Canon 600mm f/4L IS

One of Canon’s best supertelephoto lenses. It’s a large lens that requires a good tripod and a gimbal type head. Given good support it’s very fast at f4, remarkably sharp even with a teleconverter added. The Image Stabilization system minimizes lens and tripod shake, which can be a real issue with a lens of this size.

Roger’s take: Its wonderfully sharp and with a 2X converter, which it takes well, you have a 1200mm f8. You can fill a frame with a small bird at 50 yards with that. Or play paparazzi and get a shot of Britney’s stretch marks at the beach.

I strongly recommend shooting it from a good tripod with a full gimbal, Wimberley type head. A sturdy ballhead may work, but for rapid movement a gimbal head is much better. The best plan for using this lens is for you to rent it, then tell a friend you’ll let them take a few shots with it as long as they carry it.

The manual for the Canon Supertelephoto Prime lenses (all have the same controls) is here