Canon 800 mm would you buy it?

[gary rouleau]

You know the old bird photographers expression "the bigger the better". Well, in May Canon is going to release the new 800 mm@f5.6 for ~$12K. Who would buy it? For $12K you can get a 600mm, a 1.4x and a markIII and have change left over. So, would you buy it and why? I'm Curious!

cheers
gary

[W T Lloyd]

I'm selling my 600 and yes, I plan to buy one. I use the 600 almost without exception here in So Cal with the 1.4EX always attached. I want the weight savings. I already have a MkIII. I expect superior image quality to the current SuperTelephoto lineup, which are closing in on being a decade old design, with 2 or 3 generations behind in IS technology. In fact, I expect Canon will update the SuperTeles within the next few years. I expect to be able to get the 800 for around $11,000.

[Alfred Forns]

I'm glad not being with Canon any more so no need for a decision form me !!!

There should be an advantage in AF from using the 600 and 1.4X Will be interesting !!!

[gary rouleau]

Like you W T I have a 600mm, only three years old, and always have the 1.4x on, but shoot with a markIIN. I can even get AF (not the fastest) with the 1.4x and 2x stacked. When I started bird photography a few years I showed up at the Bosque with a 20D and a 100-400 mm in hand. I asked the guy standing there about his sigma lens and what it really took to do birds, his answer: If this is what you really want to do, go and buy everything you want NOW -don't wait, you won't regret it. He was right, so I divorced the wife and sold the kids in to slavey -just joking! I may be right behind you selling my 600mm and going for it.
Well Al if the markIII ever gets its act together plus a 800mm that will be an awesome combination.
Thanks for sharing.
gary

[Doug West]

Even if I had the $12K, not me. For me, 800mm would be to much lens.
The 600 with or without the 1.4/2x is just right.

Doug

[Milan V]

Much too expensive for me (otherwise I would change for my 500:D)

Best!

[Judy Becker]

No problem for people who have Mkiii's and 600mm already in the bag plus $11,000 laying around for larger "play toys" or professionals who can write off the expense as necessary business equipment.

[Ken Kijewski]

If it was an f4 I'd buy it. I am sure it's going to be a great lens. The weight alone is really attractive but for the price of $12,000 give me an f4.
Reach is what i/we need for birds (especially Warblers). I have the 500/4IS and always have the 1.4X attached which a lot of times is not enough.
If i had to though the 400 2.8IS with a 2x would be cheaper but heavier..but Canon already knows this. So, I'll stick with the 500 in my hide and hope the birds will pay attention to where they are supposed to land;)

[Roman Kurywczak]

OK...........as a Canon shooter........ I'm about to commit blashemy! Everything I've ever posted on BPN animal and bird forums has been with the Sigma 300-800mm 5.6. No mention ever about lack of sharpness! Debate about prime versus zoom..........tested........extremely close! IMO.....and the proof is in the pictures..........save yourself 5K.......and buy the Pigmonster! ........hey..........I should be a rep...........(I'm not)........Sigma........hint, hint,...( $$$$$)......are you listening????? This ends the shameless self promotion..........
Roman

[Johnny Bravo]

I was ready to buy that lens when I thought it would come out priced in the 8k range. 12k? Maybe.....but I'll have to think about it long and hard and then break down in a moment of weakness and buy one, then endlessly justify my excess to all my photo buddies.

Heck, nothing new in all that, I do it with every purchase!!

[E.J. Peiker]

If it was an f4 I'd buy it.

If it was f/4 it would weigh twice as much and be unbelievably front heavy as the front element would have to be 200mm across compared to the 150mm of the 600 f/4 front element. The resulting weight of the front element alone would be more than twice as much. You would be looking at about a 22lb lens.

To the original question, at $8K it would be a sure purchase. At $12K it's a non-starter for me.

[Steve Metildi]

I'd go for this lens as a replacement for the 600 if there is ever a price reduction to $7-$8K and assuming good reports from early adopters. I'd look forward to the approximate 2 pound weight reduction and the fact that you could rely less on teleconverters. There is probably a teleconverter attached to my 600 at least 95% of the time. I'd also assume that as a straight 800 it would have slightly better image quality than the 600 + 1.4X TC combo.

Steve