Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM

[neuroanatomist]

There's a small hit on sharpness, but it's not bad at all.  Generally, the 600 II + 2xIII combo is excellent, IMO, as is the 1.4xIII.  Obviously, you only have the central AF point(s) with the 2x, and that can make tracking birds in flight a challenge.  Still...it's doable - the shot below is an American Bittern shot handheld, 1200mm, 1/1600 s, f/8, ISO 3200 (he was too far away even at 1200mm...).

[K-amps]

'Ipswich' Savannah Sparrow at 1200mm:


Do you find the  shot was softened a bit by the 2X, i know your at f8 and in cloud, but hows teh combo of teh 600 Mk II and the 2X mkIII


(getting the 600 mk II soon so just want to get a feel of your expert opinion)

Took Neuro's shot and cropped / sharpened a bit... looks pretty good for a non-native 1200mm shot with extenders...

[applecider]

A pair of 600 ii plus 1.4 iii  photos, taken on a pretty drab pacific nw day.  Processed a little in dpp resized in photoshop.  I'd love to add a blue sky to the eagle, don't have the time at present.

[applecider]

With 1.4 extender 1/400 f 5.6 iso 1250 cropped sized to 72 dpi photoshop
A small step for heron a giant step for kermit kind.....

[applecider]

And another 1/800 5.6 ev +1, iso 1600 600mm+1.4

[dolina]

With lens feet from Kirk, RRS, 4th Gen Design and others which one did you go for for your EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM and why?

[neuroanatomist]

With lens feet from Kirk, RRS, 4th Gen Design and others which one did you go for for your EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM and why?

The RRS foot, for better balance on a gimbal while retaining handle function.  I eliminated the Wimberley replacement foot as it can't be used as a handle. I'd never heard of 4th Gen Design, but looking them up, I learned that's the maker of the Mongoose side gimbal, of which I've certainly heard. Although the pic is tiny, it looks much like the Wimberley 'foot' - too flat to be used as a handle.  I believe that is a consequence of the Mongoose and Wimberley side gimbal designs. RRS doesn't have that issue, since their side mount gimbal (which I have) can be adjusted horizontally to center the lens, as opposed to the one-piece design of the others.

I'm not sure what Canon was thinking with the tripod collar on the 600 II, and the 500 II seems even worse. Basically, the Canon foot is too far forward. It's fine with just the body, but when you put a 1-series or gripped body with a 2x TC, the center of mass is right under or very slightly behind the mounting screws on the tripod collar.  The problem is the Canon foot sweeps forward, and a Wimberley P-50 doesn't sit back far enough.  The Kirk foot is designed just like the Canon foot, with the forward sweep.  The RRS foot can be used as a handle, and actually extends slightly behind the mounting screws on the collar.  With the 2xIII and 1D X, the back edge of the foot is flush with the back of the 80mm RRS clamp on the gimbal at the balance point. So, with the Kirk foot or a Wimberley P-50 plate on the Canon foot, the back edge of the foot/plate would be inside the clamp - probably still plenty stable, but I'd prefer to use the full extent of the clamping surface.  Alternatively, with it flush the intrinsic tension/resistance of the head would probably compensate for it being slightly off-balance - but I'd prefer it to be properly balanced.

Probably more detail than you wanted...   

[dolina]

Actually that's very useful assessment. Is this the foot you are using now? I have this on the 400 at the moment.

[neuroanatomist]

Yep, that's the one - it's the same foot for the MkII 400, 500, and 600 lenses.

[dolina]

Thanks and a Happy New Year to you!

[Chris_prophotographic]

With lens feet from Kirk, RRS, 4th Gen Design and others which one did you go for for your EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM and why?

The RRS foot, for better balance on a gimbal while retaining handle function.  I eliminated the Wimberley replacement foot as it can't be used as a handle. I'd never heard of 4th Gen Design, but looking them up, I learned that's the maker of the Mongoose side gimbal, of which I've certainly heard. Although the pic is tiny, it looks much like the Wimberley 'foot' - too flat to be used as a handle.  I believe that is a consequence of the Mongoose and Wimberley side gimbal designs. RRS doesn't have that issue, since their side mount gimbal (which I have) can be adjusted horizontally to center the lens, as opposed to the one-piece design of the others.

I'm not sure what Canon was thinking with the tripod collar on the 600 II, and the 500 II seems even worse. Basically, the Canon foot is too far forward. It's fine with just the body, but when you put a 1-series or gripped body with a 2x TC, the center of mass is right under or very slightly behind the mounting screws on the tripod collar.  The problem is the Canon foot sweeps forward, and a Wimberley P-50 doesn't sit back far enough.  The Kirk foot is designed just like the Canon foot, with the forward sweep.  The RRS foot can be used as a handle, and actually extends slightly behind the mounting screws on the collar.  With the 2xIII and 1D X, the back edge of the foot is flush with the back of the 80mm RRS clamp on the gimbal at the balance point. So, with the Kirk foot or a Wimberley P-50 plate on the Canon foot, the back edge of the foot/plate would be inside the clamp - probably still plenty stable, but I'd prefer to use the full extent of the clamping surface.  Alternatively, with it flush the intrinsic tension/resistance of the head would probably compensate for it being slightly off-balance - but I'd prefer it to be properly balanced.

Probably more detail than you wanted...   

This kind of Detail amazing,  thank you for being that particular. perfect.

[Alex]

My contribution

[dolina]

Spotted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) by alabang, on Flickr

The Scaly-breasted Munia or Spotted Munia (Lonchura punctulata), known  in the pet trade as Nutmeg Mannikin or Spice Finch, is a sparrow-sized  estrildid finch native to tropical Asia. A species of the genus  Lonchura, it was formally described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.  Its name is based on the distinct scale-like feather markings on the  breast and belly. The adult is brown above and has a dark conical bill.  The species has 11 subspecies across their range and differ slightly in  size and colour.

This Munia eats mainly on grass seeds apart from berries and small  insects. They forage in flocks and communicate with soft calls and  whistles. The species is highly social and may sometimes roost with  other species of munias. This species is found in tropical plains and  grasslands. Breeding pairs construct dome-shaped nests using grass or  bamboo leaves.

The species is endemic to Asia and occurs from India and Sri Lanka east  to Indonesia and the Philippines. It has been introduced into many other  parts of the world and feral populations have established in Puerto  Rico and Hispaniola as well as parts of Australia and the United States  of America. The bird is listed as of Least Concern by the International  Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaly-breasted_Munia

Taken in Muntinlupa City

Settings: 1/1000 ƒ/4 ISO250 600mm

[gary samples]

Starting the next generation she shoots pretty good a  Little heavy on the trigger finger !

[dolina]

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) by alabang, on Flickr

The Little Egret is more delicate-looking than any other heron-like bird which occurs in Britain. It is much smaller than a Grey Heron, with snowy white plumage, a long pointed black bill and black legs with strikingly yellow feet.
Habitat

Feeds by the edges of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, brackish lagoons and saltpans. Breeds in waterside trees and bushes.
Behaviour

The plumes which are present in spring serve to emphasise the threat and appeasement gestures given at the nest.
Migration

Most of the European population migrates west and south, mostly to north Africa but also, to an increasing degree, to the european side of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts. After fledging, juveniles disperse almost randomly from July to September. This movement is presumably governed by prevailing feeding conditions.

Source: http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=20023

Location: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntinlupa