Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

Toomany can and do you handhold any of your shots? I am doing my research on the 500 so being inquisitive now.

Thanks...Al

Methodical wrote in post #9110507
Toomany can and do you handhold any of your shots? I am doing my research on the 500 so being inquisitive now.

Thanks...Al

Negative because I only weight 135lb with a cyclist physique. Strong lower body and very thin upper body. A monopod with a full gimbal head give me enough flexibility for most of the shooting angles. I would never attempt an overhead shot because is hard with a 500L and 1dmarkIII in terms of weight and bulkiness. Also, the shot would not come out good anyway. I don't do BIF shots because I mainly like to shoot song birds and the smaller shore birds too.

Good question as well, Is a MKIII and a 500L handholdable? I think of myself as a pretty fit guy, and can hold my own usually. Ohh man, i really am going to pick this lens up quite soon. Hopefully Merry Xmas to me!

TooManyShots wrote in post #9107083
9 months ago....

TooManyShots wrote in post #9107087
500.

I checked the website, the price is about $6000, so how come you bought it less than $6000 with tax also?

ErnieT wrote in post #9112320
Good question as well, Is a MKIII and a 500L handholdable? I think of myself as a pretty fit guy, and can hold my own usually. Ohh man, i really am going to pick this lens up quite soon. Hopefully Merry Xmas to me!

I often hand hold this lens mounted on a MKIII all day at airshows, with a 300 f2.8 and another 1 series body over my shoulder for closer and larger aircraft - yes it hurts the next day, but it is worth it.

with wildlife I usually mount it on a manfrotto gimbal head and monopod.

These are handheld. While I would perfer to use the tripod and gimbal, often it just isn't possible.

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Tareq wrote in post #9112850
I checked the website, the price is about $6000, so how come you bought it less than $6000 with tax also?

That was BEFORE Canon rised the price. Right now, I believe BH has it for $6400.

$6040 gray
$6149 USA

I do believe this lens will be mine by years end. I will ask for a couple hundred off the asking price.

Toomany is this your only lens?

TooManyShots wrote in post #9113513
That was BEFORE Canon rised the price. Right now, I believe BH has it for $6400.

Methodical wrote in post #9120835
$6040 gray
$6149 USA

I do believe this lens will be mine by years end. I will ask for a couple hundred off the asking price.

Toomany is this your only lens?

Yes, my only birding lens. I do have a 135L, 17-40L, and 100 F2. That's all I really need.

Handheld with the 1.4 on no crop.

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ErnieT wrote in post #9112320
Good question as well, Is a MKIII and a 500L handholdable? I think of myself as a pretty fit guy, and can hold my own usually. Ohh man, i really am going to pick this lens up quite soon. Hopefully Merry Xmas to me!

Yes it's hand-holdable.
I'm not a big guy and use it 50/50 mounted or hand held.

But generally, I don't shoot birds (rarely) so make of that what you will.

Here is a handheld shot....I had to since I was chasing the red tails around the park at the last moment before driving back home. Just grabbed my lens and went for it... After 30sec or so my arms got tired.

Wow, these shots are unreal! That red tail shot is awesome! I will have this lens in the month of December!