Posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on November 6, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Hi
I am thinking of the 600/4L IS with a 1D series body (maybe a used MkIII - I have no issues wit AF ability) or the 800/5.6L IS with a (definitely) used 1D MkIII or the 800mm f/5.6L IS with a 7D. Though I am not too keen on the 7D's lack of ability to autofocus at f/8 with a 1.4x attached to the 800/5.6. I know the 800 is lighter and longer, but is the 600mm a complete write off now?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Posted by Gene Lugo on November 6, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Sounds like you are fixed on Canon glass, but have you taken a look at the Sigma 300-800 5.6? I wouldn't bother with the 800mm prime, it is an older design with slower focus and some image quality issues, but everything I've read about the zoom is excellent. Romy Ocon, a Philipine photographer, shoots extensively with big glass, and has many reviews and comparison images from 500mm on up. He is also a Canon guy. http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/profile
With stats like this "425 galleries and 4230 images online. These pages have been viewed a total of 5140270 times" he is a bit of a legend when it comes to avian photography, but he shoots other stuff too.
Posted by Tom Guffey on November 9, 2009 at 10:54 AM
A 7D with a 400 F/2.8 would give you a 800 F/5.6 , then factor in 1.6 for the smaller sensor, and you have a1280mm F/5.6............thats the combo that I use to pull in the shots......
(Gene Lugo Sounds like you are fixed on Canon glass, but have you taken a look at the Sigma 300-800 5.6? I wouldn't bother with the 800mm prime, it is an older design with slower focus and some image quality issues)
Not quite sure were you get that idea from that the 800 sigma prime has slower focus and image quality issues, not only is it optically exactly the same it also is lighter has a better lens hood and extra filter protection for the front element and the autofocus is slightly faster, it also incorporates a focus limiter which the 300-800 desperately needs of course having used the 300-800 & owning the 800 prime side-by-side you would have to give me a considerable sum of money for me to change over to the 300-800.
Phil.
Ps there are loads of images on my personal web site taken with the 800.
Discussion
3 repliesI am thinking of the 600/4L IS with a 1D series body (maybe a used MkIII - I have no issues wit AF ability) or the 800/5.6L IS with a (definitely) used 1D MkIII or the 800mm f/5.6L IS with a 7D. Though I am not too keen on the 7D's lack of ability to autofocus at f/8 with a 1.4x attached to the 800/5.6. I know the 800 is lighter and longer, but is the 600mm a complete write off now?
Thanks for any suggestions.
With stats like this "425 galleries and 4230 images online. These pages have been viewed a total of 5140270 times" he is a bit of a legend when it comes to avian photography, but he shoots other stuff too.
Not quite sure were you get that idea from that the 800 sigma prime has slower focus and image quality issues, not only is it optically exactly the same it also is lighter has a better lens hood and extra filter protection for the front element and the autofocus is slightly faster, it also incorporates a focus limiter which the 300-800 desperately needs of course having used the 300-800 & owning the 800 prime side-by-side you would have to give me a considerable sum of money for me to change over to the 300-800.
Phil.
Ps there are loads of images on my personal web site taken with the 800.