p.1 #1 · Show images taken with Canon 500mm f/4 plus 1.4X TC at wide open, please!
I have had this lens for quite sometime and have taken plenty wildlife images with it. Normally, I use this lens at wide open aperture and from time-to-time, I also put a 1.4X TC. Even then, I feel that the TC barely put any dent in the IQ department. On a recent trip to Bosque, I did that on a few cases and like before, it performed just as expected.
The first image, although not quite the full image since I cropped it somewhat to center the flock better shows the "total" picture. The second image shows a sizeable crop of the center crane to illustrate my point. This is really a fine lens for wildlife photography. It is not as heavy as the 600mm, and of course, it is also more compact, too and yes, less expensive than the 600mm with a slight loss in focal length reach.. Nothing against the 600mm lens but if push comes to shove, this lens can be handheld unlike the 600mm.
p.1 #3 · Show images taken with Canon 500mm f/4 plus 1.4X TC at wide open, please!
AGeoJO wrote:
This is really a fine lens for wildlife photography. It is not as heavy as the 600mm, and of course, it is also more compact, too and yes, less expensive than the 600mm with a slight loss in focal length reach.. Nothing against the 600mm lens but if push comes to shove, this lens can be handheld unlike the 600mm.
Joshua, I kinda agree with that assessment....coming from someone who almost never uses a tripod.....the 500 f/4 is already a very heavy lens to wield around. However, the difference in price 500-600 is relatively small, therefore for FL starved tripod people I think the 600 should still be a preferred option.
Be that as it may, I expect to be using the 500 f/4 +1.4xTC a lot this winter on a variety of diving ducks, mostly from a kneeling position, as they swim between ice floats.
In fact, I've been testing that combo over the past couple of weeks....great for swimmers, not so great for fast/close flyers. Distant flyby birds are OK.
p.1 #4 · Show images taken with Canon 500mm f/4 plus 1.4X TC at wide open, please!
Pete, thanks for you kind words.
Pete, I didn't know that the price difference is that low. I thought the 600 would sell around $6K while the 500 could be had $5K. I have seen the 500 sold for $4,800 before. I need to refresh my price info, I guess. Anyway, I wouldn't handhold the 500 with a TC though. Not at my age , at least. Bare, yes, I would and did give it a try here and there. However, to get the maximum out of it, you actually need a monopod at the minimum. It is better for the composition and for ease of following your flying or swiming target, too.
p.1 #6 · Show images taken with Canon 500mm f/4 plus 1.4X TC at wide open, please!
AGeoJO wrote:
Anyway, I wouldn't handhold the 500 with a TC though. Not at my age , at least. Bare, yes, I would and did give it a try here and there.
Joshua, I think you and I are probably not distant agewise. However, I am a masochist, that's why I still do it all hand-held.
Seriously, I can't shoot fast/close BIF with a heavy 500mm lens, let alone a 700mm lens. Besides, why would I use such a long lens when 300mm can do it better ? Again, referring to fast/close flying birds.
I could possibly do sandhill cranes in flight with 700mm hand-held, although probably not as nicely as you did it....perfect exposure and framing.
p.1 #7 · Show images taken with Canon 500mm f/4 plus 1.4X TC at wide open, please!
wickerprints wrote:
I heart boofleheads!
Well, little Buffalos are very likeable.
Here is another one with 500 f/4 + 1.4xTC........better light, better water reflection, and better shooting vantage point......however, the ducks were much more distant.
Often one just can't have it all.
! Keep'm coming, please!
