Canon anounced delivery dates of May for the 500mm and June for the 600mm.


I have enough gear to barter off and trade, to get either lens. But I wanted to see if any Bird / Wildlife guys had any opinions on this.


So far my 500mm is great. When I bought it, I debated between it and the 800mm, after I used it for a while I was glad I went with the 500mm. I know the extra few pounds and inches would have really mattered the way I shoot. Which is about 50% by hand and the rest of monopod or tripod. The 600mm I just discounted at the time because of its weight.


I used the 7D with the 500mm for a while. The 1.6 crop factor on the 500mm I felt was to much (800mm compared to full frame). But it gave me a feel for the longer length, and tracking BIF with the 7D x 500mm was alot harder than using the 5D full frame. When I bougth the 1D Mark IV the 500mm feels just about right.


Now with the new lenses, the 600mm is the same weight as the old 500mm. It is 2 1/2" longer. I could get it and it would be similar to the old 500mm just a little more bulky to carry around in the car for "drive by" bird shootings in the country.


I am thinking though, that the 600mm with the 1.4 ex might be to long for my liking (840mm). But the 500mm with the 1.4 ex at 700mm would be closer.


Looking at the charts, with the extenders, the IQ from the 500mm-700mm-1000mm compared to the 600mm-840mm-1200mm...and then throwing in the 800mm in the mix, the charts indicate that the IQ at each point at each of those focal lengths will probably be progresivly lower as you get further out. Meaning that the 500mm will have the best, followed by the 600mm then the 700mm (500mm with 1.4), 800mm and so on. So as far as focal length goes, its really an decision of where you want to start and stop. 500mm-1000mm or 600mm-1200mm.


The 2x ex charts actualy look as if they will have very usable IQ. Which would be great.


So right now I am leaning toward the 500mm. Loose a few pounds over what I have now. Unless any one has any diffrent thougts.


Rick