I just bought a used but in very good condition Canon EF500mm F4.5L USM lens. Is this a good lens for bird photography? Please comment and give your advice.... Hussain Nalwala
Posted by Nate Chappell on April 22, 2011 at 7:59 PM
Hi Hussain,
I haven't used it but a lot of good bird photographers have used that lens and some still do including NPN member Jagdeep Rajput. My understanding is that it's not difficult to handhold as it's lighter than the current 500mm F4 IS lens.
Posted by Hans Kruse on April 23, 2011 at 12:36 PM
The Canon 500 f/4.5L weighs 0.8kg less than the Canon 500 f/4L IS. The latter can also be handheld. There is a new 500 f/4L IS mkII on the way that will weigh 18% less and will therefore be almost down to the old lens at 3,2kg.
I'm sure the optical quality of the f/4.5 lens is very good, however if you add a Canon 1.4x TC you will be over f/5.6 and therefore no AF on non 1D series bodies.
Discussion
2 repliesI haven't used it but a lot of good bird photographers have used that lens and some still do including NPN member Jagdeep Rajput. My understanding is that it's not difficult to handhold as it's lighter than the current 500mm F4 IS lens.
I'm sure the optical quality of the f/4.5 lens is very good, however if you add a Canon 1.4x TC you will be over f/5.6 and therefore no AF on non 1D series bodies.