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Canon EF 500mm f/4.5 L USM : Specifications and Opinions

Canon EF 500mm f/4.5 L USM

The Canon EF 500mm f/4.5 L USM is a supertele lens for FF and APS-C, manufactured from 1992 to 1999 (discontinued). The focus is done by Ultrasonic AF Motor (Ring-USM), it does not have image stabilization.

21 users have given it an average vote of 9.0 out of 10.

MOUNT

This lens is available with the following mounts:

Canon EF: this lens is compatible with reflex fullframe and APS-C Canon EF.

Specifications
Focal lenght	500 mm
Angle of view	5°
Format	FF, APS-C
Max. aperture	f/4.5
Aperture blades	9
Lenses/Groups	8 elements in 7 groups
Min. focus distance	5.00 meters
Reproduction ratio	0.11x
Features
Stabilization	No
Focus	Ultrasonic AF Motor (Ring-USM)
Internal Focus	Yes
Built and notes
Tripod ring	Yes
Extenders	Yes
Filters	48 mm
Lens hood	Yes, supplied
Weather sealing	No
Weight	3000 g
Dimensions	130 x 390 mm
Buy
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Reviews

What do you think about this lens?

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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Wildlifeph

sent on August 04, 2025

Pros: Not excessive weight when compared to other 500 more recent ones; f/4.5; Fast autofocus

Cons: It is not stabilized; bulky in use and transport

Opinion: Dated lens, but it has its reason: lighter than the stabilized models, it loses only half an aperture, for those who do photographic hunting the stabilizer is of little use. He accepts multipliers and in the middle he loses almost nothing by closing 1 stop. Used with 2x on FF it is better than smooth on APSC. With teleconverters it loses a little bit in AF speed, but it is still more than decent. If it is in good condition it is worth it. It won't be super sharp like the 500 f/4 IS II, but it defends itself well. And compared to RF zooms, this one has stratospheric color and light rendition.

Steeelo86

sent on March 20, 2025

Pros: Relatively low weight (apart from the lens hood) Top build quality: fast and accurate AF Also remarkable on R series (R3, R7 and R6)

Cons: AF that if it breaks it is no longer repairable Lens hood that is a boulder Slightly soft and less crunchy than newly designed RF lenses

Opinion: Bought used here on juza this immortal lens After more than 30 years from its construction it still manages to churn out fantastic photos I'm using it on R bodies (R3 R7 and R6) and it behaves very well both in terms of AF and detail It is not as detailed as RF lenses but it can certainly have its say even in 2025 Relatively low weight that for a few shots also allows you to use it handheld Not having the work need of such a lens I have never gone so far as to buy one, but having found a perfect specimen both externally and internally at a modest price I decided to buy it Used for some test shots both on the ski slope and for fauna I think I made a deal. Hopefully nothing breaks as it is no longer repairable at official Canon. Also tried with 1.4x III and I must say that for close subjects it loses almost nothing, if you go to infinity it kneads a bit. If you want to treat yourself to a professional super telephoto at a modest price, I recommend it!!

Andre-3-89

sent on December 14, 2021

Pros: Weight (compared to stabilized models), overall quality, solid construction, incredibly nice to have.

Cons: Weight (in general terms), not stabilized, a bit dated and therefore softer than younger siblings

Opinion: I bought it as the first canvas from a dear friend, mounted on the 5D3 (let's talk about 2021) and then on the 1Dx mk ii (always in 2021) and I went to take naturalistic photos ... Well, what can I say, heavy, bulky, slow to swing because the hood is beautiful tough and not stabilized, but despite all this, the joy of having it with me in some workshops I have done is incomparable. I broke my back in the forest chasing deer, made 4k video of the ibex on the mountains (climbing the wall, kit in the backpack) and split the hair of the foxes on the meadows ... all this with the awareness of having with me a solid slightly nostalgic friend. I changed it with a 300 f2.8 Is, possibly to be multiplied, much lighter and many more recent, but sometimes I still miss the somewhat retro mode of returning current and expendable files in any circumstance. True that he is 20 years old on his back, but if you are lucky enough to find one put well at an acceptable price I would take it home, even if only to know to have it back there with me. Small note: Moving from 5Dmk3 (with BG) to 1D mk iii and 1Dx mk ii the AF has come back to life again.

Gazebo

sent on December 21, 2018

Pros: To be a 500mm is quite light weight, weighs less than the newer, very fast AF, excellent image quality and good resistance to flare

Cons: It is not stabilized, huge and heavy lens hood, we hope that there are no problems, because of spare parts repairs are very unlikely

Opinion: I found it used for about a month at a very good price, it was love at first sight, the first joy was discovering that I can shoot freehand with excellent results, the handle of transport helps not little in the movements, I have not yet managed to post photos Because of the fog and the various commitments, but as soon as possible I will. I conclude by saying that it is very good even with the multiplier 1.4 x, in short I recommend it to those who can not afford the new. Rated 9.5.

Zeval

sent on October 06, 2018

Pros: Sharpness-very Fast AF-weight-price Used.

Cons: Canon politics on old but high class L pieces no more spare parts/revisions

Opinion: I took this lens used year 1992 maybe one of the first specimens... but in good condition because the 300mm F4 is was a bit too short.... short for the photos I currently do. What about a whole other lens, a whole other way to photograph because the angle of the field is only 5 ° but once you take the hand becomes easier. Compared to newer specimens the weight of this 500mm is the lightest, I use this lens even without tripod and the weight is not a problem because when I go around I put the tripod collar between the strap of the "trousers" and the weight becomes ZERO. As for is that there is no this is not a problem because the shutter speed that I usually use is very fast-used for photos of (birds in Flight-sport motorcycles etc.). I tried this lens with 1DX and 6d MkII and AF in both cases it is very fast... Spectacular. The biggest problem is that if you have problems you can not lead to a center Canon this because they do not dare even remotely revise it or if by chance you break fix it.... a real pity.... good is that you can find at a really low price 1500 /2000 Euro. I recommend it to everyone especially if one is not really convinced to spend 3000/4000 euros for a 500mm "used" although newer.

There are 6 more reviews. Show all »

Photos taken with Canon EF 500mm f/4.5 L USM

Hunter and prey

by Marcello Calandrini
114 comments, 30345 views [editors pick]

Dances on the summer solstice

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69 comments, 2760 views [editors pick]

HI RES 3.8 MP

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HI RES 3.8 MP

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Shhhhhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmm!

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85 comments, 16348 views [editors pick]

Movement ... slow

by Pissymau
63 comments, 4214 views

HI RES 3.6 MP

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Very very arrabiata

by Mancini Massimo
94 comments, 9684 views

The conductor

by Fingolfin75
82 comments, 6655 views

HI RES 3.8 MP

White Tailed Eagle

by Robertodp
63 comments, 7420 views

Nuthatch (Sitta European)

by Mancini Massimo
99 comments, 4933 views

Blackcap female

by Giordano52
87 comments, 8979 views

HI RES 4.2 MP

The end of the knight ......

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79 comments, 9178 views

Juv Sparrowhawk

by Prof Chaos
80 comments, 12068 views

Good March 8

by Mancini Massimo
69 comments, 5311 views

Squacco heron

by Loris Polidori
59 comments, 1693 views

Coirosso fireplace sweep

by Carlo Tavallini
58 comments, 2338 views

HI RES 10.7 MP

Hawk in flight

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113 comments, 7866 views

White Tailed Eagle

by Robertodp
34 comments, 5344 views

Kingfisher

by Eos1
47 comments, 3446 views

New Life, Green Woodpecker.

by Pissymau
43 comments, 3265 views

HI RES 3.8 MP

Svalbard

by Photoexplorer
32 comments, 8069 views

Cuckoo, cleaning in the rain

by Carlo Tavallini
45 comments, 2312 views

HI RES 8.2 MP

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

by Mancini Massimo
51 comments, 3773 views

Senior Red Woodpeckers

by Carlo Tavallini
45 comments, 2489 views

HI RES 6.0 MP

Good Morning "Bearded Reedling"

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68 comments, 7006 views

M Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

by Mancini Massimo
60 comments, 4106 views

Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)

by Mancini Massimo
56 comments, 3604 views

When there's love, it's a whole different story

by Pissymau
34 comments, 1141 views

HI RES 3.8 MP

The Knight

by Eos1
36 comments, 2461 views

Saltimpalo - European Stonechat (f)

by Carlo Tavallini
41 comments, 1986 views

HI RES 10.7 MP

Clarifications in the family

by Carlo Tavallini
42 comments, 1497 views

HI RES 10.7 MP

Codirossone (Monticila saxatilis)

by Mancini Massimo
60 comments, 3663 views

Fanello under drizzle

by Carlo Tavallini
38 comments, 1925 views

HI RES 16.7 MP

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Jay marine

by Mariofoto
72 comments, 3313 views

Cormorant 2

by Prof Chaos
35 comments, 5695 views

F Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

by Mancini Massimo
65 comments, 3662 views

The sample photos are selected automatically between all photos posted by JuzaPhoto members, using the camera and the lens selected in the techs. If you find evident errors (e.g. photos taken with cameras and lenses that are not available yet), you can contribute to improve the page by sending a private message to the user that has entered incorrect values in the photo caption.

Reviews » Lenses » Lenses Canon » Canon EF 500mm f/4.5 L USM

Canon EF 500mm f/4.5 L USM : Specifications and Opinions

Buy

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Reviews

What do you think about this lens?

Photos taken with Canon EF 500mm f/4.5 L USM