Original Canon long tele's still worth the risk?
p.1 #1Original Canon long tele's still worth the risk?
I've been looking at adding a 500mm or 600mm to my kit. This is just for occasional personal use. A few targeted outings and backyard animals.
I know that Canon will no longer service the original IS 500 and 600, but I think there are shops that will. For the right price is the value there still?
I know that Canon will no longer service the original IS 500 and 600, but I think there are shops that will. For the right price is the value there still?
Nov 06, 2026 at 11:49 AM
p.1 #2Original Canon long tele's still worth the risk?
Michael H wrote:
I've been looking at adding a 500mm or 600mm to my kit. This is just for occasional personal use. A few targeted outings and backyard animals.
I know that Canon will no longer service the original IS 500 and 600, but I think there are shops that will. For the right price is the value there still?
Yes
I've been looking at adding a 500mm or 600mm to my kit. This is just for occasional personal use. A few targeted outings and backyard animals.
I know that Canon will no longer service the original IS 500 and 600, but I think there are shops that will. For the right price is the value there still?
Yes
Nov 06, 2026 at 12:36 PM
p.1 #3Original Canon long tele's still worth the risk?
I sold my EF 200/1.8L because of likely service difficulties, made worse by: (1) its age, (2) its scarcity, and (3) its focus by wire, which requires a working AF unit for manual focus.
OTOH, I'll be keeping my EF 500/4L IS, which I bought new in 2010. Newer versions are lighter in weight and probably have faster AF, but the differences are small, especialy when you consider cost. I don't think there are any compelling reasons related to image quality (IQ), for considering an upgrade.
If the AF and/or IS fails on my 500, there are places that will fix it, and there are parts available on the used-market. If the AF/IS cannot be fixed, then it should still work fine with manual focus. Big white lenses aren't what you would call "common", but the EF 500L IS & EF 600L IS first-gen lenses are a lot more common than the EF 200/1.8L.
OTOH, I'll be keeping my EF 500/4L IS, which I bought new in 2010. Newer versions are lighter in weight and probably have faster AF, but the differences are small, especialy when you consider cost. I don't think there are any compelling reasons related to image quality (IQ), for considering an upgrade.
If the AF and/or IS fails on my 500, there are places that will fix it, and there are parts available on the used-market. If the AF/IS cannot be fixed, then it should still work fine with manual focus. Big white lenses aren't what you would call "common", but the EF 500L IS & EF 600L IS first-gen lenses are a lot more common than the EF 200/1.8L.
Nov 06, 2026 at 02:49 PM
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p.1 #4Original Canon long tele's still worth the risk?
IMO, go for the 500II, I have been using it on the R5II for a while now. AF? blazing fast and accurate. I had the 500 IS I also. The version II is hand holdable for me. After putting it threw it:s paces with the new mirroless camera. Personally I don:t think I will upgrade even if Canon comes out with a new one .. Mine does everything I could ask for.
Nov 06, 2026 at 03:22 PM
p.1 #5Original Canon long tele's still worth the risk?
jcolwell wrote:
I sold my EF 200/1.8L because of likely service difficulties, made worse by: (1) its age, (2) its scarcity, and (3) its focus by wire, which requires a working AF unit for manual focus.
OTOH, I'll be keeping my EF 500/4L IS, which I bought new in 2010. Newer versions are lighter in weight and probably have faster AF, but the differences are small, especialy when you consider cost. I don't think there are any compelling reasons related to image quality (IQ), for considering an upgrade.
If the AF and/or IS fails on my 500, there are places that will...Show more →
I wish I bought the EF 500/4L IS & final EF 200/1.8L with the 10D when it was released in 2003. 2003 happens to be when Canon discontinued the production of the EF 200/1.8L. Having the last copy of the concluding production run of that lens would've been awesome.
I sold my EF 200/1.8L because of likely service difficulties, made worse by: (1) its age, (2) its scarcity, and (3) its focus by wire, which requires a working AF unit for manual focus.
OTOH, I'll be keeping my EF 500/4L IS, which I bought new in 2010. Newer versions are lighter in weight and probably have faster AF, but the differences are small, especialy when you consider cost. I don't think there are any compelling reasons related to image quality (IQ), for considering an upgrade.
If the AF and/or IS fails on my 500, there are places that will...Show more →
I wish I bought the EF 500/4L IS & final EF 200/1.8L with the 10D when it was released in 2003. 2003 happens to be when Canon discontinued the production of the EF 200/1.8L. Having the last copy of the concluding production run of that lens would've been awesome.
Nov 06, 2026 at 06:59 PM
p.1 #6Original Canon long tele's still worth the risk?
Michael H wrote:
I've been looking at adding a 500mm or 600mm to my kit. This is just for occasional personal use. A few targeted outings and backyard animals.
I know that Canon will no longer service the original IS 500 and 600, but I think there are shops that will. For the right price is the value there still?
They're still decent lenses. The 600 is a heavy beast. The 500/4.5 though is quite manageable, even for some handheld use. It paired really nicely with the 300/2.8 for motorsports as each weighed about the same and balanced nicely with one hanging off each shoulder.
I've been looking at adding a 500mm or 600mm to my kit. This is just for occasional personal use. A few targeted outings and backyard animals.
I know that Canon will no longer service the original IS 500 and 600, but I think there are shops that will. For the right price is the value there still?
They're still decent lenses. The 600 is a heavy beast. The 500/4.5 though is quite manageable, even for some handheld use. It paired really nicely with the 300/2.8 for motorsports as each weighed about the same and balanced nicely with one hanging off each shoulder.
Nov 06, 2026 at 10:14 PM