Welcome to keh.com!
Theme gray image

Canon 500mm f/4 L IS II USM EF-Mount Lens {Gel}

Model #367313
  • $5,027.00

Select Gear Grade
Our Grading System
New in box complete with manufacturer's USA warranty. Not previously owned or used.
Essentially new with no signs of use. “Open box.” In manufacturer's packaging with original accessories and instructions. 180-day warranty.
Barely used with virtually no traces of wear. Only the closest inspections will reveal slight use. Lens glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Lightly used with limited signs of wear. Exceptionally nice but may have slight wear on finish visible. Lens glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Noticeably used with average signs of wear. Shows moderate wear for the age of the item, with the possibility of blemishes and/or minimal dings. Lens glass may have average dust and zoom/focus ring tension may have slight looseness or tightness overall, but will not affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Frequently used with above-average wear. May have dents, dings, or finish loss. Lens glass may have small scratches, dust, and blemishes, and zoom/focus ring tension may have moderate looseness or tightness overall, but should not affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Heavily used with extensive visible wear. Equipment is rough, with multiple impressions in the finish, excessive finish loss and brassing. Glass will have marks, fungus and/or heavy/cloudy haze which could affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. Not covered under KEH warranty.
Non-functional or damaged. Equipment will not work. Usable for parts. Not covered under KEH warranty and non-returnable.
BN Bargain
With Caps, Case and Hood
$5,027.00
Only 1 left!
Free 180 Day warranty on all purchases
FREE SHIPPING OVER $75 + FREE 21-DAY RETURNS
Talk with an expert:
1-800-342-5534

Canon's proven 500mm f/4 super-telephoto built for working professionals.

The EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM is the lens that wildlife and sports photographers reach for when the shot cannot be missed. Two fluorite elements and four aspherical elements work together to cut chromatic and spherical aberrations at wide apertures, so you're getting clean files at f/4 even in difficult backlight. The Sub Wavelength Coating controls flare and ghosting in ways that matter when you're shooting a white egret against open sky or a football player under stadium lights.

The USM autofocus motor is fast and near-silent, which counts for plenty when tracking erratic subjects. Image stabilization gives you real working latitude when handholding or shooting from a vehicle window. The gel filter compatibility at the rear of the barrel keeps filter use practical at this diameter without front-mounted stacking.

Native to the Canon EF mount, this lens covers full-frame and APS-C bodies equally. It also adapts to Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, Fuji X, and L-Mount systems, which extends its useful life well beyond any single camera body. At 500mm and f/4, you have a focal length and aperture combination that has defined professional telephoto work for decades.

Who It's For

Wildlife photographers shooting in low light or at distance will put the f/4 aperture to immediate use, getting shutter speeds that freeze animal motion without climbing to extreme ISOs. Sports photographers covering outdoor events benefit from the USM focus speed and image stabilization when panning fast-moving subjects across a long field. Birders who need to isolate subjects from cluttered backgrounds at 500mm will appreciate the aberration control from the fluorite elements. Photographers already on Sony E, Nikon Z, or Canon RF systems can adapt this lens and get full use of a full-frame telephoto that would cost considerably more to replace with a native-mount equivalent.

Key Features

  • 500mm fixed focal length with f/4 maximum aperture
  • Two fluorite and four aspherical elements reduce chromatic and spherical aberrations
  • Sub Wavelength Coating minimizes flare and ghosting
  • USM autofocus motor with near-silent operation
  • Optical image stabilization for handheld and vehicle shooting
  • Rear gelatin filter slot eliminates front-element filter stacking
  • Canon EF mount with full-frame and APS-C coverage
  • Adapts to Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, and other systems

FAQ

What autofocus speed can I expect with the EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM?
The USM motor delivers fast, near-silent AF suitable for tracking wildlife and sports subjects. It's not the latest generation of Canon focus tech, but it performs reliably across EF-mount bodies.
How much does image stabilization actually help when handholding at 500mm?
The IS system gives you real working latitude for handheld or vehicle-mounted shooting, especially below 1/500s shutter speeds. It's not a replacement for adequate shutter speed, but it expands your handholdable range.
Will this lens have chromatic aberration at f/4?
The two fluorite elements and four aspherical elements suppress chromatic and spherical aberrations across the aperture range. You'll get clean files at f/4 even in backlit conditions where CA typically shows.
Can I use front-mounted filters without stacking problems?
No, the 500mm front diameter makes practical stacking difficult. The rear gelatin filter slot keeps filter use manageable without front-element mounting complexity.
Does this lens work on APS-C cameras?
Yes. The EF mount covers both full-frame and APS-C bodies. On APS-C you get effective 800mm coverage with the same f/4 aperture.
What's the flare control like in difficult lighting?
Sub Wavelength Coating handles flare and ghosting effectively. You'll notice the difference shooting white subjects against bright skies or under stadium lights where older super-telephotos show obvious flare.
Can I adapt this to mirrorless camera systems?
Yes. EF lenses adapt to Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, Fuji X, and L-Mount systems via third-party adapters, extending usable life beyond a single EF-mount body.
SpecificationValue
Focal Length500mm
Max Aperturef/4
Min Aperturef/32
MountCanon EF
StabilizationYes
AF SystemYes
Lens Format CoverageFull-Frame
Optical ConstructionTwo Fluorite & Four Aspherical Elements
CoatingSub Wavelength Coating

This description was generated using AI based on KEH's internal product standards, product expertise, and knowing what customers care about most. While we strive for accuracy, details may vary by individual item.

Brand Name Canon
Focus Type Autofocus (lens motor)
Lens Mount Canon EF
Lens Type Telephoto / Long
Max Focal Length 500mm
Min Focal Length 500mm