Name: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Image Stabilizer AutoFocus Super Telephoto Lens with Case & Hood - USA
Brand: Canon
SKU: CA5004ISU
Price: 6499.00 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 4.85 (26 reviews)

Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Image Stabilizer AutoFocus Super Telephoto Lens with Case & Hood - USA

Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Lens, USA

Canon

Adorama

Photography

Lenses

SLR Lenses

Canon SLR Lenses

Top Rated Gear: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Image Stabilizer AutoFocus Super Telephoto Lens with Case & Hood - USA Image Stabilization Type: Yes (IS), Lens Series: Canon EF Series

This is my go to lens for birds and wildlife. Spectacular image with wonderful detail, saturation and contrast!

The perfect long len

This lens does not get regular use, but is invaluable when I need it.  I can get shots that others miss.

Heavy, but worth it

I use the lens for wildlife, almost exclusively birds, and does it ever do the job.  Focus is instantaneous and the results are super sharp.  Thought long and hard about spending this much money, but am I glad I did.  Yes it is heavy, but I knew that when I bought it and for my use that is not a significant issue.  I get such good color I have difficulty improving on it.  Also super when used with the 1.4 Teleconverter.  Focus is still very quick and accurate.

Everything I always wanted

I absolutely love this lens. I thought after I bought it I would kick myself in the butt for spending this much money, but after taking a picture of an eagle sitting in a tree looking dead at me, it was so worth it. You could even see the eagle's tongue sticking out. I've gotten pictures of pileated woodpeckers, bumble bees, eagles, ospreys, dragonflies, and so on... One can only get so close with a regular lens. I can't wait to get my football pictures!!! The opportunities are endless!

Absolutely Great Buy!

One fine lens

I use this lens hand held on a boat for yachting events and it is the best I have had up to date.
If someone were to steal this lens from me I would buy it again without thinking twice!

PERFECTION !

I am a pro at a large daily newspaper. We have 3 -  400mm f/2.8, 1- 500m f/4 and 1- 600mm f/4  to share between the Canon half of the dept...... we all fight over who gets to use the 500mm at big events. Hands down the best  long glass Canon makes. I wish they would come up with a better lens hood design. We manage to break/bend the hoods and or locking knobs all the time..... You don't want to know what they cost to replace.

Long Canon lens of choice

This lens is unique in the Canon telephoto line up in its ability to close focus. You can fill the frame with a monarch butterfly, shooting at a little more than arm's length. It is also very sharp. Other telephoto lenses require an extension tube to achive such a feat.
It is also rather sharp with Kenko or Canon 1.4 teleconverters. Until I can afford the Canon 500mm f4, this will be my main wildlife lens.

Great Birding Lens at a Great Value

I shoot alot of sports photography and really like this lens. I also plan to use for wildlife photography this summer.

A super Canon lens!

It's just perfect for wildlife , birds in flight!

Perfect!

Wonderful lens for wildlife, I have been enjoying the quality and reach with this lens. I had owned 300mmf4 earlier and I see the reach & quality is superb with this lens.

Wildlife

I bought this lens 3 years ago and have become addicted to high-resolution bird photography, an excellent way to connect with nature and get exercise. I have never been disappointed with the quality of the images, which I am currently taking with a Canon 40D. The lens together with 1.4x extender, camera, extra-tall tripod, and head weights 18 pounds. When I put the whole setup on my shoulder, I can walk for a kilometer or more.  (I need to get a little more padding.) I will be taking this lens to Costa Rica and Arizona within the next few months. The quality of the images is only limited by how fast the operator can track the subject!

A superb bird photography lens

I investigated this lens extensively.  I looked for any viable alternative. There was none.  If you want to shoot pics of small birds, this is your lens. Sharp, even with 1.4 extender.  Light enough to lug around.  Awesome photos.

What else can be said?

Just a great lense for landscape photograpy

Great Canon lense

needed it to shoot the Papal Visit from the Mezzanine of Yankee Stadium and using the 1.4 tele I got great images.  Only comment is it is very heavy and needs a stable support.

Got me the photos

I do handhold this lens and have never used it on a tripod or unipod, but i am a big guy and even so have trouble steadying myself if taking more than 30 seconds to get a shot. I used this lens in some surveillance/anti-terrorism work and found it a good match with the 1DMII. I also used it for perspective variations in shooting at Kamakura and elsewhere.

Handheld performer

I am a complete amateur who uses the automatic settings on my Rebel XTI camera.  This lens is fantastic.  I took it to Yellowstone for wildlife photos and it performed perfectly.  I use a bogen carbon monopod with a quick release tilt top.  Due to the weight of this lens use of a monopod or tripod is mandatory.  I chose the monopod for quick set up and mobility.  Also, I definitely recommend purchasing the extender that's made for this lens.