a bit better - I'll have to get out and practice some more - what focus mode did you use as a matter of interest

 

[Vorkell]

that is good....there is a lot of detail contained on the bee - hmmm, I think my early mistake was using the 1.4 TC on the 200-600, my latest efforts have been a bit better - I'll have to get out and practice some more - what focus mode did you use as a matter of interest

I was using AF-C, and hovered right on the edge of the focusing distance. Was shot at 1/1250sec, f6.3, and ISO-200, using spot metering tied to my movable spot focus point. What camera body are you using? I've got the A7Riii, and have been avoiding the 1.4x and 2x TC due to the reduced AF capability from the higher f-stop.

 

[Cliff]

I have the A7iii currently as a starter body to see how I get on, which incidentally I find very good indeed, quite comparable on AF with my old Nikon D500 for BIF, I found the 1.4 TC does affect AF speed, softens the images quite a bit ( hand held) and yes the ISO shoots up with the f9, I"m tempted with a higher MP body - how do you find the AF with Birds in flight

 

[WeeMalky]

Not quite as good as the FE100-400mm Cliff and a bit further back took this on Monday 17th August 2020 with the FE 200-600mm

 

[Vorkell]

The AF on the A7Riii is definitely slower than the A7iii! The A9 would be ideal for both situations, however, I believe the A7Riv is also quite good. Here's 100% crop from a shot of a Falcon that lets me get close to her. It shows that when the subject is still, there is an incredible capability to get detail out of an image using the 200-600G. Once the subject starts moving, the AF is definitely slower, however it has also provided some amazing BIF shots, just not as many keepers are the A9 and A7Riv (If you want me to post, let me know. I just don't want to post a bunch of BIF pictures in a macro thread!).

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 320

 

[JC Photography]

Yea the 200-600mm is not too bad for macro.

 

[Cliff]

Not quite as good as the FE100-400mm Cliff and a bit further back took this on Monday 17th August 2020 with the FE 200-600mm View attachment 525

good grief.....fantastic acuity

 

[Cliff]

The AF on the A7Riii is definitely slower than the A7iii! The A9 would be ideal for both situations, however, I believe the A7Riv is also quite good. Here's 100% crop from a shot of a Falcon that lets me get close to her. It shows that when the subject is still, there is an incredible capability to get detail out of an image using the 200-600G. Once the subject starts moving, the AF is definitely slower, however it has also provided some amazing BIF shots, just not as many keepers are the A9 and A7Riv (If you want me to post, let me know. I just don't want to post a bunch of BIF pictures in a macro thread!).

View attachment 524

in an ideal world I think I would like both A7R4 and A9, but my finance director might have other ideas.... I might be able to swing an A7R4 later in the year though, providing the AF works with the 200-600 ( I have read reports of issues) - its okay I have seen BIF images with both A7r3 and 4 the IQ is sensational