Some Advice on Upgrading Lens

[djthomp]

Hey everyone, I thought I would post here instead of searching through the forums because I thought I was in a unique predicament. 

 

I've had the Sony alpha6000 since May, 2016 and this is my first DSLR. The model is ILCE-6000. I have the E mount 16-50 mm lens and 55-210 mm lens. I'm a pretty outdoorsy guy and I love hiking, bird watching backpacking, trail running, etc. and I enjoy taking my camera wherever I go. In particular, I'm really into wilderness photography - especially birds - as well as landscape photography. Now with birds, I've found I either need to spend at least an hour army crawling to get near enough for a good closeup shot...Or I could upgrade my lens and make my job a bit easier. 

 

But I've been having trouble finding a lens compatible with my E-mount. I think there's a Sony E-mount lens that goes to 300 mm, but I'm looking for something a bit more without throwing in my wallet (I think it's around $2000). 

 

So does anyone have any recommendations on what to do? I love how compact the Sony alpha is, but I'd like more zoom. Does anyone have any experience with 3rd party lens adapters? Are they worth it? Or should I invest in a camera body that is compatible with more lenses? My mom lives close by and she has a Canon lens that goes up to 600 mm and she would let me play around with it if I found a suitable adapter. 

 

Thanks!

[Dollanganger]

Sony's 300mm is $2,000? That sounds right for something with a low F stop but your 55-210mm isn't a low F stop.

 

I did a quick search and oddly didn't find any (Sony brand) 300mms regularly being promoted right now but a Sony Brand 300mm E mount was selling for only $300-500. There are also third party companies like Sigma and Tameron which make good zoom lenses for even less. Just make sure you buy their E mount model.

 

400mm+ do get pretty pricey (any brand) simply because there isn't much of a demand for it.

[Zé De Boni]

... In particular, I'm really into wilderness photography - especially birds - as well as landscape photography. Now with birds, I've found I either need to spend at least an hour army crawling to get near enough for a good closeup shot...Or I could upgrade my lens and make my job a bit easier. 

 

My mom lives close by and she has a Canon lens that goes up to 600 mm and she would let me play around with it if I found a suitable adapter...

I will concentrate on bird (and other animals) work.

 

It may be worth trying the Canon 600mm, depending on how old it is. This focal length is great for birds on APSC sensor, at an approximate 2 degrees angle. Below are two images made with the Minolta 600 on the Sony A77II, which has a sensor equivalent to the one in your A6000. Both images are cropped (about 20%).

First problem will be the to get an adapter. I don't know if any AF adapter for Canon lenses is compatible with this lens so that it retains autofocus. If you decide to buy one, you should do it in a store, taking camera and lens to try it before you make the deal.

Second problem will be to get a strong tripod to hold it. It will work better with a cine(video) type head.

Third problem will be carrying that weight. The 600 is not a hiking, running nor crawling lens!

So it is nice to have it available, but it doesn't fit your style as you described. So, is it worth spending money on an adapter with all those restrictions?

 

Another solution is to get a 150-600 zoom either Tamron or Sigma. Though you miss one and half stop at the long end (f/6.3), it is quite lighter, just about two kg, you may work handheld (it is stabilized) and leave tour tripod home if weight is a limiting factor. If you can fit it in your backpack (without letting out your water supply), then this kind of lens was made for you. Unfortunately, both brands come in Nikon and Canon mount only. So you must also get an adapter. The good news is that you don't need a third party adapter if you choose Sigma. The Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter is fully compatible with the two options of Sigma 150-600. Yes, Sigma has a cheaper version (~$ 1K) and a higher quality (Sport, heavier, weather sealed) for about $2K. Which one you should pick? It up to you, read the reviews (one is here: http://www.imaging-resource.com/lenses/sigma/150-600mm-f5-6.3-dg-hsm-os-c/review/). I would get the cheaper one. Considering the lenses that you presently have, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF will have as good IQ or better. For half the price of the Sport version, it will be like an insurance, so that if anything happens with it, you have saved enough to buy a new one. I know, it doesn't work like this, but I consider its price a real bargain. Now, I don't have any experience with this lens, though I've had and keep many others from this brand.

 

I third idea is to get the Sony RX10 III. I own this amazing camera for two reasons: for 4K or super slow motion video; as a light long lens option. Its zoom lens is equivalent to 24-600 full-frame or 16-400 in APSC as in your A6000. So don't be lured by the numbers, the Sigma (or Tamron) lens reaches 50% more and so is much better for bird photography. I carry this camera whenever I need a long lens in places where I can't take my heavy ones. It weights just 1.1kg. Image quality is just fair for my standards and highest practical ISO is much lower than what you are used to. With a small sensor (20MP), it cannot be compared to what you get from the A6000, but it can save the day.

 

http://www.sonyalphaforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2017/post-4789-0-78138800-1484526969_thumb.jpg

 

http://www.sonyalphaforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2017/post-4789-0-87271900-1484526977_thumb.jpg

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