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Archive 2015 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II

  
 
Schlotkins
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


Whelp I think I"m going to finally get around to shooting more and want to upgrade my 500 ver I IS. I'm totally torn between whether to take the weight saves (500 II) or reach increase (600 II). I'm been shooting with a 7D.

My thought process is going to the 7D II and the 500 II will result in a non-trivial IQ increase for me, especially since I ca get AF w/ a 2x extender. And the weight savings will encourage me to take it out more... plus I have trips to Yellowstone and Lake Clark on the agenda - taking a 500 II along is less work than the 600 II.

On the other hand, I could get the 600 II and transition to either the 1D4 or 1Dx, giving much better IQ than the 7D2.

Anyway, I thought I would ask for those who made this decision for their thoughts.
Chris



Sep 03, 2015 at 04:59 PM
rdcny
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


If you are not going to be doing much hand-held photography, there are many good deals on the 500mm F4 version 1 - you won't notice a difference in IQ between the new version and the old version. In weight yes...but the old 500mm F4 can be hand-held for birds in flight...

I have the 600mm F4 II; the 800mm F5.6 and the 500mm F4 version 1...I prefer the 600mm F4 II of the three. The weight of the new 600 II is equivalent to the weight of the old 500 version 1.

Overall if I had to choose one it would be the 600mm F4 version 2...Camera Canada has them for less than $10k (new)...watch the price of the Canadian dollar vs. the US dollar for absolute best deals.



Sep 03, 2015 at 05:17 PM
mogud
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


I will be interested in the opinions expressed. I am waffling over the same decision. I took the 600 II for a few CPS test drives and it is a big lens not just in weight but in size. I wouldn't want to be lugging it too far and too long. I will be test driving the 500 II next weekend.

Which one....I change my mind based on the weather or whatever reason I come up with it seems. Today it's the 500 II but, who knows how long that decision will last.



Edited on Sep 03, 2015 at 05:51 PM · View previous versions



Sep 03, 2015 at 05:22 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


I made a similar choice about ten years ago At that time, it was between the Mk I versions of the 500/4L IS and 600/4L IS. I chose the 500. I'd probably do the same today, and it would be even lighter.


Sep 03, 2015 at 05:32 PM
Phantom Medic
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


Recently went through a similar situation and got a used but minty fresh 500mm f4 v1....one of the best decisions Ive done regarding this hobby. It may be heavy but when you see the results you forget all about it.


Sep 03, 2015 at 05:56 PM
arbitrage
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


Well the guy already has a 500 f/4 V1 so I don't know why people are suggesting that....RTFP....

Anyways, as a disclaimer I have never seen, shot or held the 500II. I have owned the 600II for 3 years now. I also have a 300II and a 200-400 and smaller lenses like 100-400II and 70-200II so for me the 600 makes sense as I have other options at lower focal lengths and my number 1 subject is birds so the 600 makes sense to me.

However, if I was going to be forced to sell all my big whites and settle on a single big white I would without question purchase the 500II. I think that lens would be the ideal mix of reach, handhold ability and IQ is top notch. I know the 600II is awesome even at 1200mm and even on the 7D2 at 1920mm equivalent so I know the 500II would be equally great at 1000mm and 1600mm equivalent that is still a lot of reach.

Hands down my suggestion is 500II + 7D2 + 1.4 TCIII and 2.0TCIII for a one lens ultimate setup.

Good luck and do check out Camera Canada as you will save a mint with our shitty CDN $ right now. They have shipped hundreds of big whites to the US and have it all figured out. Fred himself got his from them.



Sep 03, 2015 at 06:13 PM
thedutt
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


If you can, go to a camera store and try them out in person. May even be worth making a trip out.

Personally I choose 500 IS II over a mint V1, due to useablity. I prefer to shoot off tripod most of the times and 600 II and 500 I are just a bit to heavy. Add to it that 500 is more portable, it was an easier choice for me. 700mm f5.6 on 5DIII or 7DII is plenty of reach for my situations.

If you can handle the heft of 600, go for it, if not 500 is a great option.



Sep 03, 2015 at 06:20 PM
David Garcia
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


I decided on a 500 ll in order to hand hold once in a while. These days I'm thinking more about weight.


Sep 03, 2015 at 07:19 PM
Liquidstone
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


arbitrage wrote:
Well the guy already has a 500 f/4 V1 so I don't know why people are suggesting that....RTFP....


(OT) Lol.... first time I read that term, although I regularly see its cousin - RTFM.




Edited on Sep 03, 2015 at 07:35 PM · View previous versions



Sep 03, 2015 at 07:29 PM
Phantom Medic
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


I read somewhere that the difference between the cv1 and v2 in terms of weight is 1.5 pounds. That would make such difference negligible, no?


Sep 03, 2015 at 07:32 PM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


News Flash: As pointed out, the OP already has the 500 f4 IS.

A 500 f4 or a 500 f4 IS is not an upgrade for him.



Sep 03, 2015 at 07:40 PM
Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


With pixel densities rising all the time personally I think 500mm is the way to go. The difference in heft is very noticeable and todays 7D II + 500mm combo puts more pixels on your duck than any Canon camera + 600mm other than the 5Ds. With 1DX II probably 24MP, which is 33% more pixels, and the fact the 600 puts 44% more pixels 0n the subkect when FL limited you aren't far behind. Obviously this argument applies to 600 too, but both lenses eat a 1.4x TC for lunch and if needed the 500 f/4 makes a superb 700 f/5.6 and excellent 1000 f/8 which should cover most needs.

Also 500mm is much easier to get on a plane with ever tighter weight restrictions. Heck for the price of a 600II you can buy a 500II + 150-600 and take a holiday.



Sep 03, 2015 at 07:42 PM
thedutt
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


That 1.5 makes a pretty significant difference for many of us. I could strain and do it with v1, but much easier with v2. Ymmv, best to try in the store.

Phantom Medic wrote:
I read somewhere that the difference between the cv1 and v2 in terms of weight is 1.5 pounds. That would make such difference negligible, no?




Sep 03, 2015 at 09:53 PM
arbitrage
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


thedutt wrote:
That 1.5 makes a pretty significant difference for many of us. I could strain and do it with v1, but much easier with v2. Ymmv, best to try in the store.



Almost everyone who has used the new 500 comments that the weight difference is significant. And most who have gone 500 markI to 600II have found the 600 easier to handhold because of better weight distribution in the lens. I have held the 500 I and I would agree that the 600II is easier to handhold than the 500 I. The 500II would be even better, I would guess....



Sep 04, 2015 at 09:10 AM
drobertfranz
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


The new 500mm is a joy to hold, so much lighter than the old 500mm. For me the 500mm is a better animal lens and the 600mm would be a better bird lens. Depends on what your primary usage would be.


Sep 04, 2015 at 09:30 AM
Schlotkins
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


Thanks for all of the responses. The 500 v1 I have is just at the end of handhold ability for me. It sounds like the new 500 I could handhold fairly comfortably. It's interesting the 600 II is actually easier to handhold than the 500 v1 ... although there is quite a volume increase over my 500. Sigh. If only I could afford all of the tele lens ... and a person to carry them.





Sep 04, 2015 at 01:42 PM
artsupreme
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


Schlotkins, I have both a 500II and 600II new in the box never opened. I've been waiting on payment for them from someone else but they aren't pulling through. PM me if you're interested.


Sep 04, 2015 at 04:02 PM
Phantom Medic
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II





Sep 04, 2015 at 04:06 PM
Vivek
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


I had the 600-II and 1DX, but with the 7D2, I "downgraded" to the 500-II and could not be happier.

Here is a shot - handheld with 2X-III on 7D2+500-II. I just *love* this combo...



YMMV

-- Vivek







Sep 04, 2015 at 10:13 PM
Liquidstone
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Can't Decide: 500 II or 600 II


I personally prefer the 600 II over the 500 II, but I really believe that there's no universally correct choice here. Both are topnotch glasses, and the better choice will be always dependent on the priorities of the individual photographer based on his shooting situation.


Sep 05, 2015 at 12:46 AM
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