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Archive 2019 · Will I miss my 800?

rprouty
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Will I miss my 800?

Really been thinking about selling my Canon 800 but wondering how much I'll miss it. Last year when we went to Yellowstone about 95% or more of the time my wife and I used our 100-400 IIs. I find I pull it out less and less. I know it's a personal decision but wondering if anyone has sold their long lens then regretted it. Thanks

Mar 13, 2019 at 09:00 AM

morris
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Will I miss my 800?

rprouty wrote:
Really been thinking about selling my Canon 800 but wondering how much I'll miss it. Last year when we went to Yellowstone about 95% or more of the time my wife and I used our 100-400 IIs. I find I pull it out less and less. I know it's a personal decision but wondering if anyone has sold their long lens then regretted it. Thanks

Take a look at the images you have taken at 800mm. Are they special? If yes keep the lens or consider using TCs to get there. Of cause low light capability with TC's is not as good.

Morris

Mar 13, 2019 at 09:47 AM

hmetcalfe
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Will I miss my 800?

Why do you it use less and less? Weight? Selling the 800 towards a 600 III might be a viable option.

What are your priorities when out shooting? Birds? Large wildlife? The 100-400 II is a fantastic all purpose lens and takes the 1.4x III very well.

Mar 13, 2019 at 10:16 AM

surfnron
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Will I miss my 800?

The 400 DO II with a 2X would get you to 800 with very little loss in IQ.

Mar 13, 2019 at 08:26 PM

Tim Kuhn
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Will I miss my 800?

Interesting, I have been toying with the same idea. I have been considering going full Sony and their 400 2.8 and tc's. I'm struggling with the idea because of the unique IQ of the 800. Sorry I can't help but I will be following this thread. Good luck with your decision.

Tim

Mar 13, 2019 at 08:51 PM

armd
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Will I miss my 800?

Yes, you will probably regret selling it as I did when my 600 went bye bye. Was glad to be relieved of the weight. Played with lighter lenses such a as a 300/400 with tc’s. Nowhere near as good from an optical or af standpoint. Went back and bought a 500 and went back to +- tc. Now, thinking of selling everything again bc of size/weight. Travel more with the 100-400 is ii. Great optically up close but IQ breaks down quickly with distance and cropping. Always a compromise.

Mar 14, 2019 at 06:03 PM

arbitrage
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Will I miss my 800?

There are so many good smaller, lighter options these days that have excellent IQ rivaling the big primes of days past that I don't miss my 600/4ISII. I sometimes miss the f/4 light gathering and the 840/5.6 option but overall I'm getting more interesting shots being able to react to situations faster with smaller handheld lenses. I do still have a 500/4 FL Nikon but I'm taking that out less and less these days in favor of the 500PF despite the loss of light gathering.

Lenses like your 100-400II and the Nikon PF line are the way I'm heading these days.

There is also the option of going somewhere in the middle with a 400DOII or 300/2.8 II +/- TCs as needed. That will get you away from tripods but still get ~ 600/5.6.

Mar 14, 2019 at 06:21 PM

KTM950
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Will I miss my 800?

I am in the same boat as you. I am in the process of selling my 600 II and really hope I don't end up regretting selling it. Looking at my photo's from the past couple of years some of my better shots were with my 400 f/5.6 because I had it with me. My 600 was a pain to take places so unless it was a dedicated photo outing it would end up staying home. The smaller lens are so much easier to take places especially on long hikes in remote country.

Mar 15, 2019 at 08:37 PM

BCPete
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Will I miss my 800?

I think about getting rid of my 800mm sometimes, but then I look at what I could get for it ($) and pretty much decide against it. Then I use it to shoot an owl by the side of the road (where I wouldn't have time to add a 1.4x to a 600mm), and think 'damn, I love this lens'!!!

Mar 15, 2019 at 09:09 PM

jdc562
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Will I miss my 800?

Ever since I got my 75-400 A mount for my Sony A99II, my 600mm f/4 with 1.4x and 2x tcs has mostly sat in its case. The exceptions are (1) where interesting wildlife is a long ways away; (2) I'm using my vehicle for a blind for small wildlife at a distance; and (3) where I can set up my gear in the flight path for good BIFs.

However, in places where I need a lot of mobility, and I can use my gentle stalking skills to get close to the wildlife, the 70-400 is much better for getting the images I want. It's much better than lugging the big lens and big support tripod, the combination of which is anything but subtle when approaching my animal targets.

Mar 16, 2019 at 12:31 AM

lighthound
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Will I miss my 800?

I've never had an interest in the big gun (800mm), but if any of you want to off load your 500II for a ridiculously low price, feel free to pm me.

Mar 16, 2019 at 10:03 AM

Don George
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Will I miss my 800?

Howdy how have you been? I sold my 500 f4 and really missed it. As you know I purchased one from you several years ago to replace it and still have it and won't make the same mistake again. When I need it I have it especially when shooting bears. With a 1.4x and the crop factor its all I'll ever need for those distant shots.

Don

Mar 16, 2019 at 02:41 PM

JWilsonphoto
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Will I miss my 800?

Interesting thread for sure. I have my treasured 800 on B&S at the moment, but I'm very ambivalent about it. I find myself using the 200-400/1.4 a great deal both for stills and for cinema with my Sony FS/7. The 800 is an incredible tool, for an incredible amount of money and there is a learning curve. Knowing when wind and heat in the atmosphere reaches the point where there is no reason to shoot anything with the 800 takes some discernment. But, when it's right, it's right. Most of what I shoot with it is aviation so there's no tripod, monopod, Wimberly, it's all hand held. The lens has helped me capture hundreds of wonderful images, it's paid for itself multiple times. Over the years I've joked about the fact that when I'm carrying it I don't need my media credentials because it kind of acts as one.

Canon is supposed to send me a 600 Series III to evaluate, that could push me over the edge depending on performance and feel. So, I have been no help at all for you and your dilemma.......sorry

Mar 16, 2019 at 10:12 PM


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