p.1 #1 · Would you buy an RF 600 f/4 now? Or wait for the new RF 600 f4 with built in 1.4x teleconverter?
Newbie here on FM. Long time Canon user. Lots of talk on Canon Rumors about a new RF 600 with a built in 1.4x teleconverter that is supposedly being announced in Q4 this year and shipped early Q1 next year. The latest article dropped yesterday about it. But rumors are rumors, may not even come to fruition for a long time. Already let down not getting an R7 ii upgrade this year. Could have used that for Yellowstone. Long story short. I just got back from Yellowstone. Brought my RF 400 2.8, my 1.4x and 2x extenders with my R5ii. Loved it for the most part. But realized I never shoot bare 400, always with an extender in Yellowstone. Even with the roadside bears most were shot at 560 or 800. So I’ll be listing my Rf 400 for sale soon. Was going to pull the trigger on an RF 600. But I think I might wait to see if this new lens comes to fruition. Changing out teleconverters while you’re watching the wildlife on the move gets old rather quickly. Just curious of everyone’s thots on it all.
p.1 #2 · Would you buy an RF 600 f/4 now? Or wait for the new RF 600 f4 with built in 1.4x teleconverter?
If you can get a good price on a current 600/4 and can make good use of it for at least 6-9-12 months, why not? It's highly unlikely that a 600/4 with built-in TC will sell for the same price. Figure some premium will be tacked onto the current MSRP and it will take some time for its street price to settle. If you can find a minty used copy, you might be able to resell it later for very little loss because the new one will be more expensive and the old one may hold value better than if the new version is very closely priced.
Based on a handful of members here who have cycled through most of Canon's RF super-tele lenses, it seems some come back to the 400/2.8 as the most versatile option. It's somewhat smaller and more hand-holdable than the 600 and I believe it has a considerably shorter MFD. Perhaps not super relevant for Yellowstone, but might be for other things you photograph?
Anyway, if you're not that price sensitive and put more value in immediate benefits, then switching to the 600/4 might be worthwhile for the short term. Then sell it for the TC version once available. I'd be surprised if Canon releases a 600 TC and not also a 400 TC.
p.1 #3 · Would you buy an RF 600 f/4 now? Or wait for the new RF 600 f4 with built in 1.4x teleconverter?
SoCalJorden wrote:
Newbie here on FM. Long time Canon user. Lots of talk on Canon Rumors about a new RF 600 with a built in 1.4x teleconverter that is supposedly being announced in Q4 this year and shipped early Q1 next year. The latest article dropped yesterday about it. But rumors are rumors, may not even come to fruition for a long time. Already let down not getting an R7 ii upgrade this year. Could have used that for Yellowstone. Long story short. I just got back from Yellowstone. Brought my RF 400 2.8, my 1.4x and 2x extenders with my R5ii. Loved it for the most part. But realized I never shoot bare 400, always with an extender in Yellowstone. Even with the roadside bears most were shot at 560 or 800. So I’ll be listing my Rf 400 for sale soon. Was going to pull the trigger on an RF 600. But I think I might wait to see if this new lens comes to fruition. Changing out teleconverters while you’re watching the wildlife on the move gets old rather quickly. Just curious of everyone’s thots on it all.
I've used the RF 600 enough to not find it best for me, especially the ridiculous length that busts the camera bags. I suppose if you need 840/5.6 in RF it makes sense compared to other options like the 600/4 IS III +1.4x EF. I just decided to keep using my 500/4 IS II + 1.4x until or if Canon ever makes some modern big teles. Canon seem to have lost the plot and being focused on video. The mid-res 45MP and low-res pro bodies futher lessen my interest. Sony now has 50% more pixels. Nikon has some nice lenses but other issues. You have to live in the present though.
p.1 #5 · Would you buy an RF 600 f/4 now? Or wait for the new RF 600 f4 with built in 1.4x teleconverter?
Another vote for RF 600. If you can find one for a good deal, grab it. You probably won't lose much when reselling it. As well, who knows when the new version will make its debut. It was rumored to have already been released and we see how that went!
p.1 #6 · Would you buy an RF 600 f/4 now? Or wait for the new RF 600 f4 with built in 1.4x teleconverter?
Don't sell the built in 1.4x short. We'll see if it shows up. Very helpful for bird photography. After a trip with those whose equipment had it, it made me think about switching systems. For years the 500 was my general purpose nature telephoto and the 600 when birds were the primary subject. Only used the 400 f2.8 on Midway for compactness and shallow DOF. In New Zeland the 400 DO for weight and compactness and seeing the trip as mainly scenic.
p.1 #7 · Would you buy an RF 600 f/4 now? Or wait for the new RF 600 f4 with built in 1.4x teleconverter?
I'd wait for the new lens, personally.
But if I were on a budget, I would also strongly consider a gently used EF 600mm f/4L IS III. It is, after all, identical to the current RF model, absent the native RF lens protocols. I imagine you could save thousands.
Performance of the 3rd gen EF IS lenses does not seem to be a limitation with current cameras, EF lens protocols or not (but someone with hands-on experience with both lenses should correct me if I am wrong).
p.1 #9 · Would you buy an RF 600 f/4 now? Or wait for the new RF 600 f4 with built in 1.4x teleconverter?
For song birds I use the Canon RF 800/5.6 a lot.It has amazing close focusing ability. Sometimes you need the light or the field of view to crop when tracking and the RF 600/4 is best. A hypothetical 600/4 with a built in 1.4x has a lot of "ifs" for me. How much does it weigh? I have the 200-400 with built in tele and rarely use it. It's great when I need it for a bike race or motor sports but you need a tripod always. How close can it focus? Is it really a new design optically or have they just glued on the existing 1.4x? If the latter I rarely take the 1.4x on and off a lot because for a certain shooting range I either need it or I don't. So why not keep the flexibility? Will the focusing speed of the lens improve? That's a big question - I'm questioning if it really will. Having used version I, II, III EF and now RF I'm pretty much in my sweet spot with all RF plus a couple of old EF 300 II and EF 500 II lenses. I've even tried the 1200 RF but it wasn't for me. At least not where I live now due to the climate. To me I like Nikon's design of a slightly slower lens with a built in tele - less weight but the option for reach. I think that is handy. However, I'm very happy with what Canon has before us right now! If it really is a 600/4+1.4x built in I'm not sure I'd buy it based on that alone. In fact I doubt I would unless there was a material improvement that can be demonstrated in real world performance. On the long end I can't argue with what Canon has to offer! There is a reason the big white dominate in sports.
p.1 #11 · Would you buy an RF 600 f/4 now? Or wait for the new RF 600 f4 with built in 1.4x teleconverter?
garyvot wrote:
I'd wait for the new lens, personally.
But if I were on a budget, I would also strongly consider a gently used EF 600mm f/4L IS III. It is, after all, identical to the current RF model, absent the native RF lens protocols. I imagine you could save thousands.
Performance of the 3rd gen EF IS lenses does not seem to be a limitation with current cameras, EF lens protocols or not (but someone with hands-on experience with both lenses should correct me if I am wrong).
100% - the EF Mk3 version optically identical to the RF version.
