Evaluating a 500 f/4.0 IS II

I'll be having the pleasure of evaluating a 500mm f/4.0 IS II from Canon this weekend at a jetski freestyle event, I'm stoked !

Can anyone offer any pointers with regards to settings, IS yes / no or any other lens settings ?

This will be strapped to my 1DMk4.

Thanks in advance !

I just sold my 500 F4 I and purchased a 500F4 II. I also got a 1.4x III to go with it. I have used it three times for birds. If you have never used one of Canon's 500 Superteles, you are going to be blown away by the sharpness, and quick focusing. In my brief experience, the new version isn't much sharper than the excellent original version, but the autofocus is faster and the IS is much better. Although the new lens is much lighter than the original, you will need a strong tripod with a gimbal head to use it to photograph a race. Let us know what you think after the race?

I don't have a 500 but I do use the 300 F2.8 and 800 F5.6. If the light is decent and your subjects moving quickly then I would turn the IS off or put it in "Mode 2" if you are panning.
As to camera settings I have moved to shooting almost everything is Manual. I set the required F stop and shutter speed and the put the ISO into "Auto" - this gives me less to worry about and allows me to concentrate on framing.
+1 on the tripod and gimbal head. The Mk2 500 has lost a fair bit of weight over the Mk1 but it is still a handful - beg/borrow a tripod and head!

I own the 600mm f4 is ii+ 1d mark IV and I never turn IS off. The IS will help with any slight movement to the lens. There is a new IS mode '3', which only has IS active when you take the shot. With the IS on mode '3' you will not physically see the stabilization in the viewfinder. I normally use mode '1' and sometimes use mode '2'. Also, use the focus limiter switch to make the focus even faster. Bring some teleconverters and good luck!

I have the 500mm f4 mark II and by far always amazed by the photos I take with it. I use it free hand for BIF and on the tripod. IS is always on and I shoot mostly AV @ f4. Today I just purchase a 2x III TC refurb from Canon USA. The results I have seen at 1000mm are awesome.

Nice one, the new mk2 teles work way better than the old ones with 2xTCs, something my mk1 500 does not really work with at all.

I can only echo what others have said about image quality - with the 1.4mk3 it's amazing. I have it on IS3 by default. Yes, it is possible to handhold but so much easier on a gimbal head. I've never shot at anything other than wide open.

Neilyb wrote in post #16603907
Nice one, the new mk2 teles work way better than the old ones with 2xTCs, something my mk1 500 does not really work with at all.

Are you using the 2X III? How is the auto focus? I may just have to order a 2X III.

You may want to keep an eye on this, I just go mine yesterday but they are now out of stock. $399.00 when they come back.

http://shop.usa.canon.​com …der-ef-2x-iii-refurbished

Coral wrote in post #16604445
You may want to keep an eye on this, I just go mine yesterday but they are now out of stock. $399.00 when they come back.

http://shop.usa.canon.​com …der-ef-2x-iii-refurbished

Thanks I will. When your 2x III arrives will you post your impressions of using it on the 500 F4 II?

newphoto wrote in post #16604545
Thanks I will. When your 2x III arrives will you post your impressions of using it on the 500 F4 II?

I had the opportunity to use a 2X mark II and I was impressed with that and what I have read and seen the 2X III should be much better. When it coming I'll post a few 1000mm shots for your review.

newphoto wrote in post #16604247
Are you using the 2X III? How is the auto focus? I may just have to order a 2X III.

2xII, AF is slow but Iq is bad enough I will not use it, ever.

Coral wrote in post #16604445
You may want to keep an eye on this, I just go mine yesterday but they are now out of stock. $399.00 when they come back.

http://shop.usa.canon.​com …der-ef-2x-iii-refurbished

Wow, great deal!

I use both MKIII TCs on my 500 OFTEN! I get great results. I do use the 1.4x more than the 2x but both converters pair very well with the 500 f/4 II.

Tapeman wrote in post #16605900
I use both MKIII TCs on my 500 OFTEN! I get great results. I do use the 1.4x more than the 2x but both converters pair very well with the 500 f/4 II.

Thanks. Can you better define "great results" with the 2X III? Auto focus, resolution, subjects, etc.?