Sony 55-210mm F4.5
Sep 27, 2024I recently got my hands on a fantastic lens that has completely blown me away with its performance, especially given its price point.
The lens I’m referring to is not a kit lens, but it offers incredible value for anyone interested in wildlife photography or videography, the Sony, 55-210m F4.5 - 6.3. It initially retails at around $298, but I managed to snag a used one on Amazon for just a little over $100.
(This picture was taken with the Sony 55-210mm F4.5)
One of the reasons why this lens comes at such an affordable price is its age. Released in August 2011, it's one of the oldest lenses in my collection. However, its enduring popularity speaks volumes about its quality and capabilities.
Constructed primarily from plastic, my lens does have a few scuff marks. Nevertheless, its lightweight build makes it incredibly portable, which is a huge plus, especially for outdoor photography in challenging terrains.
I've extensively used the Sony, 55-210m F4.5 - 6.3 lens for nature documentary projects and found its 210mm focal zoom length, equivalent to 315mm on a full-frame camera, to be extremely versatile.
Comparable full-frame zoom lenses with similar focal lengths easily surpass $1000, making this lens an absolute steal for wildlife photography enthusiasts.
While I haven't tested this lens extensively for portrait photography, considering its design and focal length, it's best suited for capturing wildlife and perhaps fur tones rather than skin tones.
As a telephoto lens, I recommend using a tripod to minimize any potential jitter, despite its built-in Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization feature.
This lens supports autofocus but for moving subjects, I've found it useful to utilize the center focus block to ensure precise focusing, particularly when photographing fast-moving animals or birds in flight.
When paired with a Sony a6700 that boasts advanced AI autofocus features, this lens proves to be an exceptional budget-friendly setup for capturing stunning wildlife shots. Its capabilities extend beyond wildlife photography and would also be a great choice for sports events or concerts, especially when used with a tripod to avoid any unwanted distortions.
I've also made a video on my top 8 lenses of 2024. You can check that out here. Despite the Sony, 55-210m F4.5 - 6.3 incredible performance, it's worth noting that I inadvertently left out discussing one of my favorite APS-C lenses, which regrettably didn't make it to the thumbnail of my video.
But as I conclude my lens reviews, I can confidently say that this lens has earned a spot as my top choice for 2024.
