Canon 500mm f/4 IS vs 600mm f/4 IS

[Joel Eade]

I have just returned from Haines Alaska and the Chilkat Eagle Preserve.... images will come soon.

Comments on Canon lenses: Earlier this year I sold my Version 1 500mm f/4 that I had for many years ..... great lens, image quality was supreme and no problem with teleconverters. Since I am mainly into birds I wanted a 600mm .... I found a good deal on a used version II 600mm. It is a better lens than than the version I 500mm. I believe the IQ is better. Works great with TC's and the extra reach is wonderful for birds but might be too much for big mammals unless they are off a ways ( I took some Bison images with it at Yellowstone ). The AF speed is very fast and doesn't slow much with he TC's. I would not consider this a hand holdable lens for most people. If birds are you're main target I would recommend the 600mm over the 500mm.

Comments on travel cases: I traveled with a 1510 Pelican case which held the 600mm (without the hood), the 100-400mm, the 16-35mm and both teleconverters. It was accepted by the airlines and TSA with no problems....in screening they asked the content and scanned it but never opened it. I carried 3 bodies in a soft leather briefcase with batteries and chargers .... same thing .... the asked the content and scanned it but never looked inside. The Pelican easily fit in the overhead (the weight was never checked) and the briefcase was considered a personal item to go under the seat but they actually let me put it overhead too. The last leg of the trip involved a small plane from Juneau to Haines (Cessna Grand Caravan) .... no carry on luggage but they were very nice and were aware of the nature of photographers gear so I had no problems. For this last leg I put my briefcase inside my bigger check in luggage bag. On this small aircraft, operated by Alaska Seaplanes Inc. they weighed all luggage and I had to pay a little fee for being over weight.

( I left the 600mm hood at home and used a Lenscoat travel hood that is flat but wraps around the lens front and is secured by velcro )

PS Anyone interested in the Chikat River Eagle Preserve and the Haines area in general I would highly recommend getting in touch with Tom Ganner. I cannot sing his praises high enough as a guide and host.

https://timenspace.net/photography-w...aphy-workshop/