Testing the 500 f4 L IS at Singapore birds Photo Gallery by romy ocon at pbase.com

Testing the 500 f4 L IS at Singapore birds

I had to fly to nearby Singapore last April 13, 2006 to check out how the legendary 500 f4 L IS handles and performs (this lens is not available in Manila). I was eyeing this lens to reinforce my 500 - 700 mm range, both for fliers and hand held shots at static birds. This new glass will complement my other birding lenses (Sigmonster, 400 5.6L and 100-400 L IS).

As it turned out, I was awed enough with the Canon prime's performance and handling to buy it on the spot, even if it's costlier than ordering from the US. I put a huge premium on ensuring that the copy I'm buying has no QC issues, and I was willing to pay a bit more for the privilege of testing prior to committing purchase.

Before coming home to Manila, I tried the new lens at whatever birds I could find in the Yishun Area. The versatile 100-400 L IS provided lightweight support.

IMG_9156-1000x750.jpg Olive-backed Sunbird (Male) Scientific name - Nectarinia jugularis Habitat - Common lowland sunbird [20D + Canon 500 f/4 L IS, hand held]	IMG_9230-1000x750.jpg Olive-backed Sunbird (Female) Scientific name - Nectarinia jugularis Habitat - Common lowland sunbird [20D + Canon 500 f/4 L IS, hand held]	IMG_9175-1000x750.jpg Olive-backed Sunbird (Female) Scientific name - Nectarinia jugularis Habitat - Common lowland sunbird [20D + Canon 500 f/4 L IS, hand held]	IMG_9175-100crop.jpg Olive-backed Sunbird (Female) Scientific name - Nectarinia jugularis Habitat - Common lowland sunbird [20D + Canon 500 f/4 L IS, hand held, 100% crop]	IMG_9525.jpg HOW THE 500 F4 L IS MEASURES UP - (Left to right) Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG), 500 f/4 L IS, 100-400 L IS and 400 5.6L. In the foreground are Sigma, Canon and Tamron 2x/1.4x TC sets.
IMG_9192-800x600.jpg White-bellied Munia Scientific name - Lonchura leucogastra Habitat - Common, ranging from forest to ricefields. [20D + Canon 500 f/4 L IS, hand held]	IMG_9021-800x600.jpg White-vented Myna Scientific name: Acridotheres javanicus Habitat: Open country and agricultural land. [20D + 100-400 L IS, hand held]	IMG_9024-800x600.jpg Olive-backed Sunbird (Female) Scientific name - Nectarinia jugularis Habitat - Common lowland sunbird [20D + 100-400 L IS, hand held]	IMG_9167-1000x750.jpg Zebra Dove Scientific name: Geopelia striata Habitat: Open country, cultivated areas and gardens. [20D + Canon 500 f4 L IS, hand held]	IMG_9167-100crop.jpg Zebra Dove Scientific name: Geopelia striata Habitat: Open country, cultivated areas and gardens. [20D + Canon 500 f4 L IS, hand held]
IMG_9240-800x600.jpg Olive-backed Sunbird (Female) Scientific name - Nectarinia jugularis Habitat - Common lowland sunbird [20D + Canon 500 f/4 L IS, hand held]

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