I'm wondering how many Canon 500mm f/4.5 users are out there. Are you still happy with its performance? What are you using it for? Are there significant performance differences between the Mk1 amd Mk2 versions
cwphoto wrote:
I didn't know there was a Mark II...
I don't believe there was (at least Canon's camera museum only indicates one version). I know the one I owned was from the last year of manufacture (1998) and looked exactly the same as early ones.
collinbridge wrote:
I'm wondering how many Canon 500mm f/4.5 users are out there. Are you still happy with its performance? What are you using it for? Are there significant performance differences between the Mk1 amd Mk2 versions
Speaking as a current EF 500mm 4.5 L owner.............I'm very happy I own a Feb 1998 date lens and was not aware of them being labeled as ver. I or II.
Do I wish it was the newer IS version......mmmmm.....maybe at times of low light or quick shots, but..........the lack of IS has forced me to improve my long lens technique if I expect my percentage of keepers to be high.
If you can find one in good condition it is a fine investment.
rmr24 wrote:
Just got one last week and still getting used to handling a big lens, makes my 100-400 IS seem like a lightweight!
Very nice , have a gallery of more and the EXIF to see what the speed and f stop was?
Thanks Jim
Here is one handheld out the truck window:
Mike
Bob cat
Focal Length 500 mm
Exposure Time 1/60 sec
Aperture f/4.5
ISO Equivalent 400
Holy crap, you took this free hand not even equaling the rule of thumb of minimum exposure time = length of lens (500 sec at least for this lens
That's a sharp shot for your settings
I took a burst of 11 shots, I got lucky and 3 of them came out pretty good. These were taken in Palo Duro Canyon, Texas and the Bobcat was in the shadows as the sun had not come over the rim at this spot. I am pretty sure I was not resting the lens on the door, as that would have probably made it worse as the truck was running. Like I said, I got lucky, I certainly do not expect to get very many keepers handholding a 500mm at 1/60 sec!
The 4.5 lens performs really well, trouble is most owners really hanker for the later updated F4 IS version knowing that the capabilities increase especially being able to use the teleconverters unrestricted, the extra 0.5 F stop is just so limiting at times!
Images of wild Dunlin, Calidris alpina with the so called "studio camera", ie my 1DsII!, and 500F4.5L, 1.4 t/c, gitzo 1348, arca swiss ballhead and sidekick gimbal, iso 400, 1/500s at F8 with fill flash at -1 1/2
Mike
Edited by Brambling on Nov 17, 2005 at 05:17 PM GMT
The 500mm f4.5L is a beautiful lens. I had one for a while and only sold it because my photography changed. One thing is, I had the lens in for servicing (just a cleaning) and was talking to a Canon tech about the lens in general and he told me that Canon doesn't have any usm motors for that lens left and that it is different from any other model, so if the usm ever went, I'd be out of luck. I don't know if this is accurate but it would warrant a little investigation before spending the $$$ on one. Good luck.
Thanks for interesting input guys and some cracking images. I saw a 500mm f/4.5 with a grooved hood which made me jump to the conclusion of a Mk2. Perhaps this was a feature of the later versions. Mine is of older vintage but in immaculate condition. I have heard of the USM being non repairable but have been unable to substantiate. I use the 500mm for motorsport with a monopod most of the time; however the lens can be very effectively hand held for quick shots
I own a Feb 1998 date lens and was not aware of them being labeled as ver. I or II. 
