What is the absolute best value zoom lens for Sony E-mount right now if I need something with a bit of reach for wildlife but dont want to spend two grand? I have been shooting on the Sony system for ages, mostly doing street photography and portraits with my a7III and a couple of fast primes, so I know my way around the settings and the autofocus quirks but I am totally lost when it comes to the telephoto side of things. I usually just crop my 85mm shots but that is obviously not gonna cut it for a trip I have coming up to Yellowstone in three weeks.
I have about $700 or $800 to spend tops, which I know is tight for good glass but I am totally fine with buying used from MPB or Keh if the quality is there. I was looking at the Sony 70-300mm G lens because it has OSS but people online say it gets really soft past 200mm which kind of defeats the purpose of having a zoom right? Then there is the Tamron 70-300mm which is crazy light and cheap but having no stabilization on the lens itself makes me nervous even though the a7III has IBIS... I dont know if the IBIS is enough to keep things steady at 300mm when I am trying to track a moving animal from a distance.
I also saw the Tamron 28-200mm which seems to be the internet darling for travel but is 200mm long enough for Yellowstone? I feel like I might be kicking myself if I cant get closer to the bison or whatever. Here is what I am looking for:
- Decent sharpness at the long end
- Fast enough autofocus for moving subjects
- Under $800 (used is fine)
- Not a total brick to carry around all day
Is there some hidden gem I am missing or should I just suck it up and look for a deal on the Sigma 100-400mm? I heard that one is good but maybe too heavy? I just really need to make a decision soon so I can get some practice in before the flight...
> I was looking at the Sony 70-300mm G lens because it has OSS but people online say it gets really soft past 200mm which kind of defeats the purpose of having a zoom right? Honestly, if you are going to Yellowstone, 300mm is gonna feel really short. You think its enough until you're trying to see a bear across a valley and realize you're still miles away. I would suggest you be careful about that Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS because like you said, the sharpness isn't great at the long end where you need it most. If I were you, I'd look straight at the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary for Sony E. You can find these used for about $700 now. The autofocus is plenty fast for bison and elk, and having that extra 100mm makes a massive difference. Just make sure to get the DG DN version made specifically for mirrorless, not the adapted DSLR one which is way slower. Also, be careful with the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD Sony E. Using it without lens stabilization at 300mm is a nightmare for wildlife, even with IBIS. The Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is a killer travel lens but it just wont cut it for this trip. Dont worry too much about the weight of the Sigma... its not a total brick. Just grab a good strap and you'll be fine. Practice your tracking before you go tho, 400mm is a lot harder to handle than your 85mm prime.
