Canon Australia has introduced two new L-series professional lenses for Canon EOS Digital SLR cameras.
The new EF500mm f/4L IS II USM and the EF600mm f/4L IS II USM are designed for professional photographers and keen enthusiasts seeking a lens offering high-performance, and superior image and build quality – ideal for shooting fast-paced sports, photojournalism, nature and wildlife.
Both the EF500mm and EF600mm use two high performance fluorite lenses, which keep chromatic aberration to a minimum and achieve high resolution, high contrast images; while individual lens-element placement and coatings are optimised to minimise the ghosting and flare that can occur when shooting for digital.
Built with magnesium alloy and titanium components, both lenses are significantly lighter than their predecessors, yet offer superior structural strength, making them easier to keep still and ideal for the toughest shooting conditions over extended periods of time.
In addition, Canon’s highly effective built-in Image Stabilizer (IS) has been redesigned to deliver outstanding results when capturing moving subjects – delivering the equivalent effect of a shutter speed approximately four stops faster.
The new Image Stabilizer now offers three modes. IS mode 3 enables shooting irregular moving objects blur-free, IS mode 2 has been upgraded to deliver sharper motion panning shots, while IS mode 1 remains unchanged.
To further improve effectiveness, especially for nature and wildlife photography, both new lenses offer the shortest focusing distance of their class. The EF500mm delivers a minimum focus distance of 3.7m and the EF600mm achieves 4.5m. Both lenses are said to work brilliantly with Canon lens extenders designed for the L-series.