Canon 600mm f4 (£8900) vs 300mm f2.8 + 2x (£4100) for Birds and BIF

Neil B said:
Not much help i know but there's no way i would be asking anyone how i should spend £8900 of my hard earnt money :thinking:
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The point is I'm asking other's opinions on the options so that I can then decide on what is best for me.
 
Mark

I have the following Nikon lens and TC's …………. I find that they are all different and I use them for different situations

Nikon 70 200mm f2.8 VR, (never had any success with this with or without TC's as a birding lens)
Nikon 70 300mm f4.5/5.6VR - it's not bad - I usually use it if I am in a canoe

Nikon 300mm f4 - use this a lot with the TC14 - on and off a tripod - taken some of my best images with this lens
Nikon 300mm f2.8 VR - use this quite a bit with the TC14 and TC20 - on and off a tripod
Nikon 600mm f4 - use this when I can on a tripod, resting on a bean bag or the car window - never taken a descent "bird on a perch" shot hand held
TC14Ell
TC20Elll

I use the TC14 with all three - 300 - 300 - 600
I only use the TC20 with the 300mm f2.8

I have just taken the 300's to S Africa
The 600mm f4 would be hopeless because of the weight and I would still have to take the 300's to give me the flexibility that I need

I use the 300mm f4 with the V1 and D7100 for Dragonflies - it is really good for that

The 300's get the most use, especially the 300mm f4 as a walk around, always with me ….. with the TC14 for some use

I would not be without all three …. but if I had to choose I'd take the two 300's plus the TC's over the 600mm plus the TC's …. as both packages would be the same price ……

If you don't have a 300mm start there …… the 600mm on it's own is specialised in a number of ways

You will use the 300's far more

Don't Canon also do a 400mm f5.6 for a good price ……. great as a walk around …….. with BIF's you do need to be quick … I reckon that you will miss a lot of shots with a 600mm …….. you have to get them in view, (i.e. find them, before you can press the trigger)

IMHO of course - but most seem to be recommending the 600
 
BillN_33 said:
You will use the 300's far more
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If he's going to buy a 600mm f/4, there is no way you would be using a 300mm lens more for wildlife, 300mm is simply way to short. Even with the 2x making a 600mm the IQ will be no where near the IQ of the 600mm. Most wildlife requires the reach of the 600mm, mixed with the stunning IQ and narrow angle of view the 600mm is by far the best choice out there.
 
Joeturner11 said:
If he's going to buy a 600mm f/4, there is no way you would be using a 300mm lens more for wildlife, 300mm is simply way to short. Even with the 2x making a 600mm the IQ will be no where near the IQ of the 600mm. Most wildlife requires the reach of the 600mm, mixed with the stunning IQ and narrow angle of view the 600mm is by far the best choice out there.
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Nikon 300mm f2.8 + TC14Ell

POTY_Jan_15-3.jpg


Nikon 300mm f2.8

Darter_11.jpg


both hand held

but the Canon 600mm is really good and lighter than the Nikon … so the reviews say
 
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Personally I own a 300mm F2.8 mk2 with mk3 extenders and have found it to be a great versatile setup.

I have also rented out the mk2 600mm and that achieves focus marginally quicker than the 300+TCx2 and you can get better detail, but the bulk and extra cost is quite a bit more to consider.


Canon 300mm F2.8 mk2 + 2xTC mk3 wide open at F5.6

12197012095_7bbaa27ce0_b.jpg
 
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