"Big White" Ownership Survey

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Archive 2009 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

PetKal
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p.2 #1 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

# 41 wrote:
7? How many big whites even have a drop in filter? 300 2.8, 400 2.8, 400 DO, 500 4, 600 4, 800 5.6 and 1200 5.6?

Don't forget 200 f/2 IS. Furthermore, there are also older models of all those lenses (except 800 and 1200).

Oct 31, 2009 at 04:12 AM

jrn813
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p.2 #2 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

My Trimmed Kit Takes A Little More Planning On Trips...
But At It's Peak, There Were Several Doubles...
500mm f4.5, 500mm f4 IS, 300mm f2.8, 300mm f2.8 IS
I Was Replacing All My Big'uns To IS, Except The 200mm f1.8
Then Sold My 500mm f4 IS For Money & Lack Of Use......
The 400mm f2.8 + TC Is Just As Sharp. I Did Include A Nikon 400mm f3.5
In The Count, As Allowed..... Also Now Sold.....

All In All, I Do Not Miss The Expanded Kit.....

Oct 31, 2009 at 04:36 AM

mt-m
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p.2 #3 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

PetKal wrote:
stanj wrote:
Just the sucky 400 DO. Shame on me.

Stan, I think you need to muscle up.....grab that bull by the horns and get yourself a 600 f/4.......when I was your age I could handhold that lens for minutes on end.

pffft... 600...

I shoot 400 2.8 IS handheld all the time - the darn hawks have no courtesy to fly within swinging limits of Wimberley. I'll get a black eye eventually

Edited on Oct 31, 2009 at 04:40 AM · View previous versions

Oct 31, 2009 at 04:38 AM

burningheart
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p.2 #4 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

PetKal wrote:
Tom_W wrote:
PetKal wrote:
Damn, the kind of abuse I must suffer even from my friends here.

Apology accepted.

If not you, then who is the 'man of 7 or more'?

Tommy, could be RCicala, or Burningheart (Robert) or some joker....I don't know ?
Also, DavidP, Joshua, Netexpress, etc.....all kinds of folks here who have been hoarding big lenses.

Not me

, just got home from a day of shooting (T+S, 100 macro, Rokkor, and TS Nikon) all on the 5D MKII.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

I put down 3-4 then saw your message saying Nikon also, so how about Oly and FD?

So if I count all of those

then it is 7.

EF 200 1.8, 500 4.5, 800 5.6
Nikon 200-400 F4
FD 150-600 5.6 ,400 F4.5
Olympus 250 F2

Oh wait, the 14, 15 Fisheye, and 14 FD have rear filter holders for wratten filters.

Oct 31, 2009 at 04:38 AM

Adam L
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p.2 #5 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

It'd be nice if there was a field in each person's post to see how they voted, or at least see who voted for what in the results field.

Anyway, I voted 2.

300/2.8 and 500/4

In the future, the 800/5.6 is a possibility. But that's a long way off.

Oct 31, 2009 at 11:04 AM

alundeb
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p.2 #6 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

The 300/2.8 L IS.

If you only (and barely) can afford one big white, this one is very versatile and good value.

Oct 31, 2009 at 11:10 AM

dhphoto
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p.2 #7 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

Would love to but the work doesn't justify it. Had a nice 70-200 2.8L but it never got used so it went. So none for me

David

Oct 31, 2009 at 11:15 AM

RT v Genugten
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p.2 #8 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

Just one, the 500

RT.

Oct 31, 2009 at 11:32 AM

RobAmy
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p.2 #9 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

I voted 4

2 300mm
1 500mm
1 600mm

Oct 31, 2009 at 11:37 AM

PetKal
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p.2 #10 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

burningheart wrote:
Oh wait, the 14, 15 Fisheye, and 14 FD have rear filter holders for wratten filters.

He he, I knew someone might latch onto that.

Therefore, if you read the supertelephoto definition in my OP, you will see I specified "white" lenses only.

I own six of those at present.
Two copies of 200 f/1.8 which hail back to the days when Canon seemed capable of truly inspired lens design. Even if one lens develops a terminal fault, there is a backup copy.

Then, the ubiquitous 300 f/2.8 IS, 200 f/2 IS and 500 f/4.
Lastly, there is 500 f/4.5L, yet another very special lens. A top notch IQ, yet "only" 3kg in weight. If that lens had IS and a faster AF drive, then that would have been a perfect long wildlife lens for me. Such as it is, I use it more often than its f/4 successor.

The only way I'd get to my seventh supertelephoto lens would be if Canon introduces an excellent 200-400 f/4 or 400 f/4 prime, based on refractive optics.

I can always use lighter and faster lenses, but not longer and heavier. 500mm is plenty for me, so much so I don't even bother with the TC's any longer.

Oct 31, 2009 at 11:38 AM

Breitling65
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p.2 #11 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

300 F2.8L IS & 500 F4L IS both cost 80% of all my lenses collection and I have total 9 L lenses.

But no regrets, they are both producing best shots I ever made.

Oct 31, 2009 at 11:48 AM

Tom_W
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p.2 #12 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

# 41 wrote:
7? How many big whites even have a drop in filter? 300 2.8, 400 2.8, 400 DO, 500 4, 600 4, 800 5.6 and 1200 5.6?

Hey, come to think of it, my 15 mm fisheye has a drop-in filter holder though not quite the same one as in the superteles. Does that count?

Ooops - I guess that was covered already....

Oct 31, 2009 at 11:55 AM

Adam L
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p.2 #13 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

PetKal wrote:
Lastly, there is 500 f/4.5L, yet another very special lens. A top notch IQ, yet "only" 3kg in weight. If that lens had IS and a faster AF drive, then that would have been a perfect long wildlife lens for me. Such as it is, I use it more often than its f/4 successor.

Why would you use the 4.5 more than the 4?
The 4.5 is undoubtably a stellar lens and I wouldn't want to take any glory from it.. but.. the 4 is just.. better. In every department IMO, except weight.

And it's not as if the 4 can't be hand-held. It's a rare occasion I use a tripod with it; 80% of the time it's hanging from my side as I'm walking/trekking wherever.

Oct 31, 2009 at 12:18 PM

PetKal
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p.2 #14 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

Adam L wrote:
PetKal wrote:
Lastly, there is 500 f/4.5L, yet another very special lens. A top notch IQ, yet "only" 3kg in weight. If that lens had IS and a faster AF drive, then that would have been a perfect long wildlife lens for me. Such as it is, I use it more often than its f/4 successor.

Why would you use the 4.5 more than the 4?
The 4.5 is undoubtably a stellar lens and I wouldn't want to take any glory from it.. but.. the 4 is just.. better. In every department IMO, except weight.

Weight is a very important consideration for those that shoot those lenses in a true hand-held manner. Also, my f/4.5 and f/4 have practically identical IQ.
IS is a big help on a 500mm lens. Yet, because fatigue sets in sooner with the heavier lens which triggers increased camera/lens shake, f/4 needs IS more than f/4.5.

Lastly, and that is my biggest problem with the f/4.5, the AF drive is sluggish (0.6 sec drive speed according to Canon). The f/4 is better but not a speed demon in that regard either.

Oct 31, 2009 at 12:32 PM

Adam L
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p.2 #15 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

PetKal wrote:
for those that shoot those lenses in a true hand-held manner.

Can you expand on this please? What is "true hand-held manner"?

PetKal wroteLastly, and that is my biggest problem with the f/4.5, the AF drive is sluggish (0.6 sec drive speed according to Canon). The f/4 is better but not a speed demon in that regard either.

You're right, it's not the fastest horse in the stable.. it's certainly no 300/2.8 or 200/2, but it's still pretty fast! I have to say I've never missed a shot because of sluggish AF on a 500.

Oct 31, 2009 at 12:46 PM

AGeoJO
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p.2 #16 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

Big white? I voted "zero", mine are "camouflaged"

Oct 31, 2009 at 12:52 PM

Ronan O Keeffe
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p.2 #17 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

Voted two, although one's a Contax and it's black

The other is the 200 ƒ1.8

Oct 31, 2009 at 01:16 PM

PetKal
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p.2 #18 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

Adam L wrote:
PetKal wrote:
for those that shoot those lenses in a true hand-held manner.

Can you expand on this please? What is "true hand-held manner"?

PetKal wroteLastly, and that is my biggest problem with the f/4.5, the AF drive is sluggish (0.6 sec drive speed according to Canon). The f/4 is better but not a speed demon in that regard either.

You're right, it's not the fastest horse in the stable.. it's certainly no 300/2.8 or 200/2, but it's still pretty fast! I have to say I've never missed a shot because of sluggish AF on a 500.

(1) When one is walking the woods or the marsh in search of targets, then that typically forces one to use the lens in a true hand-held manner. There are no cars to rest the lens on, no stools to sit on and deposit the lens on your knees, etc.
The lens is essentially held in a ready-to-shoot manner, and not stowed away in a bag or a backpack.

(2) Whenever I tried to shoot in-flight pijuns, swallows or even ducks bursting into flight and similar flight transients, any lens heavier than 300 f/2.8 IS becomes a liability. The 500's are a losing proposition.
In fact I prefer to use 400 f/5.6 and 300 f/4 for that kind of fast action. Ideally, if I can come close enough, I'll be using 135L and 200 f/2 IS which are IMO the most agile telephoto lenses Canon have ever made....both the aperture and the AF drive.

Oct 31, 2009 at 01:18 PM

sivrajbm
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p.2 #19 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

Just one for now a sterling 300/2.8is, been using it with the 1.4 & 2.0 tc. I need the funds for a 400, maybe when I get a real job...

Oct 31, 2009 at 02:35 PM

voltaire
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p.2 #20 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

Two for me based on the criteria but five whites total.

Oct 31, 2009 at 02:48 PM

PetKal
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p.2 #21 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

So far it looks like almost 1/3 of local members have at least one supertelephoto lens. Which is actually pretty high considering that here we have a large population of landscape, portrait/studio, wedding, product etc. photographers who really do not require "Big Whites" in practice of their specialized craft.

Oct 31, 2009 at 03:14 PM

dolina
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p.2 #22 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

Does a 200/2L IS count as a "Big White"?

EDIT: It appears it does

1 300/2.8L IS
1 200/2L IS
1 800/5.6L IS

May get a 500 once Canon releases the Mark 2s

Oct 31, 2009 at 03:21 PM

dk_samurai
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p.2 #23 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

One here... the 400 f/2.8 IS

/David

Oct 31, 2009 at 04:27 PM

Adam L
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p.2 #24 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

PetKal wrote:
(1) When one is walking the woods or the marsh in search of targets, then that typically forces one to use the lens in a true hand-held manner. There are no cars to rest the lens on, no stools to sit on and deposit the lens on your knees, etc.
The lens is essentially held in a ready-to-shoot manner, and not stowed away in a bag or a backpack.

The 500/4 is a hand-holdable lens, and can be used in the "ready-to-shoot" manner. I've hiked with it for hours strapped to my side, and sometimes even with a 300/2.8 strapped to the other side (admittedly, in this scenario, it can get a bit tiring

)
To each his own, I guess!

Oct 31, 2009 at 05:56 PM

BennyR
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p.2 #25 · "Big White" Ownership Survey

Just one. Does your wishlist count?

Oct 31, 2009 at 06:17 PM


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