Looking for Wizdom

You only live once, and if you can afford it and your wife approves of it... what more could you ask for, go for it!


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Originally Posted by JJphoto

update, since I got very good result with the 500mm+1.4XTC combo for shooting closer small birds, I thought I can get pretty good result for shooting distant birds or BIF, but I 'm kind of disappointed so far with the results. I don't know what other people who has had the 500mm for longer time think about it, I feel it's so hard to do BIF on a tripod, hand holding the 400mm 5.6 was so much easier IMO, but then I may need more practice. anyway, just think you may want to know this before you buy and no doubt this 500mm is a great lens.

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The Wimberley head Bob is buying is great for tracking birds in flight. The longer the focal length the harder it is though. When I bought my 500mm I thought about getting the 800mm instead. Now I am glad I didn't because of the extra size and it would be harder to track BIF. If a bird is already moving I find it hard to locate him with the 500mm, but if I can get on him its not so bad.

@JJ. I guess the guilt comes from looking around the house an realizing I need to fix the crack in the fron porch, Landscape the back yard, etc---The only comfort is knowing that these sorts of things are small financial burdens and can usually be delt with from the normal household income, where as the lens is a pretty good chunk of money and requires some long term planning to avoid significant debt. But.....you can do a lot of home improvement with the moeny this lens costs.


@Steve: Investment yes, The fact that these lenses hold thier value so well is very reassuring--thanks for the reminder..


@Trowski: "You only live once" You are correct, and that is probably the deciding factor. I fear if I don't take advantage of this opportunity it will be a very long time before I could do it again.


@HD: BIF is definately a challenge and one that i really enjoy, But really not my primary purpose for the lens.Wildlife is really my passion and this spring I have a couple of trips planned with a friend who is an avid hunter, in search of mountain lion, bobcat, bear, elk etc---with these animals, a lens with reach is definitely an advantage, especially with the cats--they are very elusive and very dangerous if you are lucky enough to find one close enough to photograph---Even with a 500. Iplan on using the wimberly head for these situations as well. Even though I have a very good RRS ball head, It can be a challlenge with my 100-400, I am sure this would also be the case with the 500, so the wimberly is my solution, at least in part.The other part would be practice.


Bob

Bob,


Two weeks ago the 500 f/4L IS was $6140, it went up to $6399 last week, another reason for you to get it NOW before it goes up more.

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Originally Posted by Sinh Nhut Nguyen

Bob,


Two weeks ago the 500 f/4L IS was $6140, it went up to $6399 last week, another reason for you to get it NOW before it goes up more.
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Thanks Nate, I noticed that, and the fear of another price increase in February is looming. Hopefully I'll be able to place my order by weeks end[:D]

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Originally Posted by JJphoto

I'm pretty sure you are searching good deal now, here is a link from TDP shows that one store still selling for $6140. just in case you missed that one.


[url="http://the-digital-picture.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=587912/qlty=n/sort_type=bottomline/st=sort/fd=1]the-digital-picture.pricegrabber.com/.../fd=1[/url]


don't know if this store and there price is ok for you, never ordered anything from them, and just chatted with their online Rep, he said it will be available in about 2 weeks(back order now), brand new, US version.
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Thanks, JJ, Thats a good tip, but I had a bad experience trying to go cheap one time, so now I stick with B&amp;H or Adorama---at least i know that if there is a problem, they are accessible and willing to work with me.


Thanks again,


Bob

Bob


Haven't we cheered you enough....where is that tracking number?


The weekend will be here in just four days.....

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Originally Posted by Bob Williams

but I had a bad experience trying to go cheap one time, so now I stick with B&amp;H or Adorama---at least i know that if there is a problem, they are accessible and willing to work with me.

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sorry to hear that Bob, but Adorama will match the price if I remember right......., anyway, no pressure on you and goo luck!

You only live once mate, might as well enjoy it. Sounds like you