500mm or 600mm please help me decide.

[JuZ]

I'm looking for a long telephoto, I shoot quite a bit of motorsport and some wildlife also aviation when the airshow season is on, so I've been considering the Canon 500mm f/4 or 600mm f/4, I have found a nice 2nd hand 600mm at a very good price, but I'm worried about the shere bulk of the thing! Would some of you people who have these larger lenses give me your opinions on which would suit my needs better please :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

If cost is not a factor than indeed one of the strongest deciding points is weight, which is a significant difference.

I prefer the 500mm for this reason, it is much more portable and in fact for (very) brief periods hand holdable. It is also excellent used on a sturdy monopod when a tripod is out of the question.

I own a lens that shares the 600mm's bulk and weight as well (the Sigma 300-800mm @ 13 pounds as well) and compared to that, the 500mm's mere 8 pounds seems very liteweight indeed.

Optically I think the 500mm and 600mm are a dead tie,

On the other hand, getting a used 600mm for a good price? Maybe try it and see, if it seems too much, you can always sell and trade for a 500mm and get cash back :)

[JuZ]

Thanks for that CDS, the 600mm is about half the retail price for a new one :shock: but that's one of the reasons I'm considering it :D

[MDJAK]

Here is a very good comparison and one man's decision.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/500vs600.shtml

mark

[JuZ]

Here is a very good comparison and one man's decision.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/500vs600.shtml

mark
Funnily enough I've already read that :D

[Andy Bright]

I've been using a 600/4 for a couple of years, though only in the past week with a Canon 600/4... I find the awkwardness of their size more of a problem than the actual weight.
Unless you're doing bird photography (and small birds at that), the 500 may be the sensible choice... f.o.v. is far better, enabling you to pick up the subject in the viewfinder more easily (and quicker), it is possible to handhold it to take a few shots and with a 2x tc on, you'll get a 1000mm anyway.

If you really need the reach on a regular basis, then it has to be the 600 but I just think, with your varied subjects, a 600mm maybe a bit restrictive.

Then again, if it's a real bargain... suck it and see. You can always sell it and get a 500 at a later date.

[hooookup]

another vote for the 500.. it's a lot easier to transport especially through airports than the 600..

[GyRob]

I've been using a 600/4 for a couple of years, though only in the past week with a Canon 600/4... I find the awkwardness of their size more of a problem than the actual weight.
Unless you're doing bird photography (and small birds at that), the 500 may be the sensible choice... f.o.v. is far better, enabling you to pick up the subject in the viewfinder more easily (and quicker), it is possible to handhold it to take a few shots and with a 2x tc on, you'll get a 1000mm anyway.

If you really need the reach on a regular basis, then it has to be the 600 but I just think, with your varied subjects, a 600mm maybe a bit restrictive.

Then again, if it's a real bargain... suck it and see. You can always sell it and get a 500 at a later date.
You make a very good point here regarding picking the subject up with a wider FOV even my 500 can be hard to pick a small bird up in the VF i sure would not want it to be any harder .
i say the 500.
Rob.
Rob

[morehtml]

If your 'wildlife' shooting will consist mainly of birds the 600 is used by serious bird photographers more. The extra weight of the 600 once you get it all set up on a tripod is not that big of a deal but the 600 fits in a much larger bag and airline carry on is a issue.

[CyberDyneSystems]

A good 600mm for half the price?


Oh I'd go for the 600mm no question. You very well make a profit then if you decide to sell it for a 500mm if the weight is too much.

Hope it all works out :)

[morehtml]

Thanks for that CDS, the 600mm is about half the retail price for a new one :shock: but that's one of the reasons I'm considering it :D

If the 600mm is the f/4 IS current model one and is around $3500 or so as you indicate you would be crazy not to buy if it is in good shape and not some ripoff. A used one should sell for $6,000 on ebay.

[Andy Bright]

If the 600mm is the f/4 IS current model one and is around $3500 or so as you indicate you would be crazy not to buy if it is in good shape and not some ripoff. A used one should sell for $6,000 on ebay.

The U.K. market (where the o.p. is located) is a little more expensive than most... so £3.7k to £4.4k for a used private sale 600/4 I.S. In fact there's a 2yr old one currently on ebay, just nudging £4k at the moment. From a used dealer, you could be talking £5k but you'll get a guarantee.

If it's a non I.S. then a whole lot less £3.2k tops.

New U.K is about £5.7k and from H.K. or our U.S. based Scottish friend about £4.7k including shipping and VAT/Duty work-around.

[JuZ]

If the 600mm is the f/4 IS current model one and is around $3500 or so as you indicate you would be crazy not to buy if it is in good shape and not some ripoff. A used one should sell for $6,000 on ebay.
I've since found out that the 600mm f/4 in question is the non IS model which makes it rather less of a bargain, there's a distinct lack of Canon 500mm f/4 IS for sale second hand at the moment so I'm currently considering the Sigma 500mm f/4.5

[morehtml]

I've since found out that the 600mm f/4 in question is the non IS model which makes it rather less of a bargain, there's a distinct lack of Canon 500mm f/4 IS for sale second hand at the moment so I'm currently considering the Sigma 500mm f/4.5

To me IS is what makes the 600 great. No IS makes life difficult for sure on long lenses. Usually L lenses sell on ebay for 85-90% of new price if they are in mint condition.

[Andy Bright]

To me IS is what makes the 600 great. No IS makes life difficult for sure on long lenses.

Exactly, and the reason I have just switched from Nikon to Canon... you can get wonderfully sharp images from a non I.S. but the chances are that you'll spend much of your time and concentration trying counter-act vibration rather than thinking about the subject matter and composition.

[CyberDyneSystems]

there's a distinct lack of Canon 500mm f/4 IS for sale second hand at the moment so I'm currently considering the Sigma 500mm f/4.5

This is a great option, especially of you can find a used one which will give you even more savings, but that may be difficult.

I had this lens for some time prior to the Canon and really it gives up little to the Canon re: capabilities,. the biggest and most obvious is the IS.. this will be a tripod only lens for the most part.

The second is the T-con functionality,. it will not AF with even the 1.4X.. and depending on how lucky you are , this is true even on a 1 Series due to an undocumented and un-quantifiable issue the Sigma's have with focusing beyond f/5.6 even on a 1 series.

It has advantages though, lighter than the Canon 500m and frankly better ergonomics all around.


However, to me these two issues ( f/4 and IS) make finding a Canon 500mm worth while, especially given the awesome results you can get with the Canon @ 700mm with the 1.4x and IS.

[Andy Bright]

The second is the T-con functionality,. it will not AF with even the 1.4X.. and depending on how lucky you are , this is true even on a 1 Series due to an undocumented and un-quantifiable issue the Sigma's have with focusing beyond f/5.6 even on a 1 series.


Yes, the bizarre AF problem with 1d cameras is a real shame because with a 1.4x tc on a lesser Canon body, it's a cracking set-up with pretty speedy AF.

I used the 500/4.5 for a long time in it's Nikon guise, a bargain of a lens if you can pick up a used version (make sure it's the EX variant but don't worry about DG)...seen them for £1000
http://www.digiscoped.com/Sigma500.html

There's also the Canon 500/4.5 L USM non I.S. but they do go for quite a price and you wonder whether it's really worth it.

[JuZ]

I've found a shop selling the 500mm f/4.5 EX second hand for £1700, sounds like a good price so I shall investigate further :)

[JuZ]

They have a Sigma 300-800mm too for £3300 :D

[Andy Bright]

They have a Sigma 300-800mm too for £3300 :D

Yes, that particular used dealer can be flexible in price as well... so don't just offer them what they list.

cheers,
Andy

[JuZ]

Yes, that particular used dealer can be flexible in price as well... so don't just offer them what they list.

cheers,
Andy
So it would seem, I just got it for £1600 delivered :D