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Lens · prime

Canon FD 500mm f/4.5 L

Canon · from 1979

Rare35mm

Canon FD 500mm f/4.5 L: 7 elements in 6 groups, 9 aperture blades, 5m minimum focus, 48mm filter thread, 2610g. Canon Camera Museum marketing dates: FD500mm f/4.5L (May 1979); New FD500mm f/4.5L (December 1981).

Focal length
500mm
Max aperture
f/4.5
Mount
Canon FD
Format
35mm
Elements / groups
7 / 6

Known for

  • Wildlife
  • Bird photography
  • Sports
  • Air shows

Considerations

  • Very heavy (2.6kg; 2.95kg breech-lock)
  • Requires a solid tripod

Optical characteristics

Silverlog's editorial rating: our own judgement, not measured data.

Sharpness (wide)4, level 4 of 5
Sharpness (stopped)5, level 5 of 5
Contrast5, level 5 of 5
Flare resistance5, level 5 of 5
CA control5, level 5 of 5
Vignetting control4, level 4 of 5
Distortion control5, level 5 of 5

Bokeh: Smooth super-telephoto

Rendering: Professional wildlife quality

Colour: Neutral, accurate

Silverlog's editorial rating, 1 to 5; five is best. Not lab-measured.

Versions

FD 500mm f/4.5L (breech-lock)

1979-1981

Chrome breech-lock ring

7 elements in 6 groups, 4 m MFD, 2,950 g; first lens named L

New FD 500mm f/4.5L

1981-1989

All-black, red L ring

7 elements in 6 groups, 5 m MFD, 2,610 g

Artificial fluorite (second element) and UD glass (fourth element). The breech-lock version (May 1979, 2,950g) is the lens after which Canon's special-element lenses came to be called L (Canon Camera Museum).

Common issues

  • Mount stress from weight
  • Fluorite element care
  • Tripod collar wear

Buying guide

Check the mount and tripod collar and test the focus mechanism.

Specifications

MountCanon FD
Focal Length500mm
Max Aperturef/4.5
Min Aperturef/32
Aperture Blades9
Min Focus5m
Filter Size48mm
Weight2610g

Optical design

FormulaTelephoto
Elements7
Groups6
CoatingSSC (Canon)
SpecialOne fluorite and one UD element

Pricing

Typical used price
£800 - £1500
Mint
~£2000

Indicative, no dated source.