My gut feel tells me it will not be much longer now......the two new f/4 supertelephoto lenses should start hitting the retail shelves soon.
Several retail stores have been accepting preorders even without any deposit. Some others like Henry's Camera from Toronto require a healthy downpayment.
For those that need/want their lenses as early as possible, preordering should ensure that you'd get yours from the first shipment. If the supply situation with 300/400 II were to repeat itself, the new 500/600 II will also see very limited stock initially.
Let us see who has pre-ordered what at this time, and what kind of a buying "rush" we can expect from this forum.
I wouldn't know for sure what would the best place be to pre-order those in the States.
The traditional choices such as B&H may not ensure the earliest deliveries even if they were accepting pre-orders at this point in time.
I'd perhaps speak to someone like Allen's Camera in Pa.......you'd probably get personalized attention by the owner who seems to be a very keen and trustworthy businessman.
Once upon a time, I preordered the 500 II, and then it got delayed many times. I'm going to be jobless soon, so I had to cancel my preorder, but once I have another job locked on, I will get settled down again and eventually purchase a 600 II, but probably not via preorder.
I've preordered tentatively without any deposit or anything the 600 but I'm still eyeing the 500 and the 400 as alternatives.
I've rented or almost rented the 400 for June for F1 in Montreal but I have asked that if the 600 miraculously appears before then to rent that instead. Otherwise, I'll rent the 600 as soon as it appears and then hopefully complete my order.
I got to play around with the old 500 to get a feel for its weight as it is almost identical to the new 600 which is good but then I keep thinking how light the new 500 will feel and if that wouldn't be the better choice. Then there is the ever alluring 400 f/2.8 which I've also held for a bit but it seems extra heavy because of its compactness compared to the longer 500 and 600.
I'm still totally up in the air with this but leaning towards the 600 so that is what I've contacted the store about getting on the list for the first batch.
I intend on getting a 600 II when it is available but I won't preorder it. I almost sold my 500 and 600 when it was suppose to arrive earlier so I'm waiting until it is here in the flesh before I buy and then sell my version 1s.
Haven't asked around about preorders yet but maybe I should. I'll be getting one if they ever come out. Most likely I'll get the 500, but the 600 has started whispering in my ear.
Jim Victory wrote:
I intend on getting a 600 II when it is available but I won't preorder it. I almost sold my 500 and 600 when it was suppose to arrive earlier so I'm waiting until it is here in the flesh before I buy and then sell my version 1s.
Jim
I let my perfect 500 MkI go several weeks ago.....to be replaced now with a lighter and better stabilized lens, i.e., 500 II, for what I hope it will turn out to be an ideal BIF setup: 1DX + 500 II.
As far as 600 II is concerned, I'd rather keep my 800L instead, for distant stationary targets.
Preordered the 600 long ago. I think I am #2 or 3 on the list. After a long day shooting birds last year with my 600 I reached into the back seat to hand my friend his 500 and in comparison it was like grabbing a 300. The weight difference is dramatic My aging hands and shoulders will no doubt appreciate the weight loss.
What do you know......according to the poll, of all early adopters it looks like I may be the only one around here who is not interested in getting 600 II early ?
Since you already have an 800 you are covered for the long distance needed with the 1Dx. I need a little more distance than my 500 can give me with a FF camera and since I can HH the 500 without any problems, and sometimes the 600, the new 600 should be OK.
I'm interested to know the rationale behind ordering/owning both the 500 and the 600. Can someone who is doing this chime in with their reasoning?
As for me, I'd love to have the 600 II on preorder. The 5D III + 600II + 1.4x would make me a happy shooter. Funds preclude this at the moment, but maybe in a year or two I could justify picking up the 600 used.
AJay wrote:
Unfortunately the new 1DX with an 840mm with a 1.4x TC will not autofocus.
I think Jim is referring to the new 600mm + new 1.4x TC= 840mm
According to the 1DX AF guide:
This combination paired with the 1DX will autofocus with all 61 points.
The central 21-points will function as cross-type AF.
AJay wrote:
Unfortunately the new 1DX with an 840mm with a 1.4x TC will not autofocus.
Why not? It's a 5.6 Lens at that point.
On an aside I am so torn on these two lenses. I can hand hold the current 500 but not for very long. I'd imagine 1.5 pounds is a bigger difference than I think but if not I might as well go for more reach. Maybe I'll start with a 500 and if I can't handhold it get the 600.
PetKal wrote:
What do you know......according to the poll, of all early adopters it looks like I may be the only one around here who is not interested in getting 600 II early ?
)
U are not alone.