Next-generation super telephoto L-series lens with an Image Stabilizer, it's one of the world's best lenses for wildlife and nature photography. The optical system is newly designed with a maximum aperture of f/4. One fluorite element and two UD-glass elements effectively correct aberrations resulting in sharp and excellent delineation.
8High-performance L-series super-telephoto with dual-mode Image Stabilizer function
Ultra-high image quality with Fluorite and UD Glass
High AF speed with improved Ring USM and algorithms for focus prediction
Magnesium alloy lens barrels
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: minimum focus distance
I bought my 500mm 3 years ago and have taken over 10,000 photos normally with my 1.4x attached. I hand carry the lens attached to a 7D using a Black Rapid R strap because I prefer to walk & stalk birds as opposed to setting up. I find using a tripod too constrictive. I'm 64 and not nearly as strong nowadays but still manage to get wonderfully sharp images because of the speed of the camera/lens combination. People are always amazed at seeing me walking along with my 500 on one shoulder and a 2nd 7D with a 100-400 slung across the other. My only complaint about the 500 is the minimum focus distance which is the primary reason I also carry the 100-400. Before I started carrying both I had to give up numerous close-up shot opportunities. It would also be nice if a new 500 comes out with the 3rd stabilization mode option because you never know when a bird will take off or fly by and you need to from mode 1 to mode 2 and then back to mode 1.
I purchased this lens about three months ago and used have used it extensively since then. I just returned from a trip to Yellowstone and came home with spectacular wildlife shots.
This lens will give you extremely crystal clear shots under extreme conditions. While I normally have this lens on a tripod with a gimbal tripod head I had a couple of occasions to use it hand held. The IS is superb and even hand held yielded crystal clear shots of moving targets.
Yes, this lens is heavy and it is expensive, but that is a very small price to pay for the quality shots you will get with this lens. Also, I almost exclusively use this lens with the 1.4 extender and it works perfectly coupled with my Canon 5D Mark II.
My experience with this lens has been all positive. Honestly, I have found no flaws and no reason to not recommend this lens to any individual who loves to shoot wildlife.
Pros: great contrast, superb image quality, built like a tank, fast focus, works well with teleconverter, works well with extension tube, fine for macros around life size
Cons: expensive, bulky, heavy
This is my 4th L-series lens and the contrast and sharpness are well beyond the others. I started out shooting birds and animals with an EF 1.4x teleconverter attached. I'm using this with a very sturdy tripod and a gimbal head with excellent results. My "keeper rate" has gone up substantially from my EF 400mm f/5.6L.
I've taken several thousand shots with this lens and the only question is usually, do I want the 1.4x extender or not. Lately I've been adding my 25mm extension tube and taking some amazing macros. It's wonderful to have a bumble bee or dragonfly fill the viewfinder at 12-feet and see ever last detail in sharp relief when I view the image full size.
The cost of entry is high and it's a bear to lug around, since it's both hulky and heavy, but that's the price that we pay for such a fine, fast lens.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
Cons: size and weight
I just came back from an 8 day safari in the Okavango Delta (Botswana), and was using this lens on an EOS 1Ds Mark III body, along with a 5D Mark II with the 70-200mm IS lens.
I have 10 Canon lenses, mostly zooms, and used to think that they were sharp. However when I got back the images that I had taken with the 500mm, I was blown away by how sharp the images were. They were substantially better than anything that I had ever seen before, and truly used all of the 21 MegaPixel resolution.
I am now thinking of buying more prime lenses to get more of that wonderful sharpness that I have become addicted to.
The only downside to this lens is the size and weight. I can highly recommend it.
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