EOS Documentation Project

EF 500mm f/4 L IS USM

by Dave Burrows

Contents

• Introduction

  Parts  Description  Features 

• Operation

  Mounting  Removal  Hood  Tripod Mount  Manual Focus  Focus Distance Selector  Autofocus Stop  Focus Preset  Aperture  Image Stabilizer  Lens Hard Case 

• Accessories

  Lens Cap  Hood  Filters  Teleextender  Extension Tubes  Tripod Mount  Case 

• Incompatibilties

  EF-M body  EOS bodies  Tripod 

• Precautions
• Lens Care

  Storage  Service 

• Specifications

  Dimensions  Weight  Filter Mount  Optics  Focus mechanism  Focus Range  Autofocus Motor  Full Time Manual  Focal Length  Magnification  Angle of view  Aperture Range  Image Stabilizer 

• Revision History
• Comments

Introduction

Parts

Description

This lens is a professional grade telephoto fixed lens for Canon EOS cameras. It offers Ultrasonic autofocus with full-time-manual override. The exclusive Image Stabilizer reduces the effect of camera shake, a common cause of blurred images when shooting without a tripod.

Features

• Far-reaching 500mm focal length
• Ultrasonic autofocus motor
• Full-Time Manual override
• Dual Mode Image Stabilizer with Tripod detection
• Removable Tripod Mount Ring
• Matched Lens Hood (included)
• Slot for 52 series drop-in filters

Operation

Mounting

Unscrew the lens cap that is on the front of the camera (or if a lens is already attached, press the lens release button and unscrew the lens anti-clockwise.

Unscrew the lens cap at the base of the lens, line up the red dot on the lens and the red dot on the camera body, then twist the lens gently in a clockwise motion until you here the lens contacts click.

Removal

Press and hold the lens release button which is on the front face of the camera body. Whilst doing this, twist the lens in an anti-clockwise direction. You will notice that once the lens is unthreaded from the camera, it will become loose. Put the camera body down, and screw on the camera body lens cap in a clockwise motion until it locks. Now screw on the base lens cap in a clockwise motion until it locks. When putting the lens down, avoid standing it on the lens contact end, as this after a period of time may damage the lens contacts.

Hood

When the lens is stowed away, the lens hood is reversed on the front of the lens. To remove the lens hood, twist the metal know on the lens hood anti-clockwise until it becomes tight. Gently remove the lens hood by pulling it off the front of the lens. To mount the lens hood, reverse the hood and place on the front of the lens. Once the lens hood is fully on, twist the metal knob on the lens hood clockwise until is is tight. To remove the lens hood for stowaway, repeat this procedure in reverse.

Tripod Mount

The tripod collar has a knob on the collar. To loosen the collar, twist the knob anti-clockwise and the collar should become free to rotate. To tighten the collar, twist the knob clockwise and the collar will become locked in position. To remove the collar, loosen the collar and align both the tripod collar red dot, and the lens mount red dot, once aligned you can pull the tripod collar off (towards the back of the lens) .

Manual Focus

The first switch is the auto focus switch. Pushing this switch to the left enables the auto focus, and pushing the switch to the right disables this and sets the lens to manual control.

Focus Distance Selector

This switch allows you to change the focus distances on the lens. There are times when you may want to focus closer for items like macro photography, or when you require faster auto focusing, and the lens is focused in or around the setting that you have specified. Current options are:-

• 2.5m to infinity
• 2.5m to 6.4m
• 6.4m to infinity

Autofocus Stop

The lens is equipped with an Auto Focus Stop button. When you are trying to focus on a target, you can press the Auto Focus Stop button to temporarily halt the focusing. If the shutter release button is still being depressed when you release the Auto Focus Stop button, auto focusing will continue. AF Stop does not currently work on the Canon EOS 630, 600, RT, 5/A2/A2E, 10/10 S or 3 and cannot be used in Manual mode.

Focus Preset

Focus Preset is an option on the lens where if you usually focus at a particular range, i.e. bird photography, then you can Preset the focus so you can return to quickly to your normal focus

Setting the Focus Preset

1. To enable, switch the Focus Preset button to position 1
2. Depress the shutter button half way
3. set the focus to the point you wish to focus at
4. Press the Focus Preset button

Using a Focus Preset

1. Rotate the Focus Preset ring to the left or right
2. depress the shutter button fully way to take the picture

Aperture

All Canon EF lenses have an electronic diaphragm, which means that the lens aperture is controlled electronically from the EOS camera body, rather than by the traditional aperture ring. For instructions on changing the aperture setting of any Canon EF (or EF compatible) lens, please refer to the operating instructions for the camera body.

Image Stabilizer

Enabling Image Stabilizer

1. Position the Image Stabilization switch on the lens to position 1
2. Select MODE 1 or MODE 2
3. Depress the shutter release button half way to enable the Image Stabilizer

Mode 1

Enables Image Stabilization both on the horizontal and vertical planes

Mode 2

Enables Image Stabilization only at right angles to the cameras movement. This option is better used for bird photography.

Lens Hard Case

When putting the lens in it's hard case, make sure you put the lens upside down, so the tripod mount is facing upwards. Then fasten the lens strap which is located inside the case so it goes around the lens barrel and affixes to the other side of the lens case. Now shut the lens case and push the lock switches into place. For added security use the key to lock both opening clasps on the case.

Accessories

Lens Cap

Part number E-164 [Included]

Hood

Matched hood (Part number ET-138) [Included]

Filters

Unlike most consumer based lenses, filters are not put on the front of the lens. Towards the back of the lens (near the lens mount) there are two push in metal clasps. Push these in and pull up, and the gelatin filter holder will be removed.

1. Lay filter holder flat on a flat surface
2. Lift up the top plate of the filter
3. Drop the gelatin filter into the holder slowly
4. Close the top plate of the filter
5. Replace the filter holder into lens

Teleextender

Both Canon 1.4x and 2.x Telextenders can be used on this lens. We do not recommend using non Canon Telextenders on Canon lenses.

	1.4×	2×
Focal length (mm)	700	1000
Aperture	f/5.6-45	f/8-64
Picture Angle Diagonal	3°30'	2°30'
Picture Angle Vertical	2°	1°20'
Picture Angle Horizontal	3°	2°
Maximum Magnification	0.17	0.25

Extension Tubes

Canon Extension Tubes are recommend on Canon lenses.

	Photographic Range (mm)		Magnification (×)
Extender	Close	Far	Close	Far
EF12	3856	21193	0.15	0.03
EF25	3391	10778	0.18	0.05

Tripod Mount

Tripod Mount Ring [Included]

Case

Hard Lens Case 500 [Included]

Incompatibilties

EF-M body

The EF-M camera does not have autofocus sensors. All EF lenses operate in manual focus mode only. As this lens has full-time manual focusing, it is not neccessary to switch it to the "MF" position.

EOS bodies

Refer to: Image Stabilizer Compatibility Table

Tripod

The Image Stabilizer can introduce blur when the lens is mounted on a tripod. If tripod use is detected, the Image Stabilizer is automatically switched off.

Precautions

The IS function continues to operate for some time after activation. Do not remove the lens while the IS function is active. Set the "Stabilizer" switch to 0 to ensure that IS is inactive.

Do not rest the lens on the camera mount, otherwise damage can occur to the delicate electronic contacts. When not mounted on a camera the rear lens cap should always be in place to prevent damage to the electrical contacts and the rear glass element of the lens.

Do not disassemble the lens - there are no user serviceable parts inside.

As with all precision electrical and mechanical equipment do not expose the lens to heat, water, or corrosive chemicals.

Lens Care

Storage

When the lens is not in use, replace the front and rear caps to protect the lens.

Store in dry conditions to prevent the possible growth of fungus on the lens elements.

Service

There are no user serviceable parts - please return the lens to an authorised Canon service centre for adjustment or repair.

Specifications

Dimensions

Maximum Diameter x Length:
146 mm x 387 mm
5.8 x 15.2 inch

Weight

3870 g / 136.5 oz

Filter Mount

Any 52 series drop-in filter. See above.

Optics

13 lens groups; 17 lens elements

Focus mechanism

This lens focuses using the inner/rear lens elements. The front elements do not move during focusing and the front element and lens barrel are stationary during focusing.

Focus Range

Closest focus: 2.5 m

Selectable autofocus range:

Full: 2.5 m ~ ∞
Near: 2.5 m ~ 6.4 m
Distant: 6.4 m ~ ∞

Autofocus Motor

Ring USM (UltraSonic Motor)

Full Time Manual

Mechanical Full Time Manual (FTM) focusing. Can operate even without battery power.

Focal Length

500mm

Magnification

0.12×

Field of view approx.
197 x 297 mm
7.8 x 11.7 inch

Angle of view

Diagonal	5°
Vertical	2° 45'
Horizontal	4°

Aperture Range

f/4 ~ f/32

Image Stabilizer

Image Stabilizer automatically switches off when tripod use is detected.

Dual Mode IS:
Mode 1: Dual axis (horizontal AND vertical) IS
Mode 2: Single axis (either horizontal OR vertical only) IS

Revision History

v0.20 2003May20 jul: reformat with site-wide lens template
v0.10 2001Jan12 Dave Burrows: Original HTML

Comments

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