Sony 500mm, f/4 Lens: I am thinking of buying this lens. I know it's not the latest update. The reviews are all positive, but old. Have any of you hoggers ever used this lens and if...

david2day Loc: Central Coast, Calif.

I am thinking of buying this lens. I know it's not the latest update. The reviews are all positive, but old. Have any of you hoggers ever used this lens and if so, what do you think of it. It's a little pricey, but is it a good lens overall? Thanks in advance. I appreciate all input.

MDI Mainer

Would you be using this on an A mount body? If not, I'm not sure I would spend this kind of money to buy a non-native lens which will require an adapter. It's one thing if you already own such a lens.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

david2day wrote:

I am thinking of buying this lens. I know it's not the latest update. The reviews are all positive, but old. Have any of you hoggers ever used this lens and if so, what do you think of it. It's a little pricey, but is it a good lens overall? Thanks in advance. I appreciate all input.

Are you talking about the 500 f4 VRII or the newer FL lens?
The newer FL lens has an electronic aperture which is great for shooting at 10+ frames per second because it insures each frame will be exactly the same exposure.
The VRII is a beast and heavy, you'll most likely have to use a tripod and gimbal head, I do with my Nikon 600 f4, VRII lens.
Both lenses are incredibly sharp. The FL lens is pricy and to be honest if your thinking about a Nikon Z body in your future (Z9?), personally I would wait for Nikon to come out with native long Z lenses.
You can pick up a very nice used VRII lens for a decent price.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Canisdirus

You will probably have a hard time finding someone who has this lens.
I certainly would not be investing big bucks into ANY A-Mount lens today.
I'm sure it is sharp, but it's aged as well (SSM motor).
For around the same money, you could get an E-mount long prime that would absolutely smoke this lens in every way.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

You never stated what camera you are using. This is a Sony A-mount lens, not E-mount. Sony essentially has abandoned the A-mount system. If you plan to use it on a contemporary E-mount camera (the A7 or A9 series) you will need an adapter. As others stated before, it is not advisable to spend this much money on a lens that is not native. If you are a Sony shooter and don't mind spending this kind of money you should look at the Sony 400mm GM or 600mm GM lenses.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

billnikon wrote:

Are you talking about the 500 f4 VRII or the newer... (show quote)

I’m not sure why you’d assume he’s shooting Nikon or looking at a Z body, but I’m eagerly awaiting the 200-600 Z mount that’s supposed to come by this year.

MDI Mainer

Sony either has on offer or has announced a new 600mm f4 e-mount lens.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Sony%20600%20Mm%20F4&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&ap=Y&gclid=Cj0KCQjw38-DBhDpARIsADJ3kjkmmhTbZC13HnLSH7dSSRc24TXZxO5azBVgUqXktHziXHxRysGbNxYaAlyZEALw_wcB

gwilliams6

billnikon wrote:

Are you talking about the 500 f4 VRII or the newer... (show quote)

He is talking about the Sony 500m f4, which is a Sony A-mount lens. Not talking about any Nikon lens.

gwilliams6

MDI Mainer wrote:

Sony either has on offer or has announced a new 600mm f4 e-mount lens.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Sony%20600%20Mm%20F4&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&ap=Y&gclid=Cj0KCQjw38-DBhDpARIsADJ3kjkmmhTbZC13HnLSH7dSSRc24TXZxO5azBVgUqXktHziXHxRysGbNxYaAlyZEALw_wcB

Not new, that is the Sony E-Mount 600mm f4 GM lens and its regular price. The lens was first introduced on June 11, 2019.

gwilliams6

As a Sony professional user, I agree and would not recommend buying an A-Mount lens now. All the best Sony tech and features are in their E-Mount cameras and lens. If you can not afford the 12K 400mm f2.8 GM or the 13K 600mm f4 GM lenses, then I can recommend the Sony 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 G lens at 2k USD. I have it and it is sharp, fast focusing, well balanced and affordable for this focal range zoom.

It seems Sony is near to releasing both a 300mm f2.8 GM and a 500mm f4 GM in E-mount (maybe before this summer's Olympics), but they will both certainly be more costly than the Sony 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 G lens. Cheers

https://www.sony.com/electronics/camera-lenses/sel200600g

MDI Mainer

gwilliams6 wrote:

Not new, that is the Sony E-Mount 600mm f4 GM lens and its regular price. The lens was first introduced on June 11, 2019.

True, but new compared to the lens the OP was talking about, and enough that -- like the A1 -- it's not being discounted in any promotion I'm aware of and not in plentiful supply on the new or used market!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

billnikon wrote:

Are you talking about the 500 f4 VRII or the newer... (show quote)

?????

david2day Loc: Central Coast, Calif.

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will wait a while on this investment.