Every Canon EF Lens: Read the Reviews, See the Specification & Check the Price
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Overview

Excellent quality long telephoto lens. There is a lot of glass there, so don't expect to hand hold for very long, even with the effective Image stabilisation. This original version of this lens has slightly poorer IS (3 stops as opposed to 4) and is slightly heavier than the MkII version. If buying used, check very carefully, since press and sports photgraphers might not have treated it as carefully as you would your own equipment.

Available from: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | B&H | Adorama

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture 600mm 1:1.4
Lens Construction 17 elements in 13 groups
Diagonal Angle of View 4° 10'
Focus Adjustment Ring type USM, inner focusing system, full-time manual focus
Closest Focusing Distance 5.5m / 18 ft.
Filter Size 52mm rear drop in
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight 6.6" x 18", 11.8 lbs / 168 x 456mm, 530g

EF600mm f/4L IS USM super telephoto lens block diagram

Canon EF 600mm f/4L USM f/4L IS USM f/4L IS II USM f/4L III USM
Key features
Image stabilizer  No  Yes
Environmental sealing  Yes
Ultrasonic Motor  Yes
L-series  Yes
Technical data
Focal length 600 mm
Aperture (max/min) f/4 / f/32
Construction 9 elements / 8 groups 17 elements / 13 groups 16 elements / 12 groups 17 elements / 13 groups
# of diaphragm blades 8 9 (circular aperture)
Closest focusing distance 6 m (17.95 ft) 5.5 m (16.45 ft) 4.5 m (14.8 ft) 4.2m (13.8 ft)
Max. magnification 0.11x 0.12x 0.15x 0.15x
Horizontal viewing angle 3°30'
Vertical viewing angle 2°20'
Diagonal viewing angle 4°10'
Physical data
Weight 6000 g (212.4 oz) 5360 g (189.8 oz) 3920 g (138.8 oz) 3050 g (6.73 lbs)
Maximum diameter 167 mm (6.6") 168 mm (6.6")
Length 456 mm (17.9") 448 mm (17.6")
Filter diameter 48 mm (rear) Any 52(WII)-series drop-in filter 52(WIII)
Accessories
Lens case  ? 600 600B
Lens hood  ? ET-160 ET-160 (WII) ET-160 (WIII)
Lens cap  ? E-185 E-185B
Retail information
Release date November 1988 Sept. 1999 June 2011 Sept. 2018
Currently in production?  No yes
prices 923,000 yen 1,290,000 yen (w/case and hood) $11,499 £12,999

EF600mm f/4L IS USM reviews and articles

Written a review? Contact us and we'll add it to the list.

Sample images

None available at present.

Product launch

No information available on the 1999 launch of this lens.

Used Canon Lenses
• UK: MPB | Park
• USA: B&H | Adorama
Every Canon EF Lens: Read the Reviews, See the Specification & Check the Price
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