*Update; prices dropped, and Canadian price adjusted to reflect the climbing Loonie.*

I have a UM date code (1998) Canon EF 500mm f/4.5L that has not been getting used as much as it deserves to, and despite it's age, is in very good cosmetic condition. There are a few blemishes on the barrel, however the glass is perfect. It includes the original hood, carrying case, strap, leather cap and drop-in gel filter holder.

Price for the lens:

To the USA: SOLD PayPal & Canada XpressPost shipping included.

Within Canada: SOLD payment via EMT & including Canada XpressPost shipping.

Also available for a little extra are the following additional accessories: A 4th Generation replacement foot which had just arrived and has only been mounted on a clamp for the photos below, a Canon drop-in 48mm filter holder with the Canon regular 48mm filter, and as well a Canon drop-in circular polarizing filter. SOLD

I also have a Wimberley Sidekick that would be available as well to the purchaser for an additional price if they were interested.

Of course, local pickup is available at a reduced rate. I would accept a few items as part trade, most notably a 35L, 28-300L, or a Markins tripod head. I will not split up unless the lens sells first, because if it doesn't go I will go to another option to raise some funds, and will want this kit intact for myself. I am open to offers, but please nothing ridiculous.

Please click on thumbnails for higher res image, scroll down for photos taken with the lens:

So this IS NOT an IS lens?

No image stabilization, and I don't believe I misrepresented it...
Here is a link of to a description of all Canon's EF mount superteles FYI: http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/ef/super_telephoto.html

This is in fact a pretty sharp lens for having tested it in the past.

Good luck,

JD

Thanks for the bump, John!

One of these 500L's sold on eBay not too long ago for $3799, in similar condition. Mine could be yours for much less, or including much more!

I am open to offers, either on a trade or an outright sale.

Some items I would consider in trade:
24L I or II
35L
85L I or II
180L
28-300L
ST-E2
580 EX II
Leica R
Olympus OM
Contax/Ziess
Markins

Nice lens and cheaper than a 500 f4, for those who don't require IS as a necessity.

This was with a 20D & 500 f4.5:

Good luck on the sale.

Tony

That lens seems to be in excellent condition.
If you enjoy hand-held BIF photography as much as I do, and appreciate lightness of gear without sacrificing quality, this might be the lens for you.
If you are shooting form a tripod, then the need for IS is hardly there, then again, this is a good lens to have.

This is a great lens. I use it all the time with great success. Check out my website to view more image.

Great buy! Free bump!

www.gvisions.org

Thanks!

Thanks gang!

Here are a few more:

And some more:

Found another one, @ 1/125, tripod mounted:

PM sent

I've just noticed that KEH Camera have an (EX) copy of the lens for $4,300 US.
Now, I am not suggesting their prices are OK.....on the contrary, I ain't sure who is money-foolish enough to buy stuff from them nowadays at those prices. However, it shows that the price Mat is asking for his lens here is very reasonable.

Thanks Peter, I checked it out and am fairly certain my lens is in similar condition... In fact, I would rate it somewhere between EX and EX+, so mine might be an even better lens for far less....

May I ask? Can we use it with 1.4 or 2.0 Extension? If yes, what the F will become and will AF still function?

Duc Tran wrote:
May I ask? Can we use it with 1.4 or 2.0 Extension? If yes, what the F will become and will AF still function?

Of course you can ask!

With the 1.4x extender, the focal length increases to 700mm at f/6.3, which will AF on a 1-series body. However, with the 2x extender, the focal length increases to 1000mm and the aperture decreases to a max of f/9, which will not AF on any body. It will still give you decent IQ if you are willing to give manual focusing a go, and if you have a very stable tripod.

Here is an example, 500/4.5L + 2x Mark I, @ f/9: (1300mm effective focal length!)

Thanks for the detailed answers, helimat! I really want to try this hand-on.
To tell you the truth, the pictures taken by others using the same type of lens look sharper than the ones taken by yours. Hence, a hand-on test is a must before I'd make the final decision. Unfortunately, you are so far away from TX.

Well, I am not in the same league as the others above when it comes to super-tele skills and experience, so don't blame the lens for that, it is capable of producing very sharp images. That being said, I believe I did get a few shots that came out sharp, perhaps the web size resolution didn't help me.

Just a tip, if you have questions for a seller in the future, it is best to PM or email them, rather than post in their thread. Even though I asked "Please PM me if you have any questions" I still obliged your question in the thread in order to be a nice guy, and what do I get in return? I get a post in my thread saying that my lens that is for sale is not sharp. Thanks.

It seems like you misunderstand me, helimat.

The sentence, "the pictures taken by others using the same type of lens look sharper than the ones taken by yours." does not mean your lens is not sharp.

That's why I still like to have a chance to test it hand-on.

I have no doubt that you are a nice, very nice guy actually.

I just have to say that this seaplane photo is an exellent picture and makes me want this lens badly... Well My aunt used to live in Toronto and tickets from Finland to get there are some where around 600euros...

fotofly wrote:
I just have to say that this seaplane photo is an exellent picture and makes me want this lens badly... Well My aunt used to live in Toronto and tickets from Finland to get there are some where around 600euros...

Might be a bit more to get to my end of Canada, as I am on the West Coast. About 3400 km further in fact... You should drop by though, it is float plane Mecca over here!

Sold/traded to David Israel...