OLD LENS?

[poogpost]

So, I got a good deal on a Canon super telephoto lens. It is a 500 4.5L, glass is MINT. Thing is I think the lens is about 20 years old! Is this a bad thing? The lens was well taken care of. L lens;s are built like a tank but is this going to be a reliable lens? Mind you this won't be an everyday lens. Come to think of it I have a Hasselblad that is about 50 years old and works as it just came out of the box. Am I asking too much of this lens, is it going to fall apart in a month?

[Raj]

Too dumb but I hope you checked its a EF mount lens ... Is EF mount 20 yrs old by the way ?

[poogpost]

It is EF, just wondering if this thing is going to give me years of service or months???

[Tom W]

It's an "L" lens - it should give you years of service. I still have Canon lenses from around 1970 that operate fine (not an EOS lens, but the older Canon FL/FD mount).

[cc10d]

No reason it won't. That is a very nice lens. If it has not been abused you will enjoy it for as long as you want.

[poogpost]

Thanks guys, that makes me feel better.

[Mike Panic]

no one can really answer that question - shoot it, if it performs well, continue to shoot it... if not send it out for service and cleaning

[Bodog]

if you're really worried about it, I might take it off your hands for a couple hundred... :lol:

[DocFrankenstein]

Where are the customary test shots? :confused:

[slin100]

So, I got a good deal on a Canon super telephoto lens. It is a 500 4.5L, glass is MINT. Thing is I think the lens is about 20 years old!
I hope you're real sure it's an EF mount lens. According to the Canon museum, the EF 500/4.5L was first marketed in 1992, making it at most 13 years old. The FD 500/4.5L was introduced in 1981, making it at most 23 years old.

[shaun3000]

I was about to post that exact same thing.

[poogpost]

Well, it's kind of hard for it to be an FD mount because it is working and auto focusing on my 1D:-) I may however have read the date code wrong and it is not as old as I thought.

[ron chappel]

Possible problems are:
fungus or dust -sounds like none-mint you say :) fixable anyway.
optical alignment -do some tests ,but as it's not damaged it's unlikely anything is bent.
electronic issues -some parts may not be made for that one anymore ,but if it makes you feel better old EOS stuff is incredibly reliable as a rule

[poogpost]

OK OK my mistake the lens is 10 years and a couple of months old. I read the code wrong.

[poogpost]

I will post some pictures as soon as I take it for a spin.

[Andy_T]

Sounds like you are one happy camper now :lol:
Waiting for the test shots...

Best regards,
Andy

[poogpost]

Here are some sample pictures taken today. Let me know what you guys think...

http://www.pbase.com/johngo1/image/40426596.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/johngo1/image/40426599.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/johngo1/image/40426597.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/johngo1/image/40426598.jpg

John

[DocFrankenstein]

Post a crop of the original

[CyberDyneSystems]

It is EF, just wondering if this thing is going to give me years of service or months???


It's a great lens.. let me know if you decide it's "too much" ;)