Old 500mm f/4.5 or 300mm f/2.8L IS + TCs

Hi All

My budget is $3500 and I can not get 500mm f/4 or longer primes so looking for cheaper alternatives.

I am considering 300mm f/2.8 to be used with TCs (1.4x/ 2x) almost all the time....
But after hearing thoughts about importance of Prime w/o TC I was looking for other available options for the same price and came across Old Canon 500mm f/4.5 (Discontinued).

Now my question is what will be your pic and why?
Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS + 1.4X TC (420mm f/4) / 2X TC (600mm f/5.6)
Canon 500mm f/4.5

How much will you consider paying for the Old beauty(Canon 500mm f/4.5)?

Thanks

Can you save some more??? Maybe for another 2 to 3 months? I think you should avoid making double purchases. 500mm without IS is a pain. It really restricts you a lot. With a monopod at least, you can use maybe down to 1/400s shutter speed. Of course, you can plan to shoot with a tripod with a full gimbal head. Also, Canon no long services that lens anymore. Making repair for that lens would require savaging parts from another unit.

With the 300L, I can guarantee you the converter would stay on it all the time if you intend to shoot birds. Save for the 500L F4 IS. You would only make one purchase. No regret.

I did not see what your intended subject matter is?

Me, I'd get the 300mm IS,. but I already have a 500mm f/4L IS

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #10561580
I did not see what your intended subject matter is?

Me, I'd get the 300mm IS,. but I already have a 500mm f/4L IS

Thanks

I'd get the 300 for the versatility...

if i could only own one big prime id want the 300/2.8 because i can make it a 420/4 or a 600/5.6 at will with a tcon...i shoot a lot of things...so versatility is nice

300 + 1.4X is very, very good. 500 native millimeters however, is better IQ than the 300 + 2X can deliver.

One issue with the older super telephoto lenses is the question of Canon service (or lack of service.)

300 2.8 plus TCs, you get IS and flexibility and great IQ even wide open.

Go with the newer one. If the old one breaks.. man that would be a pain in the butt.

The 500 4.5 is no longer serviced by Canon. So if it breaks.... you're a little out of luck.

I'd go with the 300 L plus a TC. You'll probably get more use out of it.

Last time I tried 500mm f4.5 it seemed quite light compared to my 500mm f4 but you won't be able to use 1.4xTC and still AF on your 7d.

bobbyz wrote in post #10563444
Last time I tried 500mm f4.5 it seemed quite light compared to my 500mm f4 but you won't be able to use 1.4xTC and still AF on your 7d.

Ohh I thought it takes 1.4X TC and does not work with 2X...

Thanks for this info...

General rule #1: Do not buy a lens that you only plan on using with TCs. If you do not need a fast 300 - do not go that way. The 500/4.5 is a great lens. General rule #2: when it comes to birding, get the longer lens even if it is slower. Sigma still services their 500/4.5. And, many indep. repair shops will work on the EF 500/4.5. i Had an EF 500/4.5 which gave me smooth, accurate AF with a Tamron SP 1.4x TC.

I second the 500f4 IS; you won't regret it as it's really worth the money; it works great with the 1.4 (AF) and less with the 2x (no AF). I took a shot with a 1.4x and 2x stacked, supported on just a bean bag and the picture came out nice - not great, but that must have been due to my poor technique

desperoadie wrote in post #10570310
I second the 500f4 IS; you won't regret it as it's really worth the money; it works great with the 1.4 (AF) and less with the 2x (no AF). I took a shot with a 1.4x and 2x stacked, supported on just a bean bag and the picture came out nice - not great, but that must have been due to my poor technique

Thanks for you honest opinion but trust me if I had budget I would have never gone for anything else but 50mm f/4 (I know this is legend for birding)

You should also look at the Sigma 500 4.5. Used prices are usually great. Recently one went on ebay for 2000 USD. It was the older non-DG model, but there is little to no difference.

I think CDS used to have one and use one.