Dave Williams
Well-known member
On the Farnes 400mm is fine but for some things like the Arctic Terns it's probably too long. It's the one place a 70-200mm zoom is excellent for birds.
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Lens dilemma (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Paul Jarvis
- Start date
On the Farnes 400mm is fine but for some things like the Arctic Terns it's probably too long. It's the one place a 70-200mm zoom is excellent for birds.
Roy C
Occasional bird snapper
Yep, I agree about the 500/4 MkII being a lot lighter than the MkI Dave but for a lot of folk even 3.19 Kg is going to be plenty heavy enough for hand holding and walking big distances. I guess it depends on you fitness and type of shooting you do (and how close you can get to the birds). We will all have different requirements I guess.
Strangely enough I have not heard of may people using the 500/4 II - there are lots of folks who have upgraded their 500/4 I to a 600/4 II.
Dave Williams
Well-known member
The decision to move from a 500mk1 to a 600mk11 probably has a lot to do with the fact there was 1) no weight gain in the swop and 2) the 5D3 and 1DX being full frame bodies.
You are right about fitness levels too. Must admit since I turned 60 various bits are starting to play up and some symptoms have probably been exacerbated by my camera toting obsession. Bad backs and carpal tunnel problems are the order of the day !!!
You only live once though and I'm taking the opportunities while I still can manage them. No good sitting in the care home regretting what might have been!
You are right about fitness levels too. Must admit since I turned 60 various bits are starting to play up and some symptoms have probably been exacerbated by my camera toting obsession. Bad backs and carpal tunnel problems are the order of the day !!!
You only live once though and I'm taking the opportunities while I still can manage them. No good sitting in the care home regretting what might have been!
Paul Jarvis
Registered Member
Some very good thoughts there guys thanks. Roy you knowledge of equipment is use to know coz you've had a lot of experience over the years and it's appreciated.
Roy C
Occasional bird snapper
Absolutely right there Dave, for anyone that can afford and manage one of the big primes then it is the way to go. I did not even start this bird snapping lark until I was past 60 and now that I have had my 'three score years and ten' it becomes a little more difficult each year so my gear has been getting lighter and lighter lol. BTW I also have carpal tunnel problems and although it never seems to effect me much when out shooting I can normally feel it the next day.
Hor Kee
Penang birder
I've compared my 400mm 5.6 with a friend who uses the Sigma 120-300mm OS (1st version) and a Sigma 2x TC. the image of the latter combo would be larger but does not stand up as well to cropping compared to my prime lens. Meaning that details get lost or more blurred once you start cropping. Image sharpness straight out of the camera was largely equal from what I could see, but he was shooting at f/8 for most of his shots while I did not have to stop down one bit.
Paul Jarvis
Registered Member
All the reviews that ive read seem to really rate the sigma either 9 out of 10 or 4.5 out of 5. but ive have seen much evidence of images using TCs. I think im 90% certain to give it a go and maybe bight the bullit if it does'nt work and leave it as a learning point. I also think the lens has'nt been round long enough for it to be really tested for birding.
