Today I thought I’d write a little about Canon’s super telephoto lenses. At the moment, I’m using the RF 100-500 lens which I like. It’s a handy superzoom and easy to move between taking pictures. The lens doesn’t weigh much and it’s reasonably short. I can carry the camera in a vest in addition to my binoculars and they don’t get in the way when I’m skiing and snowshoeing. The camera and lens combination easily fits all my camera backpacks, even with the front lens hood on. I will do a blog post about this particular lens later on, once I have enough experience with it.

BUT

A Finnish nature photographer needs two things for his camera: low f-number and reach.
So I’ve looked at Canon’s current offerings of super telephoto lenses. The options in the 600/4 class are:

EF Mount (DSLR)

• Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM: This iconic super-telephoto prime lens is known for its exceptional image quality, fast autofocus, and top-notch weather sealing. It’s a pro-grade workhorse for wildlife and sports photographers. 

RF Mount (Mirrorless)

• Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM: This is Canon’s first super-telephoto prime lens for its RF mirrorless mount. It offers excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and impressive image stabilization in a lighter and more compact design compared to its EF counterpart.

Both are strong performers and standard equipment among pro nature photographers. The but comes in the fact that their prices when new are something that is beyond the reach of the average citizen. The EF 600/4 costs 13 490.00 € and the RF 600/4 13489.00 € respectively. Of course, if you buy either of them new, you should buy an RF lens for the RF mount.

You can’t get either of them second-hand almost anywhere, so the only option is to buy new. After all, there is a warranty if the lens is defective from the start. But Canon has very strict quality control in lens manufacturing, so it is extremely rare to have to send a lens for repair when it is new.

Well, I’m going to take my time and look at the situation, and make a decision later if I get the chance to buy one or the other.

Well, here is the list of benefits when using a fast prime lens in this category:

Superb Image Quality: This lens is known for its exceptional sharpness and clarity, allowing you to capture stunning details in the feathers, beaks, and eyes of your avian subjects.

Impressive Focal Length (600mm): This telephoto reach lets you fill the frame with birds even from a distance, eliminating the need to get too close and potentially disturb them.

Fast Aperture (f/4): The wide aperture allows more light into the camera, enabling you to:

• Capture sharp images in lower light conditions, like early mornings or evenings when birds are often most active.
• Achieve a shallow depth of field, creating a pleasing background blur that isolates your feathered subject.

Excellent Image Stabilization (IS): The built-in image stabilization system helps counteract camera shake, ensuring crisp images even at slower shutter speeds which may be necessary in lower light.

Lighter and More Compact (compared to EF equivalent): While still a substantial lens, the RF design allows for a slightly lighter weight and more compact size compared to the EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM. This can be a significant advantage when carrying your gear on long hikes or treks to birding locations.

Compatibility with Extenders: The RF 600mm lens is compatible with Canon’s RF 1.4x and 2x extenders. These extenders can further increase the focal length, giving you even more reach for capturing distant birds. However, it’s important to note that using an extender will decrease the maximum aperture (which means less light reaches the sensor), potentially impacting image quality in low light.

Fast and Accurate Autofocus: The RF mount allows for faster communication between the lens and camera body, leading to quicker and more accurate autofocus, crucial for capturing fleeting moments of bird behavior.

Weather Sealing: The lens is built with weather sealing to protect it from dust and moisture, which can be a concern when photographing birds outdoors in various weather conditions.

Overall, the Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens is a powerful tool for bird photography, offering a combination of excellent image quality, impressive reach, fast aperture, and robust build quality. However, it’s also a high-end lens with a price tag to match. If you’re a serious bird photographer or professional wildlife photographer, it’s a fantastic option. If you’re just starting or on a tighter budget, there might be other super telephoto lenses from Canon or other manufacturers that might be a better fit.