New 600mm Nikon F4 or older version?? I BOUGHT THE NEW ONE :-)

mufftrix

mufftrix

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Mick
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I know the new Nikon 600mm F4 is about the same weight as my 500mm F4 which appeals to me obviously as I am used to the weight, and although it a bind carrying It sometimes I am able to use it handheld and I think the extra weight of the old one this won't be the case unless I take up bodybuilding?

What putting me off the new one that besides the weight loss diet it been on and the better one piece lens hood it doesn't see to be a vast move from the old one, oh besides the Electromagnetic Diaphragm gizmo which something else to go wrong no doubt :-)

The main sting is obviously the price difference, if I can manage to get hold of a mint or perhaps even a new one old stock it at least a £3k saving (if can find a new old stock one)

So I was just wondering if anyone has used both or manages to use the older one handheld and if you think the extra ££££ is worth it for the newer one?

In other words talk me out of spending £10k haha!!!
 
Dont do it. Keep the 500 and save the money. Do a bit mire practice getting closer. I just cant justify the extra cost for a slightly better image quality and a bit of weight loss. I keep thinking of changing ny 600 for a 500 but once i use it i forget about it- get out and use the lens you have and enjoy.
 
markyboy.1967 said:
Dont do it. Keep the 500 and save the money. Do a bit mire practice getting closer. I just cant justify the extra cost for a slightly better image quality and a bit of weight loss. I keep thinking of changing ny 600 for a 500 but once i use it i forget about it- get out and use the lens you have and enjoy.
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It to late I have sold my 500 so it just a matter of damage limitation on the cash front now haha!

So at least it not as though I stumping up the full amount but still a sizeable chunk of money needed?
 
The new one is a big wad of cash!
I thought about getting a 600 f4 but the extra weight and the longer minimum focus distance puts me off ... added to that I couldn't get it out of the windows of most hides I've used!
I doubt that you would find a new 'old' one now.
 
Get a 600 either VR or not and try it out, you shouldnt lose money and you will love it. Even hire 1 and have a play. Im heading up the hills for a longish walk with mine in the coming weeks and its a killer but when you get the images you want then you forget the sore back. Lol. A good backpack helps take the weight on long treks by placing some weight on the hips so get a decent backpack.
 
gramps said:
The new one is a big wad of cash!
I thought about getting a 600 f4 but the extra weight and the longer minimum focus distance puts me off ... added to that I couldn't get it out of the windows of most hides I've used!
I doubt that you would find a new 'old' one now.
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Yes I never thought about the hide side of things but that where the 300 will come into play as I don't often use hides :-)

There a couple of places may still have the old 600 but I got look into it more and think even though it more ££ in the long run the newer model will be better value/loss ratio?
 
markyboy.1967 said:
Get a 600 either VR or not and try it out, you shouldnt lose money and you will love it. Even hire 1 and have a play. Im heading up the hills for a longish walk with mine in the coming weeks and its a killer but when you get the images you want then you forget the sore back. Lol. A good backpack helps take the weight on long treks by placing some weight on the hips so get a decent backpack.
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I used this one for 500 it a great bag as it fits the lens with body attached and it will fit the 600 likewise :-)

http://www.fotosense.co.uk/manfrott...=78fbd4dc2bd1d65a1f2bb5770581a9e7&fo_s=gplauk
 
mufftrix said:
I got look into it more and think even though it more ££ in the long run the newer model will be better value/loss ratio?
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Not sure you should think about loss ratio too much, concentrate on what it will do for you ... anything new can be a bit like driving a new car out of the showroom! :(
 
gramps said:
Not sure you should think about loss ratio too much, concentrate on what it will do for you ... anything new can be a bit like driving a new car out of the showroom! :(
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Yes and unfortunately not much chance of finding a new one for sale as yet?

I not going jump in as it such a lot of money but it would be better if I could locate a mint older 600 I think as that way it not to much of an outlay from what I got for my 500?

I going try the new one hopefully this week so will have a better idea once I took a few shots with one etc which may take me over the edge one way or another -)
 
Hi Mick

I have found my 600mm f4, (the last one before the VR), to be good ...... OK it is big and heavy and a specialist lens, (as you know I have said what I feel about what is needed for small birds), but I would not be without it

The new ones are very expensive and I would feel really bad if I had to fork out that much money ..... the more you use lens the more you realise that a few chips in the paintwork etc., or an odd minor mark on the front lens does not really matter ...... it always surprises me when people are more concerned about the external condition that anything else ... OK look after your kit but use it and shooting conditions can be dirty and damp and in not perfect places

you should be able to get a good used non VR for £3,500 ......... and presumably you have the tripod and gimbal

I cannot think of any optical reason not to buy one
 
BillN_33 said:
Hi Mick

I have found my 600mm f4, (the last one before the VR), to be good ...... OK it is big and heavy and a specialist lens, (as you know I have said what I feel about what is needed for small birds), but I would not be without it

The new ones are very expensive and I would feel really bad if I had to fork out that much money ..... the more you use lens the more you realise that a few chips in the paintwork etc., or an odd minor mark on the front lens does not really matter ...... it always surprises me when people are more concerned about the external condition that anything else ... OK look after your kit but use it and shooting conditions can be dirty and damp and in not perfect places

you should be able to get a good used non VR for £3,500 ......... and presumably you have the tripod and gimbal

I cannot think of any optical reason not to buy one
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No the optical quality hasn't changed vastly and from what I can se the new one is just lighter has the electronic aperture gizmo and a £3k price hike oh and a new case lol!

I just going bide my time till the right one comes along but having not tested a older one hat on my to do list before I make any commitment? I know someone local who has the VR version so after trying the newer one will try his and then at least i got something to go on as to where I want to be?

I have not as yet seen any real life reviews of the new one, only the big names who are not going say it bad or not worth the upgrade?

Yes the small bird thing so true the big guns have there place and mine will be mainly for water birds etc especially nesting grebes oh and them elusive dab chicks lol!
 
mufftrix said:
No the optical quality hasn't changed vastly and from what I can se the new one is just lighter has the electronic aperture gizmo and a £3k price hike oh and a new case lol!

I just going bide my time till the right one comes along but having not tested a older one hat on my to do list before I make any commitment? I know someone local who has the VR version so after trying the newer one will try his and then at least i got something to go on as to where I want to be?

I have not as yet seen any real life reviews of the new one, only the big names who are not going say it bad or not worth the upgrade?

Yes the small bird thing so true the big guns have there place and mine will be mainly for water birds etc especially nesting grebes oh and them elusive dab chicks lol!
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Not sure if any use Mick, if not up to your liking just send it back. I have found Wex excellent to deal with and have returned many items without any issue.

600mm f4 non VR > http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-used-nikon-600mm-f4-af-s-ii-if-ed-lens/p1616393
 
Swanseajack said:
Not sure if any use Mick, if not up to your liking just send it back. I have found Wex excellent to deal with and have returned many items without any issue.

600mm f4 non VR > http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-used-nikon-600mm-f4-af-s-ii-if-ed-lens/p1616393
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Cheers!

Yes it not a bad price, I am still on the fence what to do tbh I yearn after the £10k one and have the cash but will test both first and then maybe things be a bit clearer? Obviously I would like to save the £££ but If I not happy I will always wish I had gone for the newer one! Think will just get married again then I won't be able to keep buying this exotic gear :-)
 
mufftrix said:
Cheers!

Yes it not a bad price, I am still on the fence what to do tbh I yearn after the £10k one and have the cash but will test both first and then maybe things be a bit clearer? Obviously I would like to save the £££ but If I not happy I will always wish I had gone for the newer one! Think will just get married again then I won't be able to keep buying this exotic gear :)
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As mentioned above, it maybe worth a shot just to see if you like the handling of the lens. They offer a 30 day no questions asked return policy, and they can also arrange collection for the lens or send you a postage label to keep price down for you returning. I have recently sent a Sigma 24-35mm f2 and 150-600mm lens back which, would have cost me £26.00 to return and they arranged the return as I had changed my mind and charged me a tenner.

Also, I have found them the best of the used dealers for descriptions and they over criticise IMO.

Then the is the option of the misses spending your money:D
 
That's enough to pay Mick ....... crazy to spend more ........ I am not sure that you need VR at all, as it will always be on a tripod or bean bag ....... comes with all the bits including the case .... and presumably because it is from WEX, if not as described they will take it back, plus maybe a warranty, (?)

Cannot see that you would loose money, going forward at the price

The only thing that I changed was to change the foot to a (lower) Kirk one .. supposed to make a difference
 
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Swanseajack said:
As mentioned above, it maybe worth a shot just to see if you like the handling of the lens. They offer a 30 day no questions asked return policy, and they can also arrange collection for the lens or send you a postage label to keep price down for you returning. I have recently sent a Sigma 24-35mm f2 and 150-600mm lens back which, would have cost me £26.00 to return and they arranged the return as I had changed my mind and charged me a tenner.

Also, I have found them the best of the used dealers for descriptions and they over criticise IMO.

Then the is the option of the misses spending your money:D
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I think I will just stay single Simon LOL!

I have the opportunity to test a new one out later this week and I just trying to get in touch with a guy who I know has the older one, then I will know better about the weight etc and if it worth the cash?
 
BillN_33 said:
That's enough to pay Mick ....... crazy to spend more ........ I am not sure that you need VR at all, as it will always be on a tripod or bean bag ....... comes with all the bits including the case .... and presumably because it is from WEX, if not as described they will take it back, plus maybe a warranty, (?)

Cannot see that you would loose money, going forward at the price

The only thing that I changed was to to change to foot to a (lower) kirk one .. supposed to make a difference
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Like I say Bill i hoping test both, a guy I know has a older 600 so that way can see how I feel about it? Yes the foot is dam ugly and massive on the older one I noticed that straight away!
 
Swanseajack said:
They offer a 30 day no questions asked return policy, and they can also arrange collection for the lens or send you a postage label to keep price down for you returning. I have recently sent a Sigma 24-35mm f2 and 150-600mm lens back which, would have cost me £26.00 to return and they arranged the return as I had changed my mind and charged me a tenner.
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How long did it take to get your money back Simon?
 
gramps said:
How long did it take to get your money back Simon?
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Hi Gramps,

I have been ordering/trying a few lenses following my HA. I have had several returns and the longest for the cash to hit my account has been 6 days, after posting the item back.
 
Swanseajack said:
Hi Gramps,

I have been ordering/trying a few lenses following my HA. I have had several returns and the longest for the cash to hit my account has been 6 days, after posting the item back.
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Thanks Simon, I remembered a report a while back of them taking a long time to refund so good to hear your experience :)
 
I returned a massive Canon 800mm F5.6 L to Wex once, due to it being LOADS softer bare than my 500 F4 +1.4TC. They were great about it, sent a courier to take it back and refunded me within just a few days. I now have the Canon mark 2 600 F4 instead from Wex.

I'd never deal with anyone else when spending super-telephoto lens type of money.
 
Well after a week of deciding and trying the older 600 I decided to take the plunge and went for a new 600 FL

I have only been out once as the weather now decided oh he got a new lens has he lets have some rain

My initial impressions are it a superb piece of kit as it should be, and besides the bulkier size and bigger front element/lens hood it just as manageable as my 500 was!

It vey well balanced when carrying it so will be much better on a tripod than the other one was?

Once I had done the micro adjustment it was good to go, so here are a first day couple of shots (I have tried the 1.4TC III and this works a lot better than the 500 did imo)

Like every lens there is a learning curve but for my first outing I think I have made the right choice, my wallet may have other ideas though??

600 on its own!

Bernard The Heron... 600mm by Mick Erwin, on Flickr


600 + 1.4TC III

Bernard The Heron... 600mm + 1.4TC III by Mick Erwin, on Flickr


600 on its own

Mallard flyby by Mick Erwin, on Flickr


600 on its own

A coot making it's way rather precariously across the ice by Mick Erwin, on Flickr


600 + 1.4TC III

Little Grebe 600mm FL + 1.4TC III by Mick Erwin, on Flickr

Little Grebe 600mm FL + 1.4TC III by Mick Erwin, on Flickr

 
Very nice, enjoy your new purchase... Bet you're glad you changed you mind about getting married.;)
 
Oooh, lot a money ... hope it proves worthwhile for you :)
 
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