RUATurtle

I had a 300mm f2.8 IS v1 that I was very happy with until I borrowed a friends 500 the subject of this review. It exceeded my expectations especially with the 2X vIII extender.

I've recently gotten into warblers and needed more reach

My 300 was amazing until I but on the 2X extender then it began to suffer. The 500 gets to 700mm also at f5.6 but it's only using a 1.4x converter and I can't see any degradation of IQ as with the 300mm f2.8. With the 2X it's hard to find any fault with the 500(other than heavy and expensive.)

I tried the Sigma,Tamron,Tokina super zooms and was a bit let down in low light and fast focus.

I saved for a year and sold off a bunch of my macro gear to afford this great lens.

I'm an older shooter and this is my workout. I usually carry in a Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW up to 4 miles. I don't find it heavier than my 300mm f2.8 with the 2x Converter.

I bought my 300mm f2.8 used here on FM and had it 5 years. I got back most of what I paid so in the long run buying the best gear pays off when you go to sell it.

With the release of the RF lenses more super telephoto Great Whites will be showing up at the local birding hot spots.

Happy shooting