I have over half the money saved for a Canon 500mm

MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
edited May 20, 2007 in Cameras
Someone talk me out of this purchase. :D Really, I would love this lens. I am primarily a little bird photographer, but feel I need just a bit more reach (which I understand will always be the case.) I already have the 100-400mm F4-5.6L zoom lens and I love it, but there are times when I miss shots because I was simply too far away. So, the way I look at it, I would have the 100-500mm focal lengths covered and I probably could squeeze a bit more out of it with an extender.

Oh man, I am bad. I have such a bad case of lens lust. :huh

Comments

  • gusgus Registered Users Posts: 16,209 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    Someone talk me out of this purchase. :D Really, I would love this lens. I am primarily a little bird photographer, but feel I need just a bit more reach (which I understand will always be the case.) I already have the 100-400mm F4-5.6L zoom lens and I love it, but there are times when I miss shots because I was simply too far away. So, the way I look at it, I would the 100-500mm focal lengths covered and I probably could squeeze a bit more out of it with an extender.

    Oh man, I am bad. I have such a bad case of lens lust. eek7.gif
    An L prime is going to be a good deal sharper than a zoom with a TC & thats what birders need to highlight the feathers etc. Remember to add a good deal more for a tripod & head to take advantage of a lens that size if you dont already have them.
  • David_S85David_S85 Administrators Posts: 13,167 moderator
    edited May 18, 2007
    Gus, you were supposed to talk him out of it. deal.gif
    My Smugmug
    "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2007
    gus wrote:
    An L prime is going to be a good deal sharper than a zoom with a TC & thats what birders need to highlight the feathers etc. Remember to add a good deal more for a tripod & head to take advantage of a lens that size if you dont already have them.

    Tripod is already purchased, but I need to buy the gimbal head. Frankly, I am a bit overwhelmed with all these plates, heads, etc...

    I had thought about buying the siggy 50-500mm zoom but I just don't feel good about that purchase because it doesn't have the IS and my 100-400 Canon covers most of that focal length admirably. You are correct on the sharpness factor! thumb.gif
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2007
    David_S85 wrote:
    Gus, you were supposed to talk him out of it. deal.gif

    Tell me about it. He didn't do a good job, did he? rolleyes1.gif
  • RogersDARogersDA Registered Users Posts: 3,502 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    Tell me about it. He didn't do a good job, did he? rolleyes1.gif
    Maybe some subliminal messaging will help:

    You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it.You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it.You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it.You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it.You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it.
  • gusgus Registered Users Posts: 16,209 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2007
    David_S85 wrote:
    Gus, you were supposed to talk him out of it. deal.gif
    Its against international law to do so.
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2007
    RogersDA wrote:
    Maybe some subliminal messaging will help:

    You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it.You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it.You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it.You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it.You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it. Send me the money and I'll buy the lens. You don't need it.
    Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts. Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. Check is in the mail. You are nuts! I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. You are nuts! Check is in the mail. I realize I don't need it. :)
  • gryphonslair99gryphonslair99 Registered Users Posts: 182 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2007
    Buy the D#&* thing and be happy.clap.gif I am 3/4 of the way to the 400mm f2.8. Sports and wild life. I know, it is at the bottom end of the desired wild life focal length, but I shoot a lot of sports. Besides with an f2.8 I can shoot on into dusk.

    Hopefully the 400 will be a christmas present to my self this year.
  • howardhoward Registered Users Posts: 89 Big grins
    edited May 19, 2007
    OK you asked the wrong guy :D 'cos I've got one on orderwings.gif.

    I've been using the 400/5.6, nothing wrong with it, it does stuff like this

    78631501.Zpw2R2QI.IMG_9883_2.jpg
    really well - when you can get close enough. The trouble is I usually can't get close enough. Anyway I managed to get the use of a 500/4 for a few weekends and I'm hooked, committed and it's due in about 2 weeks. Can't wait. For me it's not just the fact that it's 500/4 but that it's also 700/5.6 with IS and retains AF even on a crop body. I don't have a gimbal head, I mainly used a monopod and I'm going to continue that way unless I find I really have a need to spend the extra dosh. For small birds on the monopod the IS makes shots at slow(ish) SS possible this is at 700mm 1/60th f11 on the monopod.
    73567666.q1eVcXdq.IMG_7979_2.jpg
    When you get close with small birds DOF becomes an issue as you know.

    The reach is great this is at 700mm f5.6 and with the 400 and 1.4x I just wouldn't have been close enough.
    73567667.zJoRTIE3.IMG_7970_2.jpg
    So BUY IT you'll iloveyou.gif it
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,680 moderator
    edited May 19, 2007
    Happy to oblige. Forget the 500. It's only 25% longer than your 400. You really think you're going to notice that? Sure, you can get 700 F5.6 from it as Howard pointed out. However, you can get 560mm with AF from your present lens with AF if you tape the TC pins, and it does a respectable job. You're going to spend $5500 for an extra 100mm? Are you nuts?

    Now, what you really need is the 600mm F4. Now we're cooking with gas here. 840mm at F5.6, or an amazing 1200mm with a 2X. That's serious reach. Plus, it's cheaper too. Yup, it's only $3500 per extra 100mm over your 400. That's a savings of $2,000 per 100mm versus the 500mm. Times two, that's a savings of $4,000! Can you afford to leave that kind of money on the table? And guess what. There's not a 500mm owner who doesn't secretly lust after the 600mm, and for good reason. 500mm is not long enough for birds. Size-wise, you're going to need a tripod for either lens, so don't fall into the trap of thinking that you can't handle the 600. There's no difference once it's on the gimbal mount. So forget the 500mm, go right to the lens you'll eventually buy anyway, and save a heap of money in the process.

    How'd I do? mwink.gif
    -joel
  • GREAPERGREAPER Registered Users Posts: 3,113 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2007
    My buddy Steve has the lens you are looking at and he says he should have bought the 600 every time we go out...

    :D
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2007
    howard wrote:
    OK you asked the wrong guy :D 'cos I've got one on orderwings.gif.

    I've been using the 400/5.6, nothing wrong with it, it does stuff like this

    78631501.Zpw2R2QI.IMG_9883_2.jpg
    really well - when you can get close enough. The trouble is I usually can't get close enough. Anyway I managed to get the use of a 500/4 for a few weekends and I'm hooked, committed and it's due in about 2 weeks. Can't wait. For me it's not just the fact that it's 500/4 but that it's also 700/5.6 with IS and retains AF even on a crop body. I don't have a gimbal head, I mainly used a monopod and I'm going to continue that way unless I find I really have a need to spend the extra dosh. For small birds on the monopod the IS makes shots at slow(ish) SS possible this is at 700mm 1/60th f11 on the monopod.
    73567666.q1eVcXdq.IMG_7979_2.jpg
    When you get close with small birds DOF becomes an issue as you know.

    The reach is great this is at 700mm f5.6 and with the 400 and 1.4x I just wouldn't have been close enough.
    73567667.zJoRTIE3.IMG_7970_2.jpg
    So BUY IT you'll iloveyou.gif it

    Crap. You are soooooo bad. Quite excellent shots with the 500 and on monopod to boot. You must lift weights! My kids will stil have their college funds if I buy this. I will be able to continue to pay all payments for my bills, but no new car in the near future (at least two years away) and no new computer to put these pretty pics on, but WOW! What awesome shots!
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2007
    kdog wrote:
    Happy to oblige. Forget the 500. It's only 25% longer than your 400. You really think you're going to notice that? Sure, you can get 700 F5.6 from it as Howard pointed out. However, you can get 560mm with AF from your present lens with AF if you tape the TC pins, and it does a respectable job. You're going to spend $5500 for an extra 100mm? Are you nuts?

    Now, what you really need is the 600mm F4. Now we're cooking with gas here. 840mm at F5.6, or an amazing 1200mm with a 2X. That's serious reach. Plus, it's cheaper too. Yup, it's only $3500 per extra 100mm over your 400. That's a savings of $2,000 per 100mm versus the 500mm. Times two, that's a savings of $4,000! Can you afford to leave that kind of money on the table? And guess what. There's not a 500mm owner who doesn't secretly lust after the 600mm, and for good reason. 500mm is not long enough for birds. Size-wise, you're going to need a tripod for either lens, so don't fall into the trap of thinking that you can't handle the 600. There's no difference once it's on the gimbal mount. So forget the 500mm, go right to the lens you'll eventually buy anyway, and save a heap of money in the process.

    How'd I do? mwink.gif
    -joel
    Kdog! You started out well but now you have me thinking in another direction. You argument is very logical. I think I will present this to the wife. :hide Or perhaps I could just go with the Bigma which goes out to 800mm!
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    Someone talk me out of this purchase. :D Really, I would love this lens. I am primarily a little bird photographer, but feel I need just a bit more reach (which I understand will always be the case.) I already have the 100-400mm F4-5.6L zoom lens and I love it, but there are times when I miss shots because I was simply too far away. So, the way I look at it, I would have the 100-500mm focal lengths covered and I probably could squeeze a bit more out of it with an extender.

    Oh man, I am bad. I have such a bad case of lens lust. eek7.gif

    Oh Thats easy. I heard the 600mm is such an incredible lens for birding ... mwink.gif
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • BigAlBigAl Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2007
    I've taken a couple of pics with this lens with a 1.4x
    http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/gallery/556774#82615191
    Same bird with my Bigma
    http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/gallery/556774#82615189
    Both taken with a monopod with belt mounted support
    http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/71489988-M.jpg

    Is the difference in IQ worth $4500? mwink.gif

    rolleyes1.gif:D


    PS: I'd rather go with the 600
  • gusgus Registered Users Posts: 16,209 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2007
    BigAl wrote:
    I've taken a couple of pics with this lens with a 1.4x
    http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/gallery/556774#82615191
    Same bird with my Bigma
    http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/gallery/556774#82615189
    Both taken with a monopod with belt mounted support
    http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/71489988-M.jpg

    Is the difference in IQ worth $4500? mwink.gif

    rolleyes1.gif:D
    Can you produce your %'s of keepers to throw-aways though re Canon 500 L to bigma ?rolleyes1.gif
  • BigAlBigAl Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2007
    gus wrote:
    Can you produce your %'s of 'keepers to throw-aways' though re Canon 500 L to bigma ?rolleyes1.gif
    Unfortuntely, I only had a few shots with the 500, but at the mo, I'm getting a pretty solid keeper rate in the 90s with the Bigma :poke

    It's all about technique mwink.gif

    :lol4
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