Canon EF 500mm f4 IS L (mark 1, NOT the mark II) playback ring question

BlueRay2 wrote:

David Pastern wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I've just invested in a used Canon EF 500mm f4 IS L Mark 1 lens. Reading the manual, page ENG-8, in regards to using the playback ring, it's very contradictory and confusing. The Left hand side of the page says to fully press the shutter button down when turning the playback ring. The Right hand half of the page says the complete opposite - to keep the finger away from the shutter button when turning the playback ring.

I've rang Canon support, but they had no idea what I was talking about lol.

I've had a look at the manual for the mark II version of this lens and the working on the relevant page is very different, indicating that you use the playback ring by itself, no shutter button is depressed when turning the ring.

So, what is it? For a major multi billion dollar company, their product manual proof reading is atrocious. I know it's an old lens and an old manual, but it doesn't excuse sloppy work.

Again am I far from impressed with Canon's support (this is an ongoing issue with Canon Australia support over many years from my PERSONAL experiences).

Cheers,

Dave

Dave, i have a canon 600mm f4.0 II, which is very similar to your 500 f4.0 non-IS. can you explain what a "playback" ring on your lens is, please? why would a lens have a "playback ring" as you call it? i am astounded it here thinking about it. appreciate it.

large knurled ring in front of the manual focus ring.  I thought the 600mm f4 mark II has it, the 500mm f4 mark II has it (as per the user manual).  My 500mm has IS btw.  It's the original f4.5 version of the lens that was discontinued in the late 90s that didn't have IS (and it was replaced by my mark I IS version).