canon 500mm or 600mm

[Robwad]

I'm after some advice regarding the 500mm and/or 600mm canon lenses. I'm currently using a siggy 120-400 os etc. which is ok for where i'm at at the moment. I mainly shoot birds from a hide in good light but i'm finding that i could really do with the extra length. Now would it be worth me investing in one or other of the two big canons or am i punching above my weight. I'd like to have all my kit ready for the summer hence seeking advice now. I'm happy to keep the sigma as a walkabout lens but i'd like something better for the static stuff, i'm using a 50D which i am happy and comfortable with so the only issue really is the lenses. I'd appreciate any advice guys, good or bad.

 

[Laudrup]

120-400mm to a 500/600 is a huge leap financially and physically speaking. If you have the £4k+ to spend or just lying about then yeah the Canon super telephotos are great. I have seen some great sharp wildlife (particularly bird) pictures from the Canon 400mm f/5.6 which is friendlier on your pocket and your back.

You could always try renting the 500mm and see how you got on with it.

 

[TinaC]

120-400mm to a 500/600 is a huge leap financially and physically speaking. If you have the £4k+ to spend or just lying about then yeah the Canon super telephotos are great. I have seen some great sharp wildlife (particularly bird) pictures from the Canon 400mm f/5.6 which is friendlier on your pocket and your back.

You could always try renting the 500mm and see how you got on with it.

Would endorse the rental suggestion as a real trial of the lens for you.

 

[Robwad]

Thanks, i guess renting would be one solution but as you mention the 400 f5/6, i had thought about that and perhaps using 1.4x or even a 2.0x converter but would i get as good as or at least a comparable IQ this way and as you say that would be easier on the pocket. What i really don't want to do is go down one road and wish i had gone down another.

 

[artyman]

As you have the 120-400 I wouldn't think the chnage to 500mm is going to make that much difference, so that leaves 600mm. You are talking serious money and weight and whilst desirable it is a big investment. An alternative is the Sigma 300-800 which is well thought of, as a rule whatever lens you have it's never long enough. I've used a 1.4 and 2X TC's on my Sigma 150-500, you are of course down to manual focus and you do need good light to compensate for the loss of 1 or 2 stops.