If anyone is interested there is a mini review of the lens on the DPreview site today here - but at at £12k - - I cannot really see there being many takers for the lens outside of sports photography.
Posted by Neil Burton on June 26, 2013 at 10:46 AM
Quite a remarkable lens though ;) still cannot replace a 500 f4 IMO if it could I might be tempted in a couple of years once the price gets a bit more comfy. Alternatively I could by a Nikon D4 and 200-400 and a flight to Africa.
Posted by Andy Shepherd on June 26, 2013 at 12:51 PM
I agree with Neil, this is a very special lens and although I would never part with my 500f4 if I had the funds I would have one in a heart beat, I've missed so many Snipe shots this year because they came too close and this lens would have been perfect.
Andy...
Posted by Paul Whippey on June 26, 2013 at 2:43 PM
Phil needs to flog Lindsey's horse, that and a years feed and livery should cover it
Seriously though, you still need to own a 70-200 and with the mk2 lens and mk3 extenders being so sharp you have enough to bridge the gap between 200 & 400/500 so why spend the extra? If you have an old 400 or 500 you need to find 10k plus and if you have a new 400 or 500 your well set with two unbelievably sharp lenses so why change?
Personally, I was waiting for a 200 - 400 that would equal or better the Nikon, and question the need to have incorporated the extender with the resultant cost implication.
Without doubt Canon have raised the bar in terms of innovation, but only for a very, very select few.
I'll stick with what I've got thanks
Posted by Andy Astbury on June 27, 2013 at 2:29 PM
Well I had a serious crack with this beasty on Monday & Tuesday down in London as one of the workshop attendees brought one in. All I can say is that it's one very serious and awesome bit of kit that frankly impressed the bejesus out of me.
It might be 3 times the price of the Nikon 200-400, but it's 10x the lens. The only thing that didn't impress and thus let the side down was the 1Dx stuck on the back of it; far too low low an S/N ratio in comparison to Nikon FX sensors.
Now if only Nikon could make that lens, and match Canons predictive AF !!!!!!
If I was on a Canon system I'd sell everything I needed to in order to acquire this staggering bit of kit.
Canon does not advise shifting the extender into place until IS turns off and all memory card writing ceases. The Canon rep strongly advised against doing this and suggested that a service visit may be required of a lens that has been used in this way .
John you know I use nikon, have to cash what's left in my pension for a 1dx... Let alone the lens... Oh well good to dream! Or as Bob said sell the wife's horse... Now I'm thinking..... Andy criticising a 1dx? Canon lovers have killed for less
Posted by Andy Astbury on June 28, 2013 at 6:11 AM
Not criticising Phil - just telling it like it is!
If Canon could match the sensor performance of the D4, or even the D3/D3s in terms of S/N ratio and DR then Nikon might as well pack up and go home.
I am a Canon shooter but agree about those Nikon/Sony sensors, canon have to find something in their bag of tricks. As for the lens I would gladly sell my two long primes for it, maybe in a year when the price drops a bit....except 400mm is not 500mm, f5.6 is not f4 if you do need 500mm.... and most of my shooting is done at 500mm or 700mm.... So I need both, or a 200-400 and a 600 :)
Canon does not advise shifting the extender into place until IS turns off and all memory card writing ceases. The Canon rep strongly advised against doing this and suggested that a service visit may be required of a lens that has been used in this way
Not quite right Phil, with certain cameras you may get an error sometimes, there is a mention in the user manual on Page 16 about this. It would not damage the camera or lens you just get an error and you may lose the last, or last few images. If this error does happen all you have to do is switch the camera OFF then ON again and all will be OK. The best thing is don’t do it until the camera has completed its operation.
Hi that was from canon not me just seems odd that you have to, I would give up taking snap's Steve before I went back to canon no matter how good they may get.
Discussion
17 repliesI agree with Neil, this is a very special lens and although I would never part with my 500f4 if I had the funds I would have one in a heart beat, I've missed so many Snipe shots this year because they came too close and this lens would have been perfect.
Andy...
Its a special lens alright, but ouch!
There are a few on this forum that will have one soon I bet !!
JR
A teacher with a !DX !!! Whats the world coming to indeed. !!
Go on strike and get out and take some pics !!
JR
Seriously though, you still need to own a 70-200 and with the mk2 lens and mk3 extenders being so sharp you have enough to bridge the gap between 200 & 400/500 so why spend the extra? If you have an old 400 or 500 you need to find 10k plus and if you have a new 400 or 500 your well set with two unbelievably sharp lenses so why change?
Bob
Without doubt Canon have raised the bar in terms of innovation, but only for a very, very select few.
I'll stick with what I've got thanks
It might be 3 times the price of the Nikon 200-400, but it's 10x the lens. The only thing that didn't impress and thus let the side down was the 1Dx stuck on the back of it; far too low low an S/N ratio in comparison to Nikon FX sensors.
Now if only Nikon could make that lens, and match Canons predictive AF !!!!!!
If I was on a Canon system I'd sell everything I needed to in order to acquire this staggering bit of kit.
Phil.
If Canon could match the sensor performance of the D4, or even the D3/D3s in terms of S/N ratio and DR then Nikon might as well pack up and go home.
Neil, 70-200f/2.8, 200-400f/4 & 800 for your birds, that's your shopping list matey.
Not quite right Phil, with certain cameras you may get an error sometimes, there is a mention in the user manual on Page 16 about this. It would not damage the camera or lens you just get an error and you may lose the last, or last few images. If this error does happen all you have to do is switch the camera OFF then ON again and all will be OK. The best thing is don’t do it until the camera has completed its operation.
Have a read of this http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3522306 when I shot canon I had nothing but prob's with them they may be better now but I don't want to find out.