Harry.C wrote:
As you can see from below, the image degradation comparing the 400 to the 600 is much worse than when comparing the 600 to the 800. Hopefully this explains why it is a fallacy to extend the OP's statement to other lenses.
Great post, Harry! This really helps people who don't have access to these lenses understand their capabilities for image quality. I prefer real world experience to tests like these, but real world tests are a lot more subjective. In this case, the tests seem to match my experience using these lenses in the field. The mouse over comparision method in the links you provided is a great way to compare the test results.
I don't think the 400mm F2.8 is a winner over the 600mm or 800mm, but it may be a winner against the older 500mm. I don't have enough experience with the new 400mm to form an opinion one way or the other. I've only used the 400mm F2.8 once for a few minutes. I had a client that let me try out his new 400mm, but I shot with his flash card and didn't keep any images.
Steve Spencer wrote:
It seems to me a lot of the consideration about which lens one wants is what other gear one has. If you have two 1D4s and a 500 f/4, then I would say the 800 makes a lot more sense. You can have a great two camera set up and basically no need for 600 f/4. If your next longest lens is a 300 or a 400 f/5.6 and you only have one camera, then the 600 f/4 might make a lot more sense. Especially if you would often shoot in the 600mm range. So I don't think there is only one clear choice. Rather as always the choice will be affected by other gear, budget, and what you shoot....Show more →
I disagree. The 600mm still beats the 800mm at every possible focal length comparision and provides other features and capabilities that the 800mm lacks. Having a 500mm (which I do) doesn't change that.
AJay wrote:
One point that seems to be overlooked is that there a occasions in which when photographing birds/wildlife, you are surprised by a close-flying bird and need to reduce magnification. You can't do that with the 800mm while with the 600mm you can take off a teleconverter.
As far as one being sharper than the other, who cares? It's so minimal of a difference, it's a moot point.
I have been shooting with the 600mm II for months now and LOVE the lens. I have been amazed by the minimum focus range, I can get much closer to the subject compared to the first version of this lens.
BTW, the 400mm 2.8 II with a 2x TC is waayyy too slow for fast BIF's. I had one last winter and returned it due to this reason.
1. There is no way that you have time to do that if you are surprised by a close-flying bird.
2. If you think a 400/2,8 IS II is way too slow with a 2x TC. Then the 600 II will also be way too slow with the same TC
dehowie wrote:
Given the logic of the OP the 400/2.8II makes way more sense than other.
Given as he clealy states you are limited to 5.6 by the AF on the 1Dx why by a 600?
The 400/2.8 gives 2.8 at 400 mm offering more flexibility than either..
Plus 560 at F4 with stellar IQ.
Plus 800/5.6.
It gives everything the 600 does plus way more flex at the short end.
You can't have your cake..
No - I have the old 500mm F4, 300mm F2.8 IS, and the new 600mm F4 IS II. I also have the II and III versions of the 1.4x and 2x TCs. I plan to sell the 500mm. I will likely sell the 300mm when the 200-400mm F4 zoom is available. That will leave me with a 600mm F4 and a 200-400mm F4 with built in 1.4x TC. I also have a 100-400mm F3.5-5.6 that I would like to sell or trade and get a 70-200mm F2.8.
I see a trend that most if not all photographers who have experienced the 600 IS II, prefer it over the 800, even for primary shooting at 800mm. Those who prefer the 800, refer to the old 600 IS version I.
p.3 #11 · Canon 600mm F4 IS II vs Canon 800mm F5.6
alundeb wrote:
I see a trend that most if not all photographers who have experienced the 600 IS II, prefer it over the 800, even for primary shooting at 800mm. Those who prefer the 800, refer to the old 600 IS version I.
Anders, you will also find that most of those who prefer 600 II have not owned any other supertelephoto lens including the 800, except 500 f/4 MkI.
You will also find that most, if not all, people prefer the lens they happen to own.
You will also find that whatever lens they own and review, everything about it is written in the most superlative terms.
p.3 #14 · Canon 600mm F4 IS II vs Canon 800mm F5.6
PetKal wrote:
Anders, you will also find that most of those who prefer 600 II have not owned any other supertelephoto lens including the 800, except 500 f/4 MkI.
You will also find that most, if not all, people prefer the lens they happen to own.
You will also find that whatever lens they own and review, everything about it is written in the most superlative terms.
I can go on, if you wish.
The difference is that those who say they prefer the 800mm have yet to produce a logical reason that makes sense. The only reasons given that sound logical have not been backed up by pacts, tests, or real world experience. On the other side many reasons given were either facts or backed up by tests or experience with the gear in question. Did you look at the tests in the links provided above?
p.3 #15 · Canon 600mm F4 IS II vs Canon 800mm F5.6
JimN wrote:
If there was someone who had experience with both lenses and said they prefered the 800mm over the 600mm II, I must of missed it. Who said that?
The thread is about the 600 II vs 800.
And you actually prefered the 600 II before you had any experience with both lenses. In your last thread about this topic
p.3 #16 · Canon 600mm F4 IS II vs Canon 800mm F5.6
As one who is just preparing to buy this lense, this is a most useful thread. Obviously it is not going to change the mind of someone who has one or the other lens and they are both great lenses. Both give adequate IQ when used and are at the very tip of the lens choices.
I have decide on the 600II for the same reason I chose the 300 2.8, they are lighter to carry. The 600 is much lighter than the 800 and the 300 is lighter than the 400. I wish I could have all 4, but then the problem would be to decide which one to bring along.
I can not imagine there is a bad choce here, only what is better for your intended uses.
These are all 4 stellar lenses, and to argue that one is better than the other is a difficult thing to do. However when you add, "for my intended use", the argument becomes viable and useful to those who have not already made their descisions.
For that, I thank you Jim for beginning this thread, and to the rest for sharing their opinions.
Best wishes.
p.3 #17 · Canon 600mm F4 IS II vs Canon 800mm F5.6
Sven Jeppesen wrote:
The thread is about the 600 II vs 800.
And you actually prefered the 600 II before you had any experience with both lenses. In your last thread about this topic
My opinions then were based on my experience with the 600mm version I and the knowledge that the new 600mm would weigh much less. I waqs also assuming that the IQ and other capabilities of the new 600mm would be as good or better than the old 600mm. If the old 600mm weighed the same as trhe new 600mm, I would prefer it to the 800mm as well.
p.3 #18 · Canon 600mm F4 IS II vs Canon 800mm F5.6
3iron wrote:
I can not imagine there is a bad choce here, only what is better for your intended uses.
True enough.
In fact I think the best choice is the one governed by the principle of proximity: the closer you can come to your target, the more you will benefit in the following ways:
p.3 #19 · Canon 600mm F4 IS II vs Canon 800mm F5.6
JimN wrote:
My opinions then were based on my experience with the 600mm version I and the knowledge that the new 600mm would weigh much less. I waqs also assuming that the IQ and other capabilities of the new 600mm would be as good or better than the old 600mm. If the old 600mm weighed the same as trhe new 600mm, I would prefer it to the 800mm as well.
That's good. But if you could have opinons about the 600 II based on your experience with the 600 mk I, I can't see any problem with others doing the same thing.
p.3 #20 · Canon 600mm F4 IS II vs Canon 800mm F5.6
So far I have only seen one logical reason to prefer the 800mm over the 600mm II. The reason came from outside this thread. Someone in this threrad alluded to it, but didn't really expalin the reasoning. If no-one else comes up with it, I will give the reason later in this thread. While I think the reason is a logical one, I don't think it's a compelling one if you are trying to choose one of the two lenses. Anyone wnat to take a shot at it?
