Camera Labs

Not about the Space Shuttle and lacking the curves of other subjects, here's one shot with the same lens wide open with a 1.4x TC:



Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
Image Date: 2011-04-16 17:44:54 +1000
Focal Length: 700.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 0.0016 s (1/640)
ISO equiv: 320
Exposure Bias: +0.67 EV
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: Adobe RGB (1998)

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EOS 7D + grip, EOS 40D + grip, EOS 10D + grip
EF-S 10-22mm f:3.5-4.5, EF 17-40mm f:4L, EF-S 60mm f:2.8 Macro, EF 70-200mm f:2.8L IS, EF 300mm f:2.8L, EF 500mm f:4L IS, EF 1.4x Converter II
2x Speedlite 550EX
Manfrotto 190XPROB

Nice shot - It sure is a lovely lens!

Thanks Gordon. I enjoyed your review.

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EOS 7D + grip, EOS 40D + grip, EOS 10D + grip
EF-S 10-22mm f:3.5-4.5, EF 17-40mm f:4L, EF-S 60mm f:2.8 Macro, EF 70-200mm f:2.8L IS, EF 300mm f:2.8L, EF 500mm f:4L IS, EF 1.4x Converter II
2x Speedlite 550EX
Manfrotto 190XPROB

Wonderful photos as always Gordon, I would love to get the Nikon 500mm or 600mm f/4, or even the 400mm f/2.8, but currently I don't have $10 000 to spare!

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

Great review and shots Gordon!Im considering renting one of those big guns from the same place as you did.By the way that picture of the launch taken by your friend is amazing!

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Canon 40D w/vertical grip
Sigma 24-70mm EX DG f2.8
Canon EF 300mm f2.8 L USM
Canon 400mm f5.6 L USM
San Disk Ultra II 4gb
Manfrotto 681B
Canon 200 EG backpack.

Gordon has raised the possibility of buying a lens like this used as pros upgrade to the new model. Well, the new model hasn't come out yet but that's pretty much how I got mine. I was pretty lucky but I had waited a long time and had even considered a 500mm f/4.5L. I was even luckier that the calibration was spot on and the lens works beautifully with all my bodies.

Yes, it's still a big slab of money but if you can wait (I waited 2 years) you have time to save.

I look at it this way: I know friends with hobby cars. I have friends with hobby motorcycles. I have a hobby lens which cost a lot less than what they fork out. The downside is that I'm not going on holidays in the near future!

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EOS 7D + grip, EOS 40D + grip, EOS 10D + grip
EF-S 10-22mm f:3.5-4.5, EF 17-40mm f:4L, EF-S 60mm f:2.8 Macro, EF 70-200mm f:2.8L IS, EF 300mm f:2.8L, EF 500mm f:4L IS, EF 1.4x Converter II
2x Speedlite 550EX
Manfrotto 190XPROB

Thanks for all yuor comments everyone! Glad you like the video and report!

JD, you're amongst friends here, you don't need to justify your purchase! It's a fantastic lens, and even better if you managed to get a good deal on a used model..

Coincidentally, Canon just announced the new 500mm Mark II will go on sale sometime this year, but there is no specific date.

Roy, yes Trey got a great shot of it entering the clouds! If you rent from Borrow Lenses, don't forget to click through to them via their banner on that lens page, or the support us page - thanks!

I certainly will do it through Cameralabs' links,supporting this community will be my pleasure.

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Canon 40D w/vertical grip
Sigma 24-70mm EX DG f2.8
Canon EF 300mm f2.8 L USM
Canon 400mm f5.6 L USM
San Disk Ultra II 4gb
Manfrotto 681B
Canon 200 EG backpack.

Hi folks,

Slightly off-topic but with the USA retiring the Shuttle and reverting to a more old-school approach (MPCV) it's good to know that, as reported here, we in Europe are pressing ahead with ground-breaking technology even though the initial iteration will, if funding continues to be forthcoming, be unmanned:

Source: Reaction Engines Ltd via Universe Today.

If, and OK, it's a big "if", this long talked about engine technology fulfils all its promise wouldn't you just have to feel sorry for the NASA guys if they were passed on orbit by something like the ship in the picture above while cooped up in one of these:

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

.
My favourite image from Flight Day 12 (click for larger):

More images from Day 12 can be found here and the entire archive of highlight imagery for both Shuttle missions and ISS Expeditions can be found here.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Great photo there Bob - I keep forgetting NASA make many of their images available in high res...

On another note, both Bob and I came across some fantastic footage of the Endeavour liftoff at the same time - if you haven't already seen it, do check out:

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogal ... d=91578781

Some amazing angles and shots I've never seen before from a launch...

Shot with a NIKON D2Xs and edited with Adobe Photoshop CS4 Windows
Jikes, they are certainly not using state-of-the-art equipment

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Gordon what a review! Lovely thoroughly enjoyed the video as well as the report and pictures. Sorry to hear that you missed the launch. Do you plan to go back to see Atlantis?

Does anyone know of any good UK version of borrow lenses I would love to try the new 70-200mm 2.8 is ii before I buy one at christmas (have tried the old one). Also might rent a Canon 10-22 or 16-35L.

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

@James

Try CalumetPhoto. They do lens rentals.