600 f4 AF-S or VR

Hope you all had an enjoyable thanksgiving.
I'm currently in the market for a 600mm lens. I have a tight budget of about $4500, which I've been hoping to pick up a 600 f4 VR for, but in that price range they're few and far between. For setup bird photography from a blind or at feeders, is VR necessary? I'm expecting to use a 1.4x quite often.

I'm particularly hoping Alan Murphy may chime in :)

I wondered the same a number of years ago. Rented a 600vr and did a series of shots at a resolution test chart from solid legs and a Wimberely head.  I made 6 shots at speeds from 1/250 down to 1/10sec in 1/3 stops. Three shots with VR on and 3 with it off.  Used my best long lens technique (no cable release) with the Wimberley head unlocked just like I'd set it in the field. I wasn't able to notice a consistent difference in sharpness until I got to 1/30sec. At that speed my subjects probably moving - not my lens - bought a used 600afs.

That said, shooting in strong wind, an unstable surface (tundra buddy in Churchill with people moving about) would certainly widen the gap between the VR and non VR images.

Didn't test it with the tc

be well

I bought the 600mm F4 AF-S1 lens in 1999, and haven't looked back. I have used it extensively on a F100, D2x, and D500, and never had a problem with sharpness. It is almost always used with a 1.4 TC. With a solid tripod, a full wimberly head, and good technique, I think it is far more than adequate. A strong back helps too, as it can be heavy if you plan to walk far. The lens is built like a tank, and it will likely outlive me. Mine is as perfect both cosmetically, and functionally as the day I bought it.

Also, with the higher ISO capabilities of the newer bodies, I am not so sure that VR is as necessary as it once was. Others may have more scientific opinions. For my needs, I have never seen a reason to upgrade.

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Still hoping there's some more opinions out there to help me in making this decision.

Personally I would not opt for a lens in this category without image stabilization.  The keeper rate is just much higher with IS/VR/OS/OSS.  Even gentle side breezes can destabilize long focal lengths resulting in lower sharpness.  This is something that stabilization systems handle well.  Also, when you are in a hurry due to a fleeting subject and your technique and/or heart rate might not be optimal, it can make what would be a soft shot without stabilization into a sharp shot, even on a tripod.

The VR system that allows stabilization on a tripod is really nice (I wish Sony had it their long lenses).

I ditto EJ's comments. I get way more keepers with VR.

Really appreciate the valuable feedback. Looks like I'll need to keep hanging out for a good deal on a 600 f4 VR. Or, make due with my 200-500, which is a surprisingly remarkable lens.