Introduction

I recently spent a month in East Africa leading photo safaris where I had the opportunity to field test Sony’s latest high megapixel a7RIV paired with a variety of their new super-telephoto lenses.  In particular I evaluated the camera and lenses (600mm f4, 200-600mm, 100-400mm) on the features most important for wildlife photographers.

Unlike several other genres of photography, portrait, wedding, and still life for example, where mirrorless cameras have had the performance and lens selection, they demand for quite some time, professional wildlife photographers have been waiting for a full frame, fast focusing, mirrorless cameras with native mount super-telephoto lenses.

Sony delivered big for us with the announcement of their flagship a9 (now a9II) which I reviewed with great optimism last year in Alaska (click here if you missed that review).  But the longest lens available at the time was a 100-400mm.

Excitingly, in October I received one of the first copies of a squeeky new Sony 600mm f4.  After testing it extensively I can confirm that it is a truly remarkable lens and the lightest one on the market for that matter.  Mounted to an a7RIV my setup is 3.5 lbs. lighter than my DLSR equivalent with a grip which equals much appreciated weight savings for my international schedule.  My back won’t complain either as I hand hold the big telephotos quite a bit.  I enjoyed some of the new features included a dedicated MF setting so you don’t bump focus when panning off a bean bag, and a new focus ring for rack focusing.

Now with a variety of high preforming super-telephotos, and the addition of the A7RIV Sony has a deadly duo of cameras and lenses that for me sets a new standard for wildlife photographers.  These innovations further my excitement about the new camera technology that will lead us into the future.