Sony a9ii + 600mm f4 with/without TCs

[William (Bill) Anderson]

I've been experimenting with the Sony mirrorless system for the last couple of months. There has been a bit of a learning curve to go from a Nikon DSLR to Sony mirrorless camera but there are advantages for bird photography with the Sony frame rate, AF system, and GM lenses. I've included a few recent shots from the beach of a Dunlin and Willet.

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[Roaring 40s]

Yes, I pair the Sony 400/2.8 with both TCs with good to excellent results. At 800mm though the SS has to be 1/4000s for BIF.

 

[William (Bill) Anderson]

Hi Ziggy, I opted for the 600mm f4 and have been pleased with the results when using the TC 2.0, both the IQ and auto focus at f8. Thanks, Bill

 

[Roaring 40s]

Yes, they're both capable of stonking images.
I preferred to have the option of 3 focal lengths and the prime that's about 4" shorter and is carry-on.
It's in for repair for back focusing at the moment and Sony is lending me a 600/4 so I'll get a chance to appreciate its strengths.

 

[William (Bill) Anderson]

I tend to gravitate towards the longer lenses given that I never seem to get close enough to birds, especially the small ones. FYI, here are a couple of backyard photos taken this week with the Sony a9ii + 600mm f/4 + TC 2.0 at f8. 1) Common Grackle and 2) Red-bellied Woodpecker. Bill

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[Roaring 40s]

Yes, my view is that birds require around 600mm film equivalent as the price of admission, and for the dress circle - BIF - 750-900mm.

I've done a lot of shooting with the 400/2.8 and 2xTC and it performs very well. I researched the IQ possible from images on Flickr before going down this route. The shorter overall length of the rig works for my kind of shooting, which is handheld and on foot, out of a 4WD or on a rolling boat. Covid permitting I'll be doing a sub-antarctic island cruise next year where we'll get to within sniffing distance of sea lions, nesting albatross, and penguins, and then the shorter bare length of the lens will pay off.

I also use the lens with an A7R III and that's harder work than the A9 but the plumage detail can be superb. Eg...

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[Icarus]

I've been experimenting with the Sony mirrorless system for the last couple of months. There has been a bit of a learning curve to go from a Nikon DSLR to Sony mirrorless camera but there are advantages for bird photography with the Sony frame rate, AF system, and GM lenses. I've included a few recent shots from the beach of a Dunlin and Willet.
View attachment 13019View attachment 13020

Looks like the combo is working well for you.

 

[Icarus]

Yes, my view is that birds require around 600mm film equivalent as the price of admission, and for the dress circle - BIF - 750-900mm.

I've done a lot of shooting with the 400/2.8 and 2xTC and it performs very well. I researched the IQ possible from images on Flickr before going down this route. The shorter overall length of the rig works for my kind of shooting, which is handheld and on foot, out of a 4WD or on a rolling boat. Covid permitting I'll be doing a sub-antarctic island cruise next year where we'll get to within sniffing distance of sea lions, nesting albatross, and penguins, and then the shorter bare length of the lens will pay off.

I also use the lens with an A7R III and that's harder work than the A9 but the plumage detail can be superb. Eg...

View attachment 13038

Superb feather detail.