500mm f/4 Wife said ........

Do you have the tripod to back it up?

Oh and here's some more 500 shots

mann..go for it!

TooManyShots wrote in post #7895375
You need convincing???? Here you go:

That's some darn convincing arguments you've got there!

you guys gonna make me start feeling bad by getting my 600 over the 500

if not for yourself, send it to my place!

TheMissouriShooter wrote in post #7895381
I think if I hold out a little longer I might get the approval to buy both.

Greed will be your downfall young jedi, the dark side is strong.

For those who own this lens, did you buy it new or used ?. Can you handhold this lens ?.

I'm going through the same thing and I don't have a wife. I'm trying to be patient but the pull is strong!

maverick678 wrote in post #7896295
For those who own this lens, did you buy it new or used ?. Can you handhold this lens ?.

I haven't bought it YET..., but I did have a loaner from Canon for 2 weeks. Which all that did, was make me 1000% positive, that the 500L will be my next major investment. I will be buying it used, from another member, either here or on FM.

Yes, it is hand-holdable. Just depends on how much forearm strength you have, and how strong your shoulder/ rotator cuff is When I first received the lens, I thought, man this thing is heavy. I shot with it for almost 10 hours, just getting acclimated to its heft. The next day, I was shooting 3-5 minute burst' with this lens aimed at the sky, shooting an Air Show. After that wonderful day of shooting, the lens didn't seem heavy anymore For the next 2 weeks, I used this lens, whenever possible. The images, it captured are just stunning. I did not want to give the lens back, but I didn't have 5K laying around to buy it, or else I would have.

HTH..

TheMissouriShooter wrote in post #7895218
I've been leaning towards another large purchase. Either a 5DMKII or the EF 500mm f/4 . Well my wife was leaning over my shoulder while I was web searching prices for the 500mm. I showed her the price and she said go for it. I have to ask myself now why I haven't. I still can't bring myself too.

I guess I might be the only one who will go against the tide here, and say this: Make sure you really want that 500mm, because that thing is HUGE! Much larger and heavier than anything else in your current inventory, so just be prepared for that. And I advise this as someone who bought a 300mm f/2.8 L IS, and as much as I love the results out of that lens, I ended up selling it. The 300/4 L IS is a much more practical lens *for my use* than the much larger and heavier f/2.8 version. But if you can live with that, go get it now!

just... get it. this is what money is for. to provide you with essentials for today's life and for... enjoyment. As I see it: you live only once. Why the hell not? Even if you don't NEED it. Even if you feel like your experience level is "not good enough". Screw it. Get it if you can. Remember that you are not buying a 500mm lens - You are buying the experience, the joy of getting out, seeing things others don't, sharing them, hearing "NOW THAT"S A LENS!", waking p in the morning - opening that closet, looking at it, smiling, and seeing no regret...
now THATS why I'm gonna get it this year. And I don't care about what they say

good luck and post some pics.

Rudi wrote in post #7896578
I guess I might be the only one who will go against the tide here, and say this: Make sure you really want that 500mm, because that thing is HUGE! Much larger and heavier than anything else in your current inventory, so just be prepared for that. And I advise this as someone who bought a 300mm f/2.8 L IS, and as much as I love the results out of that lens, I ended up selling it. The 300/4 L IS is a much more practical lens *for my use* than the much larger and heavier f/2.8 version. But if you can live with that, go get it now!

i sold my 300L f2.8 in two days for exactly the same reasons, as well as others. the good news is i gained a greater appreciation for the 100-400L as well as the 300L f4 IS.

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #7897084
the good news is i gained a greater appreciation for the 100-400L as well as the 300L f4 IS.

I have experienced the opposite. I had my 300/2.8 IS & 100-400 at the same time. I was using the 1-4 all the time. Then I sold the 1-4. Now, I use my 300/2.8 all the time. Its' an amazing lens, just depends, if you need the 2.8, which I do.

Once I hefted the 500/4 IS, my 300/2.8 felt like childs play. There is a 3 lbs difference between the lenses, which doesn't sound like much, but in all actuality, its' quite a bit of a difference, due to the sheer length of the 500. I miss the 500. I want one sooooooooooooo BAD..... !!!!! BUT, I'm poorer than dirt, so I'm not buying one for any time in the near future.

sheawyatt wrote in post #7895576
Make sure you add a solid tripod setup to the cart too...unless you are already equipped (didn't see anything in the gear list).

Good advice ... and looking at your set up it will compliment the 70-200mm very nicely; but you don't have a longer lens at the moment so I suppose I am questioning if you will get the use out of a 500mm. It's a very specialised item and not that portable. Strictly restricted use in certain situations for most people. A great lens tho' as we can see from the shots posted.

You just need to decide if you are enough of a dedicated long lens shooter. I am, but even so I know I wouldn't get the value out of this lens even tho' I can afford it. I'd rather hire for the 3-4 times a year I really need this kinda gear. You might get better 'value' from a mk III (if it's fixed) and a 400mm 5.6 L with 1.4x, or a 5DII if you don't need the fps/build.

eric.brown wrote in post #7895776
I like to think of a marriage as a partnership were both partners talk and share. My wife and I keep separate bank accounts and finances but we still consult one another for any large purchases.

Huh !!!
Do you call it partnership ?!
Partnership is when one buys a lens from a shared account