EF 500mm f4.5L vs EF 500mm f4L IS [IQ compared from experiences]

[ray_storege]

<p>Can anyone over here, who actually has experience(s) with both lenses, tell me how these two 500mm's compare to eachother ? Is the 500mm f4.5L actually on par with the 500mm f4L IS, or does the IQ differ much between both ? I'm not really interested in AF performance nor am I interested in the stabilisation feature of the latter, the thing I'm trying to look into is a IQ comparison, about the overall sharpness (especially wide open) and so on.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>Ray</p>

[zml]

<p>I have no experience with the 500/4.5 but there were similar threads here <a href="../nature-photography-forum/00DUz8">http://www.photo.net/nature-photography-forum/00DUz8</a> and <a href="http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/629505/0">http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/629505/0</a> and in many other places on the 'net, and the consensus is that its IQ is fine, very close to that of the 500/4.<br>

A review of the f/4.5 version is here <a href="../learn/nature/500L">http://www.photo.net/learn/nature/500L</a><br>

As an aside, the 500/4.5 is no longer repaired by Canon AFAIK.</p>

[scott_ferris]

<p>Ray,</p>

<p>IQ aside, the earlier f4.5 is not supported by Canon anymore and if the focus motor goes you cannot get it fixed, and the real kicker, you can't even manually focus! Be very aware of this before thinking of getting one of the non IS super teles, none of them are supported anymore and none of them will even manual focus if the focus motor dies.</p>

[robertbody]

<p>I heard the parts are not available for 500mm f/4.5 -- that could be why Canon doesn't repair them.<br>

Those lenses go for an attractive price on Ebay sometimes [compared to 500mm f/4], but if something breaks, who can help you?<br>

I would have more confidence in the 500mm f/4 which I have used, liked it.. a lot<br>

There might be places that rent f/4.5 but likely they are not.. many places do have f/4 though... about $260/week to rent, not cheap.......<br>

<img src="http://robertbody.com/animals08/images/2008-07-24-zoo-puma-40d_7848.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="500" /></p>

[ray_storege]

<p>Thank you folks very much for taking the time to reply to me, I'm have the answers I was looking for thx to this thread and another one at this forum.</p>

<p>Best regards, Ray</p>