Hope it's OK to post this question (or rather, questions) here but it's the perfect forum for asking about long lens usage.
I have a couple of events to cover necessitating a trip to the US this autumn and again in the early spring. They are to cover a watersports event sponsored (or should I say, one team is) by my client.
I did intend taking a 500mm lens (amongst others) but am now toying with the idea of perhaps using a 600mm.
I know of the extra weight (50% more than the 500mm) and the increased overall size over the 500mm but has anybody actually done any air travel with this lens and if so, has it presented much of a problem.
I am also concerned about the day to day practicality of toting such a big lens around when all else being equal, a 500mm will probably do the job (the only reason I am considering it is based on the 'age old' theory that you can never have too much length!).
One option is of course to rent the kit over there (which I may end up doing whichever I go for) but the issue of practicality 'on the ground' still apllies.
Hence my question to those of you who have one - how easy is it to travel with and use. One last question (and the answer may seem obvious but it is difficult to tell without seeing side by side results), does the 600mm really make that much difference in comparison to the 500mm
I always travel with my 600/f4. I've been to Kenya, Tanzania and Alaska this year, and will be travelling to Alaska again in a couple of weeks. I always take it as carry-on and in the field, I just hump it on my shoulder. I bought a 500/f4 a couple of years ago, specifically as a travel lens, but when it comes down to it, you can have too much length if you are mainly shooting full frame.
Posted by Rob Howard on August 26, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Hi Barrie,
I can't comment on Air Travel with a 600 as it is something I have'nt done. I own the older non IS version but have held an IS version both together and there is not a lot of difference in weight, IMO.
The 600 is a fair lump of glass and is not light. I don't feel safe carrying mine attached to my Wimberley on a tripod slung over my shoulder, I normally use an old Land Rover as a mobile hide. When I visit reserves all I take is a bean bag to use in the hides, and carry the lens about using the tripod mount, but hand carrying this lens (with a 1D MK II) attached quickly makes my arms ache. If I am not using my Landy, then I carry the camera and lens in a back pack and hand hold my tripod (G1548), then set up when I am at my destination, but I don't normally move for the rest of the day.
I have also used the 600 on a monopod, this I found to be fairly difficult to get used to, and feel much happier using a tripod.
If you will be setting up in one position for a day's shooting it should be OK, but if you are going to be moving about, depending on how quickly you will need to set up, I would suggest a back pack that will fit the lens and more importantly fit you.
In summary, it is a stonking lens, but if you are not used to lugging one around, it may be a problem. If you have any more questions just ask me.
I am familiar with the 500 and whilst I can apprecaite the differnces in weight etc on paper, I was wandering what the practical experience of humping it arpund was like.
You two obviously manage which is worth knowing (even if it does hurt a bit )
Phil - how do you manage on aircraft with the 600mm? I would have thought it exceeded thew carry-on allowance (obviously not from what you are saying)
As you may remember I had a500mm Nikkor then a 600mm Nikkor (tea-leafed), went to a 500mm Canon and now have moved to a 600mm Canon.
I haven't gone abroad with the 600mm Canon so cannot comment, other than to say that Phil Shaw does and so does Mike Lane regulary.
Before 9/11 I brought the 500mm and 600mm Nikkor to America ... no problems with either, especialy if you phone before hand - say you cannot get them insured for hold because of delicate nature and value. - want extra dispensention to carry one on in storage case - no bigger than hostess carry on bag. I find airlines reasonable - they just don't like supprises.
I shoot a Full Frame camera.
0) I am glad I moved back as 20 % makes a difference on small subjects.
1) I do not notice the increase of weight whilst it is on my back
2) If I am using it one the tripod it behaves better ( more consistant swing) than the 500 - Obviously I try and Tpod mount it if possible.
3) Using it in a car ( whilst moving from point to point) it is more cumbersome to deploy out the window. It is more stable when it is deployed, the Center of balance is better.
4) I could have Handheld the 500mm for a reasonable period of time (whilst waiting for something to happen) , the 600mm is a challenge for more than a burst.
5) I didn't mind using the 500mm off my knee when stalking, I use the 600mm of a mono-pod, which is also handier for resting it between hand held bursts. ( between water skiers/boats) - never tried this with the 500mm
6) The x2 and x1.4 still produce excellent results
7) The physical diameter of the lens-hood makes using it in some hides problematic.
I will leave you with a comment that Mike Lane said to me " I have had plenty of people ask to borrow my 600mm but I have never felt the urge to ask to borrow a 500mm"
and I have always found, w.r.t. quarry, taking a step back much less problematic than taking a step forward
Thanks Tom - very useful information and much appreciated.
Posted by Colin Pickett on August 27, 2007 at 5:52 AM
Barrie
I've been to the US many times and I always take the 600mm (Nikon), I carry it as "carry on" with a body attached in a Lens Trekker 600 AW with all the spare room stuffed till full. I also remove the waist straps as it makes the bag look smaller, although the bag just fits the maximum size.
I've used BA and America airlines where they don't usually weigh unless it looks heavy; they tend to go on size so the trick is get there early be nice and make it look light at the check in. As for going though security you normally get some comments when you put it though x-ray but again they seem to be more interested in the laptop.
The other thing to consider is based on you physical build you have to be able to lift the bag into a overhead locker.
I carry my 600mm everywhere as I don’t like leaving it in hotel rooms or left on cars (although I’ve not had any problems I’m just very cautious) it’s hard at first but you soon get used to it. In the end I’m always glad I do take the 600mm the extra 20% is always useful.
Can't help with the flying bit...haven't done any of that for a few years now (thankfully!).
FWIW, at a shoot earlier this month I spent 8hrs a day for 2 days shooting and moving around a large site with a 500/4 (and other smaller lenses) - without a tripod. Some of that time was spent clambering around stone parapets with all the gear! The 500/4 is manageable to handhold for long periods without being physically wrecked by nighttime - I doubt the same could be said if I'd been using a 600/4...
It has to be said that Tom's design of long-lens bag performed much better than the Lowepro backpacks did previous years , and that probably helped make things more manageable.
The 600/f4 fits in the LowePro Road Runner or Pro Trekker II backpack (the wheels of the Road Runner do not quite fit the carry-on sizing frame at UK airports), or the Think Tank Airport Security roller bag or the Airport Addicted backpack. It will also fit into the smaller Think Tank Airport International roller bag, but there isn't much room for much else in there. I have been using the Airport Security bag for the last couple of years. It fit the sizing frame if you don't make it bulge. Weight is not usually an issue these days unless you travel with one of the airlines that make their money by charging you excess baggage (Kenya Airways ) . The overhead lockers are rated for 80kg. My carry-on bag, with 600/f4, 300/f2.8, 70-200/f2.8, 16-35/f2.8, 2 or 3, 1-series bodies and a few other odds and end usually weighs about 25kg. You've just got to eat your wheeties in the morning to make sure you can lift it into the overhead bin.
Posted by Barrie Harwood on September 1, 2007 at 6:44 AM
Thanks everyone for your comments
Hi Phil - Thank you for this really useful information.
Discussion
9 repliesHope it's OK to post this question (or rather, questions) here but it's the perfect forum for asking about long lens usage.
I have a couple of events to cover necessitating a trip to the US this autumn and again in the early spring. They are to cover a watersports event sponsored (or should I say, one team is) by my client.
I did intend taking a 500mm lens (amongst others) but am now toying with the idea of perhaps using a 600mm.
I know of the extra weight (50% more than the 500mm) and the increased overall size over the 500mm but has anybody actually done any air travel with this lens and if so, has it presented much of a problem.
I am also concerned about the day to day practicality of toting such a big lens around when all else being equal, a 500mm will probably do the job (the only reason I am considering it is based on the 'age old' theory that you can never have too much length!).
One option is of course to rent the kit over there (which I may end up doing whichever I go for) but the issue of practicality 'on the ground' still apllies.
Hence my question to those of you who have one - how easy is it to travel with and use. One last question (and the answer may seem obvious but it is difficult to tell without seeing side by side results), does the 600mm really make that much difference in comparison to the 500mm
Thanks in advance
Barrie
I can't comment on Air Travel with a 600 as it is something I have'nt done. I own the older non IS version but have held an IS version both together and there is not a lot of difference in weight, IMO.
The 600 is a fair lump of glass and is not light. I don't feel safe carrying mine attached to my Wimberley on a tripod slung over my shoulder, I normally use an old Land Rover as a mobile hide. When I visit reserves all I take is a bean bag to use in the hides, and carry the lens about using the tripod mount, but hand carrying this lens (with a 1D MK II) attached quickly makes my arms ache. If I am not using my Landy, then I carry the camera and lens in a back pack and hand hold my tripod (G1548), then set up when I am at my destination, but I don't normally move for the rest of the day.
I have also used the 600 on a monopod, this I found to be fairly difficult to get used to, and feel much happier using a tripod.
If you will be setting up in one position for a day's shooting it should be OK, but if you are going to be moving about, depending on how quickly you will need to set up, I would suggest a back pack that will fit the lens and more importantly fit you.
In summary, it is a stonking lens, but if you are not used to lugging one around, it may be a problem. If you have any more questions just ask me.
HTH
Regards
Rob
I am familiar with the 500 and whilst I can apprecaite the differnces in weight etc on paper, I was wandering what the practical experience of humping it arpund was like.
You two obviously manage which is worth knowing (even if it does hurt a bit
Phil - how do you manage on aircraft with the 600mm? I would have thought it exceeded thew carry-on allowance (obviously not from what you are saying)
Thanks again
Barrie
As you may remember I had a500mm Nikkor then a 600mm Nikkor (tea-leafed), went to a 500mm Canon and now have moved to a 600mm Canon.
I haven't gone abroad with the 600mm Canon so cannot comment, other than to say that Phil Shaw does and so does Mike Lane regulary.
Before 9/11 I brought the 500mm and 600mm Nikkor to America ... no problems with either, especialy if you phone before hand - say you cannot get them insured for hold because of delicate nature and value. - want extra dispensention to carry one on in storage case - no bigger than hostess carry on bag. I find airlines reasonable - they just don't like supprises.
I shoot a Full Frame camera.
0) I am glad I moved back as 20 % makes a difference on small subjects.
1) I do not notice the increase of weight whilst it is on my back
2) If I am using it one the tripod it behaves better ( more consistant swing) than the 500 - Obviously I try and Tpod mount it if possible.
3) Using it in a car ( whilst moving from point to point) it is more cumbersome to deploy out the window. It is more stable when it is deployed, the Center of balance is better.
4) I could have Handheld the 500mm for a reasonable period of time (whilst waiting for something to happen) , the 600mm is a challenge for more than a burst.
5) I didn't mind using the 500mm off my knee when stalking, I use the 600mm of a mono-pod, which is also handier for resting it between hand held bursts. ( between water skiers/boats) - never tried this with the 500mm
6) The x2 and x1.4 still produce excellent results
7) The physical diameter of the lens-hood makes using it in some hides problematic.
I will leave you with a comment that Mike Lane said to me " I have had plenty of people ask to borrow my 600mm but I have never felt the urge to ask to borrow a 500mm"
and I have always found, w.r.t. quarry, taking a step back much less problematic than taking a step forward
T
I've been to the US many times and I always take the 600mm (Nikon), I carry it as "carry on" with a body attached in a Lens Trekker 600 AW with all the spare room stuffed till full. I also remove the waist straps as it makes the bag look smaller, although the bag just fits the maximum size.
I've used BA and America airlines where they don't usually weigh unless it looks heavy; they tend to go on size so the trick is get there early be nice and make it look light at the check in. As for going though security you normally get some comments when you put it though x-ray but again they seem to be more interested in the laptop.
The other thing to consider is based on you physical build you have to be able to lift the bag into a overhead locker.
I carry my 600mm everywhere as I don’t like leaving it in hotel rooms or left on cars (although I’ve not had any problems I’m just very cautious) it’s hard at first but you soon get used to it. In the end I’m always glad I do take the 600mm the extra 20% is always useful.
Have a good trip.
Can't help with the flying bit...haven't done any of that for a few years now (thankfully!).
FWIW, at a shoot earlier this month I spent 8hrs a day for 2 days shooting and moving around a large site with a 500/4 (and other smaller lenses) - without a tripod. Some of that time was spent clambering around stone parapets with all the gear! The 500/4 is manageable to handhold for long periods without being physically wrecked by nighttime - I doubt the same could be said if I'd been using a 600/4...
It has to be said that Tom's design of long-lens bag performed much better than the Lowepro backpacks did previous years
Hi Phil - Thank you for this really useful information.
Barrie