Quote Originally Posted by RazorTM


Can you handhold the current 500 for a long time? I've read a lot of reviews saying that it can only be done in moderation. Since the new 500 is lighter, I assume it can be handheld for longer, and that's why I've decided that I will buy the 500 II instead of the 600 II if/when I have the money for it. If the current 500's weight allows it to be handheld most of the time, I might seriously consider the 600 II instead...

Can I hondhold it. Yes. For a long time, not and be accurate. Of course I am always looking at somthing to support on, whether it be out of the truck window or off my knee. The 500mm is a big lens.


Its not all about weight, you have to keep in mind center of gravity and how the wight is porportioned. For instance, the 1D Makr IV has an option that you can change the AF stop button to an option that makes the AF point smaller for shooting birds in the bush or whatever. The buttons that actuate this on the 300mm and 500mm are out at the end of the barrell. Easy to reach on the 300mm hand held, but on the 500mm its harder to reach out to them. With the wimberley plate (if you hold the lens from the plate which I do sometimes hand held)on the bottom of the 500mm it balances just a little in front of the mount with the 1D IV attached. This is a natural V for my arm and elbow to be bent against my body to support the 500mm. If you add 2 1/2" of the 600mm even though it weights the same as the 500mmmore of the weight will be in the front of the lens than on the 500mm, this is because the front elements are larger on the 600mmthan the 500mm and more glass is going to mean more wieght on that end. Which means your arm will extended farther to balance, andwith less leverage for your arm to support that wieght itmayvery well be harder to hold even at the same weight.I wish there were one I could test all this on, but most likely when they are released I will be ordering what I choose blind.