Totally fair, I appreciate the feedback. This used to be one of my biggest issues with videos, I have improved both at audio balancing and music placement since this video.
First no need for the 1.4x because APS-C mode is 1.5 and many ways to get back to original size but most crop anyway so you know about that! I have no problems zero problems with the 2X. And if your using a Sony and a A7iii and above with ISO Invariance you can bring any dark image back to normal. IF you also have the A7RV it also has an EV dial that goes up or down 5EV so on those very bright sunny days and get feather detail using -5. Also with 2X and APS-C you get a full frame moon so sharp and close you will you are about to land on it great for those lunar eclipses but advise to just do 600mm less edge blur and you will get the moon with stars you can always crop to get a closer. Look using the 2x at 200 yards of a nest of baby Egrets being feed it looked like I was standing right next to the and DOF is just the greatest if if using the medium square focus at center great eye focus as well focus close for and aft and with beautiful bokeh also. I have no idea what you have read, must have been another brand dumping on it.
That’s really interesting to hear, sounds like I might be missing out! I did see a lot of reviews that advised me to avoid the 2x teleconverter with the 200 - 600 in particular, as well as to out right avoid tele converters in general. Tons of negativity for them! Which is why I thought it would be safest to go with the 1.4x TC. But after reading your comment, I’m intrigued! I would love to try it out for myself, perhaps I can rent it next summer. Thank you for commenting!
Using APS-C mode on a full-frame camera DOES NOT increase focal length. It crops the image in camera (and reduces your field of view) with the same results as if you crop the image later in post. If you think a TC and the crop mode do the same/similar things, you need to think harder 🙂 Pros of using APS-C mode ... - more shots before buffer is full - more shots on your memory card - takes up less space on your hard drive Cons of using APS-C mode ... - Harder to keep BIFs/action shots in frame because of the narrower field of view. - Narrow field of view gives you less flexibility for cropping in post.
@@rghurst I agree, I have never found a reason to shoot crop mode in my a7iv, as you said you can crop in post. Which is why I thought I would try out a 1.4x TC to increase magnification. Since owning it, I have had some good results with it. It’s definitely not always needed, especially as I learn new skills in wildlife photography. Using an apsc camera such as the a6000 series, there’s no loss of quality in terms of mega pixels. So of course that’s useful for some. Imagine the 1.4x + 600mm and the FOV of a crop sensor camera at, what is it a 1260mm equivalent now? Like you said BIF photos would be difficult! Haha
@@CurtisSnapshot I wish Sony would make a 33MP Crop Sensor body similar to the Canon R7 ... equivalent pixel density to an 83MP full frame. I am pretty sure the sensor is the Canon is made by Sony, but Sony doesn't seem to want to make a full-frame style body with the 33MP crop sensor.
The images can definitely be sharp, but using the 1.4x teleconverter with the Sony 200-600 can make it a bit more challenging to get sharp results. Factors like weather play a big role-on hot, sunny days, there’s often more atmospheric distortion, which can make distant subjects appear blurrier. Thanks for watching! If you’re still researching this combination, I have a more recent video where I share my updated thoughts after a year of using it. It’s a balanced and positive review: ua-cam.com/video/-48SEfICQy4/v-deo.htmlsi=QawuuqUIaj5Kt7vr
Hello, i like your photos a lot but i dont unterstand how you manage to take these shots with such a high ISO but without image noise. Can you explain how you do that?
Hey, thank you for your kind words about my photos! The quick answer is DXO denoise. When using a teleconverter, there's a loss of light, which often requires a higher ISO. The a7iv does a great job at handling noise as long as the photo is well exposed. At the time I created this video, I relied on DXO to denoise the images. Since then, I've refined my techniques to avoid shooting at such high ISOs whenever possible. While I still use denoising software occasionally, I find that the built-in denoising features in Lightroom are now more than powerful enough to handle any noise issues. I hope that was somewhat helpful!
I appreciate the input, I have been working on dialing the music down and using it more appropriately haha Hopefully you still got some value out of the video!
Nice review. Thanks for doing the work to produce it. I have the 200-600 and the 1.4 TC and do a lot of bird photography. As you mention, there is a 1-stop exposure value penalty when using the TC and I find the f/9 can be a problem in the early morning hours when I like to start shooting but later in the morning as the light gets better it is a great combination.
HI, MY 5 CENTS. THIS LENS IS A FULL FRAME LENS. USSUALLY FULL FRAME LENS WORKS BETTER WITH FULL FRAME CAMERA. IF YOU USE IT WITH CROP SENSOR CAMERA YOU NEED TO STOP DOWN ONE STOP TO GET MOST OUT OF THE LENS. THAT IS OBVIOUS. BUT THIS LENS IS DIFFERENT. THIS LENS IS VERY,VERY SHARP PAIRED WITH CROP SENSOR CAMERA OR FULL CAMERA IN CROP MODE. NO NEED FOR STOPPING DOWN. ON TOP OF IT, THIS LENS PAIRED WITH FULL FRAME CAMERA REQUIRES STOPPING DOWN NO MUCH BUT STILL TO GET MOST OUT OF THIS LENS. CHECK IT OUT. KIND REGARDS PETER CHROMIK
I have the 1.4 teleconverter on my Sony a7 mkiii and sony 200-600mm lens. I found it very noisy. But will try F11. I use shutter priority as I find it very difficult to use Manual mode trying to focus and hold the heavy lens.
I hope it helps! Experiment with lots of different settings. Just keep in mind that f/11 will reduce the amount of light entering the camera, which can increase noise. Sometimes the teleconverter doesn’t work well in certain weather conditions. Thank you for commenting and good luck!
Thanks to IBS and OSS in modern camera systems, it’s a lot easier to capture handheld photos at 840mm. It's all about finding that sweet spot with the shutter speed. I usually shoot above 1/800s depending on how still I can hold the camera. I can achieve slightly lower shutter speeds if I brace myself, but that’s starting to stretch it haha. Thanks for commenting!
Thanks! We have black capped chickadees here and for the most part they’re pretty tame on busy trails. I was having a look at what the difference between a Carolina is, and it looks like they’re almost identical!
It really depends on what you're aiming to photograph and the atmospheric conditions, as this setup can significantly magnify effects like heat distortion. For wildlife, this combination allows me to identify animals from a distance, but capturing high-quality photos of them is more challenging. The results can vary widely based on what you intend to capture. For instance, it might be possible to create a compelling environmental shot of an animal at that distance, where the surroundings contribute to the image just as much as the wildlife itself. Hope that helps, thank you for commenting!
In theory, yes, this combo would work with an APS-C camera. Effectively giving you a reach of around 1260mm. However, just note that teleconverters can often impact image quality under various conditions in the field. With the added crop factor, any image degradation becomes more noticeable. That said, I’ve personally used this setup while filming 4k, 60 fps, which switches the camera into APS-C mode and have achieved fantastic results. So it’s definitely possible!
Hey man, I like ur pics. Only thing is that for my taste ur a bit too much center focussed. Most of ur subjects find themselves right in the middle of the picture. Setting em off a bit might even add more excitement. Cheers.
Thank you! I’m always experimenting and learning, I really appreciate the feedback. I partially blame Instagram for my style of shooting centre focused as well as always choosing a 4x5 crop haha. Im finally starting to get away from these bad habits which feels really refreshing.
Great hands-on review! I have been using one for a month. I find it useful for 2x magnification at closer distances as you mentioned rather than farther reach. Also works the best when the weather isn't be windy or hot. I usually notice a drop in contrast but thats fixable in post.
Hey there, sorry for the late reply! It’s really tough to say, I have read some seriously mixed reviews about using a 2x teleconverter with this lens in particular. I haven’t tried it myself, but the 2x can greatly degrade image quality in a lot of situations (which also happens with the 1.4x but I didn’t find the image degradation bad at all). That being said, for video work I’ve heard the 2x is usable in some situations to get closer without cropping. Thanks for commenting, glad you enjoyed the video!
Great review!!, I already have this lens with A7rIV, but I'm continuing to fight with the autofocus system. Do you have some tutorials for the right camera setup for birding? focus etc?. Thanks!. Federico Marenzi from Argentina.
Thank you! I do have a video explaining how I have my Sony a7iv setup. As well the autofocus settings I use for different wildlife situations, including birds. Focus settings start at 2:50, hopefully it’s helpful! ua-cam.com/video/KzbFIPYbakE/v-deo.htmlsi=2JmkqmxAj0CbvT8l
It’s the “Neewer Pro Camera Bag” on Amazon. www.amazon.ca/Neewer-Waterproof-Shockproof-Combination-Professional/dp/B072K3W4TW/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=neewer+camera+bag&qid=1684727129&sr=8-6
Its a nice review. Only you forget to compare to not using the TC.. I did some tests, with, and without the TC -and it seems like there is no real gain. You come closer, but the image sharpness degree, so the end result is more or less the same.
@@Dyfiwildlifephotography oh okay! The 3 stabilization modes on the lens are, 1: compensates for normal shake 2: compensates for shake while panning 3: compensates for fast and irregularly moving subjects, such as birds in flight. (This mode also enhances stabilization within the view finder to make framing your subjects easier). And then the lens has various other switches for turning on stabilization, turning on autofocus, or setting how close or far the lens can focus. It’s pretty cool and a lot to pay attention too at times.
I'm using Sony's "Creators' App". The app allows you to remote control the camera on your phone. The app gives you the EVF view and then I simply screen record the app. There are other apps that do the same thing I believe, for different camera models and companies. There are some other cheap work arounds as well, if the above doesn't work.
It’s the “Neewer Pro Camera Bag” on Amazon. www.amazon.ca/Neewer-Waterproof-Shockproof-Combination-Professional/dp/B072K3W4TW/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=neewer+camera+bag&qid=1684727129&sr=8-6
If your using APSC mode on a full frame camera, that’s essentially cropping into the image. So you end up loosing some mega pixels. A 1.4x converter magnifies your lens to get you closer to the subject without a loss of resolution and it also provides the flexibility to crop in further if needed.
spoiled by intrusive background music - NOT cool, just noisey!
Totally fair, I appreciate the feedback. This used to be one of my biggest issues with videos, I have improved both at audio balancing and music placement since this video.
Yes same pissed me off with what sounded like water dripping.. Can't watch it
Grrrrr
First no need for the 1.4x because APS-C mode is 1.5 and many ways to get back to original size but most crop anyway so you know about that! I have no problems zero problems with the 2X. And if your using a Sony and a A7iii and above with ISO Invariance you can bring any dark image back to normal. IF you also have the A7RV it also has an EV dial that goes up or down 5EV so on those very bright sunny days and get feather detail using -5. Also with 2X and APS-C you get a full frame moon so sharp and close you will you are about to land on it great for those lunar eclipses but advise to just do 600mm less edge blur and you will get the moon with stars you can always crop to get a closer. Look using the 2x at 200 yards of a nest of baby Egrets being feed it looked like I was standing right next to the and DOF is just the greatest if if using the medium square focus at center great eye focus as well focus close for and aft and with beautiful bokeh also. I have no idea what you have read, must have been another brand dumping on it.
That’s really interesting to hear, sounds like I might be missing out! I did see a lot of reviews that advised me to avoid the 2x teleconverter with the 200 - 600 in particular, as well as to out right avoid tele converters in general. Tons of negativity for them! Which is why I thought it would be safest to go with the 1.4x TC.
But after reading your comment, I’m intrigued! I would love to try it out for myself, perhaps I can rent it next summer.
Thank you for commenting!
Using APS-C mode on a full-frame camera DOES NOT increase focal length. It crops the image in camera (and reduces your field of view) with the same results as if you crop the image later in post. If you think a TC and the crop mode do the same/similar things, you need to think harder 🙂
Pros of using APS-C mode ...
- more shots before buffer is full
- more shots on your memory card
- takes up less space on your hard drive
Cons of using APS-C mode ...
- Harder to keep BIFs/action shots in frame because of the narrower field of view.
- Narrow field of view gives you less flexibility for cropping in post.
@@rghurst I agree, I have never found a reason to shoot crop mode in my a7iv, as you said you can crop in post. Which is why I thought I would try out a 1.4x TC to increase magnification. Since owning it, I have had some good results with it. It’s definitely not always needed, especially as I learn new skills in wildlife photography.
Using an apsc camera such as the a6000 series, there’s no loss of quality in terms of mega pixels. So of course that’s useful for some. Imagine the 1.4x + 600mm and the FOV of a crop sensor camera at, what is it a 1260mm equivalent now? Like you said BIF photos would be difficult! Haha
@@CurtisSnapshot I wish Sony would make a 33MP Crop Sensor body similar to the Canon R7 ... equivalent pixel density to an 83MP full frame. I am pretty sure the sensor is the Canon is made by Sony, but Sony doesn't seem to want to make a full-frame style body with the 33MP crop sensor.
Are the images sharp?
The images can definitely be sharp, but using the 1.4x teleconverter with the Sony 200-600 can make it a bit more challenging to get sharp results. Factors like weather play a big role-on hot, sunny days, there’s often more atmospheric distortion, which can make distant subjects appear blurrier.
Thanks for watching! If you’re still researching this combination, I have a more recent video where I share my updated thoughts after a year of using it. It’s a balanced and positive review: ua-cam.com/video/-48SEfICQy4/v-deo.htmlsi=QawuuqUIaj5Kt7vr
Hello, i like your photos a lot but i dont unterstand how you manage to take these shots with such a high ISO but without image noise. Can you explain how you do that?
Hey, thank you for your kind words about my photos! The quick answer is DXO denoise.
When using a teleconverter, there's a loss of light, which often requires a higher ISO. The a7iv does a great job at handling noise as long as the photo is well exposed. At the time I created this video, I relied on DXO to denoise the images.
Since then, I've refined my techniques to avoid shooting at such high ISOs whenever possible. While I still use denoising software occasionally, I find that the built-in denoising features in Lightroom are now more than powerful enough to handle any noise issues.
I hope that was somewhat helpful!
Works just fine with my A7iv 👍🏾
Leave the music off your next video.
I appreciate the input, I have been working on dialing the music down and using it more appropriately haha
Hopefully you still got some value out of the video!
Music didn't bother me at all for what it's worth
Nice review. Thanks for doing the work to produce it. I have the 200-600 and the 1.4 TC and do a lot of bird photography. As you mention, there is a 1-stop exposure value penalty when using the TC and I find the f/9 can be a problem in the early morning hours when I like to start shooting but later in the morning as the light gets better it is a great combination.
Glad you enjoyed the review. Thanks for commenting and sharing your experience with this combination!
HI, MY 5 CENTS. THIS LENS IS A FULL FRAME LENS. USSUALLY FULL FRAME LENS WORKS BETTER WITH FULL FRAME CAMERA. IF YOU USE IT WITH CROP SENSOR CAMERA YOU NEED TO STOP DOWN ONE STOP TO GET MOST OUT OF THE LENS. THAT IS OBVIOUS. BUT THIS LENS IS DIFFERENT. THIS LENS IS VERY,VERY SHARP PAIRED WITH CROP SENSOR CAMERA OR FULL CAMERA IN CROP MODE. NO NEED FOR STOPPING DOWN. ON TOP OF IT, THIS LENS PAIRED WITH FULL FRAME CAMERA REQUIRES STOPPING DOWN NO MUCH BUT STILL TO GET MOST OUT OF THIS LENS. CHECK IT OUT. KIND REGARDS PETER CHROMIK
If you really want more reach -go for more pixel density -the Sony a7RIV /V
That is tempting! 😮💨
Excellent review. Thanks
Glad you found it helpful!
Hi, we'd like to collaborate with you. How can we get in touch?
I appreciate the opportunity! I will reply to your email later tonight for further details.
I have the 1.4 teleconverter on my Sony a7 mkiii and
sony 200-600mm lens. I found it very noisy. But will try F11.
I use shutter priority as I find it very difficult to use Manual mode trying to focus and hold the heavy lens.
I hope it helps! Experiment with lots of different settings. Just keep in mind that f/11 will reduce the amount of light entering the camera, which can increase noise. Sometimes the teleconverter doesn’t work well in certain weather conditions.
Thank you for commenting and good luck!
My wife and I shoot a1 w/200-600 both with 1.4 when needed. I’ve never tried hand holding with 1.4 that’s amazing. Sharp handheld at 840?
Thanks to IBS and OSS in modern camera systems, it’s a lot easier to capture handheld photos at 840mm. It's all about finding that sweet spot with the shutter speed. I usually shoot above 1/800s depending on how still I can hold the camera. I can achieve slightly lower shutter speeds if I brace myself, but that’s starting to stretch it haha.
Thanks for commenting!
@@CurtisSnapshot yes for perched handheld 800 is my min unless early morning on mono
I find myself doing a lot of macro with my 200-600, especially butterflies.
It's amazing how versatile this lens can be, even for close-up shots like with butterflies. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, do you think 200-600mm better than 70-200mm for the butterfly?
@@hanifdaud8589 Yeah, 200-600 for butterflies. They don't land for long, so great not to spook them.
man love that you got that carolina chickadee eating from your hands!
Thanks! We have black capped chickadees here and for the most part they’re pretty tame on busy trails. I was having a look at what the difference between a Carolina is, and it looks like they’re almost identical!
Is it possible to have clear picture at something 300-400 meters far away?
It really depends on what you're aiming to photograph and the atmospheric conditions, as this setup can significantly magnify effects like heat distortion. For wildlife, this combination allows me to identify animals from a distance, but capturing high-quality photos of them is more challenging. The results can vary widely based on what you intend to capture. For instance, it might be possible to create a compelling environmental shot of an animal at that distance, where the surroundings contribute to the image just as much as the wildlife itself. Hope that helps, thank you for commenting!
would this combo work with apsc camera? making it like 1260mm ?
In theory, yes, this combo would work with an APS-C camera. Effectively giving you a reach of around 1260mm. However, just note that teleconverters can often impact image quality under various conditions in the field. With the added crop factor, any image degradation becomes more noticeable.
That said, I’ve personally used this setup while filming 4k, 60 fps, which switches the camera into APS-C mode and have achieved fantastic results. So it’s definitely possible!
Can you please do a bird photography tutorial?
I will add it to my list of video ideas!
Hey man, I like ur pics. Only thing is that for my taste ur a bit too much center focussed. Most of ur subjects find themselves right in the middle of the picture. Setting em off a bit might even add more excitement. Cheers.
Thank you! I’m always experimenting and learning, I really appreciate the feedback. I partially blame Instagram for my style of shooting centre focused as well as always choosing a 4x5 crop haha. Im finally starting to get away from these bad habits which feels really refreshing.
@@CurtisSnapshot Thanks for your response. Big fan of your vids! :)
Great hands-on review! I have been using one for a month. I find it useful for 2x magnification at closer distances as you mentioned rather than farther reach. Also works the best when the weather isn't be windy or hot. I usually notice a drop in contrast but thats fixable in post.
Exactly, It works well in the right conditions! Thanks for watching.
I have the 1.4x with the A9+200-600mm, works fine...
Great combo!
I have an a7c and just got this lense, what do you think of the x2? Great video 👏
Hey there, sorry for the late reply! It’s really tough to say, I have read some seriously mixed reviews about using a 2x teleconverter with this lens in particular. I haven’t tried it myself, but the 2x can greatly degrade image quality in a lot of situations (which also happens with the 1.4x but I didn’t find the image degradation bad at all). That being said, for video work I’ve heard the 2x is usable in some situations to get closer without cropping.
Thanks for commenting, glad you enjoyed the video!
@@CurtisSnapshot thank you for the feedback! Keep flying. 🚀
This is an expensive hobby. 😂. I love my a7rv though. Cant wait to have the money to getthe telelens
I have a hard time putting this lens down, it’s definitely a solid investment! Whenever I pickup a “normal” focal length, I feel incredibly rusty haha
Aaaah, i might have to go get it then. time to save up some money
@@CurtisSnapshot
Great review!!, I already have this lens with A7rIV, but I'm continuing to fight with the autofocus system.
Do you have some tutorials for the right camera setup for birding? focus etc?.
Thanks!.
Federico Marenzi from Argentina.
Thank you! I do have a video explaining how I have my Sony a7iv setup. As well the autofocus settings I use for different wildlife situations, including birds.
Focus settings start at 2:50, hopefully it’s helpful!
ua-cam.com/video/KzbFIPYbakE/v-deo.htmlsi=2JmkqmxAj0CbvT8l
Hello Frederico! Currently Im hesitating between the a7iv and the a7riv, do you mind share your experiences? Thx in advance!
More pixels on the bird at 840mm, bigger dof at f11. Works great at f9 too :)
Absolutely! The setup works really well when it’s used correctly.
It will be better if you either use softer background music or not use any background music.
Coming back to this video I can see the improvements needed with the music, I appreciate the feedback! Learning audio is a constant struggle haha
My next door neighbor sometimes sunbakes topless on the back lawn and I wonder if this setup would be good for that?
Advise - dont use music track.
can you put a link to the backpack you used to keep the 200-600 lens
It’s the “Neewer Pro Camera Bag” on Amazon.
www.amazon.ca/Neewer-Waterproof-Shockproof-Combination-Professional/dp/B072K3W4TW/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=neewer+camera+bag&qid=1684727129&sr=8-6
thanks @@CurtisSnapshot
What impresses me more is the a7iv man, that focusing capability is utterly insane man 😮😮😮
I know right? The a7iv is always stealing the show.
Its a nice review. Only you forget to compare to not using the TC.. I did some tests, with, and without the TC -and it seems like there is no real gain. You come closer, but the image sharpness degree, so the end result is more or less the same.
Yeah I just got 1.4 teleconverter and don't think it's worth it
How much more if you shoot in crop mode 😅
If I remember correctly, it’s a 1.5x crop right? So 1,260mm! 😅😂
@@CurtisSnapshot 😅
Crop mode do NOT give more mm -only crops. The x1,5 is marketing BS.
Wish I had the 200-600
This is definitely an expensive hobby 😅
Luckily there’s lots of starting options, such as sigma lenses.
@@CurtisSnapshot Yeah I've got a decent lens but as u said, There's always room for more length😅
What IS setting 1 2 or 3?
Which settings are you referring to? The 3 stabilization settings on the side of the lens, or the 3 settings on the dial of the camera?
@@CurtisSnapshot the lens settings,,
@@Dyfiwildlifephotography oh okay! The 3 stabilization modes on the lens are,
1: compensates for normal shake
2: compensates for shake while panning
3: compensates for fast and irregularly moving subjects, such as birds in flight. (This mode also enhances stabilization within the view finder to make framing your subjects easier).
And then the lens has various other switches for turning on stabilization, turning on autofocus, or setting how close or far the lens can focus. It’s pretty cool and a lot to pay attention too at times.
@@CurtisSnapshot thanks that great,,i mainly shoot birds inflight so i will use 3.
How did you record your EVF in the pov segments? I thought it was a cool idea
I'm using Sony's "Creators' App". The app allows you to remote control the camera on your phone. The app gives you the EVF view and then I simply screen record the app. There are other apps that do the same thing I believe, for different camera models and companies.
There are some other cheap work arounds as well, if the above doesn't work.
link for bag pls
It’s the “Neewer Pro Camera Bag” on Amazon.
www.amazon.ca/Neewer-Waterproof-Shockproof-Combination-Professional/dp/B072K3W4TW/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=neewer+camera+bag&qid=1684727129&sr=8-6
F11... R7 + "Cheap" RF 800 /F11 costs like Sony 200-600 + 1.4x alone. You get 1280 mm /33mp reach and a Kilo lighter than 200-600
Yeah, I really got sucked into this Sony ecosystem. I hear about all these other setups from other companies and admit I feel a little jealous. 😂
What is the difference between 1.4x converter and Apsc mode?
If your using APSC mode on a full frame camera, that’s essentially cropping into the image. So you end up loosing some mega pixels.
A 1.4x converter magnifies your lens to get you closer to the subject without a loss of resolution and it also provides the flexibility to crop in further if needed.
@@CurtisSnapshot Got it thank you bro...