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

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

Press the buttom when the focus is correct to save it. Turn the ring when you want to archive the same focus.

This will probably not work if you use a mirrorless camera.

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.

GraphAD wrote:

David, you mean using the prefocus ring, don't know if you have the same manual but here is a link for one, US version I think. Rarrely use this function.

https://manualsfile.com/download/wxzw7eeot.html

yeah, the playback ring.  I had a look at that manual and it's identical to the European One.  See page eng-8 - it's contradictory.

I have since looked at the Mark II user manual and it clarifies it - turn the playback ring to go to the preset AF point (obviously after having set the AF point using the set button), and to NOT press the shutter button whilst turning the playback ring.  I tested it earlier today and this is how it works.

It would be nice if Canon's literature was correct, and if their "support' could actually answer such a simple question.  But, I guess not.

Kameratrollet wrote:

Press the buttom when the focus is correct to save it. Turn the ring when you want to archive the same focus.

This will probably not work if you use a mirrorless camera.

Thank you!  I figured this out by playing around with it this arvo.  Interesting to know that this will probably not work with a mirrorless camera - any reason why?

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).