suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Thanks for the link- I will look at it.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Raptor, you have come to the right place to solve your concerns !

I shoot Sony A77II. I use the Sigma 100-300 f4 with it and using 1.1-2X Clear Image Zoom giving me 100-600mm f4 range and f-stop. It is an astounding lens ! The Sigma is smaller than a 150-600 but still has some size and weight to it - it is about $500 used - when you can find one in Sony/Minolta

As mentioned earlier, the Minolta 500 AF Reflex is also a great lens ! Small, light, easy to carry ! But, because of the 500mm magnification, you will need some form of mechanical stabilization to use it successfully ! It has NO tripod collar (what were the designers thinking ? ! ) - which complicates applying mechanical stabilization. I make a special L bracket that mostly solves this problem. I also make a facial stabilizer that also helps. PM me.

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with 500AF Reflex and big crop

(Download)

Sigma 100-300 f4 @ f4 W/1.7X CIZ (510mm) from bodypod

(Download)

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Excellent Tiger, Bokeh is great.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Unfortunately Sony doesn’t make a lot Lens for your A68 I know you said you would like to stay with Sony best of luck to sir.

As for your disabilities I hope you can find some way for it to work.

agillot

looking at those pictures , those 2 cameras are a viable option .nice and sharp .the other option would be a oshiro 500 mm 6.3 , it weigh next to nothing , but T MOUNT , manual only .

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

My latest monopod ....

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(Download)

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Good luck finding a lens that will make your system light enough. If you return the Tamron lens immediately you can get your money back.

The lightest weight systems for birds are:

The Nikon 1 V3 with the 70-300mm lens (Effective field of view 170-810mm, cost $2,200, weight 1.9 lb)--see Thomas Stirr's web site to see how capable this system is;

the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk 2 with the Panasonic 100-400mm (EFOV 200-800mm, cost $3,800, weight 3.4 lb);

the Panasonic G9 with the Panasonic 100-400mm (EFOV 200-800mm, cost $3,500, weight 3.6 lb);

the Sony A6500 with the 100-400mm + 1.4TC (EFOV 210-840mm, cost $4,250, weight 4.4 lb);

and the Fuji X-T2 with the 100-400mm + 1.4TC (EFOV 200-800mm, cost $3,950, weight 5.3 lb).

I have found that 800mm is significantly better, for me, than 600mm for birds, including birds in flight.

I sold my D500 and the Tamron 150-600mm G2 and bought the Fuji system. The Fuji 100-400mm with the 1.4TC is very sharp. I wouldn't use a 2.0TC on any lens because the loss of image quality would not be acceptable to me.

I will not claim that any of these systems is as good as a Canon or Nikon system, but I don't think you wouldn't be able to tell the difference on photos printed at 13"x20" or smaller or posted on the internet.

Tom Vargas

I have the Sigma 150-600mm lens I took to Africa. I took along with me the following items that helped me manage this lens. First I took a beanbag along so I could support the lens. Next I took a long a camera clamp to use on the Land Rover. An lastly I took along a monopod. Using these tools mage handling the lens not a problem. I am going back to Africa next year and will certainly bring this lens again with all my tools. Good luck.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You missed the Sony RX10 IV ......

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suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

You are so clever!!

gessman Loc: Colorado

If you're happy with the 18-270 in general, with the 1.5x crop factor of the a68 it effectively has a maximum field of view of 405mm. As Imagemeister suggested, Sony's Clear Image Zoom (CIZ) will allow you to zoom in-camera
from 405mm to 810mm with very little loss of image quality. Unless you were planning on using CIZ with the 150-600mm, using it with your 18-270 will get you more reach than the 600. Have you been using CIZ or
are you unaware of it and its benefits in extending the reach of a lens? You might have to use a tripod or monopod to hold 810mm steady but that would give you a solution without adding any more weight or spending any more money.

LillieAnnW

This is a different approach to a possible solution to your problem (and for me, too.). Someone mentioned on UHH a few weeks ago that he purchased a foldup baby stroller to carry his gear in. Think he said he found it at a thrift shop. I'm currently on the lookout for one, as I have chronic back problems, too. I think the larger wheels would make it handle more easily on sand/soil. Just a thought! Good luck!

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

"Alternately, you might want to look at a Sony RX10 IV - which only weighs 2.5 lbs and offers up a field of view equal to a 24-600mm lens (on a full frame camera)."

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As far as I know the Sony RX10 IV is not a full frame camera.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I rented the 70-400G2 last year for a weeklong aviation convention and got a winning shot for an e-newsletter - more pics on FB. It focused a lot faster on my a77 than my Tamron 70-300, and I mostly hand-held it. It's on my ever expanding bucket list!!

maryo Loc: Santa fe

I would really love to have the new sony rx10 IV for travelling and carrying it around - also for landscapes and birding. Go for it - great reviews.