I initially got the 200-600 and used it during my 2022 safari. But I was disappointed how noisy were my images, and therefore before my 2023 safari invested in the 400 F2.8. I have not regretted buying the expensive lens for one minute not just for its wider aperture for low light, but the wonderful bokeh to separate subject from background and if you crop in the difference in image quality is noticeable. My safari setup now is 400 with A1 and 70-200 GMii with A1. I use both lenses on safari in a proportion of maybe 60/40 as frequently the animals do come closer.
Hi Jonathan. Thank you for the comment and the insight. Since recording the video I have purchased the 400 2.8. It’s sitting back in Scotland and I’ll collect it in October when I’m home. For now will only operate with one Sony A1 but maybe in time I’ll afford a second body to show with too. Let’s see. Happy shooting
@@AndrewMacdonaldPhotography I am so pleased you took the plung. You get amazing images already, so look forward to seeing what you get with the 400… For myself, I have really have got the safari bug, having been to Kenya in February, I am booked to visit Mana Pools in October- can’t wait!
Amazing review! As someone who is currently debating this exact setup as an upgrade from my 200-600 it’s really good to hear about it from a wildlife photography perspective.
as usual ,another great video. here in canada bird migration is on, and my 200/600 is always on .budget yes my a7r3 42mp or a9 they both work fantastic for me. thanks Andrew..
Nice review. It's a fantastic lens that 400. It is very quick to acquire focus and the bokeh.....just gorgeous. I've used it quite a few times in low light situations in darker forests with a tripod and a remote. I couldn't be happier with the results. You'll love it!
@@AndrewMacdonaldPhotography amazing lense 🤩 Do you go alone to Africa as a general? How do you organize your safaris? I am very interested in a video on the subject
@@AndrewMacdonaldPhotography I assume at first your trained skills rules... and 2nd your opportunities on your special game drives (positioning, light etc.) and 3rd the GM400 would be the special bonbon... anyway Thank you... you are showing very cool results using just "only" the G200600. So adding this one to complement my GM7020ii for my Namibia trip in summer 2024 will be perfect for me... and to invest in special game drives in some private game reserves... to get the real opportunity to achieve great results.
Ich habe eine kurze Zeit das 200-600er gehabt. Ich habe dann recht schnell zum 400er gewechselt. Die Unterschiede empfand ich als enorm. Man kann den Unterschied zu Canon Zeiten zwischen den EF-S 18-55/3,5-5,6 und den EF 50/1,4 USM vergleichen. Ob Farben, Bokeh, Schärfe,... der Gesamteindruck ist vom Bild viel besser. Wenn ich heute auf mein 200-600er zurück müsste, wäre es so als würde ich von einen BMW M3 auf einen 320er wechseln. Bitte nicht falsch verstehen: Das Sony 200-600 ist Hammer für das Geld und viele Laien würden in den bearbeiteten Endergebnissen wahrscheinlich keinen Unterschied erkennen. Als Foto-Nerd ist der Unterschied riesig.
Owned the 400 since release and also bought and tried the 200-600. The zoom is a great lens but mine was not at all as sharp as the 400. With the 400 i can comfortably crop 1:1 with my A1, even when using the 1.4x. Still tack sharp! That was not the case with the zoom in my experience. The bokeh is also much more pleasant from the 400. And of course low light performance. With that said the zoom is really good value, and a lot smaller and easier to use.
Did the 400mm with 1.4x have enough reach to photograph all the animals you've spotted in the distance? I was thinking about buying either the 400 or 600mm, but seems like the 400+200-600 might be the smarter option. Just can't decide
In my opinion at the moment the zoom lenses are really amazing that the price difference makes you feel its not worth it. A great example are your images . At first i honestly thought you are using the 600mm f4 . I just couldn’t believe it was 200-600mm .
I initially got the 200-600 and used it during my 2022 safari. But I was disappointed how noisy were my images, and therefore before my 2023 safari invested in the 400 F2.8. I have not regretted buying the expensive lens for one minute not just for its wider aperture for low light, but the wonderful bokeh to separate subject from background and if you crop in the difference in image quality is noticeable. My safari setup now is 400 with A1 and 70-200 GMii with A1. I use both lenses on safari in a proportion of maybe 60/40 as frequently the animals do come closer.
Hi Jonathan. Thank you for the comment and the insight. Since recording the video I have purchased the 400 2.8. It’s sitting back in Scotland and I’ll collect it in October when I’m home. For now will only operate with one Sony A1 but maybe in time I’ll afford a second body to show with too. Let’s see. Happy shooting
@@AndrewMacdonaldPhotography I am so pleased you took the plung. You get amazing images already, so look forward to seeing what you get with the 400…
For myself, I have really have got the safari bug, having been to Kenya in February, I am booked to visit Mana Pools in October- can’t wait!
Thanks for the great video. I don't own the 400 f2.8 yet. I knew the pros and cons but of each lens already but you explained it perfectly.
@@ericgofreed1651 thank you. I’m glad you got value from the video 😀
Great review - thanks! On to the next one :) looking forward
Much appreciated!!!
Amazing review! As someone who is currently debating this exact setup as an upgrade from my 200-600 it’s really good to hear about it from a wildlife photography perspective.
No problem man!! It’s a fantastic upgrade with obvious pros and cons…if you can afford to keep hold of the 200-600 as well then you won’t regret it !
as usual ,another great video. here in canada bird migration is on, and my 200/600 is always on .budget yes my a7r3 42mp or a9 they both work fantastic for me. thanks Andrew..
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!! Good luck chasing those birds!
Nice review. It's a fantastic lens that 400. It is very quick to acquire focus and the bokeh.....just gorgeous. I've used it quite a few times in low light situations in darker forests with a tripod and a remote. I couldn't be happier with the results. You'll love it!
Thank you for the comment….hopefully I can get my hands on one again soon!
They were right to trust you with this equipment. Great insights and examples ❤
Thank you!!
Btw I’m a new subscriber after your Collab with The Luxury Travel Expert. Great job capturing Antarctica.
That’s great to hear! Thank you for joining the adventures!
i use a nikon setup with the z9 with the 600f4 tc but also carry a 100-400f4.5-5.6
I went from 200-600 to 400mm and don't regret my choice at all!! I can't wait to test it for my first safari in Africa.
I have just purchased the 400 haha. I couldn’t resist!!
@@AndrewMacdonaldPhotography amazing lense 🤩
Do you go alone to Africa as a general? How do you organize your safaris? I am very interested in a video on the subject
Hoping the upcoming Sony 300mm f2.8 GM will be half its prize or less 🥲😂
Here’s hoping!!
@@AndrewMacdonaldPhotography I assume at first your trained skills rules... and 2nd your opportunities on your special game drives (positioning, light etc.) and 3rd the GM400 would be the special bonbon... anyway Thank you... you are showing very cool results using just "only" the G200600. So adding this one to complement my GM7020ii for my Namibia trip in summer 2024 will be perfect for me... and to invest in special game drives in some private game reserves... to get the real opportunity to achieve great results.
You got it right
Ich habe eine kurze Zeit das 200-600er gehabt. Ich habe dann recht schnell zum 400er gewechselt. Die Unterschiede empfand ich als enorm. Man kann den Unterschied zu Canon Zeiten zwischen den EF-S 18-55/3,5-5,6 und den EF 50/1,4 USM vergleichen. Ob Farben, Bokeh, Schärfe,... der Gesamteindruck ist vom Bild viel besser. Wenn ich heute auf mein 200-600er zurück müsste, wäre es so als würde ich von einen BMW M3 auf einen 320er wechseln. Bitte nicht falsch verstehen: Das Sony 200-600 ist Hammer für das Geld und viele Laien würden in den bearbeiteten Endergebnissen wahrscheinlich keinen Unterschied erkennen. Als Foto-Nerd ist der Unterschied riesig.
Owned the 400 since release and also bought and tried the 200-600. The zoom is a great lens but mine was not at all as sharp as the 400. With the 400 i can comfortably crop 1:1 with my A1, even when using the 1.4x. Still tack sharp! That was not the case with the zoom in my experience. The bokeh is also much more pleasant from the 400. And of course low light performance. With that said the zoom is really good value, and a lot smaller and easier to use.
Yeah those are all fantastic points. 😀. Thanks for watching 😀
Maybe the new 300 with 1.4 teleconverter is more practical?
It depends what you’re after. Adding the teleconverter is going to increase your aperture so it depends on your need really 😀
Did the 400mm with 1.4x have enough reach to photograph all the animals you've spotted in the distance? I was thinking about buying either the 400 or 600mm, but seems like the 400+200-600 might be the smarter option. Just can't decide
Yeah I’d suggest that option, I think in many cases the 600 would be too tight.
In my opinion at the moment the zoom lenses are really amazing that the price difference makes you feel its not worth it. A great example are your images . At first i honestly thought you are using the 600mm f4 . I just couldn’t believe it was 200-600mm .
I agree. The price difference is the main hurdle...Images in this video were both the 200-600 and the 400.
@@AndrewMacdonaldPhotography sorry i meant the images and videos from your last trip with the penguins .
Just waiting for sony to launch a 400 with built in TC.. ;-)