EF 500mm f/4 IS - Any Differences Between 2000 & 2008?

Hello all!

I've been considering the purchase of a long prime for some time now and I recently came across a used 500mm in excellent condition with a date code that puts it at February of 2000. My question is this: Are there any differences between a 500mm manufactured in 2000 and one manufactured now? For example, has the USM been updated or anything along those lines or are they exactly the same, except for the age factor?

If anyone has any insight on this, please educate me.

Thank you in advance for your time and efforts!

As far as I know canon has not made any changes to the super-teles after IS was added to 300/400mm f2.8 and 500/600mm f4.

Nope. Just eight years.

Thanks, guys, I appreciate your help!

I am also considering a big prime - 500 or 600. so to the replies above:

.............and does anyone anticipate anything such as an upgrade to the IS now that new technology is 3to 4 stops?

BuzzyB wrote in post #5885555
I am also considering a big prime - 500 or 600. so to the replies above:

.............and does anyone anticipate anything such as an upgrade to the IS now that new technology is 3to 4 stops?

Considering my 500mm just arrived... There is little doubt the upgraded versions will be out in a few weeks.

Pull the trigger and get one. You won't regret it. The 500 exceeded my expectations and I'm the type that is never happy.

BuzzyB wrote in post #5885555
.............and does anyone anticipate anything such as an upgrade to the IS now that new technology is 3to 4 stops?

Sure, it's always possible. But to know if or when is just wild-assed speculation on anyone's part. Go get your lens and enjoy it NOW.

Just like waiting on a 5D Mark II or a 100-400mm Mark II is a futile exercise.

I spent ages trying to find this out myself, as I was checking up on a 600mm 2ND hand

http://www.canon.com …s/ef/super_tele​photo.html

BuzzyB wrote in post #5885555
I am also considering a big prime - 500 or 600. so to the replies above:

.............and does anyone anticipate anything such as an upgrade to the IS now that new technology is 3to 4 stops?

Let me ask you this, where will you use this 3/4 stop IS? Will you be hand holding 500/600mm at 1/50 to 1/100sec?

You are limited by the subject movement and when using exisiting IS on tripod, with good long lens technique people have been taking very sharp images at <1/100sec.

And this is true of folks who don't have IS lens, like Nikon SuperTeles before they release the VR versions and Sigma 300-800. Look at Romy's shots.

bobbyz wrote in post #5891618
Let me ask you this, where will you use this 3/4 stop IS? Will you be hand holding 500/600mm at 1/50 to 1/100sec?

You are limited by the subject movement and when using exisiting IS on tripod, with good long lens technique people have been taking very sharp images at <1/100sec.

And this is true of folks who don't have IS lens, like Nikon SuperTeles before they release the VR versions and Sigma 300-800. Look at Romy's shots.

Even on tripod the IS WILL help damp the shake. I have taken shots at 1/30 (on tripod) and without the IS they would have been blurry.