Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 25.5 x 14 x 14 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 24 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item.
• ASIN: B00009R6X4
• Item model number: 2532A002
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 15, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Always a favorite of motor sports, wildlife and nature shooters, the relatively lightweight 500mm lens now adds Image Stabilization for an unbeatable package of handling and sharpness. Fluorite and UD-glass--a combination available from no other lens manufacturer--provide great performance, even with the EF 1.4x II or 2x II tele extender attached. It focuses down to less than 15 feet (4.5m), and offers the same weather-resistant design and incredible AF speed as its 300mm, 400mm and 600mm siblings.

See a Different Dimension
A super telephoto lens can make an ordinary scene into an extraordinary one. Its ability to see surpasses that of the human eye. It can compress images and make them look as if they come from another dimension. It opens up new realms of photographic expression. All EF super telephoto lenses are L-series lenses to provide the highest quality. The USM provides quiet and high-speed autofocusing. These lenses promise outstanding delineation and put your imagination to the test.

Product Description

Next-generation super telephoto L-series lens with an Image Stabilizer, it's one of the world's best lenses for wildlife and nature photography. The optical system is newly designed with a maximum aperture of f/4. One fluorite element and two UD-glass elements effectively correct aberrations resulting in sharp and excellent delineation.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bird Photography, March 26, 2005

By	Gerald Reed "Jerry" (Essex, CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After noting the captions of exceptional photographs that appeared in nature and photography magazines were often shot with this lens, I began to read the reviews. Based on the uniformly excellent reviews, I bought this lens and spent two weeks this January in the Florida Everglades taking pictures of birds. Based upon my experience with the lens, I would rate this as second in sharpness and contrast only to the 300 mm f2.8 Canon L series lens. The lens is handholdable for short periods to shoot birds in flight, but it is best suited for use on a solid tripod with a Wimberley tripod head to allow tracking of birds in flight.

Jerry Reed
Giclée Maker
http://www.newlightimages.com/

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best 500mm wildlife lens, November 14, 2006

By	Mark W. Bohrer "Technology Writer & Documenta... (Saratoga, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I needed more reach than 400mm gave on my EOS 1D, so I purchased Canon's 500mm f/4L IS three years ago. It's incredibly sharp out to the corners at f/4. With bird and mammal portraits, you see every feather, every hair.

The lens is light enough to use on a Wimberley Sidekick. Some claim to be able to handhold it, but I think its eight-plus pound weight is a bit much for that. I carry mine in a long lens case with backpack harness from Kinesis Gear.

This lens' image stabilization works very well. I've used it on a tripod with one-second shutter speeds and good telephoto technique, and gotten sharp, publishable images.

With an EOS 1D or 1Ds, lens and camera are rain-proof in mild storms.

I also got mine through Adorama, and had no problem with delivery or post-sale advertising.

If you buy one expensive long lens for wildlife, choose this one.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're on the fence - take the plunge!, March 24, 2008

By	Bruce Gove (Ukiah, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a magnificant lens! I'm still learning this beast, but I certainly don't regret buying it. With the 2X teleconverter on a sturdy tripod, it gives me an effective focal lengh of 1300mm (500 X 2 X 1.3 - conversion factor for the Canon 1D Mk III) - you'd have even more focal length with a camera with a larger conversion factor - 1.6 for cameras like the 30D, but in most instances that would be too much FL. With out the 2X TC, the AF is lightning fast, and even with it it's pretty fast. You only get the use of the center sensor with the 2X, so if you're working small subjects like humming birds, it works well to focus on the eye, lock focus and recompose. With a little practice, this lens will give you amazing sharpness. If you're a serious bird photographer, this will be your favorite super telephoto. It's lighter and cheaper than the 600 f/4 and you're only giving up 100mm. I've only been using this lens for a week, and I absolutely love it!