The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
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- Alternatives to the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is a great extreme telephoto zoom lens.
- This could be a preferred lens for nature documentaries, wildlife filmmaking, sports coverage, astronomy filmmaking, etc., due to its versatility in focal length.
- The variable f/5.6-6.3 maximum aperture can be problematic but should be good enough for low light work, especially when pairing it with Sony’s newer cameras.
- 11 circular blade aperture for smooth bokeh.
- Compatible with Teleconverters.
- A removable tripod mount is provided with the lens.
- Linear Manual Focus for better, more precise control over the focus.
- Multiple customizable buttons on the lens body.
- This lens has an internal zooming system making it easier to zoom in and out.
- The lens does have image stabilization with Optical Steady Shot. With cameras that have IBIS you can expect even better Image stabilization.
- Sony claims that their motors work together with Eye AF to provide precise and quick autofocus for video. This also supports contrast AF and Phase Detection AF.
- It exhibits breathing.
- Not parfocal.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wildlife filmmaking
- Sports Filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Astronomy filmmaking
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The minimum focal length is 200mm. This is considered super telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 600mm. This is also considered super telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This versatility in focal range can be very useful for telephoto work, interviews, close ups, wildlife filmmaking, travel filmmaking.
Aperture
The variable maximum aperture is f/5.6-6.3 and the variable minimum aperture is f/32-36.
Having f/5.6-6.3 is manageable for low light. Especially when you pair this with Sony and their sensor’s ISO capacity.
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) has 11 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given.
To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
At 200mm, the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) is not as sharp as you would expect it to be and is inconsistent throughout.
Whereas, at 600mm, the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS has much better performance than at 200mm.
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh won’t be proportionally smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance has three modes and can be controlled by a close focus switch on the lens. The closest focusing distance in these three modes are
- in full position : 2.4m
- in 10m-2.4m : 2.4m
- in 10m-infinity position: 10m
This promotes versatility of the lens which can do close ups, macros and as well as telephoto shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) lens does have 5 axis Optical Steady Shot image stabilization. Using it with a camera that has IBIS (like the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III) you get even better stabilization.
It has 3 modes to choose from, although that appears to be mostly for photography. Here is the official excerpt from Sony’s website.
Optical image Stabilisation makes it easier to shoot sharp images handheld at super-telephoto focal lengths. MODE 2 offers ideal Stabilisation for panned shots, while MODE 3 provides enhanced viewfinder Stabilisation that allows easier framing of erratic sports or wildlife movement. 5-axis Stabilisation is available with compatible all alpha bodies.
Sony
Control
Manual Focus System
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Fortunately, the FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is the one zoom lens to have Linear MF or fly by wire focus system as its default focus system.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
This decision to include fly by wire or linear MF by Sony could lead a lot of cinematographers and videographers to prefer this lens for their next shoot.
Autofocus system
Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. Sony claims that the FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is faster and more precise than other lenses. They claim that this lens supports contrast AF and Phase Detection AF. The switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus is very useful too.
Sony’s DDSSM (Direct Drive SSM) system has the power and precision needed to drive the lens’s mechanism for remarkably fast, accurate focusing. High positioning accuracy means that no movement is wasted. Pinpoint autofocus is achieved with blazing speed. The DDSSM system is incredibly quiet, too.
Sony
Zoom ring
The Zoom ring allows you to shift the focal range from 200mm to 600mm and anywhere in between.
Fortunately, the lens has been designed to zoom internally, i.e., the lens does not change its length even at 600mm. Due to this feature, it does not need a zoom lock.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 95mm. This is a huge filter diameter and you might face trouble finding filters for this lens.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 24 elements in 17 groups, including ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and aspherical lens elements.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 111.5mm and a length of 318mm. It weighs around 2,115 grams.
What you gain in weight savings you give up in the aperture range.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that all G lenses are weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
This is a G series lens and we can expect it to perform as such. It was made for capturing wildlife and sports in action, so I believe it won’t fail you in the harshest of conditions.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Hood (model): ALC-SH157
- Lens front cap: ALC-F95S
- Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
- Soft case
- Lens strap
The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens. I’d keep it on unless you have good reason not to.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) is a great one of a kind extreme telephoto zoom lens. There is no viable substitute.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
