Canon 500mm F 4.0 L IS II

[Tom Kirk]

G'day all,
Has anyone been lucky enough to get hold of the new 500 yet ?
very intrested in your comments.........

[Doug Brown]

I've got the new 600 and am awaiting the new 500. I know Artie got his new 500, but am not sure whether he's had a chance to use it yet. Maybe he'll chime in. The new 600 is so much lighter than the old one, and the optics are somewhat improved too. I imagine that the new 500 will be similarly good.

[Larry Handal]

I got mine a couple of days ago. Right out of the box zero micro adjustment on my 7D.
Its noticeably lighter than my Old 500mm. Handholding is almost as enjoyable as my old 400F5.6L was.
With my 7D attached its around the same weight as the old lens without a camera body.
Stabilization is silent and much faster and superior. Seems visually through the viewfinder like its doing a much better job.
Focusing appears faster also. The number of sharp images seem higher than the previous version perhaps due to all the improvements factored in.
I cannot imagine a sharper lens than my old 500 and if this new lens is sharper, in my mind its only on paper (MTF curves)
All in all I can sum up that it is an improved product. How much? Is it twice as better? No. The old one costing $5500 and the new one $10,500 ? Not worth it really.
My opinion is that its a 25% to 33% better. So it should be priced at around $7700 LOL
Of course when you get into top end products that extra 10 to 25% costs 100% more. High performance cars always come to mind.
Im glad I have mine even though I think its very overpriced ,but the older one is no slouch!

[Tom Kirk]

Thanks guys for the replies, I have one on order with a local dealer here in Oz, but not sure when it will arrive,
sounds like they have improved and thats the main thing, the weight difference alone is fantastic.....

[Jason Holzworth]

I have the new 500mm ii. it's going to be the best of the three supertele's for travel. As far as AF and IQ, it's awesome, however when paired w/ a teleconverter the series ii lenses will not be able to compete with the bare 800. I have that lens as well.

When the 2x iii is used, AF seems to be pretty slow, and again, 800 + 1.4x will be a better combo than the 500 (or 600 ii i'd imagine) w/ the 2x. But with everything, there is compromise, and for traveling, i am not sure this lens can be beat.

[Tom Kirk]

Thanks jason, very interesting indeed.

[Robert DeCandido]

Here's one:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1121390

Try Camera Canada too - they might have a new one in stock

[Jason Holzworth]

ironically that is my post on fred miranda.

honestly i'll probably end up keeping the lens. no one serious has contacted me and i have developed a new philosophy: I am young and i am only going to live life once, so might as well enjoy it!

[arash_hazeghi]

ironically that is my post on fred miranda.

honestly i'll probably end up keeping the lens. no one serious has contacted me and i have developed a new philosophy: I am young and i am only going to live life once, so might as well enjoy it!

Why do you want to sell the lens Jason?

[Jason Holzworth]

Hi arash_hazeghi,

i have 800 5.6, 500 f/4 is, 500 f/4 is ii.

The 800 is going no where. I am really on the fence about selling the 500 ii, but whichever sells first out of the 500's i will keep, since again, my 800 will be my primary lens and the 500 will be complimentary. Sure i am favoring keeping the 500 ii since it's the latest and greats, lightweight, travels well and makes me super cool to own.

Why do you want to sell the lens Jason?

[Humberto Ramos]

If you dono need the money, keep the 500mm II, not just weight, better IQ (MTF charts), better behaviour with converters series III, etc...

[Jason Holzworth]

I always need the money, but easy come easy go. 500 version I sold, looks like my super tele lineup is going to include the 500 ii. i am not sad.