Canon EF 600mm f4L IS USM review

Overview

Large-aperture telephoto L lens with a Camera shake correction function, which is best suited to nature and sports photography. Developed as a successor to the EF600mm f/4L USM. A Fluorite lens and two UD lenses are used in the optical system to assure very high picture quality. This lens has also a protection glass and a rear filter as standard, which are included in the number of lenses.

The camera shake correction has an effect of approx. two stops* in terms of shutter speed. This lens has also "camera shake correction mode 2" which corrects shaking of the viewfinder image when, for example, shooting a moving object, and a tripod can be used with the camera shake correction function ON.

High-speed autofocusing is achieved by the weight reduction of the group of focusing lenses and improvement of the autofocusing drive algorithm. A new AF stop function, which stops autofocusing temporarily, is adopted. Manual focusing is performed mechanically to save power.

Main components are made of a magnesium alloy to reduce the weight of the lens, including the optical system, making it much lighter than conventional lenses. Rubber parts are used as mount and switch components to achieve excellent dust- and drip-proofness. The tripod mount can be removed, and the drop-in filter 52 (standard), carbon fiber hood, and suitcase-type lens case are designed to be easy to use.

*: Based on the "1/Focal length" second which is a yardstick to indicate the limit for camera shake prevention.

Lens Specifications

Generic Lens Specifications

Lens Type: Prime
IS / VR / OS: IS
Canon L Class: Yes
Min Focal Length (mm): 600
Max Focal Length (mm): 600
Number of Elements: 17
Element Groups: 13
Max Aperture: 4
Minimum Aperture: 32
Diaphragm Blades: 8
Closest Focus Distance (m): 5.5
Maximum Magnification: 0.12
Filter Type: Drop In
Filter Diameter (mm): 52
Diameter at widest (mm): 168
Lens Length (mm): 456
Weight (g): 5300
Release Date: October 1999

Details

Depth-of-Field Data for EF600mm f/4L IS USM

[unit:m]

D	F4		5.6		8		11		16		22		32
D	ND	FD	ND	FD	ND	FD	ND	FD	ND	FD	ND	FD	ND	FD
Inf.	2374.182	Inf.	1729.329	Inf.	1223.078	Inf.	865.357	Inf.	611.925	Inf.	432.873	Inf.	306.349	Inf.
50	48.990	51.053	48.624	51.458	48.076	52.087	47.324	53.003	46.297	54.359	44.921	56.396	43.112	59.564
30	29.639	30.371	29.506	30.511	29.306	30.728	29.029	31.040	28.645	31.494	28.120	32.158	27.410	33.148
20	19.842	20.161	19.783	20.222	19.695	20.315	19.571	20.449	19.399	20.641	19.161	20.919	18.835	21.326
15	14.912	15.089	14.880	15.122	14.831	15.173	14.762	15.246	14.665	15.351	14.531	15.502	14.346	15.720
12	11.945	12.056	11.924	12.077	11.893	12.109	11.850	12.154	11.789	12.220	11.704	12.313	11.585	12.448
10	9.962	10.038	9.948	10.052	9.927	10.074	9.897	10.105	9.855	10.149	9.797	10.212	9.715	10.303
8	7.977	8.024	7.968	8.032	7.955	8.046	7.936	8.065	7.910	8.093	7.873	8.132	7.822	8.188
7	6.982	7.018	6.976	7.024	6.966	7.034	6.952	7.049	6.932	7.069	6.904	7.099	6.866	7.140
6	5.987	6.013	5.983	6.017	5.976	6.025	5.966	6.035	5.951	6.050	5.932	6.070	5.904	6.100
5.5	5.490	5.510	5.486	5.514	5.480	5.520	5.472	5.529	5.460	5.541	5.443	5.558	5.420	5.582

* D = Focusing Distance ND = Near Distance FD = Far Distance Inf. = Infinity

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User Lens Reviews

Average user rating from: 2 user(s)


Overall rating (weighted)		4.9
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.5
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Wow!, Friday, 25 January 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Increditable images. Forget the 600mm's, the images from this lens are very impressive, better than my other two Canon L lens - the f/2.8, 28-70mm zoom and the f/4, 300mm.
Before getting this lens in my hands, I thought I would be able to handhold shots using image stabilization. While this is possible, to get the full use from this lens a high quality tripod with Wimberley Mount is really a requirement. I have found this lens is really just too big to reasonably handheld. So unless you know a machinist, expect to spend another $1400. This adds not only to the price, but also to the equipment that you will need to carry to your shooting location, which brings up my next point.
In my research before getting this lens, numerous writers were complaining about carrying this lens to location. In my personal experience (I'm a 62-year-old retiree) I have not found this to be a problem. Yes it is heavy, but easily carried by the handle or inside a Lowes backpack if going a greater distance.
It should be noted that once you have all this equipment carried to a location, you are pretty much restricted to just taking pictures with your 600mm lens. Carrying this lens is a full time job requiring all your attention.
And taking about attention, you will attract a lot of it. Everyone, yes everyone will take notice of you, which as far as I am concerned is never a good thing, especially if you find yourself isolated along with some bad guys who realize the value of the equipment you are carrying.

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excellent!, Thursday, 05 July 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Canon's 600mm F4 IS super telephoto lens is the ultimate tool for sports and wildlife photography. A quiet micro ultrasonic motor powers the world's fastest autofocus that gives the user the option of manual override, recalling a preset focus position or limiting focus distance to prevent hunting out of range. Ultra low Dispersion glass and fluorite elements create high definition images with excellent Contrast. Fast f/4 maximum aperture allows high shutter speeds in less than ideal lighting and facilitates the use of teleconverters. Optical image stabilization designed specifically for this lens operates in two user selected modes. Dust and moisture resistant construction make it ideal for the outdoors.

This lens has approximately 12 times magnification when used with Canon's full frame 5D DSLR, approximately 16 times magnification when used with EOS 1D Mark II or Mark III, and approximately 20 times magnification when used with Canon's 20D or 30D bodies. At Amazon's current price, this lens plus a Canon DSLR body costs less than other brand's 600 F4 lens that sadly is not equipped with VR.