By Tati Taylor 9 days ago, Cameras & Lenses
Top-rated 600mm lenses for any purpose.
A 600mm lens is the best when it comes to versatility and incredible range. If you need to take photos of an air show, a football match, birds or a safari, take a look at these ultra-telephoto lenses, which zoom in very well and allow you to see all the details.
When you are choosing a lens, pay attention to such features as an aperture, AF speed and image stabilization. After reading this article about the best 600mm lenses, you will know how to choose the option that suits you best.
Mount: Sony FE | Diaphragm blades:11 | Autofocus: No | Min focus distance: 2.4m | Max magnification: 0.20x | Filter thread: 95mm | Dimensions (WxL): 111.5 x 318mm | Weight: 2115g
⊕ Impressive telephoto reach
⊕ High image quality
⊕ Powerful triple image stabilization
⊖ Pretty heavy
⊖ 95mm filter thread
If want to purchase a powerful 600mm telephoto lens, take a look at this option. Its 5x extra-low dispersion glass elements and 1x aspherical element account for terrific image quality. This allows it to reduce chromatic aberration and achieve great sharpness across the frame throughout the zoom range.
Precise autofocus enables you to track subjects in motion, especially when you are working outdoors. Optimized weight balance accounts for stable shooting and is ensured by the internal zoom mechanism.
The length of the lens stays the same when you are zooming it. The lens has an aperture with 11 blades, which accounts for a stunning bokeh effect and clear, high-quality images. The ED elements reduce axial and lateral chromatic aberrations.
Mount: Canon EF | Diaphragm blades: 9 | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 2.8m | Max magnification: 0,20x | Filter thread: 95mm | Dimensions (WxL): 105 x 260.1mm | Weight: 1830g
⊕ Telephoto capabilities
⊕ Great sharpness
⊕ Comes with a tripod collar and lens hood
⊕ Quick focus
⊖ Some distortion
⊖ Heavy
The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary is quite large and weighs too much. It has a bulky design, full-frame coverage and impressive reach. You can capture high-definition images thanks to its flawless stabilization system.
The lens sharpness is lab- and field-tested, but there are also some disadvantages, such as distortion and aberration. If you are looking for a lens for taking pictures of animals or sports events, these shortcomings will not greatly affect your experience. All in all, this lens is a great value for money.
Mount: Canon EF | Diaphragm blades: 9 | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 4.2m | Max magnification: 0.15x | Filter thread: 52mm | Dimensions (WxL): 168 x 448mm | Weight: 3050g
⊕ Stunning image quality
⊕ High sharpness
⊕ Excellent build
⊕ Fast and precise focusing
⊖ High price
⊖ Heavy
⊖ Scratch-prone glass
The EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM is a quite reliable lens. The Super Spectra coating accounts for the terrific sharpness and image quality. Canon Air Sphere coating reduces any signs of flare. This option is 1.92 pounds lighter than the earlier version.
This 600mm camera lens is suitable for shooting various events or animals in high resolution. A 9-blade aperture accounts for a beautiful, blurred background. If you are going to take long-distance photos in the sun, you don’t need to worry, because heat-resistant paint and the two-layer structure of the barrel reduce the thermal effect.
The construction is very durable. Just like other best 600mm lenses, it has a special coating that protects it against moisture and dust. The mount, switches and rings are weather-sealed as well. If you need to take pictures in severe weather conditions, this option will suit your needs best.
Mount: Nikon F | Diaphragm blades: 9 | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 2.2m | Max magnification: 0.26x | Filter thread: 95mm | Dimensions (WxL): 108.4 x 257.7mm | Weight: 1990g
⊕ Rotatable tripod collar
⊕ Perfect stabilization
⊕ Precise autofocus
⊕ Easy-to-lock zoom mechanism
⊖ Autofocus is limited because of a teleconverter
⊖ Distorted edges
The Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 is a lens with excellent responsiveness. It comes with the USD ring-type engine that allows you to control it perfectly. Thanks to 3 LD elements, you won’t notice any signs of axial and transverse chromatic aberrations.
An edgy optical design features 21 elements in 13 groups. The advanced anti-reflection technology accounts for improved light transmission and reduced internal reflections. It prevents light from being reflected off the image sensor.
Being one of the best 600mm lenses, it is weather-sealed and has a solid build. It doesn’t weigh much and comes with an amazing image stabilization system. All in all, it’s a worthy option to consider despite some signs of distortion near the edges when you use the lens in a telephoto mode with a full-frame camera.
Mount: Canon EF | Diaphragm blades: 9 | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 0.6m | Max magnification: 0.3x | Filter thread: 105mm | Dimensions (WxL): 120x269mm | Weight: 2700g
⊕ Zoom can be locked
⊕ Perfect telephoto reach
⊕ Fast autofocus
⊖ Glass is prone to scratching
⊖ Poor performance at the edges
This 600mm lens is an excellent choice for Canon, Nikon and Sigma cameras. It consists of 25 elements, including three FLD and one SLD. The image stabilizer minimizes shake. The lens has a minimum focus distance of 24 inches.
It can be used with 1.4 and 2x Sigma teleconverters if you feel the need for a wider range. This 60-600 mm lens demonstrates outstanding coverage from a standard to hyper-telephoto range.
Mount: Nikon F | Diaphragm blades: 9 | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 0.6m | Max magnification: 0.3x | Filter thread: 105mm | Dimensions (WxL): 120x269mm | Weight: 2700g
⊕ Telephoto reach
⊕High definition
⊕ Perfect assembly
⊖ Large size
⊖ Glass can be scratched easily
This lens has a well-thought-out design and consists of over 25 elements in 9 groups. 3 FLD and one SLD element minimize chromatic aberration and deliver high-resolution images with great sharpness across the frame.
If you are looking for super tele lenses, pay attention to this option. Its wide 2-feet focus (0.6 m) allows you to take high-quality images. If you mount the lens on an APS-C camera, it will give you a 900mm range, which is very convenient if you are shooting sports events or animals.
Its body is made of magnesium alloy and other high-quality materials, which makes the lens durable and comfortable to use.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sony FE 200-600mm
Our choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3
Professional |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Canon EF 600mm f/4L
Budget |
CHECK PRICE → |
When you are choosing a lens, make sure to check its aperture. When it comes to super telephoto lenses, there aren’t a lot of options with a fast aperture because it would make them much more expensive.
The faster the aperture is, the higher the price. For a good shot, f/2.8 is a good choice. If you want to take a lens with you on a long hike, it’s up to you to decide if you want to carry around an 8-lb or a 3-lb lens.
If you are using your camera in a handheld mode, great image stabilization is essential. For lenses with long focal lengths, it’s vital as it reduces the signs of camera shake. If your camera is heavy, so you should use a monopod or tripod.
Fast and effective focusing is important for super-telephoto lenses, especially if you want to shoot sports events. To ensure fast, quiet autofocus, you need to turn on the supersonic or ultrasonic motor. It also helps if a lens has a focus limiter that allows you to focus on subjects within a specified range more quickly.
Thanks to the optical technology advancements, ultra-telephoto lenses feature nanocoatings with anti-flare capabilities and have fluorite-coated elements that reduce aberration. Most lenses come with ultra-low dispersion and aspherical elements that deliver a clear and detailed image and minimize distortion.
Such lenses are designed for those who enjoy taking photos of wildlife and sports events while using extremely wide apertures. It’s a great option if you need to capture photos of objects that are located far away. The advanced features of these lenses ensure high image quality.
A 600mm zoom lens allows you to take photos of subjects magnified up to 12x, an 800mm offers a 16x magnification, and a 1000mm one magnifies subjects to 20x. Many companies build 600mm lenses; at least one of them released a 1250mm lens, and many offer 1000mm “cat” or SLR lenses. Remember that a good 400mm lens will be priced at over $1,000, and a 600mm lens costs about $10,000.
A 600mm lens makes an image seem 20% larger than a 500mm lens at the same distance from the subject. So you will get the same image using a 600mm lens at 120 feet away and a 500mm lens at 100 feet away from your subject.
The P1000 has an unbelievable 3000mm optical zoom, which makes it the most advanced zoom lens ever used on a Coolpix camera.
