Which telephoto lens performs best on the Sony a1 for wildlife?

Question

so ive finally pulled the trigger on the a1 but now im basically panicking about what glass to actually put on it. i leave for a trip to costa rica in less than three weeks and i cant decide if i should just go all out or if im being crazy. i spent hours on youtube and everyone says the 200-600mm is the best value but then i read these forum posts saying it has weird focus tracking issues specifically on the a1 when shooting at 30fps and that totally scares me off. like why spend all that money on a flagship body if the lens cant keep up?

then there is the 600mm f4 gm which is obviously the dream but its so expensive and heavy. im worried about lugging that through a rainforest all day.

here is what im looking for:

budget is around $13k max but i dont want to spend it if i dont have to

must be fast enough for low light under tree canopies

needs to handle the 30fps burst without missing shots

mostly shooting birds and monkeys

should i look at the 400mm 2.8 and use teleconverters instead? or is the 200-600 actually fine now and those internet rumors are just people being picky? i just dont want to get home and realize half my shots are soft because i cheaped out on the lens last minute...

RobertNek · Accepted Answer

Like someone mentioned, those 200-600 focus issues are a total buzzkill on the a1. Over the years, I've found that the jungle light is just too punishing for f6.3 anyway...

Grab the Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS.

Use a Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter for reach. It handles 30fps perfectly and gives you better low-light performance than the 600mm prime for less money. Look for a clean used one to save even more...

Fcfrcluts · Answer

> i read these forum posts saying it has weird focus tracking issues specifically on the a1 when shooting at 30fps and that totally scares me off. Unfortunately, those rumors arent just rumors. I took my setup to the mangroves last year and the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS was honestly a huge letdown. I was getting so many soft shots at 30fps, especially in darker pockets under the trees. It is frustrating when the glass just... struggles to keep pace with a flagship body. I ended up selling mine because the hit rate was way lower than I expected. If you want to save cash but get pro performance, look for a used Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS. I found a refurbished one that saved me nearly four grand. It is way better in low light, and paired with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, it is a whole different world. Dont settle for the zoom, youll just be disappointed when the wildlife is moving fast in the shade...

Kevingrese · Answer

Re: "Like someone mentioned, those 200-600 focus issues are..."My setup was pricey but amazing!Renting first saved my budget. Glad we agree... dont go cheap or youll miss those fantastic shots!