500 f 4 canon

I would like to buy the canon 500 f4 but... considering the fact that the lens was built in 1999 and some rumors are saying next year a new version will come I am a bit hesitant.

can you give me any advice; in Italy the price is 6200 euro.

I've heard the rumors. I've also heard that a new 500 would be significantly more expensive (I'm sure Canon is thinking why not charge what Nikon charges for a newly redesigned 500). The current 500 is an excellent lens at a very good price. A couple of extra stops of IS would not make me want to run out and buy a new one. As a bird photographer I need speed, not the ability to shoot a subject at 1/20 sec. At slow shutter speeds you may eliminate camera shake with better IS but unfortunately not subject movement.

Would go for the current Even if a new comes up you can always sell it for close to the buying price !!

..... current model is a fine lens !!

While I don't own one, I tried it and am hanging to be "allowed" to buy one sooner or later. An incerdible piece of glass. So go for it man!

You cant flaw the current 500! Incredible piece of kit!
I wont sell mine when the new one comes out!

You could always wait until there is a new lens. But that could mean you will have to wait for several years.
Maybe there will be a new 4/500 soon. Maybe it will be a 4/200-500 but who knows.

I bought the 4/500 a year ago and I absolutely love it. Very, very sharp. Very fast AF and a good price (I paid 5.700 Euros).
I too think that a future model will be a lot more expensive. It definitely won't be cheaper.

If you want and need a 4/500 now just get one. You won't regret it. And if Canon really comes up with a 4/200-500 (probably for at least 8.000 Euros) you can always sell the 4/500. Prices for those lenses don't drop as fast as prices for DSLRs.

Make sure you get a very good tripod and tripod head.

Markus