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Archive 2014 · 400 f2.8 VS 600 f4

  
 
aztwang1
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 400 f2.8 VS 600 f4


I was wondering if someone might be able to shed some light on the differences that one would see from a 400 2.8 with tc 1.4 iii versus a 600 f4 other than the 20mm focal difference. I do own the 400 2.8 vr and absolutely love it. I'm just wondering if the 600 F4 brings about another level of uniqueness that the 400 brought to the game. Thanks for taking a look and anticipate your feedback thank you.



Sep 04, 2014 at 12:50 PM
pburke
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 400 f2.8 VS 600 f4


Just rent the 600 for a week and see what you think. I certainly wouldn't listen to the internet experts when spending that much money.

logic suggests:
400 will be better than 600 if you need a shorter lens
600 will be better than 400 with TC-14, but no by a huge factor. Corners mostly
600 with 1.4x will be better than 400 with the 2x.
600 with 2x will be better than 400 with 1.4x and 2x or DX body with 2x.

I never shot a 400/2.8, only 600f/4 and 300/2.8, which as a combo was all I ever needed with two TCs. But that was 15 years ago and Canon. Today, with DX in the game and more advanced and lighter/smaller 400mm lenses, I'd probably be happy with a 400mm and a DX body for the few times I need extra reach. I was shooting motorsports a the time and I liked ot frame tight, while others got away with much shorter lenses. Lots of factors can affect your choice of lens, not just plain performance on paper.








Sep 04, 2014 at 01:27 PM
ckcarr
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 400 f2.8 VS 600 f4


Still. Two of the best I'd love to have...

I have neither though...

If you don't need new, there have been some nice refurbs popping up over the last few months... 600mm f/4 VRII $7,500... 500 f/4 VRII $7,500



Sep 04, 2014 at 01:41 PM
Christian H
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 400 f2.8 VS 600 f4


Corners would be the biggest difference. The 1.4 III turns out to be surprisingly good, but corner vignetting is definitely present. So if you need 600 REGULARLY and across-the-frame perfection is important to you, get a 600.


Sep 04, 2014 at 01:48 PM
martines34
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 400 f2.8 VS 600 f4


I guess it depends on what you intend to shoot and what your preference in images is.

personally, i like to shoot as cropped/tight as possible.

Are you shooting BIF?

I agree that renting a lens will give you the ability to try before you buy.

Remember, the older you get the heavier the lens appear to become!!



Sep 04, 2014 at 01:50 PM
matthewo
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 400 f2.8 VS 600 f4


i would do the new 400mm 2.8 and the new tc14e III, i bet that might just give the current 600 f4 a run for its money.


Sep 04, 2014 at 03:47 PM
Aloicious
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 400 f2.8 VS 600 f4


matthewo wrote:
i would do the new 400mm 2.8 and the new tc14e III, i bet that might just give the current 600 f4 a run for its money.


that's what I was thinking, it'd also be significantly more hand-holdable (the new 400 that is)



Sep 04, 2014 at 03:58 PM
Steve Walker
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 400 f2.8 VS 600 f4


When I was making this decision, I wound up with the 600.

I thought long and hard about the 400 with converters and finally decided that I would shoot at 600 (and more) much, much more frequently than at 400.

I shoot mostly large mammals, mixed with a few small mammals and the occasional bird. Most of my shooting is in the rocky mountain region of the US, especially Colorado and Yellowstone.

I have had 1 or two occasions when I thought the 600 was too much. Those situations quickly resolved as the critters moved far enough away that I needed 600 and then the 600 with teleconverters.

For me, the decision did not come down to image quality. Either the 400 with converters or the 600 deliver all the image quality I need at 600. My decision really came down to the realization that I would often be shooting beyond 600, and that I would need teleconverters even with it. I rejected the 400 because I ruled out stacking teleconverters.

Good luck with your decision. Both are great lenses!

Steve



Sep 04, 2014 at 08:20 PM





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