Canon 500mm f4 L IS Test Photo Gallery by Dan Ng at pbase.com

Canon 500mm f4 L IS Test

Just received the new lens and was quickly disappointed at its sharpness. Check out the Honda's license plate...this was the sharpest image of dozen shots I took of it.

All tests were done with the 500mm (with and without Canon 1.4x EFII converter) on Canon 5D and 20D cameras. Comparison test images were done with Canon 100-400 L IS lens on either a 20D or 30D. Center focus point was used with IS and mode 1 on. Camera support was on a Gitzo 1258 (4-section tripod) with Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead and Wimbereley sidekick. Only the 100-400mm on the 30D were handheld.

Weather was overcast and gray. All images were shot at highest quality jpg. and are unprocessed 100% crops. My initial impressions show the 500mm lens is sharper close up with distance shots downright soft. Distances are estimates and I realize there is more atmosphere and haze at long distances that can degrade the image.

It could be my tripod, technique or a defect in the lens. I'd appreciate any comments and advice. I can send the lens back for an exchange. Thanks, Dan

P.S., starting with the cereal box images, I've been bracing the lens with my arm stretched over over the length of the barrel with similar soft results. The 4 images after these were done on a sunny day, faster shutter speed and (without the wimberley sidekick) the 500 mounted directly on the ballhead.

500mm 20D @ 1/2 mile	500mm 20D @ 1/2 mile	700mm 20D @ 1/2 mile	700mm 20D @ 1/4 mile
100-400mm 20D @ 1/4 mile	700mm 20D @ 750'	700mm 20D @ 1.5 miles	700mm 20D @ 75'
700mm 5D @ 25'	700mm 20D @ 100'	700mm 5D @ 50'	500mm 5D @ 50'
100-400mm 30D @ 50' handheld	500mm 5D @ 25'	100-400mm 30D @ 25' handheld	700mm 20D @ 50'
100-400mm 30D @ 50' handheld	700mm 20D @ 20'	100-400mm 30D @ 20' handheld	700mm 20D @ 20'
700mm 5D @ 20'	700mm 20D @ 20'	500mm 5d @ 25'	500mm 5D @ 50'
500mm 5D @ 100'	500mm 5D @ 200'	500mm 20D @ 25'	500mm 20D @ 50'
500mm 20D @ 100'	500mm 20D @ 200'	5D 500mm @ 1mile.	5D 500mm @ 1mile
5D 500mm @ 50'	5D 500mm @ 75'

comment |

Yavuz Eryavuz		22-Oct-2012 04:15
What I see here is 100-400 is a very good lens:))

gardener		01-Jan-2012 17:44
Surprising, probably the learning curve. My Nikon 500 f4, very similar, needs a strong tripod. I use the Gitzo 354 xls, together with the Wimberly type ll head which works wonders. Keep shooting. Peter

Guest		24-Apr-2010 00:43
Oh Lord, another "I got a bad lens" thread. Please......... This lens is incredibly sharp, but if you've never used a super-tele before there is a bit of a learning curve to handling something of this size. I shoot motorsports, no tripod just a good CF monopod and a 1D MkIII and the images are sharp enough to make me cry! I've also shot airshows hand-holding it and get the same results, you just can't do it for hours at a time!! Absolutely the best piece of glass in my kit.

David Dugal		22-Nov-2008 18:37
Hi Dan, my 500 f4 is very sharp (with the right technique), took a bit of time and eventually had to go the Gitzo 1548 carbon fibre and Wimberley Mk11. Worth every penny! I can see your faster shutter speeds and smaller aperture shots are sharp so it may not be the lens? (I try to use f8 as much as the light will allow). Good luck and get rid of the monoball...!!! Regards Dave.

Stenos Wach		23-Sep-2008 23:39
I believe you must have got a "Friday-lens" - my 500mm F4 is very sharp indeed (close to my 300 mm f2.8 and my new 200mm F2, both Canon). I have to admit, that it takes a while to learn to use the 500mm successfully - and a good tripod (I use a huge Gizo).

Petras Abromavicius		28-Mar-2008 09:29
I am using Sigma 50-500mm and 300-800mm.For me it looks that in sunny days lens produces normal sharp shots.In any way Canon 100-400mm is no better lens judging on your exemples.Long distant shoots can have air turbulens so these can very a lot in different conditions.If you want some test shots in original from sigma 300-800mm write me a mail and I wil send you them.You yourself can judge is your canon as good or not.

Julius Kovatch		11-Jul-2007 05:58
Dan, your 500 mm shots look fine and razor sharp both the tower @ 1 mile and the roof vent at 75'. For this lens a bigger tripod certainly could be an advantage. I am using a Feisol 3471 with the Wimberley II head. I could discuss more about the lens and related accessories if you send me an Email. I will send you my Email address in a private message and you could get in touch with me if you want to. Julius

Bob D. Kaufman		24-Jun-2007 03:29
Dan, your 500mm shots do look a tad soft. Although the shots of the cereal boxes and the following shots seemed to be better. I use the 500/f4 + 1.4X on a 20D (and later a 30D), always on a tripod and a gimbal head (Bogen 3421) for most of my bird shots and they were quite good (see my earlier galleries)

Bryan Ramsay		07-Jun-2007 13:18
Dan, maybe I shouldn't have been so fast on my previous comment. Have you looked at the lens with different f stops, I've noticed that stopping down to f/8 REALLY makes an improvement when I can. At the distances you're working you could also be seeing a lot of atmospherics, the 100-400 shots don't appear that much clearer! -BJ

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