I had a very similar failure of my first 200-600 last year - sent to Sony Pro Support (Los Angeles) who diagnosed the problem, said they could repair for ~$500 U.S., and then waited for 2+ mos for parts to arrive from Asia. I kept asking for an ETA, and finally they gave up on the repair and sent me a new 200-600 lens, which has been fine. Good luck getting yours fixed or replaced!

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Yikes, glad you got a new one! I don’t think I’ll be so lucky with mine being outside of warranty haha. Thanks for the well wishes!

Ahh man, hopefully you get it sorted, its such a beautiful lens.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Just got word that repair of my Sony 200-600 has been started and should be completed in a few days! Fingers crossed 👌

There's a chance it's not the lens! Check the little spring loaded pins on your camera at the mount very closely. Look to see if any are bent or shorter than the others. The symptoms you've shown show up for zoom lenses, in particular the 70-200 GM and 200-600mm, when a camera pin is damaged. I've seen several posts about this in a couple of different Sony related FB groups.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jon, but in this case the pins seem to be totally fine and all my other lenses work great still. The issue seems to be isolated to this lens particularly so I think I can narrow it down to just it. That said, I will definitely try the lens on a different camera body and just to be extra sure!

I mostly use an A7siii and Sony 100-400 with Sony 1.4 teleconverter for wildlife video (I am totally amateur). In most cases I have it tripod mounted and carry it that way, the whole contraption balanced and hanging down in my right hand (among other things less distance to the ground if I go down....). A lot of my filming is in remote locations and uneven terrain. One thing I have found to happen is that the tiny screws in the mount on the camera and on those in the lens can become unnervingly loose. As a result, I try to remember to check them before each trip and always travel with the appropriate tiny phillips screwdriver in case I start to have any lens/camera issues in the field. This is likely not your issue but might be worth checking. Good luck with your lens. As an aside, I had a brown bear knock over my momentarily unattended camera/tripod rig and then step on the camera. It broke the lens just forward of the mount..... end of filming that trip. I think it was around $600US to fix five years ago. It took about six weeks, Anchorage to Arizona and back. Cheers!

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Hope you had the camera rolling when that bear came up! 🤣 Thanks for the comment! I double checked the screws on my camera and lens, but unfortunately mine were tight already.

Ouch, really sad to hear that. I havehad lenses stop working, dropped them, dropped the camera and lens etc. It is a drag. I do buy a lot of used gear myself and it is a risk we take. If we were close, I would hand you some Nikon or Canon gear and say let's go shooting. The footage you did get is stunning!!! 💗🤗

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Appreciate that John, you’re a kind soul! I’ll find ways to keep me getting out there in the meantime!

@JonnyPink65

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything Wish I could help.... 🤗

Liking this channel, sorry to hear about this lens breaking! I just bought one so hope this isn't extremely common. Off topic, but are/were you in the Navy?

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Henry! I worked on a doc with the Navy and they gifted the crew these hats! One of my favourite projects that I’ve gotten to work on to date! Great and amazing people.

its a body problem, brother had the same, had a cleaning from Sony then worked, the lens is 70-350 G, apsc of 200-600mm G

Been 2 years since i bought mine . Used this lens with a6600 , a7riv and now the a1 . I go out photographing really often . I use it in all sort of weather conditions. I did dropped it a couple of times but thankfully not on a hard surface and i will still knock it around brunches because i photograph mostly in forests and still the lens works perfectly fine . Am only using tragopan cover on it . Sorry yours died and i hope mine keeps going .

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Glad yours is treating you well! I hope this is the case for everyone else!

Man I am so sorry. I’m am thinking of getting one but I’ve seen many videos sharing this lens not focusing as well. Wow so sorry

@malcomshootseverything

7 ай бұрын

It was rough - but I did get it fixed and it sooo fantastic now! Got a video up on the repair process if you’re interested!

I have that problem with a Tokina 16-28 f2.8 for my eos 6D got a little ding on one of the connector plates.

I was considering adding the 200-600 to my kit, Your video and the comments of others below have given me pause for thought. I wondered why there are so many used Sony 200-600 on the market, Have never seen a used 600 prime, which is out of my budget new. I have been extremely satisfied with the Sony 100-400GM, but thought the extra reach might be useful,. Hope you find a solution for your lens.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

The teleconverter might be the move for you with your 400mm! I think I could see myself trying the new Sigma 60-600 now!

@anonymousl5150

Жыл бұрын

A lot of people sell it because it's too heavy for them

recently bought canon 100-500. I handheld videos with no tripod for 2 min straight easily. It is so light. I IS is awesome. CPS service is also awesome

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Wow, that’s awesome Anil! Glad you got yourself a great setup to enjoy!

I had the same problem - purchased when they were first release fall of 2019. Four times I returned it to the Sony authorized repair center 14 months old. Paid $600. 7 months later, same problem, paid $600 a second time. They failed to repair it. I return it to them a 4th and 5th them, they had a Sony factory rep review the repairs and swear it was to factory spec. I sold it to KEH, they said it had a finger print inside the lens and was worth only $300. I'm now using a Sigma 150-600 Sport (released about a year ago $1400. ) It has a similar problem - it doesn't seat tightly, If I rock it a bit clockwise, focus will work. At some point it will go to Sigma for repair. After all that I think the E-mount is just a bit too small for 8 Lb lens. (Sigma added one more screw to the 4 '00' size screws to hold it in place. I have a Sony 70-200, a 90mm prime, a 50mm, a 35, and a 20mm all fit perfectly and work just fine. Ever have problems with the proximity detector, not recognizing your eye to the EVM?

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Oh gosh, this is giving me nightmares Jon! I'm terrified that the repair will just be throwing money away, oophf! If anyone on here has had this repair and had good results, please chime in!

@jonjacobik7949

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything I have theory that when carrying the camera by the foot, the weight of the lens is pinching the top of the camera, turn it upright to shoot, the weight is on the bottem of the camera where the contacts are. Do this 20,000 times and you've rocked the lens to a distortion? What do I know, I'm a computer tech with 50 years of experience troubleshooting bad contacts. I like the Sony 200-600 as much as you do, and now that I've seen it on a sigma . . . nightmares

Fellow BC guy here. I am about to buy one of these from a local retailer. Sorry to hear about your lens man.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Appreciate that, and hope you have better luck with your Sony than I! Buying your 600mm new?

@Twothenines

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything Yeah. Picking it up in a few days. Can't wait. I may (now) get the in store warranty.

Sorry about the lens.... This is maybea stupid questionbut have you tested to clean the conectors on bout the camera and the lens with som alchole cleaning fluid for electronic`? Best regards .....

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment! I haven't tried using any cleaning fluid on the lens contacts, just a dry cloth. I was advised to be careful using something too harsh, but I guess it already doesn't work, so probably worth a shot haha!

Oh, that SUCKS! Feel sorry for you bro… Hope this doesn’t happen to mine! Well, hang in there. I thought it was covered by warranty for a couple of years? Any as for the birds, was it a Lesser or Great spotted Woodpecker? I love the Lesser spotted Woodpecker, but hard to tell what kind this is.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t worry about it happening to your lens Anders! But if it does, get it looked at asap to make sure it is covered under the warranty period! Just a single year of warranty (in Canada at least), which I have to admit is my least favourite thing about the Sony Camera brand. Expensive stuff to now have a supportive warranty. I think it was a Lesser Woodpecker! It was a good bunch of clips for the 600mm to go out on!

@andersmenge

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything Hm, yeah that is not good enough! Maybe it is more if you register the product through Sony’s websites? I remember doing that some years ago. You did of course check the mount and the electronics? I boughy the 70-200 GM used, and it felt loose mounted on the camera. I then realized the screws on the lens-mount (the extremely tiny ones) was almost falling out! It struggled to connect sometimes. Maybe the previous owner dropped it or something? :( Hope you’ll get it sorted somehow!

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Anders! I'll double check everything!

My 200-600mm inexplicably died 6 months ago. Still bummed out about it. I spent almost $2000 to purchase it. I'm not spending anymore money just to keep it. I'm selling mine as "parts only". I'm never buying another 200-600mm from Sony. I'm going with the Olympus OM-1 with 300mm f4 for my birds-in-flight photography.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear that, did you have the same issue as me with the lens when it died?

@sosomelodies659

Жыл бұрын

@Malcom Shoots Everything yes. The lens became dead weight. It wouldn't power up and the manual focus ring is useless because it's fly by wire, which means it needs power to function. My A9 wouldn't recognize the lens but my other lenses work fine. Even adapted lenses still works. Conclusion was the 200-600mm lens is faulty.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Ah, so scary to see this story happening to so many people. Sorry to hear it!

My Sony 200-600 died this past Tuesday. Same issue as yours- I set it down after taking some great bird photos. I picked it up- and it no longer worked. Very unhappy. My other lens work on my A 7iii body.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Wow, seems this is actually much more common than I thought!

1) Things like this forced me to buy mostly mechanical lenses in recent years. Yes no autofocus etc. but I know that if I take a good care about them, those will last long after I drop dead. For wildlife, I've got East-German Zeiss 300mm f4. Enough for me. 2) It takes only one broken connection, only one badly made solder or what not for that highly sophisticated lens to stop working. 3) Few years ago I watched a video on YT of a guy who bit**** about Sony's poor construction quality course the whole mount of his 24-70mm f2,8 broke off and remained on the camera while the lens dropped on the floor. Problems with quality control, you think??

exactly the same problem with my 200-600. Purchased December 2020. Great lens, but a few days ago, it just stopped connecting to my camera. Tried cleaning contacts. Tried connecting to another camera. No success. Sending in for repair soon. How long did your repair take? I'm hoping for 30-60 days, but I wouldn't be surprised if it took months.

@malcomshootseverything

7 ай бұрын

Ah so sorry to hear you’re having the same issue! The repair process ended up not being too painful actually and the lens now works fantastically! I made a video about the repair (should be a link to it in the description of this video if you want to check it out). I believe it was only around a month to get it back!

Did the lens come back from the repair shop yet? Any buying advice (alternatives?) for those of us that haven't quite had the nerve to leap at the Sony 200-600?

@malcomshootseverything

11 ай бұрын

Yes, my 200-600 was successfully repaired!! Got a video on the process and result of repair up on this channel too! (linked in the description of this video if that's easiest for you!) But long story short, I'm thrilled to have the lens back and it's been great getting out for some wildlife photography adventures again with it! As for alternatives, it's the only 600mm I've tried, but I'm even more impressed with this one now that it's functioning to its full abilities! I also paired it with a Sony A7IV (I used to have the A7C) and thats been even more enjoyable!

@malcomshootseverything

11 ай бұрын

I'll add one thought though: if I was going to go for an alternative, I'd go for the Sigma 60-600mm. I'm so impressed with all their modern lenses that I've tried and I don't doubt that I'd love that one too (plus having that extra range is pretty darn cool!)

I've recently discovered that it is near impossible to adjust focus manually hand held with this lens! The focus ring needed to be much closer to the front of the lens for it to be functional. Major design flaw by sony imo!

@malcomshootseverything

5 ай бұрын

I'm not sure I follow honestly! It works fine with how I hold the lens personally!

I think this lens is not suitable for hanging on a strap. I think the walking movement puts pressure on the contacts specially with the light Sony bodies. I have never used it with any straps. I think you should hold it in your hand by the lens foot with no straps attached while moving or put it in your backpack and take out when needed or mount it on a gimbal head or video head but thats risky too. When i brought this lens new the first time i tried it on my Sony A7R4 it didn't connect, same problem as yours. It did recognise it after a few more attempts. After that it worked flawlessly for 9-10months with the A7R4. Then I sold the A7R4 as i couldn't reach shutter speeds i want while keeping the noise levels in control around sunrise and sunset. I bought the A7iv & A7R3 and have mostly used it on A7iv with no problems. I have used it with the A7R3 also but i usually use the R3 with Tamron 70-180 . My 200-600mm will soon be 2 years old. I have never been satisfied with Sony's build quality. My A7iv's customisable Exposure compensation switch broke with 4 months with basically no use of the particular switch on the top. They repaired it free of cost but the build quality doesn't seem right. The battery door on all A7ivs make a creaking sound when holding the camera firmly. But i do use it in very harsh conditions like Central Indian forests with temperatures reaching around 42-50*c and lots of dust. Hoping your lens get well or you manage to get a alternative solution. But with 3rd party lenses like Tamrons the autofocus works fast but its not as accurate as the Sonys. The camera will show you its locking on to the Tiger's eye or a Lion's eye or a bird's eye but atleast 50% of those shots will focus either on the grass or branch infront or on the neck of the animal or bird. At larger distances this might not be a problem as the depth of field will be wider on this telephoto zoom lens but at close distance you will notice it.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the very thorough comment Jeet. Glad you got your Sony 200-600mm working again too. Did the issue ever come back up for you in the two years since?

@stripes_in_raw

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything No, not till now.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

@@stripes_in_raw Well at least that's encouraging!

@fotosurf_pt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the strap transport issue/tip. I will avoid transporting it like that in the future and keep it mounted on the gimbal/tripod while moving around. Zero (non user caused) issues with this lens so far, extensive use in beach doing surf photography, no dust/sand ingress issues at all thanks to internal zooming and never switching lens while outdoors. Edit: from now on, when I store it inside my humidity controlled cabinet, I will make sure it is standing on the foot and the A1 body (always attached) is not even touching the floor padding foam. Think less wear and tear this way then removing/re-attaching the body each time.

First ray cleaning the connections . Ship it to the Sony center in LA. Call them, they have been amazing with my issues. I think there is a max charge for lens fixes. I think it’s around $500.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Sony had me ship the lens to a 3rd party service center in Canada and it is on its way back to me as of yesterday actually! Cost about $600 Canadian before tax and shipping in the end. Can’t wait to have it back!

@davidligon6088

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything I’ll be curious what the diagnosis and fix was.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Will definitely be posting an update!

Do you think a GM version would come anytime soon?

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

I’m not so sure. They already have the Sony 600mm f4 GM (for those who can afford it haha). Or did you mean a new version? Thanks for watching eh!

Have you considered trying out the Sigma 60-600, or the 150-600? Might save you the headache of the whole repair process.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Hey Jason! I'd love to try the new Sigma 60-600 for sure, that seems like a pretty enjoyable range! But (if the repair works) it is also a lot more expensive getting a new lens vs the repair. I will say that I really love how the Sony doesn't extend when you zoom too! I think that features under-valued, I love it! Do you have either of the Sigmas? How are you liking it?

With the camera switched off, wipe the lens electronics contacts and lens contacts with a Isopropyl alcohol, glasses cleaning wipes, leave to dry, try again.

I hope you get to fix your lens or that you get a new one... Your video stopped me from buying one for myself. So I'm sorry for your loss bit thank you for your video as well.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Just got mine back in the mail today - and it works! Yay! Will monitor to make sure it keeps working but I am thrilled!

@DavidBeattty

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything great to hear, hope it never fails on you ever again !

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Appreciate that! Hope you find yourself a nice super tele lens soon too!

Hi, I had a similar problem with my a7r4 and my 200-600, the connection between the two was terrible. I thought my 200-600 were broken. Fortunately my a7r4 is not the only camera that I have so I try my 200-600 on my a7iii and my a6000 just to realize that the problème came from my a7r4 mount. The 200-600 worked perfectly on the other camera whereas nothing on the a7r4. I also tried smaller and lighter lens on my a7r4 like the 70-200gmII(1kg only) and it worked perfectly fine. I’m telling you that because maybe your problem come from the a7c’s mount you should try your lens on a different camera!!! Let me know 🤜

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Hey, thanks for the comment! I thought this might be the case as well but I tested my 200-600mm on a few different Sony cameras that friends had without any luck - so I do think it was primarily the lens. That said, I did think the connection with my Sony A7c was perhaps a tiny bit loose - which perhaps led to the issue (my theory being that the play in the connection wore down the contacts or something like that). I will be curious to see how it connects when I get I back from repair (hopefully this coming week!)

Hi! Have you tried to clean the contacts both on the lens and camera body? You should use isopropyl alcohol and be very carful not to spill it on the lens or camera sensor!!!! Hope it helps!

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

I’ll try this today! Fingers crossed!

@themasked7384

Жыл бұрын

Did this work??

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

@@themasked7384 Not for me, unfortunately. My lens is currently off for repair and will update on how that goes once I get it (or an update on how it's going). Is your lens also acting up?

@themasked7384

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything looking forward to it! No I’ve been fortunate enough to not have any issues yet, I’ve had it over a year now. But curious to know how the experience went for you

Hey Malcolm! What has Sony repair said to the problem of your lens? What have they repaired? Regards Dariusz

@malcomshootseverything

11 ай бұрын

Hey Dariusz! They ended up replacing the mount assembly and some other stuff! I made a whole video on it if you’re interested! Linked in the description of this video!

My relatively new 200-600 has now some sort of jitter .. when AF C it’s not hunting for focus but sort of jittering .. which affects the focus A LOT.. I thought it might be the camera and stabilization settings but changed the lens and no issues at all..

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Have you experimented with the on-lens stabilization modes to see if they solve it?

@meditationdaily1129

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything yes it’s not that but I see the lens should be updated to 0.2 due to stabilization issues with the a7r5 so that might solve it ..

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

@@meditationdaily1129 Would love to know if that fixed it for you. Nearly bought the A7R5 the other day 😅

@meditationdaily1129

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything it did!! The update process is a bit clunky on a mac but seems to be working just fine now .. the r5 is awesome :))

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

@@meditationdaily1129 Fantastic news! Glad you're enjoying it!

My Sony 200-600mm has died!😢 On the plus side, my buddy is going to let me try his 100-300mm when we go on a wildlife photography adventure next week!

Did it get fixed???

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Still out for repair! Fingers crossed.

I returned mine. Found out the mount on the lens is poorly made and easily "breaks" ... otherwise it was a nice lens.

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

I really didn’t expect to find so many people having the same issue. It’s pretty bad

@jdw715

Жыл бұрын

@@malcomshootseverything How's the 100-400mm for reliability?

@daveericson8447

Жыл бұрын

How did you find out the the lens mount is poorly made ?

@chosenbydesign9007

Жыл бұрын

@@daveericson8447 I was having issues with "connections" I recommend you go google and youtube to find that out for yourself. Do some due diligence and make your own opinion about it. My problems were real with the lens and it was not worth toiling over it. Returned it; let Sony deal with it.

@daveericson8447

Жыл бұрын

@@chosenbydesign9007 thanks, I was about to buy one of these, it has a 2 year warranty which is something I suppose. What did you replace your lens with ?

Did you try cleaning the connectors?

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

I did but no luck unfortunately!

Dear god, please help our Malcom to fix his baby. I also became his friend because of this baby lens. Please help him. Thank you God !

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Got an update that they are waiting on one piece before they can complete the repair. Fingers crossed it comes back soon!

Sadly you now have to get a tamron 50-400 just in case your sony 200-600 dies again 🙈 And the tamron can do 1:2 macro. So thats on the plus side 😂

@malcomshootseverything

Жыл бұрын

Can't hurt to have it in the arsenal eh😂

Get it fixed

@malcomshootseverything

Ай бұрын

I did, and love it! Got another video up detailing how that process went for anyone in a similar situation.