What can I say about the Canon 500mm lens?

I love this lens!

I can’t really add much more to the great reviews that already exists on this lens.  There are tons of good reviews on the Canon 500mm out there.

When you read those reviews, you see words like ‘superb’, ‘super lens’, ‘tack sharp’, ‘excellent’ and other words like ‘expensive’ and ‘heavy’.

All true.

This lens is amazing.  Its big and heavy…at least in relation to my Canon 400mm 5.6 L.

Take a look at my tripod & camera/lens setup below…the first is with my Canon 400mm 5.6 L and the second is with the Canon 500mm.  Big difference!

Canon 7D with Canon 400mm 5.6 L on Induro CT314

Canon 7d with Canon 500mm on Induro C314

While these images are taken at different angles, it should be easy to see the size difference between the 2 lenses.

The 400mm 5.6 is an awesome lens and a wonderful bargain for the price that you pay to get it (~$1400).  The 500mm is quite expensive at ~$6100 but, to me, the price difference is extremely worth it.  I get value out of the additional $4700 that you I would have to pay to get into the 500mm lens.

Is it worth the extra money?

For one, its 500mm and has IS. My 400 5.6 lags in both those departments.  I’ve found that I tend to move around a lot (even when I try not to) and that movement is a killer at 400mm+.  I can barely handhold the 400 and get sharp shots due to that tremor/movement…but the 500 is tack sharp and perfectly stable while handheld.  The 500mm is bigger and heavier than the 400mm but for me, a powerlifting champ back in the day, the weight isn’t an issue.  I wouldn’t want to handhold the 500mm all day long but i tend to use some type of support (tripod/monopod) when in the field for long periods.

When I put both lenses on a tripod, the lack of IS on the 400 5.6 is less of an issue…but I do still notice the tiniest bit of movement (From my hand/finger when depressing the shutter).  The 500mm removes this movement with IS on.  Of course I could make this a moot point if I used a shutter release.

Using a monopod is where the 500mm really outshines the 400 with regards to IS vs non-IS.  With the 400mm, I’ve got to find something to lean against or hold the monopod against to stabilize the lens. Not so with the 500mm.  I can stand normally (using my best monopod stance) and the 500mm IS helps dampen my muscle movements.

But what about the photos?

This lens provides a great platform for a good photographer with a good skill to capture some amazing images.  Take a look at some of my recent photos taken with the 500mm and you’ll see the quality of this lens.  Of course, the 400 5.6 takes some amazing photos too (take a look at the first photo on this page for an example:  Great Blue Heron).

Conclusion

This lens IS superb and, to me, completely worth the money.  I’m saving up right now to pick up this lens. Check out Adorama and pick up your own Canon 500mm lens…or buy one for me!  If you can’t afford the lens or just want to try it out, do what I did and rent one from Borrowlenses.com.

I rented this lens last month from Borrowlenses.com (great company….see my review here) and almost cried when I had to send it back.  I love this lens and am now saving my pennies to pick one up soon.

For a more in-depth review of the Canon 500mm, jump over to The Digital Picture…they do a wonderful job of looking at cameras and lenses.

Related posts:

1. Canon 400mm 5.6 L Lens Review
2. Canon 50mm f/1.2 L Lens Review
3. Lens Debate – Canon 500mm, 600mm or 800mm?