Canon EF 600 f/4L IS II
I received my Canon EF 600 f/4L IS II today, and I must say it’s pretty exciting to get new big glass.
First Impressions
No matter how many times you read about the weight difference between this one and the previous version, you just don’t have a handle on it until you hold the lens. I cannot believe it weighs the same as the Canon EF 500 f/4L IS. It’s completely hand holdable and well balanced. Construction feels wonderfully solid and apparently the weather sealing is better than the previous version.
EF 300 f/2.8L IS II, EF 400 f/2.8L IS II, EF 600 f/4L IS II, EF 800 f/5.6L IS (500 f/4L IS II still missing)
Accessories
It comes with a shorter foot, probably making monopod use easier. It also comes with the new style lens cover, a lens strap as well as a strap for the hard case. The manual is also on paper not on CD.
As suspected, it shouldn’t be a problem getting any of your Arca style plates to fit on the lens.
Test Shots
I will be heading out to do some birding this week with the new lens, I will report back with what will be pretty obvious information…. i.e. “it’s sharp, it’s great, it costs a lot”.
cr
How do I know?
Because mine arrived in Ontario, Canada today and will be in my hands on Monday. The weather is too poor all weekend to waste 6 hours driving to get it tomorrow.
LensRentals.com is showing the 500 f/4L IS II as in stock on Tuesday.
B&H expects shipments of the 500 & 600 in the next week or so.
From Amazon
A stock note for the new supertelephoto.
Canon EF 600 f/4L IS II from 17th Street Photo for $13,599
cr
Canon EOS-1D X
As of the end of last week, Canon is still holding to the end of June for shipments to begin. That’s what is still being told to a couple of large retailers.
Canon EOS-1D X at B&H $6799
Canon EF 500 f/4L IS II & EF 600 f/4L IS II
These two lenses are proving to be more elusive to nail down. Current Canon says they’re begin shipping in May, however 2 retailers I spoke to have said they’re now being told the end of June to the beginning of July for availability.
If any of this changes (and it probably will), I will update.
cr
They’re out there
We’ve been told by a couple of places, that the new EF 600 f/4L IS II is out there. Loaner copies of the lens have been sent to various manufacturers of accessories for measurement and that sort of thing. Multiple reports say they are fully functional production versions of the lens.
Lots of initial praise for the lens, especially how light it feels in comparison to the first IS version.
A very good sign indeed.
cr
Another update
Canon has officially announced the new Canon EF 500 f/4L IS II and Canon EF 600 f/4L IS II will become available in May 2012.
I think this is only the 4th date given for release and probably the last.
cr
Bummer
Canon has sent out notice that the new EF 500 f/4L IS II and EF 600 f/4L IS II have been delayed beyond the previous December 2011 ship date. Expect the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x, which hasn’t been officially announced yet to be delayed well into 2012.
Source: [RG]
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