Nikon 500mm or 600mm...........just one more time

ndwgolf

ndwgolf

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Neil Williams
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4 or 5 months ago I asked about getting a 3, 4, 5 or 600mm telephoto lens for birds and after quite a debate I decided to get the 300mm mainly due to it's versatility and ability to shoot birds hand held. Anyway 300mm ain't long enough now (yes many told me so) so I want to get something longer (I hate TC's so lets not go there).
I can't afford a 800mm so its either a 500 or 600mm.
Up to now all of my birding has been done in Malaysia but thats not to say traveling outside of Malaysia to shoot birds/wildlife won't happen so my only concern right now is being able to travel with a 600mm because I am worried that I will get a 500 then later want a 600mm so I would like to get this right once and for all. Has anyone on here traveled with a 600mm?.
Also with the right tripod/gimbal set up is shooting birds in flight as easy as shooting hand held (when I say easy even hand held with a D4s and 300 is a nightmare after a while) I did try a 500mm on my camera in the Nikon store and that was OK to hand hold but I couldn't imagine doing it all day long
Price wise I can't afford either until September so I am in no hurry to get one of these lenses
 
I've just got my 300 & have been using it with a 1.4 II for the last 2 weeks wide open..(so 420mm @ F4)
Love it & do not require a tripod.

I also looked at the 400, 500 & 600mm - Damm big, damm heavy & forget handholding for very long...
Which then also puts you into tripod mode & gimbal head - £$$$$$$ - arghh

But as you say, If you need the length..
If it was me - & I was birding obsessed (which I'm not) I'd get the 600mm & keep a 1.4 for those rare times I'd want it.
 
You'll get the 500 and wish you got the 600. I'd get the 600 and cut out the heartache.
 
If I could afford the 600 I'd get one for sure! But I guess you do need to consider how you would transport it overseas.
(I,ve always wondered how the wildlife pro's transport their gear safely. Pelicases presumably?)
 
gramps said:
and a 600 is going to take a lot more work/technique to get right than the 300 you've tried :)
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Gramps you are 100% correct there...........I am still learning the 300mm but will have fun learning both. I am booked in for a Birding photography training class for the next time I am off the rig so will look forward to that as well
 
OldCarlos said:
If I could afford the 600 I'd get one for sure! But I guess you do need to consider how you would transport it overseas.
(I,ve always wondered how the wildlife pro's transport their gear safely. Pelicases presumably?)
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I think the 600mm comes in a hard case so maybe it would need to be checked in and make sure it is insured
 
I've been fortunate to shoot with both the 500mm and 600mm, if you travel you'll curse the 600mm at times. The 500mm is so much easier to pack and take as cabin luggage and a lot easier to shoot without a tripod and gimbal if you have to. Optically I can't see anything between them, both brilliant.
 
Watched a bunch of youtube videos last night on the 600mm and the 500mm and then there was a 5 minute video on the 800mm and that has really $#$#@# my head up...........need to sell a Kidney in China town to afford that puppy.....lol
 
Why don't you just rent a 600 or 800 when you need it? How many times do you think you will use these superteles a year? That's how I put off my desire for a 400 f/2.8.
 
Laudrup said:
Why don't you just rent a 600 or 800 when you need it? How many times do you think you will use these superteles a year? That's how I put off my desire for a 400 f/2.8.
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I use the 300mm 4 times a week right now so that's 100 times in 6 months (other 6 months on a rig)
So I guess I would get plenty of use of it
 
With the 600 you're doubling the weight and size though, forget about handholding it like you can with the 300. It's lugging the camera, lens, tripod and head everywhere 4 times a week. I've done it myself with heavy lenses and sometimes your back and motivation just doesn't want to play ball.
 
Laudrup said:
With the 600 you're doubling the weight and size though, forget about handholding it like you can with the 300. It's lugging the camera, lens, tripod and head everywhere 4 times a week. I've done it myself with heavy lenses and sometimes your back and motivation just doesn't want to play ball.
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Laudrup I hear you man but I have a plan.................living here in Malaysia/Thailand I am in the process of getting a truck with some modification done to it so that I can mount a gimbal and the 6/800mm on the passenger side and shoot from the truck with my wife driving and keeping me in cold beer. I will have the 300mm on the D3s so that I can still shoot that hand held if needed.
There is a place about 1 hours drive from my home in KL called (Sekichan) that is about half the size of Dundee and is full of paddy fields, forrest canals and lakes that will be ideal for the above..............as for lugging camera gear tripods etc etc thats what we have wife's for right :) :)
 
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