The Versatility of a 150-600mm Lens

About a decade ago, 150-600mm lenses exploded in popularity, as offerings from companies like Tamron and Sigma gave photographers the opportunity to access decent image quality at focal lengths that were traditionally prohibitively expensive for most users. They have only grown in popularity in recent years, and their versatility and affordable prices make them an excellent tool for many applications. This helpful video discusses some of their best and lesser-known uses.

Coming to you from Park Cameras, this great video discusses the many uses for 150-600mm lenses. You might think of these lenses for wildlife, sports, and bird photography, and certainly, they excel in those genres, though their usefulness does not end there. One area where they can be especially useful (particularly some of the newer, lighter models) is landscape photography. You likely think of something like a 16-35mm lens for landscape photography, and it is true you will probably take most of your shots with such an option. However, a longer focal length can help you create more abstract and focused shots that pick out a single interesting element and highlight it in a way a wide angle can't. The next time you head out, try taking a longer focal length too. Check out the video above for the full rundown. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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Remember the Sigma 50-500mm and the 60-600mm were advertised as a one lens for travel!! I went 150-600mm + 1.4x and 2x teleconverters using an adapter before Sony came out with the 200-600mm. Learned about Canon and Nikons problems with a combo of lens with teleconverter is AF does not work when both are above f/8. And on a Sony Metadata with both is not right a main reason to sell and get the Sony 200-600mm. But both are very sharp. On a Sony you can assign a button to APS-C so you can get 1800mm (sorta just using cropped sensor) with the 2X teleconverter, allows for a full frame of the moon as an example. I got all phases of the 01-20-19 and 05-15-22 Lunar Eclipses 8 hours worth and many full moons, I suggest just staying at 600mm for you get stars around the moon showing it was real. The greatest is using the 2X + APS-C and getting captures 150+ yards across a lake in a rookery grove of trees. But for flyers get at 200mm then zoom as you follow and the great thing is a Sony A7Rii/iii/iv/v is the ability to crop in on a flyer in focus or a capture of a whole tree full and the crop in on 4 or 5 nests all in focus, hint use zebras and using the negative EV dial to rid for better feather detail. A unsung hero is the FE 24-240mm used it first before the big ones used for a solar eclipse in 2017, nice range and 36-360 in APS-C and Sharp. The best deals in bazooka lenses is they cost less than 2K for years now the Sony should be a GM not a G, after the lens update