500mm or 600mm

For my next lens I am tossing up between the two. I love the 500mm as it's razor sharp and very portable. The 600mm is a bit longer and magnification is about 44% more, so the reach is useful. However, it is dang heavy. I've used a Nikon 600 recently and handholding it is a pain. Also tried Canon's 800, but the price is just a bit too steep. I know IQ should be par for both really (500 vs. 600)...

So do you reckon go 1D MkIV/500 or 1D MkIII/600 (as I cannot have a MkIV and 600)? I am leaning in favor of the 500 as many wonderful images are captured with it and it is far more portable IMHO. Any tips or suggestions?

I have both, and I find them both indispensable. If I could choose only one, it'd be the 500. It's easier to both hand hold and travel with. IQ is comparable with both the 500 and the 600, and they both take TCs equally well.

Also, you'll be able to afford the Mark IV which is supposed to be a signifcant improvement over the Mark III. I've got a Mark IV, but have taken very few frames with it at this point. :(

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Originally Posted by Doug Brown

Also, you'll be able to afford the Mark IV which is supposed to be a signifcant improvement over the Mark III. I've got a Mark IV, but have taken very few frames with it at this point. :(

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Thanks Dougie. You must still be at work or have insomnia being up this early/late?

I hope you get to play with that camera sooner rather than later. It would kill me that's for sure. :)

Thanks for your reply too.

I have seen your own image , Big muscles :) , If I were you , I would have gone for IDMIII+600mm

Akos MKIV + 500mm has more reach than MKIII + 600mm.

MKIV+ 500 =11 Mpixel @ 600mm FOV
MKIII + 600 = 10 mpixel @ 600mm FOV

500 is still HH for flight shot, I don't think 600 is HH for flight shots (at least I am not strong enough for it :D) I tested both 600 and 500 on 7D though and 500 was a no brainier immediately.

Agree with Doug on this one Best to go for the 500 first then get a 600 or 800 if you can. Totally different lenses. I like the 500 for the weight and close focusing distance !!

This is Doug's next lens:Dhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRq18WpQZC0

Thanks folks. Lucky, today I had a play with a Nikon D700/500VR and a D3/600VR. I am not that bothered by the 600 weight now. Handholding was OK actually, though short bursts. The 500 is much lighter. I am a sucker for focal length though. Will keep you posted of developments. Thanks for taking your time helping me. :)

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Originally Posted by Ákos Lumnitzer

Thanks folks. Lucky, today I had a play with a Nikon D700/500VR and a D3/600VR. I am not that bothered by the 600 weight now. Handholding was OK actually, though short bursts. The 500 is much lighter. I am a sucker for focal length though. Will keep you posted of developments. Thanks for taking your time helping me. :)

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I will tell you, If I could afford the 600mm I would go for it. In fact I don't even consider the 500mm not because of the IQ, I'm sure that's not a problem with that lens, but being in the tropics with our skittish birds it's better to have the largest focal length. I don't know if that's the same case in Australia, but here, the longer the lens the better, weight? I don't care I am young and strong!!! LOL. Just kidding, I would use the tripod all the time.:D

Hey Akos - I love my 500 but if you follow one of the basic tenets of wildlife photography, "No lens is ever long enough," your question is answered, assuming the 800 is out of your economic reach.

The 600 is a great lens, and I tend to use it more than the 500 these days. But I can shoot the 600 all day without a tripod; on most photography trips I don't even bother packing a tripod anymore. If you have to pack a tripod along with your 600, you're talking about a lot of weight compared to traveling with a 500 and no tripod. With extenders on your 500, you get 500mm/700mm/1000mm on a pro body. You also get better close focus without resorting to extension tubes, which reduce light. A few things to think about.

Hi guys

Thanks again.

As of last night my plan has been put on hold for five years. Sad? In a way, yes, but I have so much more time to consider gear and in the meantime camera bodies will be better and Canon will probably upgrade their Super Tele line-up with newer IS so I will have more choice to confuse me; including good, used L super teles. :) I knew that I may have to wait a few more years, but it's worth it very much in the long run as I said to my wife, her first six pay checks in 2015 are MINE!!!!! :) :) :)

Med School?

Hmmm, 5 years sounds like Vet School in Oz.

Neil

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Originally Posted by Neil Cameron

Hmmm, 5 years sounds like Vet School in Oz.

Neil

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You got it Neil! I am extremely proud of her. She only missed out a year ago by 8 spots. If it were not for 20% of the 120 places given to overseas students she would have been in. Apparently over 3,000 apply to Sydney Uni every year. She will make an awesome vet.

Waiting sure is not going to stop me from taking photos. :)

Congrats to you and your wife Akos. Vet school admin is huge anywhere! There are only 28 vet schools in the entire U.S. so its tough over here as well. Start saving for that microscope she'll need and have fun with your adventure.

Thank you Danny. :) I am not sure how many here, but in my state of NSW I believe there are only two. Perhaps one in each other state. I really don't know, except that the Vet degree is also recognized in the US and UK from Sydney Uni. :) May just move to Florida yet one day. :D

Is Sydney Uni now what was Sydney Tech yonks ago? Sorry for the OT but I lived in Sydney in '81 and '82 doing me 2nd Mate's Foreign Going then. Subsequent tickets in Launceston and finally Melbourne.

Lenses - Since you have already decided to hold for 5 years I would say plonk for the 800mm. It is lighter than the 600 yet a wee bit heavier than the 500. When the time comes for you to buy, I reckon both the 500 and 600 would be mark 2 versions.

Hi Phil
I think it was always called Sydney University. Sydney Tech may have been what is now the UTS? University of Technology Sydney? Though Tech is more of an in between high school and uni kind of educational institute. We call them TAFE now (Technical And Further Education)

On the gear note, there should be a 1D MkVII too by then. :D

Congrats to you and your wife Akosbhai,

And to think I dropped out of doing Vet Science at the University of Queensland in the late 70s - well truth be told, they dropped me out after I discovered wine, women and song, and started failing exams. It was as hard as medicine to get into back then as well. From memory, and it may well have changed, but only Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia had Veterinary Science faculties.

Seriously, congratulations to your wife. For the addicted photographer with lens acquisition syndrome, not many things beat being able to buy a new lens, but that does - easily. :)

Neil

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Originally Posted by Ákos Lumnitzer

Thanks folks. Lucky, today I had a play with a Nikon D700/500VR and a D3/600VR. I am not that bothered by the 600 weight now. Handholding was OK actually, though short bursts. The 500 is much lighter. I am a sucker for focal length though. Will keep you posted of developments. Thanks for taking your time helping me. :)

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Sounds like you are going to have buyers remorse if you choose the 500mm!

Considering how much time and effort you spend taking care of injured and orphaned animals, it looks like a great idea for your wife to become a vet.

Big congratulations to your wife Akos! I know she must have worked very hard to get admitted. All the best to both of you in your new 'adventure'.

5 years of digital camera development is a long time, who knows what people will be shooting then, lenses are a lot slower to change, but maybe they'll have made a nice 1200mm f/4 DO lens by then that only weighs 7lbs!

Cheers!
Bruce

i have the 600mm and after taking it to canada to photograph owls, i am debating on the 500 now. The 600 is a beast, and i am a big guy and can probably hand hold it longer than others, but man...the weight between it and the 500 is very noticeable.

i have a 500 coming from CPS so i can compare them, but if i found a 500mm f/4 is in the $5000 range i would buy it.