FE 600mm F4 GM Super Telephoto Lens (SEL600F40GM)

Yes, it’s expensive. Try to get these shots without it, though. Background drops out (nice bokeh) and details pop. Edge-to-edge and corner-to-corner this lens is tack sharp and it straight-up rocks. Lighter than you expect, even hand-holdable (though not for long). Full marks and then some. Just watch out for heat shimmer if you’re shooting a game on turf in midday sun. (But that’s not the lens’s fault…)

The lens is exactly what you would expect for the price, if not more. Going from the 100-400 to this is a massive difference. Shots that i would not have even bothered to take before have become possible with this lens. I would normally write off rainy / cloudy days as days i would not get any usable shots (I live in Oregon, so lots of that). Now every day is filled with opportunity, all because of this lens.

Yes it’s expensive. But keep in mind it’s comparable cost wise to the other 600mm f4 prime lenses from Canon and Nikon. I’ve been using my Sony 600f4 for the last 2 years. I use it with my A1 and A7R4 Sony bodies. I started out with the Sony 200-600 lens before upgrading. People often try and compare the 200-600 with the 600f4. While the 200-600 is an excellent lens, I’ve found that the 600 will resolve the fine details on high megapixel camera bodies better. Not to mention I usually end up with a higher keeper rate with the prime lens as well. And it better for the price of course. It has its downside like the fixed focal length which can sometimes be too much. And it maybe too heavy for some users. I use it handheld 90% of the time since I like the freedom of movement over using a bulky tripod. The f4 aperture also comes in very handy at early morning and late evening hours. What else….it also works extremely well with the Sony teleconverters. Now…is it worth approximately 6x the price of the 200-600? Only you can answer that. For me, yes it’s worth it.

Yes, yes and yes. To all those questions you had in your head.Is it sharp? Yes.It’s light? YesAre there better options? Also yes.The price tag of this beauty is hard to swallow, specially with extremely competitive lenses like the Sony 200-600 and Sigma sport lenses. Edge to edge sharpness is amazing. Even more so when paired with the A1. This lens should be considered an investment rather than an impulsive purchase.