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Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM Review

Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM

Main Features

  • 500mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 3870g.
  • Diameter: 146mm
  • Length: 387mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 4.5m
  • Max Magnification: 0.12x
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Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM Overview


Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Super Telephoto Prime lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with EF Mount cameras.

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM was replaced with Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM. Follow the link to read our comparison of these lenses:
Compare Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM vs Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM


What type of photography is the Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeExcellent
SportsExcellent
PortraitFair
TravelPoor
StreetPoor
WeddingFair
Walk AroundPoor
VloggingPoor
LandscapePoor
MacroPoor

Lenses in Canon EF Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 3190gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM is a member of Canon's EF L series of lenses. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.

EF L Series Lenses in Canon EF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 400mm F2.8L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 400mm F2.8L IS III USM
Compare
35mm FF 2840gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM
Compare
35mm FF 3050gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS III USM
Compare
35mm FF 1440gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-200 F4L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 70-200 F4L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 780gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon TS-E 90mm F2.8L Macro Lens Canon TS-E 90mm F2.8L Macro
Compare
35mm FF 915gr MF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM Lens Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 950gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L III USM Lens Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L III USM
Compare
35mm FF 790gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 24-105mm F4L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 24-105mm F4L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 795gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Reasons to Buy Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Optical Image Stabilization
Weather-sealed
Autofocus
Distance Scale
DoF(Depth of Field) Scale
Compatible with Canon Teleconverters
Tripod Collar
Full-time Manual Focusing
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
8 Diaphragm Blades
500mm reach great for Wildlife Photography
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Buy Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Heavy
Pricey


Lens Mount

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM is compatible with cameras that have a Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM has a maximum diameter of 146mm and total length of 387mm. It weighs 3870g / 136.5 oz.

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM has a filter thread of 52mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM:

  • 52mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 52mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 52mm Clear Protection Lens Filters



Focal Range

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM has a fixed focal length of 500mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 800mm.

Teleconverter Compatibility

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM is compatible with the Teleconverters below. With the use of these TC/extenders, you can find how the total focal reach and effective aperture of your Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM changes below:


Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Model Coverage with TC Aperture with TC Street Price
Canon Extender EF 2X III Lens Canon Extender EF 2X III 1000 - 1000mm F8 Amazon B&H Photo
Canon Extender EF 1.4X III Lens Canon Extender EF 1.4X III 700 - 700mm F5.6 Amazon B&H Photo

Weather Sealings

The Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Optical Image Stabilization

The Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Tripod Collar

With a total length of 387mm and a weight of 3870g, the Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.12x and has a minimum focusing distance of 4.5m. 0.12x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.

Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Prime type Canon12 mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Canon 400mm f2.8L IS II USM: 0.17x - (Compare)
  • Canon EF 400mm F2.8L IS III USM: 0.17x - (Compare)
  • Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport: 0.15x - (Compare)

Aperture

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM has a max aperture of F4.0 and a minimum aperture of F32.0.

Optical Formula

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM's optical formula consists of 17 elements in 13 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • 1 fluorite lens
  • 2 UD lenses

Body Colour

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM is available in White color.

Popular Comparisons of Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 3190gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm f5.6L USM Lens Canon EF 400mm f5.6L USM
Compare
35mm FF 1250gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 3880gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm F4 DO IS II USM Lens Canon EF 400mm F4 DO IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 2100gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 2400gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 3920gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM
Compare
35mm FF 3050gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 200-400mm f4L IS USM Extender 1.4x Lens Canon EF 200-400mm f4L IS USM Extender 1.4x
Compare
35mm FF 3620gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM Alternatives in Canon EF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 3850gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS USM Lens Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 5370gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM Lens Canon EF 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 1940gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm f5.6L USM Lens Canon EF 400mm f5.6L USM
Compare
35mm FF 1250gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 3190gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 3920gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS USM Lens Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 5360gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm F4 DO IS II USM Lens Canon EF 400mm F4 DO IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 2100gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM
Compare
35mm FF 3050gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm F2.8L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 400mm F2.8L IS III USM
Compare
35mm FF 2840gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport Lens Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport
Compare
35mm FF 3310gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM
Compare
35mm FF 3150gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Canon
Lens Type Prime
Lens Type Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 500mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour White
Zoom Method No Zoom
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 1.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4.0
Min Aperture F32.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 8
Optics
Optical Elements 17
Optical Groups 13
Special Elements 1 fluorite lens and 2 UD lenses

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 4.5m
Max Magnification 0.12X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale Yes
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 3870g
Diameter 146mm
Length 387mm
Materials Magnesium alloy barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 52mm
Filter Notes rear drop-in
Hood Code ET-138
Tripod Collar Yes
Optional Accessories Lens Case 500
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Frequently Asked Questions about Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM
is the Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM
is the Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM
Does Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM have Image Stabilization?
Does Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM


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