Canon 500mm F4

[Ollie]

Well I think I must have lost the plot.

I decided an upgrade to my equipment was overdue so have just bought a Canon 500mm f4 IS. A Canon 1.4x converter. A Gitzo tripod and a Manfrotto 393 (Gimbal type head) .

I was going to wait until I retire from work next May, but as Canon are bringing out a new version of the Canon 500mm f4 IS lens with a heftier price than the current version I decided now was the time to buy.

Some say the current 500mm will come down in price when the new version is available, some say the current versions will be harder to come by. Who knows, anyway whatever I have taken the plunge and done it.

[welshcameraman]

Well done Roger, is a brilliant lens and you will wonder why you didn't get it years ago..says a man who gets to borrow his fathers on occasion..lol

Martin

[johnf3f]

Why are you looking at the new 500f4 mkii? The current, advance, prices on the new 300&400 mkii's suggest that when the new 500 & 600's come out you would be able to buy the Mk1 version + a 1d Mkiv + Gitzo tripod + Wimberley head + a couple of shorter L lenses for the same price!
I am sure the new lenses will be better but the older versions will not immediately be bad. I had a 400 f2.8 Mk1 (basically the FD lens adapted toEOS + af) and it's performance was VERY good even passable with stacked converters!
You have bought one of the finest lenses available - be HAPPY!

[glsammy]

My only concern for you Roger is can your back hold up to the increased weight of your set up?
Apart from that, I'm sure you'll get superb results from it.
I've completely abandoned any thoughts of upgrading my system any further, at least so far as Canon lenses are concerned. Priced way out of my league now, unless I get a chance of an older 300mm F2.8.
I'm going to wait and see how the new Sigma 120-300 is reviewed before I do anything. If that proves to be very good, I may have another go with one.
I'm sure you'll love using your new equipment, just watch that back of yours!

[BillyPilgrim]

Good luck with the new toys, Roger. I'm sure you'll have endless fun with them!

Nice to see you opted for the 393 as well. I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

I have pretty much the same setup (Velbon 730 instead of Gitzo) and weight-wise it balances very well when carried (tripod extended) over the shoulder with the lens pointing forward, ready to plant the tripod down and start shooting. I regularly walk a few miles like this and for much of the time (unless it's windy) I don't even have to hold on to the tripod. It just sits on comfortably on my shoulder!

[PMG]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

Good luck with the new toys, Roger. I'm sure you'll have endless fun with them!

Nice to see you opted for the 393 as well. I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

I have pretty much the same setup (Velbon 730 instead of Gitzo) and weight-wise it balances very well when carried (tripod extended) over the shoulder with the lens pointing forward, ready to plant the tripod down and start shooting. I regularly walk a few miles like this and for much of the time (unless it's windy) I don't even have to hold on to the tripod. It just sits on comfortably on my shoulder!

Yep thats exactly how I go about it too and I have the Velbon 630 carbon fibre with the King Cobra on top - which is weighty - but as Billy says with the legs extended it does balence over my shoulder - when I've got it right it will stay on my shoulder swaying slightly even if I let go for a sec to use binocs For really rough walking (stumbling these days actually .......) I often leave everything packed up and securely fastened to me back - the worst part of it is hedfting the pack up onto my back but once its there and fastened tight to me the weight sort of disappears ...... I've managed to squeeze the 500 into a small day pack sized Lowe along with macro and wide angle lenses - the big lens just fits and the zip closes.

You won't regret taking the plunge I don't see how the new 500 can be that much better - there has to be a limit to glass improvement - all this talk of new and better is just hype and pandering to folk who like to have the latest thing - lenses are either good/excellent or poor/bad - unless the makers are adding something to it that really is new and advanced - then they are talking rubbish - shut your ears - this current 500 is fantastic and a very good compromise between the 400 2.8 and the 600 both of which are beasts The ability of the 500 to be carried about is wonderful and I keep staggering about under mine plus I've found that with my new 7D I've been using the 1.4 all the time - even for flight shots - and getting results and actually its time I gave it a go without the convertor - I would probably be even more impressed Enjoy Roger - have the time of your life but be careful of your back .........

Pauline

[Tobyh]

Have fun with the new toys Roger!

I'm literally sitting here waiting for my Sigma 500mm to arrive so I may be asking people about sturdier tripods and heads very soon, will be interesting to hear how you get on with yours.

Look forward to seeing (even more) cracking images.

TobyH

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Tobyh

Have fun with the new toys Roger!

I'm literally sitting here waiting for my Sigma 500mm to arrive so I may be asking people about sturdier tripods and heads very soon, will be interesting to hear how you get on with yours.

Look forward to seeing (even more) cracking images.

TobyH

You gone offline ....... has the postman knocked I wonder?

...... and I'm sitting here waiting for the phone to ring and tell me my new car is ready to be picked up ..... it had its MOT yesterday and I'm praying that nothing was found amiss as I desperately want to go out and play today .... its been an horrendous week and I'm looking forward to a bit of fun. I've been good all week ...... oh please phone ring and tell me I can set off to Chester and pick it up ......... sigh, gulp ........... oh Pauline grow up do

Pauline

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by glsammy

My only concern for you Roger is can your back hold up to the increased weight of your set up?
Apart from that, I'm sure you'll get superb results from it.
I've completely abandoned any thoughts of upgrading my system any further, at least so far as Canon lenses are concerned. Priced way out of my league now, unless I get a chance of an older 300mm F2.8.
I'm going to wait and see how the new Sigma 120-300 is reviewed before I do anything. If that proves to be very good, I may have another go with one.
I'm sure you'll love using your new equipment, just watch that back of yours!

Thanks for your concerns Graham. Did a lot of thinking about this and I hope I've got it right. The new tripod I have bought although well capable of carrying the 500mm is much lighter than the Manfrotto I'm using at the moment. The 393 head although fairly weighty seems very well balanced. I haven't had the 500mm on it yet as I don't get the 500mm until Sunday but with the 400mm on it it's very easily manageable if a bit over kill for the 400mm.

I'm not planning on walking long distances with the 500mm and most of the places I will be using it are no more than a 15 minute walk from the car.

The 393 head is also suitable for my monopod so in time with a bit of practice I'm hoping to be able to use the 500mm on the monopod as well. With the IS on the 500mm it should be ok. In fact I know someone who gets excellent results with the 500mm on a monopod.

I felt that I had gone as far as I could with the 400mm. I was missing many photo opportunities through the lack of reach. The 400mm is a great lens and I will never sell it as it I regard it's quality as awesome.

Thanks to all of the others who have commented as well.

[Tobyh]

Originally Posted by PMG

You gone offline ....... has the postman knocked I wonder?

Pauline

He did indeed! Proud new owner of a lens that doesn't come close to fitting in my rucksack....doh!

TobyH