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by stephenschu3 on Fri Jan 12, 2018 6:55 pm
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I currently own and use a 7D mark II, a 100-400II, and a 1.4 extender III, I am considering purchasing a used obviously Canon 500mm f4, since the version 2 is out of my price range, I just wanted to get some feedback in regards to performance with and without the extender and overall sharpness
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by WDCarrier on Fri Jan 12, 2018 7:11 pm
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I use the Canon 7DII with the older version 500mm and a 1.4 extender and get excellent results. I always use it on a tripod or on a beanbag and usually stick to ISO 800. I don't note any noticeable difference with or without the 1.4 except that with the lower f stops DOF is often a problem, e.g. eye in focus, tail blurry.
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by Scott B on Fri Jan 12, 2018 7:22 pm
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I find the loss of image quality with my older Canon 500mm when combined with the 1.4 extender to be  more significant than with the 100-400II and a 1.4 extender III on both my 7D and 5D Mark III. I have got good results with the 500mm when combined with the 1.4 but it is usually not a go to option for me unless I really need the reach and I have pretty good light.   I do find the 500mm with no extender captures focus better and faster than the 100-400 II, and a 1.4 extender III especially in low light.
 

by E.J. Peiker on Fri Jan 12, 2018 8:00 pm
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Scott B wrote:I find the loss of image quality with my older Canon 500mm when combined with the 1.4 extender to be  more significant than with the 100-400II and a 1.4 extender III on both my 7D and 5D Mark III. 
That sounds like a lens microadjust issue.  The Canon 1.4's pair very well with the older 500 IS but do require calibration.
 

by prairiewing on Fri Jan 12, 2018 8:34 pm
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I've had both versions of the 500 and used extenders extensively, both the 1.4 and the sometimes maligned 2x. I'm not a tester but was able to get good salable images from all combinations. I felt comfortable using the 1.4 in any situation. I used the 2x primarily for things like birds or prairie dogs, where prints were not usually too large and where edge sharpness usually not too important.

I couldn't tell much difference between the version 1 and 2 other than some weight savings. I felt the version 2 was a little better but that was pretty much a gut feeling without any data to back it up. Prices seem to hover around $3700, give or take $200. At that price particularly I think it would be great value for an excellent lens.
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by Neilyb on Sat Jan 13, 2018 4:58 am
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I bought my 500 f4 used about six years ago and it is still my go to lens for wildlife, despite owning the 200-400. My 500 is sharper and more consistent. Using it with a TC I prefer to shoot at f7.1 as wide open the images lack that POP and sharpness. With a 2xTC I really do not bother as sharpness is downright bad.

Be aware though that Canon just removed the 500 f4 and 300 f2.8 IS lenses from CPS coverage.
 

by John Guastella on Sat Jan 13, 2018 12:51 pm
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The 500mm mark I is still on the list for US membership, but points towards qualification have been reduced to 2 (mark II version gets 18 points). 

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by Neilyb on Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:06 am
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John Guastella wrote:The 500mm mark I is still on the list for US membership, but points towards qualification have been reduced to 2 (mark II version gets 18 points). 

John
Ah, in Europe your equipment is either on or off the list but it is a free membership in the end.
 

by Ed Cordes on Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:23 pm
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I bought my 500 F4 version 1 new in 2005.  I have used it with several bodies over the years.  My current cameras are the 7D2 and 5D4. This lens performs extremely well with and without the 1.4 TC.  Once I switched to the newer high MP bodies I quit using the 2 X as the IQ really dropped off but the pixel count was able to make up the difference, so I stick to the 1.4.  I should clarify that I do careful micro-calibration.  Bottom line I am happy and cannot justify jumping to the version II at this time.  My wife and I also use the 100-400 II with and without the 1.4 and like it a lot.  However, if I have the opportunity to use a tripod the 500 f 4 and 1.4 total of 700 mm is really helpful with excellent IQ on either of our camera bodies.
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by Karl Egressy on Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:11 am
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The old 500 f 4.0 L IS was/is a good lens with and without the 1.4x II extender.
The new is somewhat better in resolution, color rendition (or it looks like it) and lighter by 1.5 lb.
However, the current price difference between the two versions is very substantial.
The new Mark II 100-400 f 4.5-5.6 L IS lens is a good one but the 500 outperforms it of course.
In my experience the old 500 did not take the 2.0 II extender very well (ended up not using it at all)
The new 500 paired with the 5DM4 camera takes the 2.0x III extender very well.
 

by Craig Lipski on Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:01 pm
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Not to hijack the thread, but a related Q: I have the old 500, and I, like Karl, find it very good w/ the 1.4 II, but unacceptable w/ the 2x II. I understand that, unlike w/ the 1.4, the 2x III is significantly improved optically. Has anyone had experience w/ it on the “old” 500 4.0?
 

by Coreyhkh on Mon Jan 22, 2018 2:40 pm
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Its a very sharp lens, I had one for 5 years and replaced it with a 600mkii but in some ways, the older lens was better including focus speed.
Iq wise I see very little difference except when using the 2x
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by Vivek on Sat Jan 27, 2018 8:04 am
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Craig Lipski wrote:Not to hijack the thread, but a related Q: I have the old 500, and I, like Karl, find it very good w/ the 1.4 II, but unacceptable w/ the 2x II.  I understand that, unlike w/ the 1.4, the 2x III is significantly improved optically.  Has anyone had experience w/ it on the “old” 500 4.0?
I had the 2X-III with the old 500mm before I switched to the 500-II and as far as I can remember, it was very good. With the 500-II, the 2X-III is fabulous!
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by jnadler on Mon Jan 29, 2018 10:02 pm
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I am going to sell my 500mm F4 IS mk 1. If still interested please contact me.  Jeff
 

by OntPhoto on Tue Jan 30, 2018 3:57 pm
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Vivek wrote:
Craig Lipski wrote:Not to hijack the thread, but a related Q: I have the old 500, and I, like Karl, find it very good w/ the 1.4 II, but unacceptable w/ the 2x II.  I understand that, unlike w/ the 1.4, the 2x III is significantly improved optically.  Has anyone had experience w/ it on the “old” 500 4.0?
I had the 2X-III with the old 500mm before I switched to the 500-II and as far as I can remember, it was very good. With the 500-II, the 2X-III is fabulous!
I have the 500 f4 II.
I have both the Canon 2x II and III.

The III is an improvement over the II.  Faster focusing and sharper. I used the 500 f4 II and 2x III to photograph bald eagles in flight or taking flight in this case.  And it was cloudy or overcast at the time too.  I was impressed with the 2x III's performance.  There is no doubt you will lose some sharpness with a 2x but the 2x III does a really good job.  The original II was slower to focus and not as sharp.
Image


Last edited by OntPhoto on Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:43 am, edited 3 times in total.
 

by jnadler on Tue Jan 30, 2018 4:31 pm
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Looks like I waited to long to sell the I to get the II?

People were selling the I for up to Six grand. Now the I is selling for three to five grand.
 

by Porsche917 on Wed Jan 31, 2018 10:29 pm
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jnadler wrote:Looks like I waited to long to sell the I to get the II?

People were selling the I for up to Six grand. Now the I is selling for three to five grand.


Hi Jeff:

It might be prudent not to wait a whole lot longer if you want to get the best price for your big lens.  

Best Regards,

Roman :-)
 

by Vivek on Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:13 am
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Actually the used price for the 500-I has been below 5K for a while now. I have a feeling that it is probably below 4K now.
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