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Sony 100-400 vs 200-600
Dec 27, 2019 10:45:13   #
RDBDDS Loc: Eatonton, GA
 
Has anyone used these lenses on a Sony A9 and have thoughts on them. I was about to buy the 100-400 when the 200-600 came out and now see positives for my use with both in sports. Since buying the A9 I have been pleased with the 70-200 but want more reach but probably not in the 400 to 600 range. I wish the 100-400 had internal zoom like the 200-600. I would appreciate all input. Thanks!

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Dec 28, 2019 09:57:43   #
Mi630
 
I will be following this post. I just picked up a used a9 and have the exact same question. Thanks for posting and hope you get many responses. Sorry I can’t actually help answer the question.

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Dec 28, 2019 10:09:18   #
RDBDDS Loc: Eatonton, GA
 
I guess I have honestly been affected by paralysis by analysis and have decided my first step will be an extender/teleconverter 2.0 to use on my 70/200. Reviews appear to be pretty positive in that it will make my 2.8 70/200 a 5.6 140/400. I plan to try it in shooting softball starting in February so I will watch this post and let you know how this works.

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Dec 28, 2019 10:14:44   #
BushDog Loc: San Antonio, TX
 
I have the 100-400 but not the 200-600. I do love the 100-400. Since buying it, I have rarely used my 70-200 f/2.8. I use it on my a9, a7R3 & a7R4. I love it for hiking and wildlife photography. I get nice sharp images. The downside is that you won’t get the gorgeous bokeh you’d get with something like a Canon 300mm f/2.8 but that costs a premium. I have the button on the 100-400mm lens customized to toggle between full frame and crop modes.
I know this doesn’t answer your question about comparison to the 200-600 but some of this might help you.

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Dec 31, 2019 12:45:21   #
RDBDDS Loc: Eatonton, GA
 
I'm still banging my head against the wall and now am leaning toward the 100/400 but wish it had the internal zoom like the 70/200 & 200/600. Do you have any problems with the moving zoom? Thanks!

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Jan 1, 2020 11:25:55   #
BushDog Loc: San Antonio, TX
 
I had a Canon 28-300 with a “push-pull” zoom that I did not like. I kept it for many years but didn’t often use it and finally sold it. The Sony 100-400 GM has the zoom ring instead of push-pull. I like it much better.
I too thought I’d be bothered by the lens extension on zooming in and out but it has not bothered me. I really don’t even think about that any more.

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Apr 27, 2020 01:32:58   #
GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI
 
BushDog wrote:
I have the 100-400 but not the 200-600. I do love the 100-400. Since buying it, I have rarely used my 70-200 f/2.8. I use it on my a9, a7R3 & a7R4. I love it for hiking and wildlife photography. I get nice sharp images. The downside is that you won’t get the gorgeous bokeh you’d get with something like a Canon 300mm f/2.8 but that costs a premium. I have the button on the 100-400mm lens customized to toggle between full frame and crop modes.
I know this doesn’t answer your question about comparison to the 200-600 but some of this might help you.
I have the 100-400 but not the 200-600. I do love ... (show quote)


I have the same question as the OP and I found your answer helpful. However, I was also considering upgrading to the a7R4 or a9. Do you prefer one over the other?

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Apr 27, 2020 10:32:11   #
BushDog Loc: San Antonio, TX
 
GrandmaG wrote:
I have the same question as the OP and I found your answer helpful. However, I was also considering upgrading to the a7R4 or a9. Do you prefer one over the other?


As far as Sony full frame camera bodies go, I have the a9, a7Riv and two copies of the a7Riii. My favorite and most used are the a7Riii bodies. I find that 42 megapixel sensor to be sublime; I love it.

I rarely need the speed of the a9. I do, however, like the extra dial on top of the a9. Since some of the functions are on that dial instead of in the menu like on the a7 series, it has, on occasion, caused me to pause to think when working with both the a9 and one of the a7 series bodies. If working with only an a9 series body, the selection of those functions can be a tiny bit faster - probably just a fraction of a second if you’re proficient with both bodies.

For me, I do like to use the a7Riv with the 100-400 (or other lenses like 135mm or 90 Macro) when I go hiking or trying to catch birds in flight so I can crop heavily in post processing. Of course, I can also crop a lot using the a7Riii, just not as much as the iv.

The a9 and a7Riv may have a little more responsive autofocusing but I haven’t noticed much difference from the a7Riii.

I guess you can already tell my love for the a7Riii. In my opinion, it’s the best bang for the (now reduced) cost. The extra speed or extra resolution provided by one of the newer bodies is overkill for most users.

A couple of more comments:
My copy of the 100-400 does exhibit lens creep. It extends completely to 400mm while hanging by my side. It doesn’t bother me though. Most of my shots are taken at the 400mm focal length anyway. I’m still surprised how sharp they are.

Last year, my first a7Riii with 100-400 lens dropped from about 3 feet. Of course, I cringed when I heard the thud as they hit the wood floor. Sure enough, both were damaged. I had Precision Camera out of Austin send them to Sony for repair. (I know how blessed I am to have been able to ...) immediately order a new copy of each. I love them both and couldn’t bear to be without either. When the repaired items came back, I kept the a7Riii body. That’s why I have two. Can’t bear to part with either of those identical bodies. I sold the repaired 100-400 to a fellow photographer (who is one of the best photographers I know and way more knowledgable than me). She recently used that repaired 100-400 lens almost exclusively on an extended photo trip to Africa.

Hope this helps a little bit.

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Apr 28, 2020 14:39:16   #
GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI
 
BushDog wrote:
As far as Sony full frame camera bodies go, I have the a9, a7Riv and two copies of the a7Riii. My favorite and most used are the a7Riii bodies. I find that 42 megapixel sensor to be sublime; I love it.

I rarely need the speed of the a9. I do, however, like the extra dial on top of the a9. Since some of the functions are on that dial instead of in the menu like on the a7 series, it has, on occasion, caused me to pause to think when working with both the a9 and one of the a7 series bodies. If working with only an a9 series body, the selection of those functions can be a tiny bit faster - probably just a fraction of a second if you’re proficient with both bodies.

For me, I do like to use the a7Riv with the 100-400 (or other lenses like 135mm or 90 Macro) when I go hiking or trying to catch birds in flight so I can crop heavily in post processing. Of course, I can also crop a lot using the a7Riii, just not as much as the iv.

The a9 and a7Riv may have a little more responsive autofocusing but I haven’t noticed much difference from the a7Riii.

I guess you can already tell my love for the a7Riii. In my opinion, it’s the best bang for the (now reduced) cost. The extra speed or extra resolution provided by one of the newer bodies is overkill for most users.

A couple of more comments:
My copy of the 100-400 does exhibit lens creep. It extends completely to 400mm while hanging by my side. It doesn’t bother me though. Most of my shots are taken at the 400mm focal length anyway. I’m still surprised how sharp they are.

Last year, my first a7Riii with 100-400 lens dropped from about 3 feet. Of course, I cringed when I heard the thud as they hit the wood floor. Sure enough, both were damaged. I had Precision Camera out of Austin send them to Sony for repair. (I know how blessed I am to have been able to ...) immediately order a new copy of each. I love them both and couldn’t bear to be without either. When the repaired items came back, I kept the a7Riii body. That’s why I have two. Can’t bear to part with either of those identical bodies. I sold the repaired 100-400 to a fellow photographer (who is one of the best photographers I know and way more knowledgable than me). She recently used that repaired 100-400 lens almost exclusively on an extended photo trip to Africa.

Hope this helps a little bit.
As far as Sony full frame camera bodies go, I have... (show quote)


Thank you VERY much for that answer. It is exactly the information I needed from an actual user of both cameras. I am using the a7iii. I do like the ergonomics if the a9 II and the a7RIV and the extra dial on the a9 but those are not good enough reasons to upgrade. It would be nice to have the extra resolution of the a7Riii and now the price is right!!!

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Apr 28, 2020 14:46:18   #
BushDog Loc: San Antonio, TX
 
GrandmaG wrote:
Thank you VERY much for that answer. It is exactly the information I needed from an actual user of both cameras. I am using the a7iii. I do like the ergonomics if the a9 II and the a7RIV and the extra dial on the a9 but those are not good enough reasons to upgrade. It would be nice to have the extra resolution of the a7Riii and now the price is right!!!


You are very welcome. I’m glad to be of help. It’s good to be on either side of the help available here on this Ugly Hedgehog site.

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