EF500mm f/4L IS USM – a wildlife specialist
One of the best all-round super telephoto lenses, and one of the most popular, the Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM offers reach, a fast maximum aperture, a two-mode Image Stabilizer and great usability.
Who is it for?
The lens at the top of every wildlife photographer’s wish list, the EF500mm f/4L IS USM lens fulfils the needs of most wildlife shooters as well as those of many sports photographers. The 500mm focal length is long enough to fill the frame with small, shy animals and birds, but still retains enough mobility to be comfortably carried over long distances.
Key features
- Diagonal angle of view: 5°
- Lens construction (elements/groups): 17/13
- Closest focusing distance: 4.5m
- Focus adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM
- Filter Diameter: 52mm, rear drop-in
Key benefits
The 500mm focal length is considered to be almost ideal for wildlife. It is long enough to fill the frame but not so long that it is unwieldy in use. The lens’ Image Stabilizer provides two modes to produce sharp images whether you are panning with a bird in flight or shooting a lion asleep under a tree.
Side view of the EF500mm f/4L IS USM super telephoto lens.
The ring-type USM autofocus motor and faster focusing algorithms means you can keep focus on a cheetah chasing down its prey. The addition of the AF stop buttons allows you to keep the focus on the subject by momentarily stopping the AF when an obstruction cuts between you and the subject.
The lens features improved dust and moisture resistance to ensure it keeps working wherever your travels take you. These seals are especially effective when attached to the professional EOS-1 series cameras. Combined with a magnesium alloy body to keep weight down, the lens is tough and easy to carry, and can even be used hand held should the need arise.
The lens can also be used with either the EF1.4xII or EF2xII extenders to provide a 700mm f/5.6 or a 1000mm f/8 lens and the large f/4 aperture permits AF even when using extenders.
Key technologies
- USM autofocus
A ring-type USM autofocus motor means you can focus quickly, near-silently and with precision. It also provides full-time manual focus so that you can adjust the focus with the focus ring, without first having to switch the lens to manual focus. This allows you to adjust the focus accurately to ensure it is exactly where you want it to be for the most creative control possible.
- UD lens elements
The lens incorporates one fluorite element and two ultra-low dispersion (UD) lens elements to ensure the highest image quality by effectively suppressing secondary spectrum and chromatic aberration.
Lens Specifications
| Angle of view (horzntl, vertl, diagnl) | 4°, 2°45', 5° |
| Lens construction (elements/groups) | 17/13 |
| No. of diaphragm blades | 8 |
| Minimum aperture | 32 |
| Closest focusing distance (m) | 4.5 |
| Maximum magnification (x) | 0.12 |
| AF actuator | USM¹ |
| Filter diameter (mm) | 52 Drop-in |
| Max. diameter x length (mm) | 146 x 387 |
| Weight (g) | 3,870 |
| Magnification - Extension Tube EF12 II | 0.15 - 0.03 |
| Magnification - Extension Tube EF25 II | 0.18 - 0.05 |
| Lens hood | ET-138 |
| Hard case | Lens Case 500 |
| Soft case | - |
| G.F.Holder III (hood III*) | NC |
| G.F.Holder IV (hood IV*) | NC |
| AF actuator | ¹ Mechanical full-time manual focusing built-in. |
| *Maximum number of Hood III/IV attachable. In case of zoom lenses, the maximum number applies to the |
| short focal lenght |
