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Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS ii USM super telephote lensCanon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM

Overview

Canon's third version of their long IS 600mm telephoto offers improvements to the optical formula. Reduced flare and ghosting

The lens is lighter too [3050g from 3920g]

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

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture 600mm f/4.0
Lens Construction 17 elements in 13 groups (Including drop-in rear filter)
Diagonal Angle of View 4°10'
Focus Adjustment Inner focusing system, with focusing cam
Closest Focusing Distance 4.2m / 13.8 ft.
Filter Size 52mm Drop-In
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight 6.6" x 17.6", 168 x 448mm,

approx. 3050g

A quick guide to MTF charts (which only measure contrast and resolution. Canon's guide to their MTF charts)

Black lines reflect lens performance at widest aperture.
Blue lines show the performance at f/8

Thick lines indicate lens contrast
Thin lines indicate lens resolution

Dashed lines: Lens performance with meridional lines.
Solid lines: Lens performance with sagittal lines

Closer sagittal and meridional chart lines indicate more 'natural' out of focus areas.

Remember that MTF charts are good for comparing similar lenses, so comparing ones from the 14mm f2.8L and 300mm 2.8L won't tell you much at all, whilst comparing the EF14 2.8L with the EF14 2.8L II will show meaningful differences. Note that other manufacturers may have different ways of displaying such information that may or may not match up with the Canon figures.

MTF chartsMTF chartsMTF charts

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

EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM reviews and articles

  • Canon UK / US Information Page
  • Amazon
  • Northlight Images
  • Canon CPN article
  • Fred Miranda
  • Lens Tip
  • Digital Picture
  • PhotoZone
  • SLR Gear
  • Lens Review
  • ePhotozine
Written a review? Contact us and we'll add it to the list.

Sample images

None available at present.

Product launch Sept. 2018

Canon Redesigns Premium L-Series Super-Telephoto Lenses With Its New EF 400MM F/2.8L IS III USM AND EF 600MM F/4L IS III USM Lenses
New Compact and Lightweight EF Super-Telephoto Lenses Are Well Suited for a Variety of Photographers’ Needs

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 5, 2018 – Most professional photographers need to carry multiple lenses in their camera bags. Helping to lighten their load, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, introduces two new super-telephoto lenses, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM. Both lenses possess a dramatic weight reduction and high-image quality, making it ideal for shooters to easily transport and capture images during action-driven scenarios, such as sports and wildlife. Both lenses now hold the title of world’s lightest in their respective focal length*. The weight of the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lenses has been reduced by 2.2 lbs. (more than 25 percent) and 1.9 lbs. (more than 20 percent) respectively.

“When developing updates to some of Canon’s most popular legacy lenses, one common question that is asked by photographers was ‘can they be lighter,’” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The significant reduction of weight in these two lenses addresses this customer need and delivers thoughtfully designed, high-quality optics .”

The new lenses are must-haves for advanced and professional photographers shooting wildlife, aviation, sports and news with Canon’s new EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera (with use of one of the three new Canon mount adapters), as well the EOS 1D and 5D series of DSLR Cameras. Both lenses feature two of Canon’s most advanced propriety lens technologies - Air Sphere Coating (ASC) and Super Spectra Coating (SSC), helping to reduce flaring and ghosting, and suppressing the reflection of light, leading to vivid images. These updated lenses inherit the excellent overall build-quality and ruggedness photographers have come to expect and admire from the Canon EF L series of lenses. In addition, the minimum focusing distance has been improved for both lenses, from 2.7m to 2.5m (8.8ft to 8.2ft) for the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and 4.5m to 4.2m (14.8ft to 13.8ft) for the EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM.

Additional noteworthy features of the lenses include:

  • Upgraded Optical Image Stabilization from three-and-a-half stops to five shutter speed stops1 of correction over the previous f/2.8 lens
  • Improved, flexible focus control with a customizable electronic-focus ring
  • Two fluorite lenses and one super UD lens, helping to provide high image quality
  • Circular nine-blade aperture
  • 17 lens elements in 13 groups
  • Heat-shielding paint helps prevent lens temperature from rising during excessive exposure to sun
  • Fluorine coating on front and rear optical elements, helps to reduce smears and fingerprints
  • Inner focusing system with Ring Ultrasonic Motor

Availability and Pricing

The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December 2018 with an estimated retail price of $11,999. The Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December 2018 for an estimated retail price of $12,999. For additional information regarding the lenses predecessors please visit, visit usa.canon.com.

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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