Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Super Telephoto Lens for Most EOS SLR Cameras - White
Average customer rating
5
(10 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 10 reviews
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
100%of customers recommend this product.
(
7 out of
7)
Customer Reviews for Canon - EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Super Telephoto Lens for Most EOS SLR Cameras - White
Customer Rating
5
An optical masterpiece
on June 6, 2016
Posted by: osprey
from Lady Lake, FL, United States
Incredibly sharp lens, quick, precise autofocus, and wonderfully balanced when on my camera. Saved for a year and luckily found a used one in perfect shape. Not a versatile lens, but what a gem when circumstances warrant its use.
As with the earlier IS version, the silly sub-standard tightening system for the expensive lens hood could be improved. As is, when in the field it's still a clunky, slow, relatively fragile, aggravating mechanism (I had to order the replacement parts from Canon -- great service though) that leaves marks on the lens barrel grooves. . Heck, for field use, I'd even prefer a cheap, ugly black plastic lens hood that twists on. But, otherwise, I am thrilled by the wonderful optics of this lens.
As with the earlier IS version, the silly sub-standard tightening system for the expensive lens hood could be improved. As is, when in the field it's still a clunky, slow, relatively fragile, aggravating mechanism (I had to order the replacement parts from Canon -- great service though) that leaves marks on the lens barrel grooves. . Heck, for field use, I'd even prefer a cheap, ugly black plastic lens hood that twists on. But, otherwise, I am thrilled by the wonderful optics of this lens.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
500 mm
on March 30, 2018
Posted by: L H
from houston
I have a 100to 400 which I really like but this lens is even better
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Best Value of the “Great White” Supertelephotos
on May 11, 2018
Posted by: DifferentSkyPhoto
from Portland, OR
The EF 500mm f/4L IS II is the sweet spot of Canon’s L series supertelephoto line up. It offers great reach, fast AF and the same quality build and features as its heavier, more expensive stablemates. At a little over 7 lbs, it’s quite a bit lighter than the 400 f2.8, 200-400 f4, 600 f4 or the 800 f5.6. That’s good for your back. It’s also cheaper - $2,500 less than the 600, $4,000 less than the 800 and $1,000 less than the 400. That’s good for your wallet. Pair the EF 500 mm with a 2X extender and you have a 1000mm f/8 lens that autofocuses on 1-series or 5-series bodies. Granted, the 2X extender will degrade image quality some but for me the results are fantastic. For even more fun, stack two 2X extenders with an EF-12 extension tube and you have a 2000mm lens!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Saved a long time for this lens...it was worth it!
on December 19, 2015
Posted by: Brenda
from Florida, United States
I don't think there is a lens out there to replace this, already won an Audubon award and truly know its because of this lens...it GETS YOU THERE!! The "definition and crispness" is beyond anything I have worked with.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Excellent!
on February 5, 2014
Posted by: wd
from Bryan, Texas
I had wanted the original 500 for a long time. Finally was able to buy the new model. Not cheap, but it has already has allowed me to take pictures that were not feasible before. Very pleased.
Pros: excellent image quality
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Wonderful Lens
on January 10, 2019
Posted by: Navy
from Tulsa, OK
I have had this lens now for two years and wouldn't do without it. Hand holdng this lens for very long is very tiring. I use mine with a Gitzo tripod and a Wimberly Gimbal Tripod head. The combination of the three is astonishing. Using the series III extenders is good as long as you have enough light for the AF to work.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Superlight Super telephoto
on June 10, 2012
Posted by: holzphoto
from Louisville Ky
The canon 500mm II is a masterpiece. Version I was as well, but somehow, some way canon managed to shave 1.5 lbs off of this lens. For travel and hiking this lens cannot be beat.
The lens seems to AF slower with the series III tele converters vs the series ii. So keep that in mind.
The 4 stops of IS also helps with hand holding this lens, but so does the aforementioned weight savings.
I am happy I have purchased the 500mm ii and it will be a nice companion to my 800mm L.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, weight
Cons: price, slow af w/ series iii teleconverters
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
A Workhorse for the Field
on May 21, 2016
Posted by: Carefree Photos
from Arizona, United States
Used this lens on a 1DX for an air show and was required to be 625 yards away from the runway. To give you an idea of how the frame was filled: when a 737 aircraft was landing or taking off, I could not see the entire aircraft in the frame when it was a-beam. It brings you that close. But will have to agree, this is not a hand hold lens if you are a single focus point shooter. Got tired within 45 minutes of panning across the field. Would definitely use a mono-pod and will be laying it on bean-bags at the next shoot in Africa.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com