500 f4l ii

[Xenedis]

Mongo's advice re adding weight to your rig (to simulate the 500's weight) or hiring one for a weekend (the best way of telling the real story) is very good.

Evaluation of the weight and ergonomics of a lens like this really does require one to hold it rather than read the specs or compare it with some other object based on weight alone.

[Shelley]

Thanks Mongo and Xenedis - very good advice indeed. Mongo thank you for your detailed thoughts - food for thought and weight is something that I have to take seriously.

[ashey]

If you can afford it Shelley go for it, from what I have read it will be released around December this year around the $10,000 mark thats U.S. being lighter and having two fluorite lenses which is supposed to improve picture quality it should be an awesome bit of kit.

[piXelatedEmpire]

In my quest for greater focal length, I sold my Olympus gear and purchased new Canon gear with my eye on the 500 f4 IS lens. I had the money for it sitting there ready to pounce, but after handling one in person, the size and weight of this lens really put me off. Mind you I mostly photograph bush birds, so I am constantly on the move. I settled for the 100-400 as the versatility of the zoom and MFD was a must for my style and surroundings. But I often want MORE reach, don't we all!

Having seen your images Shell, and the kind of birds you like to photograph, I think a 500 lens would be an AMAZING addition to your arsenal. I would LOVE to see what you could do with such a lens!

But definitely go and check one out, feel it, hold it, use it.. better yet rent one for a trip and take it out for a few hours and see how you go.

[Shelley]

Thanks Adam for your thoughts and I must say I am looking forward to seeing some images from your canon arsenal.