This last week, I hosted an extremely talented photographic guest who was wielding a formidable Canon 600mm lens. Well, my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, although a beautiful piece of equipment, was just not going to match this behemoth. And so I would just have to match it and this would mean delving into the studio. I decided on the absolutely incredible Nikon 600mm f/4.0 FL ED VR. This piece of photographic engineering mastery, in combination with the beautiful Nikon D850 body, made for a very excited ranger. The promise of capturing the minutest details of distant subjects is incredibly appealing to any safari aficionado. And so, armed with the set-up of my dreams, I embarked on a week-long journey into long-range fixed focal length photography.
Let’s talk specs. This Nikon 600mm is a beast in every sense. The FL stands for Flourite and the ED stands for Extra-low Dispersion. Basically, the combination of these two elements makes for enhanced optics; great image quality, whilst reducing chromatic aberrations; and colour halos that form around subjects due to different colour wavelengths being focused onto different parts of the sensor (usually due to poor-quality glass). Finally, VR stands for Vibration Reduction, which allows photographers to use slower shutter speeds without compromising image sharpness, which is particularly beneficial when using telephoto lenses like the 600mm f/4.0 for capturing distant subjects. It all sounds very technical and I have tried to simplify it as best I can but ultimately, it just means that in this lens, incredibly precise engineering is combined with high-quality materials to make for the best possible image quality. With its impressive focal length and wide aperture, it’s designed to bring distant subjects closer, making them appear larger than life by creating a superbly creamy bokeh; that blurred background to your subject.
Now, this beautiful lens has to be used with an equally beautiful body so I decided to take the Nikon D850. This is an older body, having been released in 2017, but old does not mean gold. This is a full-frame DSLR with a 45.7-megapixel sensor that is capable of capturing every detail fed to it with stunning precision. It has 153 focus points allowing for greater accuracy in framing your shot as well as more accuracy in autofocusing on moving subjects, should you decide to give the camera that power.
Ultimately the focus of this photographic excursion was on the lens so onto the pros and cons of using this colossus.
Pros:
- Reach: The standout feature of the Nikon 600mm lens is its incredible reach. It allows you to capture subjects that would otherwise be too far away to photograph effectively. It also allows for incredible wildlife portraits, bringing the faces of these animals to life in a way other lenses just cannot.
- Image Quality: The image quality produced by this lens is nothing short of breathtaking. The wide aperture results in tack-sharp images with stunning detail and rich bokeh, even in challenging lighting conditions.
- Fast and Accurate Autofocus: The lens features a fantastic autofocus system, which ensures quick and precise focusing, even on fast-moving subjects.
- Superb Handling and Ergonomics: Despite its size and weight, the Nikon 600mm f/4.0 FL ED VR lens is designed with ergonomic considerations in mind. Its well-balanced construction and intuitive controls make it comfortable enough to handle; allowing photographers to concentrate on framing and capturing the perfect shot.
- Impressive Close-Focusing Capability: Despite being a super-telephoto lens, it has a surprisingly close minimum focusing distance. This allows you to capture detailed close-up shots of subjects, such as small birds or insects.
Cons:
- Size and Weight: There’s no getting around it—this lens is big and heavy. Weighing in at over 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms), lifting and holding this lens for any extended period can be taxing. Nothing a mushroom or beanbag can’t fix though! And one just has to get used to whipping it up and understanding the feel of it in order to focus quickly on the sudden emergence of a subject as you come around a corner.
- Cost: As with any high-end piece of gear, the Nikon 600mm f/4.0 doesn’t come cheap. It’s an investment that requires serious consideration, especially if you’re a hobbyist photographer or just starting out. However, that is the beauty of being able to rent from the studio here at Londolozi. We have this 600mm f/4.0 among many many others! From simple yet still very effective lower-range set ups all the way through to the big guns like this lens.
- Limited Versatility: While the 600mm focal length is perfect for certain types of photography, especially birds and some of the smaller animals, it’s not the most versatile lens for everyday shooting. You’ll need to be prepared to switch lenses or compromise on composition in some situations.
In conclusion, my week with the Nikon 600mm f/4.0 lens was nothing short of extraordinary and I would definitely recommend giving this beauty a try the next time you visit! Here are a few more of my favourite shots from this last week…
I’ve often had the urge to switch to a long range prime but fear missed opportunities without the flexibility of a zoom lens. Any thoughts on that?
Beautiful images and great review. You need to try the “Z” version with the built in TC. It is lighter and even more amazing.
Your photos are SHOWSTOPPERS, Kyle. I felt like I could touch the fur, feathers and hide!!!!
Great blog and fantastic images. And yet another example of the wonder of Londolozi and all it has to offer.
Congratulation on these amazing photos. Every detail is so clear.
Can one rent such an equipment also for let’s say one day? Next time at Londolozi. One day of bird photography. And maybe also a few Leopard cubs to make the day perfect.
Stunning pictures!
Thank you Kyle for some amazing shots. Telephoto lenses are indeed heavy and difficult to use every day but, deliver to most amazing results. I hope you will send more photos using the lens.
Ooh, an early US Independence Day present! In my first pass I’ve already saved two photos to favorites (elephant foot, bee eater dragonfly) but I’m sure several more will tumble in.
What a difference that 600mm lens makes to your images. So absolutely clear and close up. I wish I could afford a lens like that so that I can take better foto’s of birds and wild life here on the reserve. Your images are stunning Kyle and thank for your review on the 600mm lens.
Terrific review Kyle referencing the Nikon 600mm, F4 lens. Paired with the d850, you produced some stunning images, especially the portraits. I was most impressed by the young Bateleur Eagle – those eyes! The Nikon glass is said to be the best in the market, consequently the high price tag. For me, the weight of the lens is just too much so I sometimes add a 1.4 TC to my 100-400 F4 for extra reach, although you do lose an Fstop. Nikon Z lenses, for their mirrorless , now have an amazing 600mm that’s relatively light but at the end of the day, choosing a lens really depends on what subject matter you intend to capture.
Wow again Kyle !!! That lens is magical and with a practiced eye behind it you can achieve incredible results! What was the total weight of camera body and 600? You might have saved yourself some sore muscles if you had taken the detachable leg off your tripod and used it as a monopod to support the lens. See you soon !
Kyle ,great article and crisp sharp images especially the Oxpecker on the Zebra and the Bateleur Eagle .My standard set up when on a landrover at Londolozi is a Canon R3 on an RfF canon 600mm lens which is all mirrorless hence lighter for birds but also very useful for animals and a Canon R5 with the Canon 100-500 mm zoom lens for animals so that both are next to me and never have to change lenses which should answer your question Ann Marie .
Incredible photos, Kyle. Wish we were still there with you and the Prof!!
This sort of lens is way beyond my level of education or experience, but it’s what my safari dreams are made of. Those birds! That lion paw! So many dreamy and/or emotional images. The detail is unreal.
Absolutely gorgeous photos Kyle! My thing on safari when taking pics was all about showing friends pics saying I was THAT close (with my measly 200mm lens)!! Ha!! If you are in the business of photography I get it and for fun it’s wonderful Londolozi rents this equipment tho.
Stunning images, Kyle. I think being able to hire lenses etc from the studio is a no-brainer. I always hire a Nikon 80-400 lens, which I know is probably a million miles away from this one, but I think is the studio’s most poular lens? It’s far too heavy to put in hand baggage and I don’t think I’d be happy putting an expensive lens in my suitcase.