09/06/2026 3:37 am
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APS-C E-mount Lens
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Which of these lenses is actually gonna be better for someone shooting birds on a budget? Im stuck between the Sony 70-350mm G and that big Tamron 150-500mm and cant decide if the extra reach is worth the massive weight. I shoot on an FX30 and use my a6400 for stills but I need something by early August for a trip to Olympic National Park. The Sony 70-350 is way smaller which is nice for hiking but I worry 350mm isnt enough for small birds. Then there is the Sigma 100-400 too which is right in the middle price wise. Budget is like $850 tops so I am looking at used prices mostly. Which one holds up better for video autofocus?
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09/06/2026 3:37 am
Honestly, I had such a hard time choosing too and ended up a bit bummed with my first pick. I really wanted the Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS to work because its so light for hiking, but unfortunately 350mm is just not enough reach for small birds. You end up cropping so much that the image quality just isnt as good as expected once you zoom in. Heres what I found from using them:
- The Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary is decent but the autofocus was kind of a letdown for fast moving birds compared to native glass.
- The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is a total brick but that extra reach is basically mandatory for wildlife. The Sony definitely holds up better for video autofocus tho, its much smoother on the FX30. But if you can find a used Tamron under your $850 limit, definitely grab it for the reach. Carrying the weight is annoying as heck, but missing the shot because you are too far away feels way worse. Just get a really comfy strap for the hike...
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09/06/2026 3:58 am
Building on the earlier suggestion, definitely hunt for a used Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports! Reach is incredible and the video AF is absolutely fantastic for birding, honestly.
