600 mm f/4 lens

[Bill Moore]

I have a Canon 500mm lens and am thinking about getting a Canon 600mm lens. Is there enough advantage in the 600mm to justify the $$?

[Robert Amoruso]

Bill,

I had the 500mm but now have the 600mm. It allowed me to make images I would have have made with the 500mm (smaller birds or greater distances). I miss the 500mm since I could handhold it and it focused closer so you may use extension tubes more with the 600mm if your in close quarters going for a tight composition.

On a tripod, both focus equally fast and work well with the 1.4x and 2x TCs even stacked.

Though I do miss the 500mm occasionally, I don't fret over it much either.

[Robert O'Toole]

Hey Bill

A few things to think about.

Are your subjects warblers or general avian targets?

Also what body are you using mostly, APS-C (1.6),APS-H (1.3), FF (FX)? I have been using a 600/4 for close to 5 years because of my EOS-1DS and 1DSMKII. Now that I dont own a full frame camera a 500VR is in my future.

Are you shooting mostly from the car or hiking to the photographic locations?

Robert

[Bill Moore]

Great food for thought! I shoot mostly with the 1d MK III however I have a 1ds MK III however for avian targets I have found I like the speed of the 1d III. I am really trying to get good enough with the 1d MK III and the 500 f/4 to take a course from you Robert. I got your last email indicating the Thanksgiving Bosque was not full. I would really like to attend!!

[Robert O'Toole]

Bosque is a great place to learn good telephoto techniques Bill, you literally have 1000s and 1000s of subjects to practice on :) it is always one of my favorite places to shoot. Once you are confortable using your 500/4 you can really hone your techniques with birds in flight and using the 1.4x, 2x and stacked extenders. Email me anytime if you would like more info. Thanks,

Robert

[pradeep jain]

When we talk about extension tubes do they mean tele converters