Camera: Sony α1 Focal length: 264mm Exposure: F6.3 1/4000sec ISO 640
An ultra-versatile zoom lens has come on the scene. Its focal length range goes from 50mm, which is easy to use in various scenarios, all the way to 400mm, which lets you seek out close-ups of moving objects. It also incorporates a half-macro function for close-up photography.
Camera: Sony α1 Focal length: 50mm Exposure: F8 1/2000sec ISO 1000
When shooting sports, you of course want to zoom in on the action, but you also need a wide angle of view to include broader scenes of the play or group shots of team members. With a 50mm focal length at the wide end, the TAMRON 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Model A067) lets you shoot these scenes without having to switch lenses.
Camera: Sony α1 Focal length: 50mm Exposure: F5 1/3200sec ISO 800
Until now, I hadn’t gotten a very good impression of rendering performance at the intermediate focal range from any zoom lens. But I like how sharp this lens is. It renders beautifully with extremely high image quality all the way to the corners, and I shot at the intermediate focal range more often as a result.
The feature that gets the most attention for sports photography is the image quality at the ultra-telephoto 400mm focal length, and I am satisfied with the extremely sharp image quality here. I think I was able to fully experience the concept of aiming to produce high image quality throughout the entire focal length range.
Camera: Sony α1 Focal length: 167mm Exposure: F6.3 1/3200sec ISO 640
As the body of the lens itself is compact and light weight, even slightly built users can carry it around and wield it without any concern. Since the lens is equipped with VC (Vibration Compensation), image stabilization is also supported.
Additionally, the biggest concern with shooting sports or moving objects is probably the autofocus tracking. I think there are often situations where I am shooting zoomed in at 400mm. This lens has excellent AF tracking properties when zoomed in. It chases and captures my intended subjects with ease. This was my favorite thing about the lens.
Camera: Sony α1 Focal length: 400mm Exposure: F6.3 1/3200sec ISO 640
I was able to savor the true pleasure of a 50-400mm focal length, which is to express images across a wide range of focal lengths with high image quality, in a lightweight, compact package to boot.
Camera: Sony α1 Focal length: 400mm Exposure: F6.3 1/2500sec ISO 1000
Camera: Sony α1 Focal length: 72mm Exposure: F5 1/4000sec ISO 640
Camera: Sony α1 Focal length: 70mm Exposure: F5 1/160sec ISO 100
About the Author – Takahito Mizutani
Born in Tokyo in 1968, he moved to France upon graduating from Tokyo College of Photography in 1990. For three years in Europe, he has continued his coverage of the sports events including Winter Olympics, motor sports, winter sports, soccer, rugby, and other sports events. After that, he moved his base to Japan to continue his career.
He has exhibited his work in many exhibitions and group shows.
Representative Director of My Sports Publishing Co.
