500 f 4 canon

[Paolo Piazza]

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.

[Doug Brown]

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.

[Alfred Forns]

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 !!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

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!

[Mark Dumbleton]

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

[Markus Jais]

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