600 f/4 vs 600 f/4IS ???

OK, since it will likely spend most of it's life on a tripod do you really need the IS?

Scott

Yes, since Canon no longer repairs the non is version

IS does help no doubt but given good technique an solid support, a good non-IS should be fine. Do you need AF? I shoot mostly in MF myself. Then, you have many more choices. Look into Nikon's used 500 or 600 AI-S lenses. Great quality and usually going at very reasonable prices.

There are situations where I don't shoot from a tripod where IS is a godsend.

Eg. Shooting from the car on a pillow or beanbag... though they provide reasonable support the IS makes it that much steadier, especially in low light conditions when you are in the low shutter speeds.

If you don't plan to shoot from a car or any other non-tripod situations then a non-IS version should do the trick. Like SBPhoto mentioned you will need to consider it is no longer supported by Canon.

Depending what support system you have. For one thing, you would need a full gimbal head, about $500. If you have IS, you don't need the most beefiest tripod. No IS, you better invest in some heavy duty carbon fiber tripod. You are looking at $800 for a support system. IS is more of an insurance or safety check against shakes and vibrations originated from shutter flops and wind. Without IS, you may need to shoot with mirror lockup mode and remote shutter.

PM720 wrote in post #7037119
OK, since it will likely spend most of it's life on a tripod do you really need the IS?

Scott

So you are saying IS works on the tripod even though I have been reading that Canon advises against it? I am thinking of this in a wildlife or birding/BIF situation. Does anyone shoot the 600 (either one) handheld for aviation?

Scott

The IS on the 500, 600 and 800 is tripod sensitive = it helps even on a tripod, leave it on. Very few handhold a 600 for anything.

Thanks, that's what I thought.

Scott