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Author Topic: To IS or not IS...  (Read 1633 times)
Truckman
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« on: August 08, 2009, 06:32:48 PM »

I know Tim N has a Canon 600mm F/4 but I don't know if it's IS or not...I'm thinking of getting one but I'm wondering if spending the extra dollars on IS is worthwhile, since everything I read suggests IS should be turned off on a tripod...I don't ever expect to handhold this lens on my 1DsIII, so is there any logical reason for me to get IS?... Huh?...Ben
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Tim N
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« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2009, 06:47:51 PM »

Its not mine, but I have access to it ... I was challenged one day to do some hand held shooting with it, not too successful !
The 600mm I have used does not have IS on it and I am not sure of a situation where the IS would come into play, BUT ... it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it Huh? !!!
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« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2009, 06:53:00 PM »

Thanks for the input, Tim...If I hadn't dropped so much on the new camera I wouldn't sweat the extra cash...But I'm trying to be more cost conscious these days since I don't have a paycheck anymore...I'm buying used anyway, so my plan is to go with the non-IS and if it doesn't work out, I can probably sell it for at least as much as I paid for it...Ben
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« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2009, 07:48:14 PM »

I couldn't imagine you'd ever use a 600mm off the tripod, Ben, or at least without some support, it weighs a darned ton!  I would not pay the extra for it if I were buying one.
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« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2009, 08:10:02 PM »

That's what I'm leaning toward, Odille...I missed my chance at a like-new 600mm with IS a few weeks ago at $5500.00 and I wish now I'd taken it...I'm seeing the non-IS versions at low $4K and up...If I find a clean one under $4K, I'll snag it...Ben
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« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2009, 08:46:48 PM »

At the other end of the spectrum, I bought the 10-22 (which is an EF-S so only for the 20D/30D, it was before I decided to buy the 1D) and you can just about touch the subject and it is still in focus.  It's amazing! Can't wait for spring and the blossoms and insects.
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« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2009, 09:02:11 PM »

Ooohh, the 10-22 was one of my favorites when I had my 40D...I sold all my EF-S lenses when I moved to the 5D... Cool...Ben
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« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2009, 03:27:38 PM »

UPDATE: I found a Canon 600mm F/4 IS on the used market at the right price...Met its owner today, tried it out and it works flawlessly, very fast to autofocus and the glass is pristine...It came with the Canon "makeup case", both caps, hood, manual and he threw in a Wimberley P50 plate, wimberley II gimbal head and LensTrekker backpack to tote it afield...He even drove 500 miles roundtrip to deliver it...

I'm tickled pink... Grin...Ben
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« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2009, 03:39:52 PM »

Ahhhh ... SCORE !!!! those 600 f4's are just awesome ! So good for some things ... but I did find that when I was looking after it for the guy I know it spent a lot of time in the cupboard just doing nothing ... it really is a specialist lens, but it is awesome ! 
Make sure you post a pic of it !
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« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2009, 06:36:43 PM »

Make sure you post a pic of it !
Don't have any of it yet, but here's a test shot I took with it using the 5D...Ben


* IMG_08141.jpg (59.46 KB, 656x437 - viewed 121 times.)
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« Reply #10 on: August 12, 2009, 09:16:01 AM »

Nice and sharp with great detail and colour, was there any editing done on this one.
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« Reply #11 on: August 12, 2009, 10:29:12 AM »

Nice and sharp with great detail and colour, was there any editing done on this one.
SOOC except for resizing...Ben...
« Last Edit: August 12, 2009, 10:29:49 AM by Truckman » Report to moderator   Logged

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« Reply #12 on: August 12, 2009, 10:34:04 AM »

This was also the first time I'd used my GPS to add location coordinates to the EXIF data...Pretty neat idea...Ben
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« Reply #13 on: August 13, 2009, 01:46:19 AM »

600mm is a great bird lens....... have fun
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cheers...... bp
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« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2009, 05:26:14 PM »

Well done Trucky.
IS is very useful and is very useful when panning or the occasional hand hold if the guns can stand it.
The reason for switching off on a tripod is that on a firm base, the amount of vibration generated by IS is counter-productive
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