Canon EF 500mm lens

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From left to right: EF 28-300mm
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f/3.5-5.6L IS USM, 70-200
f/2.8L IS USM, 300mm
f/2.8L IS USM, 500mm
f/4L IS USM Canon-telelenses MG 0492.jpg
From left to right: EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM, 70–200 f/2.8L IS USM, 300mm f/2.8L IS USM, 500mm f/4L IS USM

The EF 500mm lenses are a group of super-telephoto prime lenses made by Canon that share the same focal length.

Contents

These lenses have an EF type mount, and fit the Canon EOS line of digital single lens reflex cameras.

When used on a camera with a field of view compensation factor of 1.6x, such as the Canon EOS 400D, they provide a narrower field of view, equivalent to an 800 mm lens mounted on a 35mm frame body. With a 1.3x body such as the Canon EOS-1D Mark III, they provide a less narrow field of view, equivalent to a 650mm lens mounted on a 35mm frame body.

These lenses are most commonly used by sports and wildlife photographers.

Three EF 500mm lenses have been available, and all are L series lenses. The most recent, the f/4L IS II, released in 2012 and is the only model in production.

EF 500mm f/4.5L USM

The EF 500mm f/4.5L USM is a professional L series lens that is now discontinued. This lens is constructed with a metal body and mount, and with plastic extremities and switches. Features of this lens include a wide rubber focus ring that is damped, a distance window with infrared index, the ability to limit the focus range, a focus-preset mechanism, and the ability to set the AF speed. A 9 bladed maximum aperture of f/4.5, gives this lens the ability to create depth of field effects. The optical construction of this lens contains 8 lens elements, including one fluorite lens element, and one UD (Ultra low Dispersion) lens element. This lens uses an inner focusing system, powered by a ring type USM motor. The front of the lens does not rotate nor extend when focusing. This lens is compatible with the Canon Extender EF teleconverters.

EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

The EF 500mm
f/4L IS USM with a Canon 2x Extender, rigged with flash and monopod. A typical setup for when taking photographs of birds. Canon EF 500mm f4L IS USM.jpg
The EF 500mm f/4L IS USM with a Canon 2x Extender, rigged with flash and monopod. A typical setup for when taking photographs of birds.

The EF 500mm f/4L IS USM is a professional L series lens that was designed to replace the EF 500mm f/4.5L USM. This lens is constructed with a metal body and mount, and with plastic extremities and switches. Features of this lens are: a wide rubber focus ring that is damped, a distance window with infrared index, the ability to limit the focus range from: 4.5m to infinity, 4.5m to 10m, and 10m to infinity, it also has a focus-preset mechanism, an image stabilizer that is effective up to two stops and is tripod sensing, an AF stop switch, and weather sealing. An 8 bladed maximum aperture of f/4 gives this lens the ability to create depth of field effects. The optical construction of this lens contains 17 lens elements, including one fluorite lens element, and two UD Lens elements. This lens uses an inner focusing system, powered by a ring type USM motor. The front of the lens does not rotate nor extend when focusing. This lens is compatible with the Canon Extender EF teleconverters.

EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM

The EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM is the replacement to the EF 500mm f/4L IS USM. Its specifications are roughly similar to those of the f/4 Mark I, but have a number of significant differences. The Mark II version contains one fewer lens element than its predecessor (16 as opposed to 17), and is 680 grams (1.50 lb) lighter. It also has a 9-blade aperture instead of the 8 blades of the Mark I. [6]

Specifications

Attributef/4.5L USMf/4L IS USMf/4L IS II USM
Image

Canon EF 500.jpg

Key features
Full-frame compatible Yes check.svg  Yes
Image stabilizer X mark.svg  No Yes check.svg  Yes
Environmental sealing Yes check.svg  Yes
Ultrasonic Motor Yes check.svg  Yes
Stepping Motor X mark.svg  No
L-series Yes check.svg  Yes
Diffractive Optics X mark.svg  No
Macro X mark.svg  No
Technical data
Focal length 500 mm
Aperture (max/min)f/4.5 / f/32f/4 / f/32
Construction8 elements / 7 groups17 elements / 13 groups16 elements / 12 groups
# of diaphragm blades989 (circular aperture)
Closest focusing distance5 m (16.45 ft)4.5 m (14.8 ft)3.7 m (12.14 ft)
Max. magnification0.11×0.12×0.15×
Horizontal viewing angle 4°00'
Vertical viewing angle2°45'
Diagonal viewing angle5°00'
Physical data
Weight3 kg (6.61 lbs)3.87 kg (8.53 lbs)3.19 kg (7.03 lbs)
Maximum diameter130 mm (4.7")146 mm (5.75")
Length390 mm (16.0")387 mm (15.9")383 mm (15.8")
Filter diameter48 mm (rear)52 mm (drop-in filter)
Accessories
Lens case ?500500B
Lens hoodET-123BET-138ET-138(WII)
Lens cap ?E-163E-163B
Retail information
Release dateMarch 1992July 1999May 2011
Currently in production? X mark.svg  No X mark.svg  No [7]
MSRP US$750,000 yen (w/case)$5500$8,999.00

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The EF 1200 mm f/5.6 L USM is a super-telephoto prime lens that was made by Canon Inc. It uses an EF mount, and is compatible with the Canon EOS camera range. It has a focal length of 1200 mm and so on a digital body with a sensor size of 22.5 mm × 15 mm, such as a Canon EOS 40D or 450D, it provides a 35 mm field of view equivalent to that of a 1920 mm lens. With a body with a sensor size of 28.8 mm × 19.2 mm, such as a Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, the field of view is equivalent to that of a 1560 mm lens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EF 50mm lens</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon L lens</span>

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The Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lens is a super-telephoto lens by Canon Inc., released at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$11,999.00 and now selling at an MSRP of $12,999.00.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon Extender EF</span>

The Canon Extender EF lenses are a group of teleconverter lenses made by Canon. These lenses are used between any compatible EF type lens and any of the Canon EOS line of cameras. When used with a compatible lens, they will multiply the focal length of the lens by a factor of either 1.4x or 2x, at the cost of decreasing the lens' aperture by 1 or 2 stops respectively. For example, using a 1.4x or 2x extender with the Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM would result in a 700mm f/5.6 or 1000mm f/8 lens.

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The EF 11–24 mm f/4L USM lens is a professional wide-angle lens made by Canon Inc. It was announced on February 5, 2015, and at that time was the widest rectilinear lens ever made for the 35 mm format in either its film or digital versions.

References

  1. Canon Inc. "EF 500mm f/4.5L USM". Canon Camera Museum. Archived from the original on June 9, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  2. Canon Inc. "EF 500mm f/4L IS USM". Canon Camera Museum. Archived from the original on April 28, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  3. Carnathan, Bryan. "Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  4. Canon Inc. "Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Support page". Canon. Retrieved August 24, 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. Canon Inc. "EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM". Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved August 24, 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. Carnathan, Bryan. "Lens Specifications and Measurements: Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens vs. Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  7. Rumors, Canon (April 8, 2021). "Canon officially discontinues a lot more EF lenses". Canon Rumors - Your best source for Canon rumors, leaks and gossip. Retrieved April 9, 2021.