Canon EF 600mm f/4 DO BR Lens Expected in 2017

In my local patch (Somerset/Devon) in the UK I often see 3 particular guys who do a lot of Bird photography (2 retired) who each own the Canon EF 600mm IS USM L Mk2 lenses. I long for one of these lenses. I currently use a EF 500mm IS L Mk1. I hope to be in a position next year where I can trade up to the 600mk2. I have a lot of saving to do yet for a used one and have been lucky to try one out and I was blown away.

Each were saying that the rumoured 600 f4 DO BR when it happens to come out next year they will not hesitate to buy it what ever the price. They can afford to do this. The thought of saving weight and the appeal of new optics design and being smaller in size, really appeals to them

http://photorumors.com …e-announced-in-late-2017/

It got me thinking that if this is the general opinion of wildlife/bird photographers who are in a fortunate position to be able to afford the very best/the very latest and there are lots of them at the top of their game so to say what will happen to the prices of the 600 L II. Could there be a surge of used lenses coming onto the market. Could I benefit from this?... Is it worth me waiting for the new one to come out and hopefully bag a bargain? What do you think?????
thanks....Paul

What do I think? Hmmm... let's see. I like to see Canon expanding technologies. Not that I'll be buying an EF 600mm lens of any flavor, but it may spur other manufacturers to produce something of sufficient IQ at a price I can afford. Witness the 3rd party 150-600mm lenses of late. Not quite enough to make me give up my 100-400, but getting there.

"Rumored to be announced in late 2017"... let me decode that for you:

Some people say that some other unknown people think that one year from now you will know if the lens will be released and when (obviously a later date, and broadly available at a later-er date).

Now, we can assume that the lens is all about smaller and lighter than the current 600/4, but will it perform the same or better (also with extenders) ? If not, your wealthy firends may decide to keep their lens.
But let's assume the new lens is awesome and all used super-teles will go down in price (including your 500 v1, of course).

Back to the original question, if all the above assumptions are correct, how much do we expect a 600 v2 to go down in price ?
I'd say they will depreciate in a similar way the v1 did when v2 came out. Check new vs used prices of v1 lenses sold on ebay just after the v2 release date. You do it, I am too lazy

The discussions on FM and the recently filed patent by Canon for the 600 DO BR, make the possibility of this lens being a reality at the end of 2017 pretty good. Nobody knows pricing but the popular guesses are between 13k to 16k USD.

One spec that came from the patent filing is the length of this lens as 335mm. No speculation about co-existance with the 600 II. My take is no. Many retailers stocking these big lenses have indicated "special oder" for the 600 II.

IF the 600 DO does happen, my guess is that you could see used 600 II's more than usual. Will these used 600 II's be a bargain? Likely not right after release of the 600 DO. Depends on release pricing.

If the 400 DO II is any indication of performance, the 600 DO should be the same or better.

Lots of fun coming in 2017.

Since I do aviation shooting hand-held, a 500 f4 DO would be ideal for me. And with the 1.4xIII I'd get 700mm.
But 500 is too close to 400mm, so I guess Canon will only offer the 400 DO and 600 DO.

Glad to see Canon developing new products.

CheshireCat wrote in post #18208000
Back to the original question, if all the above assumptions are correct, how much do we expect a 600 v2 to go down in price ?
I'd say they will depreciate in a similar way the v1 did when v2 came out. Check new vs used prices of v1 lenses sold on ebay just after the v2 release date. You do it, I am too lazy

Thanks for your comment,...

The 600 v1 used price on eBay between £3-4000 GBP
The 600 v2 used price on eBay between £6.5-8000 GBP

So Approx half price.

Hoping to be at the Weston Air show in 2017, fancy a play with a slightly cheaper alternative to the 600 Mk2?

Much as I fancy a 600 Mk2 they are quite bulky/fat, though they did shed a LOT of weight compared to my Mk1! If you hunt around (or are lucky on E Bay like me!) then the Canon 800 F5.6 L IS is a very nice alternative. Yes it is a bit long for Airshows, but for birds it is just the job. People are afraid of this lens because it is too specialised?!? For birding it is almost never too long!

As a result their used value tends to drop proportionately more than the 500s etc so they can be almost affordable used. If you got a good price on your 500 Mk1 then a grand or two on top should secure a Canon 800mm - the problem is finding one!

Anyway if you want to have a play then PM me, or we could just meet up for a chat? Though I may want to pick your brains a bit as I like your images.

all the available 600mm f4 lenses that cover 35mm sensors are bulky and Heavy
if you want smaller and lighter you may want to consider one of the 150-600mm f6.3 zooms or get a m43 with a 300mm lens

johnf3f wrote in post #18209199
Hoping to be at the Weston Air show in 2017, fancy a play with a slightly cheaper alternative to the 600 Mk2?

Much as I fancy a 600 Mk2 they are quite bulky/fat, though they did shed a LOT of weight compared to my Mk1! If you hunt around (or are lucky on E Bay like me!) then the Canon 800 F5.6 L IS is a very nice alternative. Yes it is a bit long for Airshows, but for birds it is just the job. People are afraid of this lens because it is too specialised?!? For birding it is almost never too long!

As a result their used value tends to drop proportionately more than the 500s etc so they can be almost affordable used. If you got a good price on your 500 Mk1 then a grand or two on top should secure a Canon 800mm - the problem is finding one!

Anyway if you want to have a play then PM me, or we could just meet up for a chat? Though I may want to pick your brains a bit as I like your images.

If I were shooting on any of the 35mm format sensors, other than the 5DS, I would consider the 800mm as much more preferable over the 600mm lenses, if I could manage the weight, and I think I would struggle with the 600mm f/4. I would probably also keep a 1.4× extender handy too. I regularly seem to need to apply a 50% crop when shooting with the 150-600mm on an APS-C sensor, so I see a need for 900mm at least. The same framing on 35mm would need a 1440mm lens. The thing I find with airshows is that if you want to get shots that have the look of air to air photos you need to not always be right up close to the crowd line to make the usual angles work for you, and if you want 3/4 views that can really start to push the subject back a long way from you, so long lenses can be really helpful. My money no object airshow setup could possibly be a 5DSr, 800mm plus 1.4× extender and a Scarff ring built onto my power wheelchair so that I can aim it .

Alan

PCousins is more of an Airshow buff than me - he knows what he needs for that.
I was suggesting the Weston Airshow as we will probably both be there so he can try a longer lens and see what he thinks of the handling etc for his bird photography.

Have you considered the 500 Mk2?

A local photographer has one and even compared to the excellent Mk1 it has distinct advantages. True you would be tied to extenders for many bird species but it takes the 1.4 Mk3 extender remarkably well and the 2 x Mk3 works very well too so long as the light isn't too bad. He reports little AF loss with the 1.4 and many/most of his shots are BIF, he uses a 1D4.

Well worth a try to see if the 500 Mk2 will suit your needs/wallet. Like you I would prefer the 600 Mk2 but it does involve compromises in mobility and price!

Might pop along to the Weston airshow myself, only about 35 miles from me...

I would love a 600/4 DO. My 500/4 II is eminently handholdable for me with a 600/4 II considerably heavier. The only problem with a 600/4 DO is likely to be the price!

I enjoyed it last time I was there, well worth the trip and entry is free - can't remember if they charged for parking!

I stayed down the beach (SSW) so I could get shots of the aircraft banking, and away from all the smoke from the aerobatic aircraft. It was a good day.

johnf3f wrote in post #18212276
I enjoyed it last time I was there, well worth the trip and entry is free - can't remember if they charged for parking!

I stayed down the beach (SSW) so I could get shots of the aircraft banking, and away from all the smoke from the aerobatic aircraft. It was a good day.

There was me thinking that a trip over for this show would make a nice break, I haven't been to Weston since I finished the last of my RAF radar training courses at RAF Locking back in spring 1986. Thanks to the timing of the courses I got to spend three consecutive winters in Weston, but only one summer . I quite like seafront airshows. It seems though that they are trying to put on an airshow in my now current home town, and it's supposed to be the same weekend, so I guess I'll have to wait a little to see what might be coming to Yarmouth.

Alan