Sony FE 600mm f4 review: HANDS-ON with $13K super-tele!

[@MalteKremer]

Sony really needs a 16-50 f2.8 OSS for the 6x00 series imo

[@cameralabs]

Yes, I wish they'd make a premium APSC lens. Canon too.

[@KrunoslavStifter]

True. If it can be small and affordable, they would further tempt people into APS-C E-mount system. Also some kind of mini a9 APS-C would be really nice compliment to Full Frame sports shooters with existing long range lenses, giving people that extra 1.5x reach if they need it.

[@cameralabs]

Hands-on first-looks review of Sony's FE 600mm f4 super-tele lens! Check prices at B&H: bhpho.to/2X0xynj Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book at Amazon: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Like Cameralabs? Get the T-Shirt: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop Filmed with Sony A6400 and e 24mm: bhpho.to/2CqYrEs Extra footage of Gordon by Brendan Schmidt & Jordan Drake - thanks!

[@GregThurtle]

great video Gordon the 200-600 seems very well priced nice to see a 600/4 in the lineup though I'd like a nice 200/1.8 GM if you're asking :)

[@cameralabs]

I'll pass that on!

[@juancadiaz1914]

Lenses needed desperately: 100 mm Macro lens GM. Full frame Fish eye. GM

[@cameralabs]

I completely agree

[@fiddlegrass]

That’s a hooge lens! Awesome review as usual, Gordon! Love your videos!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks, you're very welcome!

[@NeXMaX]

Wonder if we’ll be seeing a heap of them over at the 2020 Summer Olympics

[@cameralabs]

It's certainly becoming an increasingly compelling system for pros...

[@NeXMaX]

Indeed. Been seeing more of these Sony gear lately

[@Noealz]

jebus christ that thing is massive

[@jasonhowells7758]

Similar but not the same optical performance you will find on nikon or canon... yes it's super sharp like the 400mm but it also has awful background rendering like the 400mm.

[@deathcow]

You certainly CAN stand it's up on the lens hood, but you are taking an unnecessary risk. As a 600mm owner I've stopped doing it

[@joegowac4617]

have you tried it with the teleconverters

[@cameralabs]

Not yet

[@paololarocca7684]

Nice review! Which lens I want from Sony? Maybe a mark ii/Sony version of the 24-70 f/4, if possible with slightly longer zoom range (let’s say 24-85) , which in my opinion is the perfect size for a general travel or day-to-day use. The 24-105 has of course a better zoom range but is a little expensive and too large in size ....

[@ZaberAnsaryOfficial]

First comment.

[@cameralabs]

What do you think of it - hope you watch my 200-600 review too!

[@ZaberAnsaryOfficial]

@@cameralabs looking forward to it Gordon. A lot of jumping ship in the coming days imo because of it hehe.

[@cameralabs]

@@ZaberAnsaryOfficial well as I say in the video, it makes the Alpha system a more serious proposition for sports shooters.

[@justingates1122]

Why soccer all the time

[@cameralabs]

Sony provided us with pitch-side access to shoot a match at the press event for the lens.

[@klackon1]

Since you have asked, Gordon, can you have a word with Sony and ask them to produce a 500mm f5.6 fresnel lens, which will also take the SEL14 and SEL20. If Nikon and Canon can make fresnel lenses, why not Sony. I used to own a Nikkor 300mm f4 PF ED VR and it was rather brilliant. The Nikkor 500mm version is supposed to be very good, too.

[@cameralabs]

I'll ask!

[@Squeller5]

Great lens! I often shoot pictures of small birds and that requires very long focal lengths. So I'd appreciate if Sony releases a 800 mm F5.6 lens, similar to those of Nikon and Canon (but hopefully more light weight). That would be a nice addition to my collection of lenses! Any chance an 800 mm F5.6 will ever be released by Sony?

[@cameralabs]

We all hope so! I wouldn't be surprised if they do at some point, plus maybe a 200 or 300.

[@Jerry23555]

Gift me the lens Christmas gift Can't afford to buy

[@cameralabs]

I'm impressed by your optimism that someone would give a $13000 product to a complete stranger. Plus I don't even have one, it was a loaner for a couple of days.

[@Jerry23555]

I believe in miracles Will surely get d lens

[@cameralabs]

@@Jerry23555 good luck with that!

[@Iamkitkatbar]

It need a f-1.4

[@cameralabs]

A 600mm f1.4? With a 428mm diameter front element?

[@justingates1122]

Only $ 19. 95

[@jasonwiser4711]

Hi Gordon. Those lenses look great. Great review. It would be very interesting to see everything inside from a dissected type of view. I think the larger lens was the f/4. It was cool to see it sitting inside of the carry case. Having such contrast between the case and lens really puts a great perspective on how large it truly is. When you're at the game it seems as though it's very well ballanced, just as you mentioned. I can imagine that it's ballance helps quite a lot with how quickly fatigue sets in. They look very nice.

[@cameralabs]

The balance does help, but you still don't want to hold it for long!

[@simianinc]

Do you think Sony might release a 500mm f4?

[@cameralabs]

I think eventually they will have a 300mm f2.8 and a 500mm f4, just for completeness.but no idea when.

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

The next Sony lens? FE 35mm f/1.8 would be ideal.

[@cameralabs]

Yes, and an updated G Master version of the old f1.4...

[@TimMiddleton]

Does anyone know if Sony plan to offer an E-mount fisheye?

[@cameralabs]

I hope soo at some point. There's three for M43 which are all cool. I have two of them!

[@Rollergold4]

I want a 400 or 500mm f5.6 prime lens. Even lighter then the 200-600 and most likely better image quality if not a little shorter on the focal length.

[@cameralabs]

I agree, I'd like to see a 300mm f4 and a 400mm f5.6, I was always fond of those in the EF mounts.

[@Rollergold4]

@@cameralabs Plus those would lenses I can justify and afford as hobbyist. The 600f4 @ $16.8K CAD on the other hand, not so much.

[@iforyou70]

high quality

[@mikldude9376]

Good review mate , and a nice bit of gear .

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! Hope you checked out my 200-600 video too!

[@morsinimicis8737]

800mm 5.6 would be good.

[@cameralabs]

Would you buy it?

[@morsinimicis8737]

@@cameralabs I'd rent it. A lot.

[@gonzaloleviatanh]

😋

[@IanWilkinson]

Six different reviews of this lens just popped into my Subscriptions stream - so which one did I choose to watch first? This one, of course, and I wasn't disappointed! [Edit] And since you asked, I'd like a tiny 300mm F4 fresnel lens like the Nikkor, please, as long as it's similarly priced - around £1200 would do nicely.

[@cameralabs]

Yes I'd like a 300 f4 as well!

[@sh8736]

Agreed Ian looked for Gordon’s review, and would also like the 300mm. Am wondering if when Gordon gets back to Brighton if he’ll pop down the Lanes for a quick vlog of his ear lobe..... 😂

[@karn3094]

I agree! It’s why I’ve kept my Nikon to date. It’s great with a 1.4 TC too.

[@cameralabs]

@@sh8736 I'm going to have to vlog with a long selfie stick for this one.

[@cameralabs]

@@karn3094 you mean the Nikon 300 or the 200-500? Both are nice!

[@pop1348]

Where are the e mount lenses for crop sensor ?

[@cameralabs]

I'd like to see more of them too

[@TVe200]

If Sony continuous to do nothing with APS-C for the next 12 months I must consider to switch to something else, maybe Fuji. 5 of my 6 lenses are useless on Sony FF so it will not be cheaper to switch to A7iii.

[@pop1348]

@@TVe200 I agree. I don't understand why they are still making apsc bodies every two years... But no lenses...

[@cameralabs]

@@TVe200 do you mean release new lenses or bodies? They do plenty of bodies, but I'd like to see more lenses.

[@TVe200]

@@cameralabs Both, I have a Sony a6500 today. I hope for APS-C with better IBIS and battery in a bigger body and a zoom lens better than the 16-70 I use most of the time now. My primes are OK. I have Sigma 16, Sony 35 1.8, Sigma 56 and Sony 85 (FE).

[@dvbeattie]

Wonder how the Olympus 300mm f4 compares, which is probably at least half the size and 1/5 the cost

[@cameralabs]

Well, the 300mm f4 is a 300mm f4, whereas this is a 600mm f4, so they are completely different lenses. In full frame terms, the 300mm f4 on a cropped MFT body becomes equivalent to 600mm f8.

[@dvbeattie]

Gordon Laing Hi, I mistake for not clarifying my question. I was wondering about image quality and noise comparison. . I am an E-M1 Mark II owner and very familiar with crop factor equivalence. (and I love my Olympus camera) And I guess a follow up question: is the huge size and the massive cost of this lens make an image that is that massively better than the Olympus lens? My mistake for not being clear the first time. Thank you. Love your reviews. They are fantastic. I watch them all the time

[@cameralabs]

@@dvbeattie well the main difference is having two stops shallower depth of field. Being able to address a bigger sensor also means better high ISO performance.

[@TITAOSTEIN]

Gordon Laing f8 DoF

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

The 200-600mm is a better comparison, as it gets to 600mm f6.3 whist the Olympus gets the equivalent of a 600mm f8, so, 2/3 of a stop slower.

[@unoengborg]

Probably nothing wrong with the 600/4 lens, but for wildlife you need higher resolution than the A9 can offer.

[@cameralabs]

Yes that's the rub. You could shoot with the A7r III for res, but you'd miss out on the AF of the A9. Depends hw much the creatures are moving!

[@Trigger-xw9gq]

Maybe the a9II will have more MP.

[@cameralabs]

@@Trigger-xw9gq it's a tricky one as Canon and Nikon's pro bodies both have fairly modest MPs too. Maybe the answer is to just improve the AF on the A7r III which I reckon is much more likely.

[@cameralabs]

@@Trigger-xw9gq I think more likely an A7r IV may have better AF...

[@GavinMufclee]

Sony's just released the a7 mark 4 with 61 MP 😎