Nikon 600 V 500.

fracster

fracster

I love BRASH and BRASH loves me
Suspended / Banned
Messages
16,666
Name
Ade
Edit My Images
Yes
My left elbow is giving me serious gyp now and the big Sigma is such a weighty beast,it may have to go........:'(

Has anyone had both of these lenses who could give me a quick comparison please, in usability and with results in mind.

I know the 500 is a lot lighter than either the sigma and the 600,especially. Is it a much more user friendly lens for people with knackered joints?........:(
 
Don't know if you are a Canon or Nikon user, but both are pretty similar from what I've seen. I use Nikon, so thats what I am talking about below...

600, totally heavy - REALLY heavy. Also quite poor balance and very long (especially if you are considering the "monopod with hand in the end of the lens hood" grip)

500, quite a bit lighter both on paper and in genuine use. Personally still a touch too long for the same grip as above, particularly when you add the extre couple of inches of a TC.

Still think the 500 is more difficult to use than the 400 2.8. The 400 although heavier is more balanced and shorter, so easier to grip.

None of them I suggest is suitable for anyone with any kind of physical weakness.

I only briefly tried the 600, but had a couple of hours with the 500 and 400 back to back about a week ago.
 
Appreciate the comments,thanks. The problem I have is actually carrying them.That hurts to say,but the weight of the lens and the tripod in either hand causes a lot of pain in my elbows,my shoulders are shot as well.

Perhaps I should bin all ideas of long lenses.
 
Have you tried putting an Optech type strap on it? They make a hell of a difference when carrying heavy gear
 
I have an optech tripod strap that hooks under the lens foot and around the barrel near the camera itself.The strap is flexible,is there something better?

Thanks again.
 
On the big Nikon/Canon primes they have strap mounts on the lens itself and you must use those because carrying the lens mounted on the body by the camera strap will break the mount!!!

So replace the thin Canon/Nikon provided strap with an Optech type one, job done.
 
b****r, I probably have not explained that too well.The strap mounts around the lens itself, not the camera body at all.

But I will check all other straps...............:)
 
No, I meant that the "big guns" didn't need some kind of modified bodge thing made for carrying a tripod, they have proper strap mount points... and they have those mount points because you HAVE to carry it by them.
 
grumpybadger said:
Ade - I shoot the "wrong" brand but for me a 600 was a step too far. The 2kg difference between 500 and 600 makes the difference to me.
Click to expand...


Thanks Paul.
 
Would you even consider going 'retro' and getting something like a Nikon 500mm f/4P? Yes it's manual focus, but that's not the end of the world, and it's tons lighter than anything in the current line up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top