Renting EF 500mm f4L IS MkII for birthday vacation

[Pieces Of E]

For my 50th birthday, my wife(and business partner) is taking us to the Southwest US to play and shoot photos. She rented us a couple 500mm MkII's for the trip. As you know from my collection at the bottom of my profile, we shoot with good old 300mm f4L IS's and the 500's are gonna be a giant and exciting leap forward for us. Can you offer any advice for us? We've got insurance, durable tripods etc. but more like field advice. We're wildlife shooters and any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanx everyone. 

[neuroanatomist]

You may find the 500 II handholdable (I find the 600 II is), but if you're going to mount it on a tripod, be sure to use a gimbal head (Wimberley II, etc.).

[Pieces Of E]

Thanks Neuro, we have Manfrotto model 393 heavy duty gimbal supports on Benro heavy duty carbon fiber legs. I can't wait to hand hold that baby! 

[gary samples]

  big glass needs  Speed !!! too slow will  get you avery time
have fun

[neuroanatomist]

One other thing - you're shooting with a 7D, right?  That means a very, very narrow AoV.  One challenge you'll face is simply locating the subject you've seen with your eyes once you start looking through the VF.  When you attach the hood, try putting the attachment screw straight up, then use it like a gun sight to pre-aim.

[PackLight]

A monopod was missing from your list. I use mine as much as my tripod.

[neuroanatomist]

A monopod was missing from your list. I use mine as much as my tripod.

+1 - I've got a good monopod and tilt head (both RRS), and I hang that in a holder on my Lowepro utility belt when walking around.

[Pieces Of E]

Neuro, thanks for the hood tip. Sorry I couldn't keep the thread going today. We're not bringing monopods with us, just the tripod rigs. I also wonder now if the firmware that was released in August will be incorporated in our rentals. If not, we'll persevere. Hell, just having the $10,500 lenses on our 7D's will be incentive enough to find something of interest! Maybe we'll bring back some images to share here with ya'll. Thanks again fellow Canon shooters.

[vuilang]

One other thing - you're shooting with a 7D, right?  That means a very, very narrow AoV.  One challenge you'll face is simply locating the subject you've seen with your eyes once you start looking through the VF.  When you attach the hood, try putting the attachment screw straight up, then use it like a gun sight to pre-aim.

That's avery nice Trick....... thanks

[neuroanatomist]

One other thing - you're shooting with a 7D, right?  That means a very, very narrow AoV.  One challenge you'll face is simply locating the subject you've seen with your eyes once you start looking through the VF.  When you attach the hood, try putting the attachment screw straight up, then use it like a gun sight to pre-aim.

That's avery nice Trick....... thanks

And free, too!  A non-free (but not too expensive) more sophisticated alternative is a red-dot sight with a Weaver-mount hotshoe adapter. I have that setup, works nicely.

[vuilang]

One other thing - you're shooting with a 7D, right?  That means a very, very narrow AoV.  One challenge you'll face is simply locating the subject you've seen with your eyes once you start looking through the VF.  When you attach the hood, try putting the attachment screw straight up, then use it like a gun sight to pre-aim.

That's avery nice Trick....... thanks

And free, too!  A non-free (but not too expensive) more sophisticated alternative is a red-dot sight with a Weaver-mount hotshoe adapter. I have that setup, works nicely.

i searched red dot sight.... found rifle dot use for gun.. is that what it is? . or A Link Please

[neuroanatomist]

You found 'em. I use this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004Z5BX8E

The Weaver hotshoe adapter is from Firefield.

[aalbert]

As a gun nut, I had never thought of mounting a red dot to a DSLR, but that sounds like a very cool and pragmatic thing on a big telephoto. Good suggestion.