Test driving the new 500 f/4L IS

Harv

I was about to sit down to dinner earlier when my doorbell rang. There stood the UPS man with a huge box at his feet. With a big smile, I signed his electronic clipboard receipt and carried the box inside. It was all I could do to eat dinner before opening the box.

My impatience got the better of me after dinner and I just had to fasten the lens plate, mount my camera to the lens and set it up on the tripod. Then I decided to take it out on the deck for a short spin. Late day sidelighting with the birds in shadows did not do a lot to help but I pressed forward anyway.

All shots taken wide open at f/4, ISO400 and shutter speeds from 1/160 to 1/200. Did I mention it was also windy? Not the best conditions but I couldn't bring myself to wait. Hopefully I can give it a good test drive with better conditions in the next few days.

The only PP on these images was shadow/highlight adjustment to deal with the poor lighting. No sharpening. Shot RAW and converted to JPG.













I think I might keep this lens. Thanks for looking.

Maestro

Awesome set! Wonderful lens!

W.W. Webster

Harv wrote:

Thanks for looking.

Amazing results but, wow, the depth of field at f/4 looks minute - like 1 cm or less?

BTW, what body are you using?

dbaker1221

sweet!!!!!!!!!! if you don't ...can I have it??:D

Harv

Maestro wrote:

Awesome set! Wonderful lens!

Thank you, Stephen. Yes, it's a wonderful lens. It's a much better lens than I am a photographer.

maczippy

Those are lovely...

Andrew

Harv

W.W. Webster wrote:

Amazing results but, wow, the depth of field at f/4 looks minute - like 1 cm or less?

BTW, what body are you using?

Thanks for the kind words. Nope, not a lot of DOF. It was a bit tricky with the birds blowing around on the branches and I did miss focus on a few. It also didn't lend itself to smooth shutter technique and I had to grab shots when I could.

I use the 1D MkIIn.

SirArmstrong

Great pictures and lens, impressed...gotta get me one of them

Harv

dbaker1221 wrote:

sweet!!!!!!!!!! if you don't ...can I have it??:D

Thanks a lot, Dave. I will certainly put you on the list but I'm afraid there are a few ahead of you. You are just too funny, dude.

Harv

maczippy wrote:

Those are lovely...

Andrew

Thanks very much, Andrew.

Harv

SirArmstrong wrote:

Great pictures and lens, impressed...gotta get me one of them

Thanks a lot, Steve. I think this lens rivals my 300/2.8 for sharpness. Now I just need to get out and use it. I've never known anyone who owns one that didn't love it.

raptorcaptor

Congrats on your new lens Harv! I opened my box about an hour ago, and plan to test it out tomorrow at SJWS. Hopefully I'll get some good pics too!

Ric Grupe

New toys are always fun.:D

W.W. Webster

Harv wrote:

I use the 1D MkIIn

Way to go!

Dick on Aruba

Congrats with your lens, congrats with these awesome result.

Enjoy your "Fruits of labor"

Thanks for sharing,

Dick.

WildWally

Very nice shots .
What's with everyone getting new toys ???
Congrats on your new lens , but now , we will be expecting some sharing of your new pics !!!

Dang , maybe Nikon will have a 500 VR coming soon !!!!
Yeah , right

Harv

raptorcaptor wrote:

Congrats on your new lens Harv! I opened my box about an hour ago, and plan to test it out tomorrow at SJWS. Hopefully I'll get some good pics too!

Thanks, Glenn. Congrats to you too and have a great day out with your new toy.

Harv

Ric Grupe wrote:

New toys are always fun.:D

They sure are, Ric. Just like Christmas in July.

Harv

Dick on Aruba wrote:

Congrats with your lens, congrats with these awesome result.

Enjoy your "Fruits of labor"

Thanks for sharing,

Dick.

Thanks very much, Dick. Much appreciated.

Harv

WildWally wrote:

Very nice shots .
What's with everyone getting new toys ???
Congrats on your new lens , but now , we will be expecting some sharing of your new pics !!!

Dang , maybe Nikon will have a 500 VR coming soon !!!!
Yeah , right

Thanks, Walt. I hope I get something worth sharing.