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Archive 2012 · 500 or 600?

  
 
Tapeman
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 500 or 600?


I am going to get one or the other in January. I am leaning toward the 500.

My main concern is which will be most usefull to me. I shoot a varity of things, more wildlife than anything else, and have the 300 f/2.8 MkI which is pretty good with Canon's converters.

I expect it will be my last major purchase of glass. I would like to bring it with me when I travel.

I'm just not sure if I will regret not having the extra reach.



Dec 04, 2012 at 08:17 PM
Ed Porter
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 500 or 600?


Specifically, what are you shooting? I shoot everything in nature from extreme macro to super telephoto. I own the 600 with both TC's and it still isn't enough reach quite a lot of the time.

You have a problem that 99% of nature photographers wish they had....choice between 500 and 600mm.

Ed



Dec 04, 2012 at 08:34 PM
big country
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 500 or 600?


500 is easier to travel with, and at 7 lbs. the easier to pack and travel w/ is one advantage the 800mm has over the 600mm.


Dec 04, 2012 at 08:37 PM
Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 500 or 600?


If you do a lot of birding, then I'd probably get the 600. If you are used to the current 500 mk I, then you have a good idea how this will feel in the hand. Otherwise the 500 II with it's much lighter weight and lower price (if that's an issue) is compelling. I am really torn about which way to go and will base my decision on the next gen 7D I hope is coming. If it really is 24MP with better IQ and 5D III class AF, then I think I could live with the 500 as that will allow plenty of cropping while still retaining large pixel count and it works brilliantly with a 1.4x TC III. Still a 600 with the same weight and mfd as the old 500 and much better IS is hard to ignore. 500 II will always be nicer to travel with, but 600 II is a lot more friendly than it used to be for travel.

What camera are you going to be using these with? A 1D X is quite low pixel density and IMO 600 is a must. For 1D IV and 7D, 500 is going to give you the same or more reach than the 1DX + 600. And of course 600 on the 7D/1D IV will give you some great reach.



Dec 04, 2012 at 08:39 PM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 500 or 600?


The new 600 is still heavier and bulkier than the new 500, and will not only be more inconvenient for travel, but also for handholding.

Even with an 800, there are lots of times that will not be enough reach either, so forget about extra reach and buy the most practical lens. Longer is not always better.



Dec 04, 2012 at 08:53 PM
rprouty
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 500 or 600?


Imagemaster wrote:
The new 600 is still heavier and bulkier than the new 500, and will not only be more inconvenient for travel, but also for handholding.

Even with an 800, there are lots of times that will not be enough reach either, so forget about extra reach and buy the most practical lens. Longer is not always better.



Well said.

Rod



Dec 04, 2012 at 08:58 PM
BluesWest
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 500 or 600?


You have the 300 f/2.8, which with the 1.4X extender gives you an excellent 420mm. This is pretty close to the the fl of the 500 f/4, so when would you choose to use the 500mm? For BIF, because of faster focusing speed on a bare lens? The 300 f/2.8 + 1.4X is probably fast enough for that purpose.

My point is that having the 600mm f/4 would seem to give you a more versatile lens collection, without a big gap or having focal lengths close together. It's the one I would choose if I didn't already have the 500 f/4.

John



Dec 05, 2012 at 12:44 AM
Tapeman
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 500 or 600?


I will be mounting the lens on a 1D4, and will skip at least one generation of bodies.

Yeah, the money is a consideration. Also I think I would be more likely to haul around the 500.

Too bad getting both is not doable.



Dec 05, 2012 at 01:15 AM
3iron
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 500 or 600?


I have the 300 is and the new 600. The 300 with a 1.4 multi. is as good as without even focus is excellent.
Of course the 600 is everything they say it is.
If I had both, I would still take only one at a time.
The 600 is about one pound heavier and 1 in longer. If you can't haul that around, you have no room for the 500 either.
The 300 with the 1.4 is very close to the 500 and for me covers that range pretty well. It is smaller and lighter than the 500 or 600 which allows me room to take both the 300 and 600 even for short hikes.
I'm not saying this is what you need to do, only my thoughts on how I made my descision.
Best wishes.



Dec 05, 2012 at 09:53 AM
Tapeman
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 500 or 600?


This is no an easy decision for me as I am sure I would use either lens a lot.

BTW it is the MkII lenses I am considering.



Dec 05, 2012 at 09:55 AM
RikWriter
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 500 or 600?


I'd get the 600. I have owned the 500 and 600, both MKI's, and although the 600 was heavier, bulkier and harder to get into action, it was totally worth it. That extra reach was invaluable.


Dec 05, 2012 at 11:59 AM
ruhikant
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 500 or 600?


Considering all the factors such as MFD, weight, price, versatility etc, I would go with Ef500/4 II. I would trade a little smaller bird in the frame with more enjoyable to shoot, faster reaction to sudden BIF action, thus more keepers etc(due to its lighter weight). After 120K clicks on my 1d4, I found 700mm is perfectly good for Birds and you can push to 1000mm with good long lens technique. Since, you already have the fantastic 70-200/2.8 IS II, I will sell the 300/2.8 IS L, 5DII to upgrade to 5D3 and 1.4 III and 2XIIITC.


Dec 05, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Tapeman
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 500 or 600?


Thanks all, I appreciate you input. Good arguments can be made for either lens.

I think I'll go to a shop and handle both lenses, if I can find a local shop that has them both.

I don't like to do that because they are very unlikely to get the sale. Even though I do try to support my local brick and morter retailers, they are at a disadvantage price wise especially with a 7% sales tax.



Dec 05, 2012 at 01:11 PM
willis
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 500 or 600?


I recently faced this decision and went for the 500II after handling both. Yes, if you really need all the reach you can get obviously the 600II is the one to go for but the size and weight of the 500 II won me over. It sitll gives a lot of reach especially on a crop camera, is very sharp even with the 2xIII TC and is genuinely handholdable for extended periods, not just a few shots until your arm gives out. You can't really go wrong with either but I know I'll get more use out of the 500 than the 600 and enjoy it more too.



Dec 05, 2012 at 01:49 PM
JEFFERY Z71
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 500 or 600?


Go with the 600II since you already own a 300 2.8 + extenders.


Dec 05, 2012 at 01:59 PM
Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · 500 or 600?


3iron wrote:
The 600 is about one pound heavier and 1 in longer. If you can't haul that around, you have no room for the 500 either.


1.5lb heavier and nearly 3" longer and it is noticeably bigger even without the hood which is again noticeably larger than the 500's. The front element alone 1" larger. Usually requires a bigger case and something that fits a 600 will fit a 500 + attached pro camera.



Dec 05, 2012 at 06:23 PM
PetKal
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · 500 or 600?


Tapeman wrote:
BTW it is the MkII lenses I am considering.


If you are up to it physically, I'd look into getting 500 f/4 IS MkI....save yourself a pile of money which could be spent elsewhere more gainfully, like getting 5DMkIII.



Dec 05, 2012 at 06:46 PM
big country
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · 500 or 600?


3iron wrote:
The 600 is about one pound heavier and 1 in longer. If you can't haul that around, you have no room for the 500 either.

Best wishes.



The 600 ii is 1.5 lbs heavier, 2.5 inches longer, and 1 inch bigger in diamater, then you have the giant hood to deal w/.

You can fit a 500 ii in a think tank street walker hard drive and a gura gear 22L, but not the 600 ii. the 600 ii barely fits into the gura gear 30L.




Dec 05, 2012 at 08:28 PM
Scott Stoness
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · 500 or 600?


The 600 is heavier and longer but the differences in length and weight are not significant. With the right bags you will get it on the same plane. So the issue is weight and reach and money.

Given that you have the 300, I would go 600. Alternatively if you go for the 500 buy a v1 and save a bundle.

I bought the 600 because:
1) 500/1.4/7d was too short in yellowstone for wolves. I need more reach.
2) When I don't need the reach, I will switch to 5diii and get full frame quality.
3) And when I am really close I switch to 100-400 (shortly to be swapped out for 200-400)

Scott





Dec 05, 2012 at 08:37 PM
jjoejr
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · 500 or 600?


As a primarily BIF shooter which I enjoy the most, I'm faced with the same dilemma. For bif the 500 I would think would give you more freedom, less weight, and more fun than a 600 because of it's portability. If your usage consists mostly of static wildlife shots on a tripod then perhaps the 600 would be better. If they release a new 7D in the near future then with a 500 your reach goes up to 800mm without a 1.4 tele. Not bad.


Dec 05, 2012 at 08:45 PM
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