- Thread starter ssheipel
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- Post score: 1
- #77
Really glad you got your lens in time to get used to it before your big trip.Was gonna ramble about just how long I've longed (pun intended) for a 600 f4 lens; bluntly a time frame that stretches to decades before I even knew what a 600 f4 lens was. But I'll spare you that, and just say I feel incredibly fortunate (and filled with gratitude) that I am in a place that I have the resources to have this lens (and cameras!) in my hand. (Note I did not say "afford"but retirement savings adequacy is over rated).
Had hoped to park somewhere with the lens on a tripod yesterday but neither birds nor terrain came together, so I wandered for 16 km hauling the lens and camera and tripod over my shoulder and then 'packed' the tripod and head and carried the camera (no strap; Cotton Carrier is on the way) and used it handheld. I couldn't not share some results from the outing and here's a Mallard and an American Black Duck.
What I really noticed was the lovely out of focus rendering (as promised by so many). Light was not great (even at Toronto's latitude this close to winter the sun does not get very high and the 'overcast' was pretty consistent and thick on the sun's plane -- used LR's denoize on these, tho noise wasn't 'that' awful at the ISOs I put up with to keep the shutter fast enough to compensate for these old biceps and triceps free arms
Other immediate impression, first right out of the box, and then holding it up to my eye, is the weight is so very manageable but more I think it's the balance of the lens; noticeable even when carrying the lens using the foot (I've got the Kirk foot attached) as handle. But still holding the 180-400 in one hand and the 600 in the other, the advantage of the 600 is very evident.
Cheers!
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- Post score: 28
- #78
Thanks. Only have a few hundred shots taken with it thus far, but am mightily impressed.Congratulations from me too - I got a used 600 mm f/4 and just love it - have fun
- Post score: 28
- #79
I'm being blown away by the lens. I carried it on the tripod or mostly in my hand for 16 km and it wasn't much more noticeably onerous than with a smaller set up, frankly. Definitely not a stand with it a my eye waiting for birds to do something, but really haven't 'noticed it' shooting hand held (except that it IS easier to handle than the 180-400). AND I have been back in the gym for 4 months in anticipation of the lens arriving LOL I think finally getting and using a monopod will be a bit of gamechanger, too. Cheers!
- Post score: 28
- #80
Yah, it was beginning to feel that long to me. It's Nikon's silence about timing or reasons for timing that made it annoyingly long for meCongrats and enjoy. Hope mine ships this century
Apparently the 600 is the remaining 'big' lens that isn't now readily available so hopefully the backlog at least is cleared soon and you get one on your camera!
- Post score: 28
- #81
Thanks Jack. I'm feeling mighty grateful!
- Post score: 28
- #82
Thanks. Love that sayingA friend of mine likes to say, "There's no limit on how nice you can be to yourself"
- Post score: 28
- #83
Thanks Mark.Really glad you got your lens in time to get used to it before your big trip.
- Post score: 28
- #84
Hi. Me again. I'm assuming from this photo, and from a quick eyeballing of the Cotton plate gasket that arrived that as you have done I shall need to put the Nikon foot back on the lens. Thanks.
- Post score: 1
- #85
I put the Sony foot back on because of the soft handle and the wimberley foot only had a 1/4 and 3/8 thread size. the new plate needs two 1/4 holes plus the factory foot is just nicer. I did not use that gasket and honestly didn't see where it would go.
- Post score: 28
- #86
I think this is where I give up on the Cotton Carrier LOL My Nikon foot too has the 1/4 and 3/8 threads; Kirk (now on the lens) does not have two 1/4 inch either. Dang.
- Post score: 1
- #87
You should be fine just using the 1/4 inch hole on the foot and just using the lug without the plate. That’s what I have did for years and still had plenty room to put it on my monopod. I just had to remove it if putting it on the Wimberley Gimble to center it
- Post score: 2
- #88
With my 600TC and 800PF I use Kirk Reducer Bushings that screw into the lens foot's ⅜" threaded hole making it a ¼" with the correct 20 threads per inch. I have 3 or 4 in various lens feet -- so far no issues. I agree that the Wimberley replacement foot is not as hand-friendly as the padded original. But I like that it is lower and ArcaSwiss. Works great with a Wimberley monopod gimble.
- Post score: 1
- #89
You’re exactly right I forgot about the bushings that is something he could do pretty easily. I have a few of those laying around myself but I’m definitely glad to have the factory foot back on there.
- Post score: 28
- #90
Yah, I'm going to actually play around a bit; monopod is the way I want to ultimately get to for most use; but not crazy about on and off of the feet (original and Kirk) when I need tripod/gimbal e.g. for bears in the north in the spring. But maybe that should not be a big concern -- beyond my almost certain ability to strip a thread or two!!
- Post score: 28
- #91
I couldn't remember what they were called (reducer bushings) but thought about that option, too. So, thanks!
- Post score: 1
- #92
Beautiful shots Steven, good luck with the new lens.
I see the Kirk replacement foot lacks a mount hole for the CC hub. See this: https://kirkphoto.com/quick-release-clamps/1-8-in-quick-release-clamp.html
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- Post score: 2
- #94
I just posted pic of my Kirk QR Clamp mounted on Wimberley replacement foot (on my 800PF). The non-clamp side of the QR has threaded hole for the CC hub. you can put the clamp precisely where you need it. And I can move it which ever lens I'm using.
- Post score: 28
- #95
Thanks Ira.
- Post score: 1
- #96
I'm jealous!
- Post score: 28
- #97
I know I should feel guilty having this beauty of a lens, but I just can't
marlowtravelsoften
Active member
Don't feel guilty. Finally got mine today!!
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Really glad your wait is over & you finally got the lens, especially as you now have it for the trip.Was gonna ramble about just how long I've longed (pun intended) for a 600 f4 lens; bluntly a time frame that stretches to decades before I even knew what a 600 f4 lens was. But I'll spare you that, and just say I feel incredibly fortunate (and filled with gratitude) that I am in a place that I have the resources to have this lens (and cameras!) in my hand. (Note I did not say "afford"
Had hoped to park somewhere with the lens on a tripod yesterday but neither birds nor terrain came together, so I wandered for 16 km hauling the lens and camera and tripod over my shoulder and then 'packed' the tripod and head and carried the camera (no strap; Cotton Carrier is on the way) and used it handheld. I couldn't not share some results from the outing and here's a Mallard and an American Black Duck.
What I really noticed was the lovely out of focus rendering (as promised by so many). Light was not great (even at Toronto's latitude this close to winter the sun does not get very high and the 'overcast' was pretty consistent and thick on the sun's plane -- used LR's denoize on these, tho noise wasn't 'that' awful at the ISOs I put up with to keep the shutter fast enough to compensate for these old biceps and triceps free arms
Other immediate impression, first right out of the box, and then holding it up to my eye, is the weight is so very manageable but more I think it's the balance of the lens; noticeable even when carrying the lens using the foot (I've got the Kirk foot attached) as handle. But still holding the 180-400 in one hand and the 600 in the other, the advantage of the 600 is very evident.
Cheers!
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Thanks! And then got sick for a couple of weeks so haven't had much chance to use beyond an initial couple of weekends!Really glad your wait is over & you finally got the lens, especially as you now have it for the trip.