Rented a big white and wow

[Chisox2335]

I'd primarily use it on a crop. Agreed you always want more though.

A crop sensor will help with range but not by as much as the 1.3 or 1.6 crop factor would suggest - in fact my current FF camera at least equals and possibly beats my (ex) 1.3 crop camera(1D4). Additionally FF cameras generally give a better ISO range which can be very handy with long lenses.
However do not change your camera until and unless you find it is holding you back - glass is more important!
[/quote]

After seeing the pictures my 70d took with the 500 mki I'm definitely just going to save now for a big white. Also have the 6d I use frequently.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

All the Big Whites are wonderful lenses but they are addictive!
Research your personal needs carefully before you decide which one to buy, as they all have different pro's and cons. If you can stretch to it a Canon 500 F4 L IS Mk2 is a portable lens that offers real reach and works well with a 1.4 Mk2 or Mk3 extender. If less mobility is required then the 600 F4 lenses start to shine. Personally I find the 800 F5.6 suits my needs - but I did get it at a very reasonable price.
Try them all out before you decide - it is a big purchase so make certain you get the right one for your needs.
Good luck!

 

[NancyP]

I have been meaning to rent a Big White, but to tell the truth, I am a bit afraid to do so. I love my Little White 400 f/5.6L, and am afraid I will get an expensive case of G.A.S. should I rent a 500 or 600 f/4. : I am super curious, though.

 

[FEBS]

I have been meaning to rent a Big White, but to tell the truth, I am a bit afraid to do so. I love my Little White 400 f/5.6L, and am afraid I will get an expensive case of G.A.S. should I rent a 500 or 600 f/4. : I am super curious, though.

I have the 300/2.8ii and the 200-400. After my Safari last, on which I took several photos of birds, I even did find my 200-400 1.4x to short. Now something starts already to think about a 600/4 or a 800/5.6. I know the GAS feeling. When you see the difference of the big whites, your mind is sold.

 

[Chisox2335]

I have been meaning to rent a Big White, but to tell the truth, I am a bit afraid to do so. I love my Little White 400 f/5.6L, and am afraid I will get an expensive case of G.A.S. should I rent a 500 or 600 f/4. : I am super curious, though.

I have the 300/2.8ii and the 200-400. After my Safari last, on which I took several photos of birds, I even did find my 200-400 1.4x to short. Now something starts already to think about a 600/4 or a 800/5.6. I know the GAS feeling. When you see the difference of the big whites, your mind is sold.

How does your 300 with the 2x compare to the 200-400 at 560mm?

Your arsenal is quite impressive.

 

[FEBS]

I have been meaning to rent a Big White, but to tell the truth, I am a bit afraid to do so. I love my Little White 400 f/5.6L, and am afraid I will get an expensive case of G.A.S. should I rent a 500 or 600 f/4. : I am super curious, though.

I have the 300/2.8ii and the 200-400. After my Safari last, on which I took several photos of birds, I even did find my 200-400 1.4x to short. Now something starts already to think about a 600/4 or a 800/5.6. I know the GAS feeling. When you see the difference of the big whites, your mind is sold.

How does your 300 with the 2x compare to the 200-400 at 560mm?

Your arsenal is quite impressive.

Thank you, as you can see, GAS really got me

From IQ point of view the difference between 300+2x or the 200-400 1.4 at 560mm are very comparable. The 300 combo is lighter, from the other side the 200-400 is much more versatile and no extender switching.

I keep the 300 now mostly for sports (sometimes with 1.4x), the 200-400 is as said much more versatile and is a beautiful lens on safari.

 

[aardvark]

Not sure I would agree the 500mm is a portable lens ..not a word I would use, but packed its not too bad! However,if you have to carryon on some of the African airlines, it can be tricky with (all) your other equipment. The 200-400 is even slightly bigger, but a number of the top photographers swear by it!

Nice photo - of the Leopard (looks like 9 to 12 months). Where was it taken?

All the Big Whites are wonderful lenses but they are addictive!
Research your personal needs carefully before you decide which one to buy, as they all have different pro's and cons. If you can stretch to it a Canon 500 F4 L IS Mk2 is a portable lens that offers real reach and works well with a 1.4 Mk2 or Mk3 extender. If less mobility is required then the 600 F4 lenses start to shine. Personally I find the 800 F5.6 suits my needs - but I did get it at a very reasonable price.
Try them all out before you decide - it is a big purchase so make certain you get the right one for your needs.
Good luck!

 

[cervantes]

I got the 500L II about a year ago. Needless to say it blew my mind. What I got since then are an awful lot of fantastic images (see some examples with and without TCs here: http://www.focrates.com/gear/gear.html - just scroll down to the bottom of the page), and suprisingly my GAS was cured... If you already have the best of the best what is there left to excite you?

Get it if you have the money AND are prepared to spend A LOT of time and effort!
Greetings!

 

[Deleted member 91053]

AS cervantes says - if you can afford it the Canon 500 Mk2 go for it!
It is VERY sharp, has great colour, blisteringly fast AF, lightest in it's class, works well with extenders etc.....etc
Wish I had never tried one!

 

[Chisox2335]

Not sure I would agree the 500mm is a portable lens ..not a word I would use, but packed its not too bad! However,if you have to carryon on some of the African airlines, it can be tricky with (all) your other equipment. The 200-400 is even slightly bigger, but a number of the top photographers swear by it!

Nice photo - of the Leopard (looks like 9 to 12 months). Where was it taken?

Thank you! I took it at Mashatu in Botswana. I was very worried about carry on weight as South African airlines has a 18 lb per carry on limit. They never weighed a single thing :/

All the Big Whites are wonderful lenses but they are addictive!
Research your personal needs carefully before you decide which one to buy, as they all have different pro's and cons. If you can stretch to it a Canon 500 F4 L IS Mk2 is a portable lens that offers real reach and works well with a 1.4 Mk2 or Mk3 extender. If less mobility is required then the 600 F4 lenses start to shine. Personally I find the 800 F5.6 suits my needs - but I did get it at a very reasonable price.
Try them all out before you decide - it is a big purchase so make certain you get the right one for your needs.
Good luck!

 

[Chisox2335]

I have been meaning to rent a Big White, but to tell the truth, I am a bit afraid to do so. I love my Little White 400 f/5.6L, and am afraid I will get an expensive case of G.A.S. should I rent a 500 or 600 f/4. : I am super curious, though.

I have the 300/2.8ii and the 200-400. After my Safari last, on which I took several photos of birds, I even did find my 200-400 1.4x to short. Now something starts already to think about a 600/4 or a 800/5.6. I know the GAS feeling. When you see the difference of the big whites, your mind is sold.

How does your 300 with the 2x compare to the 200-400 at 560mm?

Your arsenal is quite impressive.

Thank you, as you can see, GAS really got me

From IQ point of view the difference between 300+2x or the 200-400 1.4 at 560mm are very comparable. The 300 combo is lighter, from the other side the 200-400 is much more versatile and no extender switching.

I keep the 300 now mostly for sports (sometimes with 1.4x), the 200-400 is as said much more versatile and is a beautiful lens on safari.

I'd love the 200-400 that'd be my dream lens. I can probably convince my wife to let me buy a $6000 lens buying a $11000 lens will probably require I agree to buy a bigger house first though haha.

 

[Chisox2335]

I got the 500L II about a year ago. Needless to say it blew my mind. What I got since then are an awful lot of fantastic images (see some examples with and without TCs here: http://www.focrates.com/gear/gear.html - just scroll down to the bottom of the page), and suprisingly my GAS was cured... If you already have the best of the best what is there left to excite you?

Get it if you have the money AND are prepared to spend A LOT of time and effort!
Greetings!

Nice website. I found it fun to read and informative.

I would have a hard time justifying the price tag to the new wife on the mkii. I probably could on a used mki.

 

[cervantes]

I got the 500L II about a year ago. Needless to say it blew my mind. What I got since then are an awful lot of fantastic images (see some examples with and without TCs here: http://www.focrates.com/gear/gear.html - just scroll down to the bottom of the page), and suprisingly my GAS was cured... If you already have the best of the best what is there left to excite you?

Get it if you have the money AND are prepared to spend A LOT of time and effort!
Greetings!

Nice website. I found it fun to read and informative.

I would have a hard time justifying the price tag to the new wife on the mkii. I probably could on a used mki.

Thanks for the compliments!

Well I think when you look at the difference between sale and resale price the gap between V1 and V2 gets much smaller. At least give the V2 a try via renting or in the shop - you can make a much more informed desicion then.

Best wishes!