A superb lens, fantastically sharp, nice contrast, great focusing speed, very robust (able to take some knocks, though best avoided if possible!), great full-time manual focusing - very smooth, when not hindered (see below). Great with the Canon 1.4x tele-converter, focusing speed still great, etc.

Sharp; nice contrast; fast; robust - just plain gorgeous

More of a niggle really, when shooting on a bean bag (or 3) from the window/top of a , it can be difficult to manually focus, as the focussing ring tends to sit on the edge of the bag; I need to experiment more with various bag set-ups to get it right

Canon announced two new super telephoto lenses, which will be available later this year. They are upgrades of the current EF 500/4L IS USM and EF 600/4L IS USM . Both lenses feature lower weight, improved image stabilization and a revised optical design including the addition of a second Fluorite...

Because aperture blades form a near circle at the wide openings used for low-light shots, spot-light sources have a pleasing circular defocused effect.

I adore my Canon EF 500mm f4L IS USM super-telephoto lens. It's the perfect lens for wildlife photography. The 500mm focal length, equivalent to 800mm when mounted on a cropped-frame body, delivers decent-sized images of distant subjects, while the f4 maximum aperture allows you to isolate them with...

This review was created side-by-side with the Canon EF 600mm f/4.0L IS II USM Lens review . These are very similar lenses that arrived at the same time, so you are sure to see many similarities between these reviews.

I shoot daily as an amateur. I own the 300 II and the 500 II lens for birding now. Before that the 300 IS and the 500 IS. There is no comparison in the two lenses the new II series blows away the older IS period IMO. I have shot daily with it for about 1.5 years now and it is outstanding.

Finest lens I have ever used bar none

none

"I have been using this lens for bird photography for about 4 months. Previously, I had been using the 300mm f/4.6. In terms of the optics and electronics, this lens is a quantum leap forward in every respect.

Have wanted this lens (earlier version) for about 10 years. Finally got it. Very pleased.

Fast / accurate auto-focus

This is an expensive lens but worth the investment. For wildlife photography its invaluable. my biggest worry was its weight but i have been able to hand hold this lens all be it for short periods but its got me some really great photos.

Overall as good as I could have hoped for. It's a heavy lens but I knew that ahead of time. Extremely sharp photos. Excellent, fast autofocus. Highly recommended.