BJW

I've offered to let my niece borrow my Tamron 70-200 f2.8 (which I use with my Nikon D500) to use with her Sony A6000 to take on an African Safari. Two issues:
1) Lens mount adapter. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
2) can she add a teleconverter for greater telephoto effect? 1.4 or 2.0?
What are the pros and cons of each, whether used together or separately?
All informative comments welcome.
Thanks
BJ

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am not familiar with the a6000 but I wonder if it will not be better for her a Sony 55-300 lens made to fit the camera.
This way no adapter needed.
I do not know if lenses are under the "checked luggage" regulations, another thing to keep in mind.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

She will probably be returning from the airport in South Africa which does not come under the new regulation.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Very good price, and getting enough light in Africa shouldn't be a problem - at least during the day.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=883967&gclid=Cj0KEQjww7zHBRCToPSj_c_WjZIBEiQAj8il5Mp47qFGy6ZMwakc7sD4Bjgl2EvsZj3VrP4moJtmYR8aAqsC8P8HAQ&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C%7Bcreative%7D%2C%7Bkeyword%7D&Q=&A=details

I would never check an A6000 and long lens. I use a ScottEvest to carry lots of stuff unobtrusively.

https://www.scottevest.com/index_first_visit.shtml

Dee-530 Loc: New York

the Sony 6000 is a "E" mount, for the sony 55-300 lens she will need a adapter

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

I took an a6000 around Europe two years ago and again to Death Valley one year ago. I recommend that she put an 18-200mm SEL18200LE or the similar tamron on the camera. They are pretty reasonable used from KEH or even B&H. I returned from each of those with hundreds of really decent images--and a few keepers to print 16x24 and larger. I only went to the a6300 because I also shoot video.

I've not tried a teleconverter with the Sony. I suppose I could, and may yet as I do have an adapter for my Nikon 400mm.

janelux Loc: Florida

If I was her, I would rent a Sony lens for the trip. LensRental.com or BorrowLenses.com are both very reliable.

BJW

Thank you all for your very helpful suggestions.
BJ

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

There have been 3 iterations of the Sony 18-200. The LE version is consistently returns worse reviews than the 18-200mm SEL18200 (without the SE). This is the Silver lens. There is also a version with a power zoom. Reviews also show that the silver 18-200mm SEL18200 outperforms the Tamron version.

I have the silver SEL18200 and it performs quite well. My only concern is that the weight of the lens causes the lens to zoom out when hung down from the neck unless you remember to lock it.

The advantage of using this lens is that it has OSS (stabilization) which works quite well. The A6000 camera does not have built in Image Stabilization and must depend upon the lens providing it. Adapted Sony A-Mount lens will auto focus if you have the LA-EA4 (or 2) adapter. And adapted lenses from other manufacturers are all pretty much manual focusing.

The safest bet for a successful trip is to use a lens designed for the A6000 and to take advantage of image stabilization and auto focusing.

A less expensive option is to use the Sony SEL55210 which is stabilized and auto focuses. But you may then need to frequently change lenses and a Safari is a dusty place. I have that lens too, and I find I get better results with the 18-200.

150digger

Using 55-300 Sony lens on Sony a6000 looks like will require an adapter also....a6000 is e-mount camera...And a 55-300 Sony lens I saw on B&H site is an a-mount....Unless Sony makes 55-300 in e-mount....Adapter is required...

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

The 200mm is not enough reach. With a 2X converter it is marginal and IQ will suffer. I would rent a longer compatible lens such a range as 150-600mm if there is one for the Sony e-mount. If not, the longest e-mount that had good reach. I suggest going to B&H website and searching on e-mount telephoto lenses.