Sony Lens Testing for Wildlife Shooting at DVinfo.net

Doug Jensen · August 6th, 2021, 09:40 AM

I'm in the early stages of producing a "How to Shoot Wildlife Video" master class, and last month I asked Sony if they would lend me four of their most popular telephoto lenses that I could test and evaluate. Those lenses were the 200-600, 100-400, 70-200, and 70-300. I only had the lenses for a couple of weeks -- and it was the rainiest July on record in Massachusetts -- but nevertheless, I was able to put each of the lenses through it's paces check their suitability for wildlife shooting. I'll have a more complete review of the pros and cons of the various lenses later, but in the meantime I thought I'd post some footage I shot using the lenses and my Sony FX6 camera.

This one was shot with the 70-300 ($1200) and 200-600 ($2000) -- with and without Sony's excellent 2x teleconverter ($550). BTW, the teleconverter is not compatible with the 70-300.

Bob Safay · August 8th, 2021, 09:20 AM

Doug, I believe I could hand you any camcorder ever made and you would return with stunning visuals. Thanks for posting such beautiful clips. Bob

Andrew Smith · August 9th, 2021, 10:03 PM

In addition to all the technical stuff, Doug is also a master of animal choreography. At 0:35 you see the butterfly take off and then the bird comes around for a fly buy. Magical stuff.

Truly, Walt Disney would have been proud to have those skills and not have to settle for drawing the action.

Andrew

Doug Jensen · August 10th, 2021, 09:05 AM

Thank you for the compliments, but when I watch great wildlife films, such as the Our Planet series, I'm reminded I'm just a hobbyist. Speaking of getting animals to move on cue, many people have asked me how I got the alligator to start swimming @ 1:30 in this video AFTER I started panning the camera. As much as I'd like to say I trained him, the truth is sometimes you just get lucky. That's what keeps it interesting.

Bruce Stenman · April 26th, 2022, 02:28 PM

I am sure it helped that he was using the $3,400 Sachtler aktiv8 system to support the camera and lens.

Doug Jensen · April 27th, 2022, 12:28 AM

Obviously a professional tripod is required if professional results are expected. But $3400 is not expensive at all for a tripod of this caliber.

August 6th, 2021, 09:40 AM	#1
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,415	Sony Lens Testing for Wildlife Shooting I'm in the early stages of producing a "How to Shoot Wildlife Video" master class, and last month I asked Sony if they would lend me four of their most popular telephoto lenses that I could test and evaluate. Those lenses were the 200-600, 100-400, 70-200, and 70-300. I only had the lenses for a couple of weeks -- and it was the rainiest July on record in Massachusetts -- but nevertheless, I was able to put each of the lenses through it's paces check their suitability for wildlife shooting. I'll have a more complete review of the pros and cons of the various lenses later, but in the meantime I thought I'd post some footage I shot using the lenses and my Sony FX6 camera. This one was shot with the 70-300 ($1200) and 200-600 ($2000) -- with and without Sony's excellent 2x teleconverter ($550). BTW, the teleconverter is not compatible with the 70-300. YouTube (Short URL) __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

August 8th, 2021, 09:20 AM	#2
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,557	Re: Sony Lens Testing for Wildlife Shooting Doug, I believe I could hand you any camcorder ever made and you would return with stunning visuals. Thanks for posting such beautiful clips. Bob

August 9th, 2021, 10:03 PM	#3
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,015	Re: Sony Lens Testing for Wildlife Shooting In addition to all the technical stuff, Doug is also a master of animal choreography. At 0:35 you see the butterfly take off and then the bird comes around for a fly buy. Magical stuff. Truly, Walt Disney would have been proud to have those skills and not have to settle for drawing the action. Andrew

August 10th, 2021, 09:05 AM	#4
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,415	Re: Sony Lens Testing for Wildlife Shooting Thank you for the compliments, but when I watch great wildlife films, such as the Our Planet series, I'm reminded I'm just a hobbyist. Speaking of getting animals to move on cue, many people have asked me how I got the alligator to start swimming @ 1:30 in this video AFTER I started panning the camera. As much as I'd like to say I trained him, the truth is sometimes you just get lucky. That's what keeps it interesting. YouTube (Short URL) __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

April 26th, 2022, 02:28 PM	#5
Bruce Stenman Tourist Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 4	Re: Sony Lens Testing for Wildlife Shooting I am sure it helped that he was using the $3,400 Sachtler aktiv8 system to support the camera and lens.

April 27th, 2022, 12:28 AM	#6
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,415	Re: Sony Lens Testing for Wildlife Shooting Obviously a professional tripod is required if professional results are expected. But $3400 is not expensive at all for a tripod of this caliber. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools