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Thread: Canon 600mm f4L (non IS)

  1. #1
    Johan Kruger
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    Default Canon 600mm f4L (non IS)

    Would you consider picking up a lens like this if at a good price ? I can get one of these for prob 50% of what the IS version cost. Now obviously there is a couple of questions that comes to mind, like

    1) Is this thing at all usable without IS (esp with 1.4tc)
    2) Are these lenses simply too old / slow AF , unrepairable if something happens etc etc.

    I currently mostly use a 300f4L with 1.4tc (which never has enough reach). Will be used mostly for birds and always on a tripod with gimbal type head (still closely following the wimberley vs mongoose "discussion" :D). I know the expression "buy nice or buy twice" but at R89,000 here in SA for the IS version, nice is a little hectic.

    any thoughts ?

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    This is a great lens, with or without IS, but it's heavy. Also, the IS is being replaced with the Series II that will be lighter and faster, so there'll be a price drop in all older models. You'll me using this on a sturdy tripod almost all the time, so lack of IS is less of an issue than with handholdable 300mm and even 400mm.

    You might also consider the significantly lighter 500mm f/4L IS, but they sell at 80% to 90% of new here in the USA. The older f/4.5 can be had for half, but it won't work with the TC as well on most bodies.

  3. #3
    Johan Kruger
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    thanks for the information. What concerns me most is the age of these non-is 600's.

    I am beginning to think a 300 f2.8 with 2x tc might be better option. I would still be able to hand hold it or use monopod like i currently do with the f4, but I would be able to get to 600. The question is, how long are you satisfied with 600 :D

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    Quote Originally Posted by Johan Kruger View Post
    thanks for the information. What concerns me most is the age of these non-is 600's.

    I am beginning to think a 300 f2.8 with 2x tc might be better option. I would still be able to hand hold it or use monopod like i currently do with the f4, but I would be able to get to 600. The question is, how long are you satisfied with 600 :D
    Most of us that shoot 500mm and 600mm lenses often shoot them at longer effective lengths using TCs. For BIF I'll most often take the TC off, but for almost everything else I leave the 1.4TC on my 500mm f/4L IS.

    If you think you'll only shoot at 600mm (I doubt that) then your 300mm f/2.8, plus a 2x TC will be much easier to use than an old 600mm. The answer for you will depend on which birds you shoot in what environments. A 300mm f/2.8, plus a 1.4x and a 2x TC is a very versatile rig, but it can't replicate a 600mm shot at 840mm using a 1.4x TC.

    Getting an old super-tele repaired can be an issue. Independent repair shops are often more likely to have repair parts than is Canon. Of course, if it's still optically sound and there's no IS, then the likely need for repair goes down, but doesn't go away.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Bird photographers always wish that they had a longer focal length at their disposal :) David's comments above are right on, as are Peter's. At 600 alone it should be easy to create sharp images at shutter speeds > 1/250 sec. or even 1/125.

    As for me, I will only use an IS lens :) Just call me Shaky.
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    I use an old 600mm lens mainly for birds and surfing, the lens has worked hard and is showing scuff marks and even a bit of rust but keeps on going. The lens is sharp with the 1.4 converter and I do not miss the IS. It is not a lens that will be hand held for any length of time. My only fear is the lack of parts if something goes wrong with it as there are apparently no parts available.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    As for "not missing IS," that is a baffling statement. If IS is inadvertently turned off on any of my lenses, I notice it instantly whether hand-holding or on a tripod....

    Luc, have you ever used a big IS lens?
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    BPN Member Julie Brown's Avatar
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    Default IS always on?

    [QUOTE=Arthur Morris;589619]As for "not missing IS," that is a baffling statement. If IS is inadvertently turned off on any of my lenses, I notice it instantly whether hand-holding or on a tripod....


    Artie, does that mean IS should never be turned off? I have read some opinions that it slows AF above 1/1000sec.
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    Hi Julie, I have read that too. The only time I have turn IS off is by accident :) And I have never noticed any slowing down of AF acquisition or shutter release....
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    BPN Member Julie Brown's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Morris View Post
    Hi Julie, I have read that too. The only time I have turn IS off is by accident :) And I have never noticed any slowing down of AF acquisition or shutter release....

    Thanks for that info. I often use a 300mm f2.8L IS on a monopod and a 400mm f2.8L IS on a tripod. My thinking was to leave IS on because of the tendency of long lenses to vibrate at the shutter release.
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    With that gear I would be leaving it on all the time. So when are you trading up to the 300 f/2.8 IS L II and the 400 f/2.8 IS L II? :) :) :)

    The weight reduction on the 400 2.8 is astounding.

    BTW, why do you have the 400 2.8???
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    BPN Member Julie Brown's Avatar
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    Uh, that would be never!:( I actually do not own these lenses-I rent them from Roberts here in Indy. I would love to use the new versions, but was told by the rental manager that they would probably not put them into rental rotation any time soon. I have the Canon 2X TC, so that is why I have used the 400 f2.8. They do have a 500 f4L IS. Do you recommend I use that with my 1.4X TC for better IQ?:D
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    :) As far as the 400 f/2.8s, as far back as the original ABP II I have not liked them for birds advising folks always to go for a longer slower lens than a shorter faster (heavier) one.

    They are OK for feeder work and especially for folks doing large mammals in low light.

    Rent the 500 f/4 :)

    You will get shaper images at 700 with it and the 1.4X than with the 400 X 2. And with good technique you can get sharp stuff at 1000mm....
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    BPN Member Julie Brown's Avatar
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    Thanks Artie, the 500 will be my next rental!:D
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    Just to pile on - the 500/4 + 1.4x TC is a great combo. This was my setup for a long time until the 800/5.6 came along. Plenty of sharp images from that rig.

    thanks
    Charles

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    "As for "not missing IS," that is a baffling statement" - I suppose I was unclear. I don't have any long lenses with IS although I have used the 300 2.8 and the 100-400 that has IS. Most of my photography is done from the car with the camera and lens mounted on the window or for surfing the camera/lens is on a tripod and I feel I do not need IS. On my shorter lenses the IS is invariably switched off unless the light determines that I should use it. IS is nice to have but I am surviving without it. I have had the 600mm lens for about 5 years and have yet to take pictures with it while hand holding it.

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    Furthermore, if IS is accidentally switched off I notice the lens shaking all over the place.... I could not imagine working without it. It is easy however to understand how you don't miss it if you have never used an IS lens; there is nothing to miss :)
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