Quick answer
The Canon New FD 500mm f/4.5L is a super telephoto telephoto lens covering 500mm at f/4.5 for the Canon FD mount. Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
About this lens
The Canon New FD 500mm f/4.5L is a manual-focus telephoto prime lens covering 500mm at f/4.5 for Canon FD mount cameras, from the Canon L series. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.
Canon New FD 500mm f/4.5L specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon FD
- Focal length
- 500mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/4.5
- Lens type
- Telephoto
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1981
- Optical construction
- 7 elements in 6 groups
- Autofocus motor
- none
- Minimum focus distance
- 5 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.14x
- Filter thread
- 48 mm
- Weight
- 2610 g
- Length
- 395 mm
- Diameter
- 128 mm
Specification source: en.wikipedia.org
What can you shoot with the Canon New FD 500mm f/4.5L?
At 500mm this is a super telephoto telephoto, which typically suits:
- Wildlife and birds
- Motorsport and field sports
- Distant subjects and the moon
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor (adapted mount, so sensor size depends on your camera). 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° |
| Micro Four Thirds | 2.0x | 1000mm | 2.1° | 2.5° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Canon New FD 500mm f/4.5L use?
It uses the Canon FD mount, so it fits Canon FD cameras directly and can be used on other systems through a mount adapter.
What is the focal length of the Canon New FD 500mm f/4.5L?
It is a fixed 500mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/4.5. That makes it a super telephoto lens.
Is the Canon New FD 500mm f/4.5L 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/4.5.
What is the Canon New FD 500mm f/4.5L 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. On Micro Four Thirds (2x crop) it frames like 1000mm on full frame, with a 2.1° horizontal and 2.5° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
Alternatives for Canon FD from other brands
All Canon FD lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
