Best choice for first Canon 600 f/4?

KevinRA wrote:

jalessi wrote:

I’m using an R5 and R7 with an RF 100-500 lens for bird photography. I’d like to try something like a 600 f/4 to see how that performs in comparison. The RF 600 f/4 would be ideal but for my stage in this journey I might be better off trying something that requires less of an upfront commitment in price. So I’m thinking of purchasing a slightly older EF lens as a first investment.

Does anyone have any recommendations on an EF 600 f/4 lens that hits the sweet spot as far as performance and price? I guess I might also consider an EF 500 f/4 as well.

Or does anyone think that I should just go with the RF 600 f/4?

One thing to consider is that while I have the EF adapter, I don’t have any EF extenders. I have the RF 1.4x and RF 2x which would be useless with an EF lens. But would be perfect with the RF 600 f/4.

Thanks.

Budget and size 2 key issues - the 600 f/4 even the new ones are very large, even though weight has come down.

The 500mm f/4 II is a great lens and is nearly 2 stops brighter than your 100-500. It takes a EF 1.4X III TC very nicely too. Used copies with warranties out there and less recently discontinued so should be serviceable for a bit too. If you shoot low light stuff and like shallow depth of field, would be a nice addition. The 500mm works great with the R5 and R10 so assume it will with the R7 too.

I like that option. Even with an extender it is still about half the cost of the RF 600 f/4. Thanks.