Avian Photo Gear Review July 2019 - Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G Full Frame with Sony A9 Setup vs Fuji XF100-400mm F4-5.6

I was part of BnC Birding Group that was invited by Sony to an overnight photo-shoot session in Fraser Hill; This is to introduce to us  their latest telephoto lenses as shown in the poster display below. My first-hand review is basically on their affordable telezoom for start-up birders. It was recommended that the lens is bundled with their pro camera A9 because it is compatible with their sony teleconverter 1.4/2x without much drop in resolution (that's what they say).Other than that the AF still works even at F8.

As usual, I will be comparing the Sony with my current Fuji setup aka Fuji XF 100-400mm F4-5.6 telephoto lenses banded with Fuji XT-2 of 3 years now. Both are equal in reach namely 600mm and 24 megapixel output. This is what I have been asking from Fuji to come out with a 200-600mm telezoom range for better reach. So far Fuji is quiet about it. If Sony can come out with a good APS-C cropped proCamera body  I believe they will pull many birders over including me. The other thing is there is no lens adaptor for FE lens to Fuji mount le...............

Affordability wise I must say Sony has finally done something right this time and Olympus and Fuji should be running scared................as the real mirrorless competition for the 600mm range is here! ....ie price range  for enthusiasts say about RM15,000-18,000.00 bracket.  Their  G master FE600mm F4 is in a different league for pro birder which cost a whopping RM57 k for the lens alone!!! 

Okay for this test I was shooting with the Sony FE  handheld whilst my Fuji XF is on a tripod. In term of the weight; the Sony setup is about  2.7 kg which is about 0.7 kg heavier compared to my Fuji setup. It is still bearable but I rather have it on a tripod  for long hours birding. Sony FE200-600 have internal zoom and its great with a smooth half turn you can reach 600mm range. But the physical length is in a permanent length of 12.5 inches as compared to 8.3 inches when the Fuji is retracted..... so for traveling it is a bit larger and heavier to fit in your hand carry. Small issue though.

Sony can only provide one lens to be shared out amongst 20 pax. I only managed to use it for about 15 minutes in the afternoon session at Jelai port. The lighting condition was good without any harsh sunlight. So this is just a  brief review of the photo output and my personal opinion of a layman bird photog ok. 

Pic1 actual - Sony A9 & Sony FE 200-600mm G telezoom lens shooting at 25-30 ft out 1/500s f7.1 Comp -0.71

1. Unlike their  G master lens which has Fluorite and an Xtreme Aspherical lens the dynamic range of the FE200-600 still good and commendably equal my Fuji  XF100-400 if not better. Fuji XF100-400mm has Fluorine and Super ED lens mind you. Anyway looking at Pic1  the white of the wings of the Oriental Magpie is still washed out even with a slight negative compensation. This is always being an issue with my Fuji output.

Pic1 cropped to full frame useable image

Pic2 - Sony A9 & Sony FE 200-600mm G telezoom lens shooting at 25 ft out 1/500s f7.1 Comp -0.71

2. Color: Sony color of the picture out from the camera equal the output of the Fuji setup but Fuji vivid colors still have my  preference . Sony is more neutral and can easily be boosted in post editing. 

Pic2 cropped to full frame and enhanced

Pic3 Cropped - FE 200-600 shooting at 25 ft away 1:500s F6.3 focus point at the back of body feathers is tack sharp
but tail and head soft.

3. Depth of Field:  at max 600mm range F6.3; the Sony 200-400 depth of field rather shallow depending where is the focussing point. You may need to up aperture stop to 8/9  My Fuji fair better in this area but not much at wide open.

4. Bokeh wise: Both FE & XF lenses display equally good background separation.

Pic3a Cropped FE 200-600 shooting at 25 ft away 1:500s F6.3 focus point is on the head is tack sharp but tail blur out

Pic3b subadult LargeNiltava (F) cropped XF100-400 shooting at 20-25ft  1:160s F5.6 ISO800 focussing on body ; the subject bird in sharpness thru out.

Pic3c Streaked Wrenbabbler cropped XF100-400 shooting at 20ft  1:160s F5.6 subject bird in sharpness thru.

5. AF focusing Speed: I did not have the opportunity to shoot in low light condition. I would expect it will fare better than my Fuji XT-2 because Sony A9  is a full-frame sensor camera. Anyway during   good lighting my experience with the camera; when it was not in spot AF mode it tends to hunt a bit and it is slow to catch focus causing a lot of missed shots. Both Sony FE200-600 and Fuji XE100-400 have older Direct Screw Drive only and not the latest dual  Linear Motor of the Sony G master.

Pic4 Cropped FE 200-600 shooting at 35-40 ft away 1:500s F7.1 with OSS on  I got 1 out of 5 shots that is sharp when handheld.

6. Shooting Distance of 35-40ft: At the limit distance for bird shooting experience; I manage 1 keeper out of 3-5 shot for static perched shot. For active bird shooting, it is  in familiar ground of getting poor images for both the Sony and Fuji for my case. 

Pic4a:  cropped and enhanced to suit is very useable.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend the Sony FE200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G for any budding birders if they are already in Sony platform. It is in par with my Fuji setup and that is already a 3-star rating. As for me; I will remain with Fuji platform until Sony can come out with an affordable(say RM6,000)  and good APS-C body. 

Besides that I am not so familiar with the Sony setup and rather confused as you have go into the body menu to set your parameters and need to remember all the preset  customising dials for quick adjustment of the ISO, AF mode etc.

Pic5 Cropped XF100-400 1/125 F7.1  ISO800 in open perfect casted light

Pic6 Actual framing : XF100-400 1/125s F8 ISO800 shooting from a distance of 40-45ft in canopy shaded lighting

Pic6a Fire-tufted Barbet cropped to full frame: XF100-400 1/125 F8 ISO800 shooting from a distance of 40-45ft in canopy shaded lighting. Do compare with Sony output Pic4....same same right?

Pic7 Silver-eared Mesia Cropped to suit XF100-400 1:125s F8 from a distance of 30ft in open cast lighting

BnC participants group photo Thank you Sony 

Avian Sighting July 2019 - Streaked Wrenbabbler

I am so happy to reacquaint with a Streaked Wren in Bukit Fraser. I have not seen the bird for the past 2 years. It used to be a common sighting at Ulu Kali. It is one cute &  beautiful bird with its "angry bird" look. Wrenbabblers are very loud melodious birds and it is  no exception.

Okay guys it is at the Hermant's trail port so do drop by in the morning to shot it.

Avian Birding Site - Lenggor Forest Park Johor

In 2019 I got an invitation from my good birding buddies ML with AT tagging along to this  "Babbler" paradise in Johor.  It is supposedly in par with Bukit Rengit. Pahang when comes to babblers. Lenggor is about 330km away or 3.5 hours plus from Kuala Lumpur. The nearest town is Kahang where you can stay overnight which we impromptu check in to Hotel 128 a very decent shophouse convert. Best room, of course, is the front-facing one with windows but if you cannot take the lorry noise during the wee hours you may opt for the phobic intermediate rooms. Cost for 3 pax room RM110.

The target birds here is the Garnet Pitta, Rail Babbler,  Grey-breasted Babbler, Striped Wren-Babbler & Scimitar Babbler. They say even the Spotted fantail and seasonal Scarlet breasted Flowerpecker can be sighted here too.

For us birder good food comes synonymous with our outing. Dennis eat your heart out....lol.  In Kahang there are a few Chinese restaurant to wilt your appetite. Cheap and good. However bear in mind in small town food outlet close early. If you reached their restaurant pass their business hours you go without lunch. Some bread/pastry can come in handy.