Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Full Review

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review. A super long focal length is the biggest attraction to the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens and where the product category gets its title. Super image quality and sharpness are highly notable features. Super size might be a downside (unavoidable in a lens with the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens' specifications). Utilizing Ring USM (Ultrasonic Motor), the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens focuses very fast, very accurately - and very quietly. Limiting the focus distance range can improve focus lock times and reduce focus hunting.



Autofocus Stop buttons (near the objective lens) allow autofocus to be temporarily stopped. The Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens is equipped with a Focus Preset feature. Autofocus Stop buttons near the objective lens allow autofocus to be temporarily stopped.

Image quality from the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens is just as super as you would expect. Canon's 2008 Super Telephoto Lens Lineup

Canon's 2008 Super Telephoto lens lineup is shown above. The shortest lens standing on its rear cap in the center is the Canon EF 200mm f/2.0 L IS USM Lens. To its left is the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens. Continuing left, the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens is shown resting on its tripod ring. Moving the top-most lens - this is the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM Lens.

Build quality is in line with other lenses in the Canon L Series - professional grade. Of course, with a lens of this size, quality build brings along weight. Canon has made an effort to keep the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens as light as possible without sacrificing strength by utilizing a Magnesium alloy lens barrel.

IS (Image Stabilizer or Image Stabilization) allows the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens to be handheld a full 2 stops lower than a 500mm non-IS lens. Fortunately, the IS version on this lens is tripod-sensing. The Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens knows that a tripod is being used when vibrations go below a certain level. When purchased from a reputable dealer, the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens comes packed in a 24" x 11" x 11" (610mm x 279mm x 279mm) lens trunk. A leather-like lens cover (it is more than a lens cap and a bit of a pain) protects the large objective end of the lens. My primary use for the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens is wildlife and bird photography where I need portability. The resulting 1000mm f/8 IS lens shows noticeable image quality degradation - and only autofocuses on a 1-Series body (center AF point only).

Prior to purchasing the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens, my bird and wildlife lens was my Canon EF 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens along with a Canon Extender EF 1.4x II. The next logical/significant step was the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens. Canon 500mm Lens Comparison Picture

Who said the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS L Lens (above left) was big? The Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens hood (above right) could swallow it up! The 500 is pictured with a Wimberley P40 Lens Plate attached to the tripod collar.

The relatively large Canon EF 300 f/2.8 IS L Lens (above left) is noticeably smaller than the Canon EF 500 f/4 IS L Lens (above right). Both lenses have Wimberley Lens Plates attached to their tripod collars and lens hoods in place.
The Canon EF 300 f/2.8 IS L Lens trunk (above top) is noticeably smaller than the Canon EF 500 f/4 IS L Lens trunk (above bottom).

There are some serious considerations when mounting the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens to a tripod. First, the tripod and head must be able to handle the weight of this super telephoto lens. I suggest a Wimberley P40 Lens Plate or a Wimberley replacement foot for the tripod ring.
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Full Review | Lens

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