Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

It's here!

After a trip to my local City Link depot to pick up the lens, here it is, just begging to be released from it's confinement.

So he did get a puncture and you had to go and pick it up.....

Yep... which means.. watch your back Neil

I always leave the back of my hide open....just in case.

Congrats on the new lens. I'm completely envious.

BTW, the minimum focus distance is 450cm or around 14.5 feet, so it's well under 10 meters which means you can go out and shoot like heck!! Have fun!!

I tried out the Manfrotto MN393 today with the 500

Despite gusty winds, I was pleasantly surprised. It made using a monopod a lot easier for tracking moving objects in the sky etc.

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Scuff, I use my 500 regularly with a monopod, mounted on the Manfrotto 3421, which is the earlier model number of that same gimbal head and it has worked great for me.

Me I mainly handhold unless in the blind. (Previously posted somewhere in here)

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andrewhuxman wrote in post #7054122
Me I mainly handhold unless in the blind. (Previously posted somewhere in here)

Awesome outfit..

Time for more samples:

Titmouse in a snowball fight:

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My first attempts. A little soft. ISO400 with +1.3RV and only 1/250 sec on the cardinal. This was with a 1.4x tcon, no tripod, but braced against a wall and backlight conditions on a gray day. Not great, but a start. I recognize there will be a learning curve - and I MUST get an Arca Swiss attachment for my tripod.

Edit, white backdrop because of snow.

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Here's a few shots from my first outing. It's a completely different ball game shooting with a super tele, and I have to learn the skills from scratch

Scuff and Rik.. do either of you two know how to secure the 393/3421 without it twisting whilst on your shoulder (as in Riks picture)?
Every time I put the lens over my shoulder, the lens twists around due to gravity. I'd like to lock it in place but don't know how.

AdamJL wrote in post #7057806
Scuff and Rik.. do either of you two know how to secure the 393/3421 without it twisting whilst on your shoulder (as in Riks picture)?
Every time I put the lens over my shoulder, the lens twists around due to gravity. I'd like to lock it in place but don't know how.

Adam - If you look under the rubber cap, you will see a hole, in there is a grub screw. loosen it off and turn the big knurled nob up really tight, then nip up the grub screw.

This will lock the panning movement of the head and you will be able to hold the lens over your shoulder in place by just gripping the monopod.

andrewhuxman wrote in post #7054122
Me I mainly handhold unless in the blind. (Previously posted somewhere in here)

Looks like a bee-keeper outfit!