How well does the Canon XTi work with super telephoto lenses (ie Canon 500mm f/4)?
I use the XTi for its light weight and small size. The image quality and features are good enough for me for landscapes and travel. However, I would like to rent a Canon 500mm f/4 for an upcoming trip.
Will the XTi do a good enough job or do I need to rent a body as well?
It works well :-) I've used the 350D (xt) with the 600 f4 IS for more than one year with good results
Posted by Richard Hahn on August 27, 2007 at 7:57 PM
Jack,
Where do you rent lenses?
Thanks
Posted by Steve Foss on August 27, 2007 at 8:28 PM
Zack, welcome to NPN. Great to see you here.
I've seen wonderful images from the XT and 500 before, and I recently put the XT on a Canon 600 f4 IS. IQ was sweet. Focus wasn't attained, held or regained quite as fast as with the 30D or the "1" series bodies, but focus speed was acceptable. The XTi, if memory serves, was to have a better autofocus system than the XT, so I doubt you'll have many issues unles you're working on very demanding bird in flight images, in which case you'll get fewer sharp "keepers" with the combo than you would with a "1" series body.
Do you have a solid tripod? The 500 weighs quite a bit less than the 600 or 400 f2.8, but it's still tough to handhold for any length of time unless you're strongly built and have a very durable left frontal deltoid muscle. Most who use the 500 in most situations put it on a sturdy tripod with a gimbal mount head, which both can cost a pretty penny. If you don't have a really strong tipod, I'd recommend shooting it off a rest such as a beanbag or fallen log or hood or window of your car, and timing the moment if you're shooting BIF so you only have to pick up the lens and support it on your own for several seconds at a time.
Posted by Ed Cordes on August 27, 2007 at 11:24 PM
You will love the 500 F4 IS. It is the best lens I own and use it a lot.
Posted by Ron Dudley on August 28, 2007 at 9:14 AM
Zack, I've been using the XTi with the 500 f/4 for a number of months now and think they make a very good combination. I don't have a lot of experience with other cameras to compare it to but I've been very pleased with my decision to purchase the 500 for use with my XTi.
Ditto Steve's tripod advice. Except under very unusual circumstances I've pretty much given up on trying to hand hold the 500, though others seem to be able to do it with excellent results.
Richard: There are two locals shops that rent lenses in Southern California. There are also a few online places such as http://www.lensrentals.com/item/canon-500mm-f4-l-is?utm_source=tdp&utm_medium=cpc
Discussion
6 repliesI use the XTi for its light weight and small size. The image quality and features are good enough for me for landscapes and travel. However, I would like to rent a Canon 500mm f/4 for an upcoming trip.
Will the XTi do a good enough job or do I need to rent a body as well?
Thanks!
Where do you rent lenses?
Thanks
I've seen wonderful images from the XT and 500 before, and I recently put the XT on a Canon 600 f4 IS. IQ was sweet. Focus wasn't attained, held or regained quite as fast as with the 30D or the "1" series bodies, but focus speed was acceptable. The XTi, if memory serves, was to have a better autofocus system than the XT, so I doubt you'll have many issues unles you're working on very demanding bird in flight images, in which case you'll get fewer sharp "keepers" with the combo than you would with a "1" series body.
Do you have a solid tripod? The 500 weighs quite a bit less than the 600 or 400 f2.8, but it's still tough to handhold for any length of time unless you're strongly built and have a very durable left frontal deltoid muscle. Most who use the 500 in most situations put it on a sturdy tripod with a gimbal mount head, which both can cost a pretty penny. If you don't have a really strong tipod, I'd recommend shooting it off a rest such as a beanbag or fallen log or hood or window of your car, and timing the moment if you're shooting BIF so you only have to pick up the lens and support it on your own for several seconds at a time.
Ditto Steve's tripod advice. Except under very unusual circumstances I've pretty much given up on trying to hand hold the 500, though others seem to be able to do it with excellent results.
Richard: There are two locals shops that rent lenses in Southern California. There are also a few online places such as http://www.lensrentals.com/item/canon-500mm-f4-l-is?utm_source=tdp&utm_medium=cpc
Thanks again!