I've been shooting mine for 9 years. You are unlikely to shoot it more closed than f11, in order to keep up shutter speed and minimize shake. Maximum resolution is probably f5.6 or f8; can't really tell any difference. If 100% resolution is at f5.6 or f8, f4 is at 98% resolution, quite significantly better than 500 f4.5L. Stopping down on 500f4L IS is only for DOF. It is not needed to improve resolution. All this on FF.
I have used mine wide open at f/4.0 pretty much all the time even with a 1.4X TC (the effective aperture becomes f/5.6 then). From time to time, to increase the DOF, I stop it down one stop and that's pretty much it.
I shoot it wide open most of the time. Sometimes (but not often) I stop down to f/5.6 of f/8 for DOF, not for improved IQ. Once in a while I stop down to get slower shutter speeds for subjects like handheld panning of motorcycle racing in good light, when I'm already down to ISO 100 and the shutter speed is still too high.
What Don said...and as for FF vs crop...I've not noticed any differences in optical performance between the 7D, 5D2 and 1D3 with this lens. I don't think I've ever stopped down more than F/8.
It's great on all of them and takes extenders well too...(I probably shoot it more with the 1.4X attached than I do bare).
I generally use mine with my 7D, and it's fine at all apertures I've used. The depth of field on such a long lens is so narrow regardless of aperture (I have a photo of a squirrel staring at me from about 5 meters away, taken at f/10, and critical focus is from his nose to his eyes) that shooting at smaller than f/11 probably provides no usable benefit anyway, even if you can get the desire shutter speed at that aperture.
Will try to remember all this on my next outing. Chicagoland weather is getting crazy by the day such that all my backyard songbirds have taken an unauthorized leave of absence
sritri wrote:
I just got this lens and have been shooting around f/9 - f/13 on a 7D and the results were abysmal.
How can the 500f4 have abysmal results at f9 if good technique is used?
Have you MA'd the lens?
What shutter speed?
Has anyone else had an issue stopping down with this lens?
Surf, Don & Star - It could very well be my questionable technique
The longest lens I had used before was a 400/5.6 which I hardly used before trading it for a 300/4 IS. I have had better results with the 7D + 70-200/2.8 IS II + 1.4 II + 2 II combination than the 7D + 500/4 @ f/9+
At this point I am convinced that my technique with 7D + 500 needs more time as the same with a 5D Mk-II handheld photo came out crisp and sharp.
sritri wrote:
Surf, Don & Star - It could very well be my questionable technique
The longest lens I had used before was a 400/5.6 which I hardly used before trading it for a 300/4 IS. I have had better results with the 7D + 70-200/2.8 IS II + 1.4 II + 2 II combination than the 7D + 500/4 @ f/9+
At this point I am convinced that my technique with 7D + 500 needs more time as the same with a 5D Mk-II handheld photo came out crisp and sharp.
To check your lens for sharpness, you should try setting up on a tripod using live view to confirm focus. Eliminating all other factors is the only way to determine if it's the lens that's at fault. The 70-200 with stacked extenders shouldn't be giving you better results. Post some 100% crop photos of your tests - that way you can get some input from those that know what to expect.
It could be the lens, but rarely does one ever hear of a 500mm f4/IS that needed to go back to Canon due to an optical problem. My own copy is exceptionally sharp, wide open or stopped down.
You also might consider your tripod and head. After buying my first Gitzo, I dumped my two lesser tripods. I now use 3 different sizes of only Gitzo. And when I purchased my 500, at the same time, I bought a full Wimberley (not side kick) head. Super teles demand top quality support. No sense in paying $6,000 to $10,000, and then going cheap on the legs and head.
I am more than covered on that Don. I have the full wimberly and a flat seat tripod rated max at 70lbs. I also have a ball head by Vanguard rated for 55 lbs. The tripod on its own weighs more than 6lbs
I tried some MA for the first today with the 7D and 500. AT no MA it looks like some serious back focussing. But around -10 to -Max, it seems better. Not able to decide whether -10 or -15 looks closer ?
