Canon 500 availability ?

[Mick]

Hi ,all just wondered if anyone out their in rumours land knows when the new 500 or 600 will be dropping into the shop. I'm a cps gold member and have asked a guy at Canon, the answer is don't know when. Got sick of waiting for the 200-400 so went mad, got drunk to drown my sorrows and hit the deposit button at the local canon dealer for a new 500,oops! Ho hum the wife understands, just wondered if anyone knows? From what I was told its the Olympics that's delaying them hitting the streets for mere mortals like me.

Mick

[Waterloo]

I just got an E-mail from Adorama. Mine should be here next Monday (Sep 17th). Ordered on July 14th. I think I have a buyer already for my "old 500". It's been my most used lens and one I couldn't do without. Hopping for good things with the new one!!!!

[brant]

Any new word on the availability on these? I am ready to pull the trigger right now!!!

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Any new word on the availability on these? I am ready to pull the trigger right now!!!

Pre Order, or wait for those that are ordering now.  Your lens will then be shipped as soon as your number comes up.  There is no telling when they will be freely available, but a pre-order wait shouldn't be long.  Order from a local shop and you might get it sooner than from the big online stores. 

[Waterloo]

I just got an E-mail from Adorama. Mine should be here next Monday (Sep 17th). Ordered on July 14th. I think I have a buyer already for my "old 500". It's been my most used lens and one I couldn't do without. Hopping for good things with the new one!!!!

I don't know about availability, but I'm loving mine. Have been out photographing the wild horses a few times. It's noticeably sharper than "old 500". I do have issues with the design of the tripod foot. The balance is wrong for me when using it on my video head. Curious if anyone else has seen this. I haven't read anything about it in any of the reviews.

[neuroanatomist]

I do have issues with the design of the tripod foot. The balance is wrong for me when using it on my video head. Curious if anyone else has seen this. I haven't read anything about it in any of the reviews.

Are you directly mounting the foot, using a lens plate (which one?), or a replacement foot (which one?)?

[Richard Lane]

Hi ,all just wondered if anyone out their in rumours land knows when the new 500 or 600 will be dropping into the shop. I'm a cps gold member and have asked a guy at Canon, the answer is don't know when. Got sick of waiting for the 200-400 so went mad, got drunk to drown my sorrows and hit the deposit button at the local canon dealer for a new 500,oops! Ho hum the wife understands, just wondered if anyone knows? From what I was told its the Olympics that's delaying them hitting the streets for mere mortals like me.

Mick

That's awesome congrats!!

[Richard Lane]

It's noticeably sharper than "old 500". I do have issues with the design of the tripod foot. The balance is wrong for me when using it on my video head. Curious if anyone else has seen this. I haven't read anything about it in any of the reviews.

I also noticed that the center of gravity isn't exactly over the base of the tripod foot.  It's more over the "heel" of the foot. I know Canon removed the front glass protective element on the 500mm to reduce weight. Perhaps that combined with the heavier 1DX tilts the balance towards the camera. The balance is further displaced rearwards with the teleconverter attached.

The only place that I've heard this mentioned was on the Really Right Stuff website and regarding their new replacement foot II version.

I was still able to balance the 500II and 1DX on the Wimberley gimbal head, but I was also using a long 6 inch Wimberley plate, which seemed to give me flexibility in adjusting the center of gravity, by sliding the lens forward.

Here's a few picks of the set-up.  Sorry about the poor quality, as it was extremely overcast.

Please note that the center of gravity was perfectly balanced as it was positioned in the photos, however I tilted the lens upward and locked the Wimberley head, just for the photos, as these were taken a few weeks ago.

Note that the lens plate is pushed fairly far forward to achieve balance and that the gimbal head knob in the last 2 photos is centered over the "heel of the lens foot and not the base of the lens foot."

[brant]

Hey everyone. I just wanted to give you guys the head's up that I think this auction on eBay for a 500mm F4 is II is a scam. I double checked the guys pictures, and I have found each one of them existing somewhere else on the internet. This wouldn't be a big deal, but I private messaged him and specifically asked if the pictures were of HIS EXACT lens. He responded with a yes. Also the three pictures are pretty hard to find, but they are out there. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Canon-EF-500mm-f-4L-II-USM-Lens-/130769461345?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D2263706411550888132%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D130769461345%26

[Richard Lane]

Hey everyone. I just wanted to give you guys the head's up that I think this auction on eBay for a 500mm F4 is II is a scam. I double checked the guys pictures, and I have found each one of them existing somewhere else on the internet. This wouldn't be a big deal, but I private messaged him and specifically asked if the pictures were of HIS EXACT lens. He responded with a yes. Also the three pictures are pretty hard to find, but they are out there. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Canon-EF-500mm-f-4L-II-USM-Lens-/130769461345?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D2263706411550888132%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D130769461345%26

Thanks for the heads-up!  Not only that, but the 1st photo is the 500mm version II carrying case, and the 2nd photo is the version I carrying case.  Also the cardboard shipping box is from version I.  And he has negative feedback for selling a $6 book, now he's trying to sell a fake $10,000 lens.   I don't deal with ebay much, but can something like this be reported?

Rich

[brant]

I did reply the auction as a fraudulent sale (There is a link that says report this item), but it wouldn't let me give any description or reason why, just a dropdown. I wish there was a better way to warn the bidders, but I don't think there is.

[brant]

On another note, I finally pre-ordered this lens from B&H today. I was initially on the fence between this and the 600mm F4 IS II, and still kind of am. My sole use and interest for these lenses are video. So the upgraded IS over the old versions is a really big improvement for doing video. Also I am almost always going to be using a teleconverter, and for part of the time stacking teleconverters. This would make the 600mm a 2,400mm equivalent on a 5D3 with 2 2x teleconverters. I decided that at this length, for video, the atmospheric distortion would be too great. I am currently using 2 stacked 2x teleconverters on a 100-400, and am thrilled with the results at 400mm (1,600mm). I am expecting this to be increasingly better with the 500mm F4 IS II. Another factor in my decision is the portability of the new 500. The thing is very light, and I will still be able to use it with the Jobu Jr 3. I want a run and gun type of setup, where I can do a lot of moving around and setting things up quickly. While the 500m might be crazy for this type of setup, I think the 600mm would have been even crazier. I was also worried that the 600 would really limit my traveling capabilities if I ever take it on a plane. What are your thoughts on the 600 vs 500 given what I have said? Also, I would need to possibly purchase a new gimbal head, backpack, etc with the 600mm, but the 500mm will still work with everything I already have. Combined with the extra $2.5k for the 600mm, it just didn't seem worth it.

[neuroanatomist]

Another factor in my decision is the portability of the new 500. The thing is very light, and I will still be able to use it with the Jobu Jr 3. I want a run and gun type of setup, where I can do a lot of moving around and setting things up quickly. While the 500m might be crazy for this type of setup, I think the 600mm would have been even crazier. I was also worried that the 600 would really limit my traveling capabilities if I ever take it on a plane. What are your thoughts on the 600 vs 500 given what I have said? Also, I would need to possible purchase a new gimbal head, backup, etc with the 600mm, but the 500mm will still work with everything I got. Combined with the extra $2.5k for the 600mm, it just didn't seem worth it.

Well, it seems you're pushing it with the 500 II and the Jobu Jr 3.  For the Jr 3, they state, " Recommended for: 70-200 F2.8/F4, 300mm F2.8/F4, 100-400 zoom, 150-500 zoom, 400mm F5.6, 400mm DO, etc."  The new 500 II, while 1.5 lbs lighter than its predecessor, is still 50% heavier than the 400 DO.  For the 500 II, Jobu recommends the BWG-LW3/HD3.  Note that they state you can use the Jr 3 with the 500/4, and they apparently mean the original 500/4...the new 600/4 II weighs the same as the original 500/4, so technically, either would work with the Jr 3, although they recommend a step up for routine use.

As for travel, the bare lenses are very simliar in diameter (yes, I know the Canon specs show a 1" difference, but Canon's specs do not include the tripod foot - TDP's actual measurements, which include the tripod foot, show the 600 is only 0.14" larger in diameter than the 500).  The 600 II is ~2.5" longer, but still under 18". So, either bare lens will fit in a Storm im2500 or Pelican 1510 airline carryon hard case.  The 'problem' is the hoods - with the hood reversed, the 500 II will fit in a Peli 1510 (snugly) and probably in a Storm im2500 (not sure about that, the Storm is 0.4" shorter).  The hood for the 600 II is approximately 8" x 8" and will not go in a carryon hard case.  Still, personally I'd be fine putting the hood in checked luggage, and carrying on the lens itself in a hard case.

So, I do think in this case (as in most lens decisions) it comes down to what is the best focal length for you. 

[brant]

I guess one of my biggest fears is just pulling the 600mm out in populated places, and how everyone is going to react to it. I already get looks with the 100-400. I know there is not much difference in the 500mm vs 600mm (lengthwise or lookswise), but with the hood, the 600mm just seems so massive. I want to be able to quickly be able to setup in a location, and then pack it up quickly if I need to, and no, I am not paparazzi.

[neuroanatomist]

Yes, the supertele will get you noticed!  I doubt there'd be much real difference between the 500 II and 600 II in terms of getting noticed.  Having said that, with the hood in place, the 600/4 is the largest of the current Canon lenses (bigger than the 800/5.6). 

Personally, I shoot a lot of birds so the 600mm is the better choice.  Combined with the 1.4x III, the resulting IQ at 840mm f/5.6 is equivalent to the 800/5.6 lens, and while no shorter, the combo is a lot lighter.