Sony FE 600 F4 Image Thread - Wildlife

[Tim Mayo]

This thread is dedicated to wildlife images taken with the Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS lens (SEL600F40GM).

Specs:

• Format: 35 mm full frame
• Focal length (mm): 600
• 35 mm equivalent focal length (aps-c): 900
• Lens groups / elements: 18-24 *Including one filter
• Angle of view (35 mm): 4°10'
• Angle of view (aps-c): 2°40'
• Maximum aperture: f/4
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Aperture blades: 11
• Circular aperture: yes
• Minimum focus distance: 14.8 ft (4.5 m)
• Maximum magnification ratio: 0.14x
• Filter diameter (mm): 40.5 (slot-in)
• Image stabilization (Steadyshot): Optical Steadyshot
• Teleconverter compatibility: 1.4x (SEL14TC) + 2x (SEL20TC)
• Dimensions (diameter x length): 6 1/2 in x 17 3/4 in (163.6 mm x 449 mm)
• Weight: 107.3 oz (3,040 g)
• Hood (model): ALC-SH158
• Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM

Helpful Resources:

• Latest firmware: v01 (release firmware)

 

[Doug Herr]

Coyote

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/400 sec
• ISO 1600

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/200 sec
• ISO 400

Acorn Woodpecker

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/800 sec
• ISO 400

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 1250

 

[Ron W]

Outstanding shots, especially of the coyote! Good work!

 

[Doug Herr]

Nuttall's Woodpecker, Sacramento County California USA

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/320 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/320 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/200 sec
• ISO 1250

 

[gordonhatusupy]

 

[cucar]

I just received my 600mm f/4 today. Hoping to get some nice shots soon once I get familiar with the lens.

 

[gordonhatusupy]

Common Loon, I must say that I'm really impressed with how the TC 2.0 works with the 600mm f/4 and a9ii. I was shooting under mixed conditions, it's pretty dark here in Vancouver but the autofocus was super snappy and the sharpness of the images are awesome. I did stop down to f/11.

Took some video of the session here:

 

[cucar]

@gordonhatusupy nice shots!

I believe that's the peak design tripod? which lens foot and tripod head did you go with? I am shopping around for a similar setup as I have the peak design carbon and was wondering if it is sturdy enough for the 600mm f4 (considering windy situations). thanks.

 

[gordonhatusupy]

Thanks! To be honest I was kind of improvising here because it's all I brought, I thought I had everything in the car but forgot my go to setup. haha I think the Peak Design can work, the tripod head not so in this case because it's a ball head it's just not suited for a 600mm.

Normally I'd use this setup when photographing water birds or shore birds:

Groundpod by Naturescapes
Whimberley Gimbal wh 200

That being said, I was kind of surprised how nice the peak design is for this situation, it's completely stable in that position and it's not flimsy. The wind is not so much a problem in that set up because you don't extend the legs and it's all so low to the ground. But I'd never use the peak design extended with the 600mm, it's just not strong enough. I have a Gitzo GT3541L Series 3 Mountaineer as my main tripod.

 

[cucar]

Thanks for the input. I am leaning towards buying a sturdy tripod (Gitzo likely) and a gimbal head. I was looking at the ProMedia Gear GKJr Katana Pro Gimbal Head: https://www.promediagear.com/GKJr-Katana-Pro-Telephoto-Lens-Gimbal-Head_p_289.html

 

[gordonhatusupy]

Looks great! I bought the Whimberley because of the reputation tbh, I can't speak to other brands or products. The whimberley has been great, it's super smooth and easy to handle but it's also really expensive.

 

[Doug Herr]

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 400

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/200 sec
• ISO 640

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 800

• ILCE-7RM3
• FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/100 sec
• ISO 800

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS (SEL600F40GM)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/800 sec
• ISO 500