Canon 600mm f4 IS II Vs Canon 200-400mm w/1.4x TC

[KitsVancouver]

And now Dylan a tough question. Actually a very tough one: Does your wife know? Does she even know about this poll? ;D ;D ;D

If the size and color is same as my 400mm f2.8 IS II, she couldn't tell the diff. That why I ruled out Tamron ;D

I'm not sure how often you go birding, but even shooting big bald eagles from across a river bank, 400mm is too short. In order to fill the frame with just the bird, I had to use a 2X extender with the built-in 1.4x extender. It was almost enough for me to go buy a 600mm but I would almost feel guilty having a lens I only used once or twice a year.

 

[Loswr]

If you really want to compare just those two lenses, it depends on your needs. The 14/2.8L makes a better hand-thrown projectile weapon, and the 800/5.6 makes a much better club.

Neuro, your title "CR GEEK" is well earned

Lol.

There was a question posed quite a while back on another forum - if you were to be marooned on an island and could choose only one lens, which one? I argued for the 800/5.6 on the grounds that it would be the most useful. The barrel would make a good club to open coconuts or fight off inimical wildlife, the large front element could be used to start a fire, etc.

 

[tron]

If you really want to compare just those two lenses, it depends on your needs. The 14/2.8L makes a better hand-thrown projectile weapon, and the 800/5.6 makes a much better club.

Neuro, your title "CR GEEK" is well earned

Lol.

There was a question posed quite a while back on another forum - if you were to be marooned on an island and could choose only one lens, which one? I argued for the 800/5.6 on the grounds that it would be the most useful. The barrel would make a good club to open coconuts or fight off inimical wildlife, the large front element could be used to start a fire, etc.

And if you had a camera to put behind the lens you could search for passing ships... ;D

 

[Rienzphotoz]

My vote goes to EF 200-400 f/4 L IS w/1.4x TC .... as I prefer zooms to primes, coz I just don't have the patience to change lenses.

 

[eml58]

And now Dylan a tough question. Actually a very tough one: Does your wife know? Does she even know about this poll? ;D ;D ;D

If the size and color is same as my 400mm f2.8 IS II, she couldn't tell the diff. That why I ruled out Tamron ;D

That is truly very Funny, deceitfully crafty, and smart.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

And now Dylan a tough question. Actually a very tough one: Does your wife know? Does she even know about this poll? ;D ;D ;D

If the size and color is same as my 400mm f2.8 IS II, she couldn't tell the diff. That why I ruled out Tamron ;D

That is truly very Funny, deceitfully crafty, and smart.

Nice opportunity to blackmail him for a 10% commission or we rat on him to his wife. ;D

 

[expatinasia]

And now Dylan a tough question. Actually a very tough one: Does your wife know? Does she even know about this poll? ;D ;D ;D

If the size and color is same as my 400mm f2.8 IS II, she couldn't tell the diff. That why I ruled out Tamron ;D

That is truly very Funny, deceitfully crafty, and smart.

Maybe, but then again his wife my well be on the pradarumors.com and lvrumors.com sites chatting to her friends about the latest Louis Vuitton. She may be saying, "he thinks I do not know, but he has his eyes on this stupid lens he'll hardly ever use anyway. I hope he gets it, as I have had my eyes on the latest LV shoe and bag set for a while now. Those and a nice 2 carat gem. He won't even know, they all look the same to him!!!"

 

[AlanF]

The point I am making is that I believe the 2 canons are the best but the tamron is very close behind and will give you undiferentiaded results under most conditions so anyone on a budget should take a good look at it.

Anyone on a budget doesn't have a choice but to choose the Tamron. Someone with (truly) the budget, is going to pick the Canon (nine times out of 10).

In that case I must be in a minority of 1 out 10. If you have the strength and like using monopods or tripods then go for the Canons if you have the cash - you will get the ultimate quality. But, if you want to use hand held and like a light package for hiking and birds in flight etc, then those great lenses are just too heavy. I could not handle them. I would rush out and buy a Canon 200-500 f/5.6 that beats the Tamron, and pay the price.

I believe you are. I would be surprised if it was even 10% of people who would prefer the Tamron. Let's just pretend everyone (on this forum) wins a free lens at the camera store and they have a pile of Tamrons and a pile of Canons. I really really really doubt that given the choice, very many people are going to walk out with the Tamron. Because I deal with contracts and by nature, "paranoid", I would even say that the choice would not change much if you told them they could not sell the lens.

You might as well ask suppose somebody offered you a 100 carat diamond studded solid gold mounted Sigma 50-500 or a plain Canon, which one would they take? That situation is just as unlikely as everyone on this forum being offered what you would suggest. If I was given a 200-400mm Canon I would never use it. And that is a fact, not a let's pretend scenario. But, if someone were to offer me a 200-400mm free of charge, I would of course accept it - that is human nature.

The point in question is whether the Tamron or Canon is preferred, ceteris paribus.

The only reasons I can imagine for buying the Tamron over the Canon are price and weight/size. You already said you don't want a big lens so you've explained that your utility formula places a higher value on size/weight. Because this forum is full of gearheads and guys who care about IQ, I still believe that at least 90% of those on this forum would choose the Canon over the Tamron if they could afford it.

You can go buy the Tamron.

As someone else wrote, it would be more sensible to have discussion on the 300 vs the 200-400 as they overlap in focal length and the 600mm is for a different purpose. I made the decision to buy the 300mm f/2.8 II plus extenders because I care about both IQ and weight.

There is very little to choose between them in IQ. But, the 300 weighs 1.27 kg (2.8 lb) less. At 300mm it gives a stop wider aperture and better IQ at f/2.8 than the 200-400 at f/4 – see:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=764&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=0&LensComp=739&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
At 420mm and f/4 it is nearly as good as the 200-400mm at f/4.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=764&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=0&LensComp=739&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=2
At 600mm, it is slightly better than the 200-400 at 560mm with the in-built TC at f/5.6.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=764&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=5&API=1&LensComp=739&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=2&APIComp=1

Whereas I would never use the 200-400, I could see myself using the 600 with a 1.4xTC on the rare occasion I wanted to sit in a hide for a day, not too far from my car. So, I would take up the offer on a free 600mm.

You can go on a hike with your arm wrenching 200-400 while I will jauntily carry my 300mm as I am more concerned with celeris than ceteris.

 

[Roo]

And now Dylan a tough question. Actually a very tough one: Does your wife know? Does she even know about this poll? ;D ;D ;D

If the size and color is same as my 400mm f2.8 IS II, she couldn't tell the diff. That why I ruled out Tamron ;D

Reminds me of a story I once heard about a doctor here. Every time he replaced his 911 with a new model he got the same colour because his wife couldn't tell the difference...

 

[expatinasia]

As someone else wrote, it would be more sensible to have discussion on the 300 vs the 200-400 as they overlap in focal length and the 600mm is for a different purpose. I made the decision to buy the 300mm f/2.8 II plus extenders because I care about both IQ and weight.

There is very little to choose between them in IQ. But, the 300 weighs 1.27 kg (2.8 lb) less. At 300mm it gives a stop wider aperture and better IQ at f/2.8 than the 200-400 at f/4 – see:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=764&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=0&LensComp=739&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
At 420mm and f/4 it is nearly as good as the 200-400mm at f/4.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=764&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=0&LensComp=739&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=2
At 600mm, it is slightly better than the 200-400 at 560mm with the in-built TC at f/5.6.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=764&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=5&API=1&LensComp=739&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=2&APIComp=1

Whereas I would never use the 200-400, I could see myself using the 600 with a 1.4xTC on the rare occasion I wanted to sit in a hide for a day, not too far from my car. So, I would take up the offer on a free 600mm.

You can go on a hike with your arm wrenching 200-400 while I will jauntily carry my 300mm as I am more concerned with celeris than ceteris.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. The 300 is a truly amazing lens but it cannot really be compared to the 200-400 X 1.4.

People tend to buy the 300 first as a big white as it is the cheapest of the lot. The difference in price between the 300 and the 400 is pretty big, and from memory the 200-400 1.4X is a bit more on that.

So the comparison between the 200-400 (560) and the 600 is perfectly valid. And remember extenders can still be added to them both.

I frequently use the 400 and while I love the 300, they are both for very different uses.

 

[Kerry B]

I am from the old camp and like to be able to carry my equipment with relative ease, hence the 300f2.8mk11, with the 1.4 extender a superb 420mm f4 lens comparible to the 400mmf4 on a 200-400 lens. The 2 x extender gives you a very good and lighweight 600mm f5.6 lens with excellent image quality.

This versitile combination costs much less than both the 200-400mm and 600mm pairing. If you want further reach use a crop camera.

 

[expatinasia]

I am from the old camp and like to be able to carry my equipment with relative ease, hence the 300f2.8mk11, with the 1.4 extender a superb 420mm f4 lens comparible to the 400mmf4 on a 200-400 lens. The 2 x extender gives you a very good and lighweight 600mm f5.6 lens with excellent image quality.

This versitile combination costs much less than both the 200-400mm and 600mm pairing. If you want further reach use a crop camera.

Yes but you use the 300 for its IQ and portability.

The 200-400 and 600 are different beasts altogether. And do not forget you can still put a 2X on a 600 and get great IQ at 1,200!!

Your point works very well too if you replace 300 with 400. But that costs a bit more.

I may be wrong but I doubt that those who buy a (or more) new US$12,000 lens put it on a crop body (1D MIV not included) but that is something else.

 

[Eldar]

I am from the old camp and like to be able to carry my equipment with relative ease, hence the 300f2.8mk11, with the 1.4 extender a superb 420mm f4 lens comparible to the 400mmf4 on a 200-400 lens. The 2 x extender gives you a very good and lighweight 600mm f5.6 lens with excellent image quality.

This versitile combination costs much less than both the 200-400mm and 600mm pairing. If you want further reach use a crop camera.

Look at the "Any Thing shot with a 1DX" thread
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=8079.msg376746#new
and look at Edward´s (phenomenal) images of the bull run.

Which one would you prefer in a situation like this, 200-400 f4L IS 1.4x or the 300 f2.8L IS II, with or without extenders?

 

[AlanF]

I am from the old camp and like to be able to carry my equipment with relative ease, hence the 300f2.8mk11, with the 1.4 extender a superb 420mm f4 lens comparible to the 400mmf4 on a 200-400 lens. The 2 x extender gives you a very good and lighweight 600mm f5.6 lens with excellent image quality.

This versitile combination costs much less than both the 200-400mm and 600mm pairing. If you want further reach use a crop camera.

Look at the "Any Thing shot with a 1DX" thread
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=8079.msg376746#new
and look at Edward´s (phenomenal) images of the bull run.

Which one would you prefer in a situation like this, 200-400 f4L IS 1.4x or the 300 f2.8L IS II, with or without extenders?

Neither. Either the 600 with a 2xTC at a safer distance, or, if I had to run quickly, the lightweight Tamron.

 

[Dylan777]

And now Dylan a tough question. Actually a very tough one: Does your wife know? Does she even know about this poll? ;D ;D ;D

If the size and color is same as my 400mm f2.8 IS II, she couldn't tell the diff. That why I ruled out Tamron ;D

That is truly very Funny, deceitfully crafty, and smart.

Nice opportunity to blackmail him for a 10% commission or we rat on him to his wife. ;D

Rienz, I just removed you from my "buddy list" .........Just kidding ;D

 

[Dylan777]

And now Dylan a tough question. Actually a very tough one: Does your wife know? Does she even know about this poll? ;D ;D ;D

If the size and color is same as my 400mm f2.8 IS II, she couldn't tell the diff. That why I ruled out Tamron ;D

That is truly very Funny, deceitfully crafty, and smart.

Maybe, but then again his wife my well be on the pradarumors.com and lvrumors.com sites chatting to her friends about the latest Louis Vuitton. She may be saying, "he thinks I do not know, but he has his eyes on this stupid lens he'll hardly ever use anyway. I hope he gets it, as I have had my eyes on the latest LV shoe and bag set for a while now. Those and a nice 2 carat gem. He won't even know, they all look the same to him!!!"

LOL..... ;D

1. Happy wife = happy me
2. Happy me = more L lenses. My need list is done. My want list is never end...

Win win situation here

 

[tron]

And now Dylan a tough question. Actually a very tough one: Does your wife know? Does she even know about this poll? ;D ;D ;D

If the size and color is same as my 400mm f2.8 IS II, she couldn't tell the diff. That why I ruled out Tamron ;D

That is truly very Funny, deceitfully crafty, and smart.

Maybe, but then again his wife my well be on the pradarumors.com and lvrumors.com sites chatting to her friends about the latest Louis Vuitton. She may be saying, "he thinks I do not know, but he has his eyes on this stupid lens he'll hardly ever use anyway. I hope he gets it, as I have had my eyes on the latest LV shoe and bag set for a while now. Those and a nice 2 carat gem. He won't even know, they all look the same to him!!!"

LOL..... ;D

1. Happy wife = happy me
2. Happy me = more L

Win win situation here

hmmm let's see:

Since a=b, b=c => a=c

We have:

Happy wife = happy me, Happy me = more L => Happy wife = more L

Even school math can be confusing sometimes ;D ;D ;D

 

[Dylan777]

Thanks for your thoughts guys. The poll shows 50/50, interesting.

Interesting, the poll still showing 50/50 between these two. And of course, the Tamron option :

Zoomy has upper hand now, interesting :

 

[Rienzphotoz]

And now Dylan a tough question. Actually a very tough one: Does your wife know? Does she even know about this poll? ;D ;D ;D

If the size and color is same as my 400mm f2.8 IS II, she couldn't tell the diff. That why I ruled out Tamron ;D

That is truly very Funny, deceitfully crafty, and smart.

Nice opportunity to blackmail him for a 10% commission or we rat on him to his wife. ;D

Rienz, I just removed you from my "buddy list" .........Just kidding ;D

By the way, I was seriously considering blackmail for 10% commission, but since you have not removed me from your buddy list, I think I should also be nice and reduce my commission to only 7% of the lens price ;D

 

[Dylan777]

And now Dylan a tough question. Actually a very tough one: Does your wife know? Does she even know about this poll? ;D ;D ;D

If the size and color is same as my 400mm f2.8 IS II, she couldn't tell the diff. That why I ruled out Tamron ;D

That is truly very Funny, deceitfully crafty, and smart.

Nice opportunity to blackmail him for a 10% commission or we rat on him to his wife. ;D

Rienz, I just removed you from my "buddy list" .........Just kidding ;D

By the way, I was seriously considering blackmail for 10% commission, but since you have not removed me from your buddy list, I think I should also be nice and reduce my commission to only 7% of the lens price ;D

Your G.A.S is not any better than mine. Are you sure you want to do that? ;D ;D ;D

OFF TOPIC:
I'm heading to China this weekend. My co-workers and I will visit Guilin, the mountain range in the weekend there. I'll pack 5D III(x2) and 24-70 II + 70-200 f2.8 IS II with 1.4x TC III.

Can't even take my A7r with me, since I have no decent UWA for this system