Supertele choices

[Richard Lane]

John,

Shouldn't we be able to use Live View for auto focus for f/8 or greater max aperture for stationary birds using a tripod?

Since 1000mm-1200mm is too long for BIF, it would still be nice to get some long range static shots with this combo.

[Vern]

Hi Richard, I used live view with the 500mm II and the 2X to shoot wading herons. I used the 1st magnification setting. It worked fine as far as getting in focus shots but was pretty challenging to execute - would be pretty easy with a stationary subject. I needed IS mode I to calm vibrations from the wind enough to focus too. This was the only way I could get a manually focused in focus image - I just couldn't do it through the viewfinder.

John,

Shouldn't we be able to use Live View for auto focus for f/8 or greater max aperture for stationary birds using a tripod?

Since 1000mm-1200mm is too long for BIF, it would still be nice to get some long range static shots with this combo.

[Joel Eade]

. I just need to figure out if the 600 II is actually handholdable for me, or if the small weight reduction with the 500 II makes that much of a difference. It's the difference between 12.7 lbs and 11 lbs - not sure if that's meaningful. Note that when I refer to 'handholding' the mostly means walking around with it on a Blackrapid strap and lifting for shots along the way. With my 100-400mm, I often bring a monopod (would need to replace the Manfrotto 234 tilt head with something like the RRS MH-02 for the increased load), and use that when I'm going to be in one place for a while.

I hand hold the 500 very frequently. I have not been on any long treks but I walked around Fort DeSoto beach with it for a few hours, no strap, monopod or anything. I just hold it by the foot and carry it around but I do switch hands occassionally. As long as you stop and take some shots or set it down briefly on your knee it's very do-able.

[Vern]

I had just this debate over the last year myself and have ended up with the 300 2.8 II (which I shipped to Canon today for the firmware update), ordered the 600 4 II and I have the version III teleconverters. I had hoped to buy just one lens from the new supertele group, but this is where I ended up.

Renting the 500 and 600 showed me this - the 500 II feels incredibly light for its size and performed great with the 1.4X III on my old 5D MKII in terms of IQ. I can certainly see hand-holding a few shoots with this lens. AF was not so good with that body for BIF shots. Manual focusing with the 2X tele gave decent images in terms of IQ (contrast suffers most to my eye) - it's just too hard to make this work with moving subjects though and buying an older model body to get AF for just this combo at f8 seems a waste. If hand-holdability is a key, this is a great choice.

Just got the 5DMK III and tested with a rented 600 II. Although the 600 lost a lot of weight, it feels much heavier than the 500 II but I loved it on a monopod or tripod with the 1.4X for hummingbirds. I don't see myself shooting many handheld shots with this lens - too front heavy for my back. I carried it on monopod/tripod over about 5 miles last Saturday in the NC heat and found it portable but at the top of my limit for a day hike.

I spent this w/e shooting with the 300 2.8 + 2X from similar locations as the 600 - IQ of this combination is actually very good at f8 (one stop down, so two stops away from the 600 f4, and using the center of the image circle - hummers just don't fill my frame when in motion...) and is a very portable set-up when weight is the main issue. The other great thing about the 300 + 2X is the close focus distance if you can work from a blind.

The 600 + 1.4X (840) was about as long a lens as I could productively use for shooting hummers in flight - maybe I'll get better at tracking them and get a 7D one day (or 7D MKII?). A 7D would also help for other applications - thinking about renting one after the 600 arrives just to see how I like the set-up. From Bryan's ISO charts w the 400 2.8 II, it doesn't look good with the teles at all - striking difference from the 300 f2.8 II, so I ruled that out early since a single focal length option at this price just isn't worth it for me. As Bryan noted, the 800 f5.6 seems to have been obsoleted by the 600 + 1.4 performance.

I really benefited from this site's reviews and the commentary from the senior members - many thanks. I linked as many purchases as I could for a smll payback.

[neuroanatomist]

Yes, live view will work. I've done that with the 2xII and my 100-400 at f/11.

[HDNitehawk]

Yes, live view will work. I've done that with the 2xII and my 100-400 at f/11.

One thing that I really liked about the 1D IV, it is much easier to shoot in manual AF than it is with the 7D or 5D II. A lot crisper view. If you haven't tried any shots in manual mode with the 1D X yet you might be pleasantly surprised. I have read it is supposed to be the best yet as far as digital goes. With the 1D IV I wouldn't completely miss AF with a 2x extender on it, manual would suffice. I would miss it for moving objects though.

[neuroanatomist]

Contrast detect AF works at any max aperture, f/8, f/11, etc., as long there's sufficient contrast. How fast it works, that's a different story.

[Richard Lane]

So, you could Auto-Focus by pressing the AF-ON or shutter-button and Auto-focus with Contrast detect which is slower and what Live View uses, as opposed to the more accurate phase detect? Plus you also have manual focus with the focus ring.

Thanks John, that's the point I was trying to discuss!

[Joel Eade]

The 1d MKIV will autofocus at f/8 using the viewfinder or live view but it is slow and doesn't do well in a low light or low contrast situation or if there is movement in the BG.

[neuroanatomist]

Correct, Rich, except that contrast detect isn't less accurate than phase detect (it's as accurate or better, since focusing is done directly using the image sensor). It's just a lot slower...