Canon 500mm F4

[Jonsfotos]

I wish you well with your new kit Roger, you will get some fantastic shots with that set up I`m sure. I recently purchased a 500 AFS Nikon MK11 Lens in absolutely mint condition . It`s not the V.R Version but i am not bothered to be honest.It`s mounted on a Gitzo 3530 LS with the Manfrotto 393 Head. This combination copes with the set up no problem at all. Just one thing with the 393 head.There is a small Allen screw positioned in a recess on the side of the head which you can adjust to tension the panning movement if you find the movement too loose.Just be carefull not to overtighten it, the allen head is easily stripped as i have found out. Toby, nice to hear you have your Sigma at last.I noticed there were numerous Canon versions on the used market but no Nikon.They are indeed very few and far between.

Jon

[Ollie]

Just to follow on a bit from my original post on here. I haven't had time to get out with the 500mm due to work, weather and the birth of my grand daughter but I have found time to take a few images in the garden.

It surprised me that I could take hand held shots with the 500mm and get decent results. I realise it's image stabilised but didn't expect to get shots as sharp as this hand holding. The worst thing I have found about hand holding it is actually getting it up into the position you need it. It weighs 8.5lbs without the camera. However I found that once you get it airborne so to speak it's reasonably easy to hold it steady for the shot.

Granted you wouldn't want to be holding it for any longer than 30 seconds or so before resting it on something to take the weight and no doubt after a couple of hours your arms would ache but I'm pleasantly surprised with the results I got.

Both photos below hand held

Please click the images twice to reveal the full detail.

House Sparrow ISO 400, F7.1, 1/250


Pied Wagtail ISO 400, F7.1, 1/400

[PMG]

Looks crackin' to me! Enjoy it Roger - the 500 is THE compromise between the 600 and the 400 - excellent rendition - but light enough to carry (well sort of - my back isn't improving - but who cares!) Btw mine does fit in a day sack broken down and with its cap on - hefting it off the floor is the bit that rips the hernia a little larger - but once its strapped closely to your back you will be surprised how many hours and how far you can walk with it ......... don't fall over backwards into mud tho - not cos of damaging the camera and lens but because you will be like a turtle on its back - unable to turn over!!!!!!

PS Yes I do speak from experience!!!!!

[slimrbp]

Sorry but this sort of thing shouldn't be allowed! I have been trying to talk myself out of wanting one of these lenses and images like this really aren't helping

Looks like I had better get a very big piggy bank and start saving!

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by slimrbp

Sorry but this sort of thing shouldn't be allowed! I have been trying to talk myself out of wanting one of these lenses and images like this really aren't helping

Looks like I had better get a very big piggy bank and start saving!

Well I have agonised over this and wanted one ever since I started photography, well more or less anyway. It's only the fact that I am retiring from work in 8 months time that has spurred me on to buy this lens. It's an early retirement present to me from me.

[johnf3f]

Nice handheld shots!
When I bought my new (secondhand) toy, the 600 f4is, there wasn't a 500 available at a sensible price so I went for it! It's a cracking piece of glass but VERY heavy!
I would have preferred the small & LIGHT 500 for portability but can manage about 4 miles (at a push) with the 600 + camera , battery, tripod, wimberley etc, etc. Haven't weighed it but I think it all comes to 40lbs+. Suggest a good backpack would help - I use the Lowepro 600, which also takes the 500mm and carries well.
Note AVOID HILLS!

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Well I have agonised over this and wanted one ever since I started photography, well more or less anyway. It's only the fact that I am retiring from work in 8 months time that has spurred me on to buy this lens. It's an early retirement present to me from me.

Same here - I wanted a lens with a bigger reach that would get the kind of bird shots where the detail is all there - its taken me 35 years to get to the point of affording and whilst the saying is 'Its never too late' in actual fact it almost is. The reality of coming up 60 with all its ills and accident damage will mean a gradual cutting down of my physical ability ........ so my advice to anyone thinking about photography seriously has always been get what you can as soon as you can - hindsight can be a nasty thing when you realise looking back that you should have had your head on straight and not done 'that' but done 'this' instead The clever bit in this life is having an intuition to know when to do what

Pauline

PS Congratulations on the grand daughter Roger

[Tobyh]

Roger,

Cracking images, especially for handheld. I love that feeling when you get a new toy and when you try it out your first impressions are..wow!

TobyH

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by PMG

Same here - I wanted a lens with a bigger reach that would get the kind of bird shots where the detail is all there - its taken me 35 years to get to the point of affording and whilst the saying is 'Its never too late' in actual fact it almost is. The reality of coming up 60 with all its ills and accident damage will mean a gradual cutting down of my physical ability ........ so my advice to anyone thinking about photography seriously has always been get what you can as soon as you can - hindsight can be a nasty thing when you realise looking back that you should have had your head on straight and not done 'that' but done 'this' instead The clever bit in this life is having an intuition to know when to do what

Pauline

PS Congratulations on the grand daughter Roger

That's exactly the way I have looked at the purchase of this lens Pauline.

I'm coming up 60 and touch wood in reasonable health at the moment but who knows what's round that corner. I certainly don't. My aim is to get out and enjoy it whilst I can. (It's raining at the moment though) You certainly can't take your money with you when that call from above comes so make the most of it while you can.