Canon Canon EF Telephoto

EF 500mm f/4L USM

500mm
f/4.0
Telephoto

Quick answer

The Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM is a super telephoto telephoto lens covering 500mm at f/4.0 for the Canon EF mount. Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.

About this lens

A 500mm f/4 telephoto prime lens, the Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM is designed for Canon EF mount bodies, from the Canon L series with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. A professional super-telephoto L-series lens, a fixture on sidelines and at wildlife hides.

Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM specifications

Brand: Canon
Mount: Canon EF
Focal length: 500mm
Maximum aperture: f/4.0
Lens type: Telephoto

What can you shoot with the Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM?

At 500mm this is a super telephoto telephoto, which typically suits:

Wildlife and birds
Motorsport and field sports
Distant subjects and the moon

Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.

Full-frame equivalent and field of view

Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.

Sensor	Crop	Equivalent	Horizontal FOV	Diagonal FOV
Full frame	1.0x	500mm	4.1°	5°
APS-C	1.6x	800mm	2.6°	3.1°

Try the field-of-view calculator

Frequently asked questions

What mount does the Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM use?

It uses the Canon EF mount, so it fits Canon EF cameras directly.

What is the focal length of the Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM?

It is a fixed 500mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/4.0. That makes it a super telephoto lens.

Is the Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM a prime or a zoom lens?

It is a prime lens with a fixed 500mm focal length. Primes usually open wider than zooms; this one opens to f/4.0.

What is the Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM equivalent on a crop sensor?

On APS-C (1.6x crop) it frames like 800mm on full frame, with a 2.6° horizontal and 3.1° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.