Posted by Peter Conway on July 1, 2007 at 11:55 PM
I am looking for practical advice on these two lenses. I own the 400mm 2.8 IS lens and find that I want a longer one. The question is should I only step up to the 500 because of the weight advantage or get the 600 and have the most reach.
Will I really be able to hand hold the 500 because it is lighter, or will I want a tripod 99% of the time anyway?
Forget the expense aspect of this. Which of the two would you pick if you could have one for free.
I have the 600, and it demands the best support available, especially when used with the 2X Extender. That means a heavier tripod and head. As far as the weight of the 600, it is almost identical to the 400 f/2.8 IS.
The 500 is far more portable, and can be handheld to a degree, depending on your physical capabilities - but for perfect images of small birds, the 600 on a full Wimberley head can't be beat.
Hi ya' Peter. I'm a big fan of the 500mm lens. I can handhold it for short periods of time for photographing birds in flight and I can also support it on a monopod when necessary. When you own "big glass", however, you wilhave the lens mounted on a tripod 95% of the time. It's the only way to get the best those lenses have to give. In your case, I would recommend the 600mm lens. You have a 1Ds MkII and that full frame demands a lot of glass to give you frame filling images of birds. I'd recommend getting the 1.4x teleconverter, too. When photographing birds you can never have too much lens! :)
I handhold my 500 mm a lot, maybe 50% of the time now, it really depends what type of shots you are trying to get. I have been photographing raptors a lot lately, trying to get flight and action shots. I am in decent shape, but I'm not a linebacker. If your main target is small birds you are probably better off getting the 600. However, for flight and action shots the 500 is much better because the 600 is too heavy. One thing you need to check on is if your current body autofocuses a 500 or 600F4 with the 2x converter. Some do, some don't. On the other hand, all of them should autofocus the 400/2.8 with the 2x.
Posted by Peter Conway on July 3, 2007 at 12:32 AM
Thanks everyone. I bit the bullet and ordered a 600mm today.
Discussion
4 repliesWill I really be able to hand hold the 500 because it is lighter, or will I want a tripod 99% of the time anyway?
Forget the expense aspect of this. Which of the two would you pick if you could have one for free.
The 500 is far more portable, and can be handheld to a degree, depending on your physical capabilities - but for perfect images of small birds, the 600 on a full Wimberley head can't be beat.
Tradeoffs.