speedmaster20d wrote:
Regarding 600 II vs. 500 II, IMO it all depends on the weight you are comfortable with. If you are happy with the weight of the current 500 I would def get the 600 as you get more reach that can increase your field productivity. If the current 500 feels too heavy then the new 500 is your lens. Both lenses can produce excellent images for sure.
Hmmm... I have been working out. I feel like probably the 500 II is the way to go for me, but that extra reach really is tempting.
As glowing reviews like this one start to come in I expect the already steady stream of 800L's on the Buy and Sell page to increase. Who knows, maybe the $11K barrier will crack soon...
Breitling65 wrote:
Maybe made in Malaysia version will cost twice less? Lets dream ...
You mean they give us $13K and the lens?
Nice dream
Or do you mean 1/2 as much?
Cheaper than the original, without accounting for progress, inflation and exchange rate differences?
Almost as nice a dream...
p.2 #11 · Field review of the new Canon 600mm MKII
charlespan wrote:
Thanks for the review; exactly what I need to hear, I am going to use it mostly hand held.
Charles, once you get it, maybe I give your 400 5.6 a new home.
p.2 #12 · Field review of the new Canon 600mm MKII
Presumably, bird photography is extremely lucrative.
Snark aside, do BIF photographers make money from their images, or is this all done for the love of the art? The images in the review would engender quite a bit of love, it seems to me.
p.2 #13 · Field review of the new Canon 600mm MKII
splathrop wrote:
Presumably, bird photography is extremely lucrative.
Snark aside, do BIF photographers make money from their images, or is this all done for the love of the art? The images in the review would engender quite a bit of love, it seems to me.
i would love to someday make even 1/10th of my photography-related income from birding.. but at this point, i can't see how i could make any $ shooting BIF even if i put 100% of my time into birding, especially working out of a metropolis like Toronto where i highly doubt there are any rare or exotic species left to discover..
maybe someone can correct me & guide me on my way to profitable birding =D
personally though, i find birding to be challenging & peaceful at the same time.. it's one of my favourite "sanity-preserving" photographic subjects atm..
p.2 #17 · Field review of the new Canon 600mm MKII
kaycephoto wrote:
my assistant: "you can train yourself to get used to a heavier lens, but you can't train the 500mm to be a longer focal length.."
=D this is why i keep her around... 600mkII it is, though i'm sure i'll change my mind a few hundred more times..
If I remember correctly, all photos from the review were shot at 1092mm. And let's not forget that the 600 II with the 1.4x III extender increases the weight to over 9 pounds! (approaching the 800mm f/5.6L's weight)
Therefore, those who prefer handholding their super-teles all the time should really consider the 500 II and perhaps a lighter body like the 7D.
I don't believe the price increase is strictly inflationary. There will be less demand for these lenses in part because there are so many of the IS v.1 out in use already. Lower volume = higher unit cost. And the 'pro' end of this market is in stagnation/decline, to the point where it's not uncommon that paying clients haven't changed their rates since 1999 when the IS v.1 was introduced. Also consider the steady decline of stock photo rates. So, if one is being paid in 1999 dollars... but must buy gear in 2012 dollars... makes it a bit difficult.
Nice review BTW! My takeaway from it is I won't bother to update my 600 IS, especially if the only noticeable difference is with the 2x TC, which for my use primarily shooting field sports, is way too long. Actually, I'll probably sell it instead to fund the zoom.
p.2 #20 · Field review of the new Canon 600mm MKII
Fred Miranda wrote:
Therefore, those who prefer hand holding their super-teles all the time should really consider the 500 II and perhaps a lighter body like the 7D.
The really have to put the 5D III AF in a crop body and if so that would sway me back to the 500 II. I'll hold off until I find out what's instore on the body front before deciding. 600 II is a must have for the low pixel density cameras like the 1D X and 5D III. On these bodies 600 is the new 500.
