I'm looking for a super tele. Torn between the 500 and 600. Would like to do birding and airshows. I've already got the tripod and wimberly and the 1.4 & 1.7 teleconverters. Torn between the two, about $7,700 for the 500mm and $9,270 for the 600mm.
For airshows.....500 is about max....especially on a cropped body......generally people will handhold due to the pace of the action, and I think that may make the 600 not easily done. Best airshow lens on the nikon side is probably the 200-400 on a cropped body.....
Another vote for the 500 which I think is more versatile (and less heavy!!!) than the 600. I also think the 500 will hold better value in the market in case you need to sell it.
Go to dpreview and search for Glenn Bloore. Amazing airshow photographer.
He says he prefers the 200-400 on the D300 over the 500VR on his D3. It all depends on your objective. Do you want to shoot just the single planes or both the single planes and the display teams with multiple planes? For the single planes Glenn suggests to get as much reach as you can. But I don't think you can beat the zoom if you want to shoot both. Looking at your profile I'd say you need a D300s instead of a newlens.
For airshows the 500/4 VR is perfect, either on full frame (I use one on a D3x) or a 1.5x cropper. The biggest advantage of the 500 over the 600 for airshows is the weight and thus the ability to handhold it. While the 500 isn't light it's possible to handhold thoughout the day with regular rests. The 600 is just too heavy for me to handhold comfortably.
LABRIEDL wrote:
Thanks all, Got it 500 for airshows, but what about Birding?
For birding, I would imagine would want as much focal length as possible, so get the 600VR. Actually I think you might need both
If you go down the 500VR route then you can always stick a TC on it.
small birds, unless you are willing to build blinds and attract the birds, you need all you can get. i normally shoot my 600 with 1.7X and that often isn't enough. if you are willing to find or make a quasi-permanent setup to shoot from, you can get much shorter. if you are going to be in the open, you'll use 600 with 1.7 a lot.
IQ is identical. I have the 500 and my buddy has the 600. Small birds are where the 600 really shines but with the TC14EII or TC17EII, I can reach them with no problem. The biggest difference (besides cost) is weight and bulk with the 500 being far easier to pack and carry. The good news is you can't go wrong whichever you choose.
so look for a USED 500 or 600 -- they are out there unfortunately due to the economics .......... I picked up a beautiful Nikon 600 and shoot with a 1.4 BECAUSE I screwed up and switched formats to FULL FRAME -- Wish I'd of re purchased a D300 but I have a D80 I can use if I feel the need !! Yeah, it's big, it.s heavy .. but I don't walk very far !!!!!!!!! I prefer Wildlife Drives .... I'd probably be able to carry a 500mm a mile further than a 600mm ..
Thing about it is .. legs .... I have the 5541L gitzo .. like $900 bucks .. Wimberly II .. 600 bucks ...... ya gotta be able to support whatever you buy ... it never stops ..
OR as I was thinking last night .. get a NEW Canon 600mm VR for 6000 - 6400 !! for sure I doubt if a Nikon 600VR is givin' a 3000 dollar difference photo ....... leaves some cash for a new Canon Camera too for a Long Distance Tele Birding outfit --- I don't think shooting SUPER TELE with a different system is a bad thing .. like me, you probably have a half dozen different lens on different cameras to pick up for close up or landscapes anyway
Cbrandt I've been thinking about a Gitzo 5541 to complement my 3540 already have the wimberly II for my 200-400. Don't really know if I want to switch brand cameras. Unfortunately haven't really seen any used long Nikon Glass.
Since I have everything I really need and then some, I think with a 200-400 on a D300 .. you have a bad case of NAS ..
I know I wouldn't of picked up a long lens with that lens in my truck .. where I shoot .. wildlife drives / Merritt Island, Yellowstone .. the 600mm wouldn't be worth spending all that money to me. I'm not much on those LBJ's / having to put binoculars on them to see some leaf move to get an idea where they are -- mainly interested in the larger birds .. hawks, osprey, eagles and mammals.
If I were buying a long lens new though, for sure I'd buy Canon .. there is no way in the world Nikon can justify it's $3000 dollar price difference TO ME !! between the absolutely beautiful 600VR Canon which my buddy shoots on a full frame and their product -- I've never heard anyone say while looking thru portolios of photographs for sale .. Wow .. now that's a great Nikon shot !!
You'll find what your lookin' for. I'm extremely happy with my USED Nikon 600mm !! I just wish I'd of kept it on a D300 !
I had the 500mm afsII and traded it towards the 600mm afsII...
prefer the look of the 600 with the d700 and if I need more reach...I swap the body for the d300...if more is needed...than the 1.4 comes on...
either lens will give extremely great IQ...
I just happen to like the compression and reach the 600 gives me over the 500...
I never handhold as I prefer tripod or monopod so weight is not a big deal
as far as airshows...never shot one...
