Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto

[Walter Moss]

Does anyone have this lens? I would appreciate any opinions and samples from it. Thanks.

[Gbee]

I was looking for a long fast lens myself recently for an expanding sports business. I was looking at various 300mm ƒ2.8 lens and had short listed this 400mm ƒ5.6 lens.

Optically it is superb and better than Canon’s 100~400mm zoom by a big margin, is usable wide open and its price is good.

For me the maximum aperture eventually ruled it out for my intended usage, but I’ve been very, very impressed with the glowing reviews it has.
:

[Remford]

I regret not having any samples to post, but I evaluated it when considering prime coverage in the same range as my 100-400 IS.

It is tremendously sharp and an excellent lens overall.* My only negative characteristic of it as a product would be the lack of IS at a focal length and aperture that would so clearly benefit from it.* Its IQ potential far exceeds the 100-400 L, but for handheld shooting the 100-400 L more than made up for it with stabilization.* Given that the 300 f/4 IS is so-equipped, this was a true disappointment.* On the other hand, mating a 300 f/4 IS with a 1.4x TC Mk II still outperforms the 100-400 L and gives an excellent compromise of all factors.

Best,

E.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

This lens is great. I have a few examples from this lens handheld. I've already posted them in the Birds Forum so will only post one here and a link to the rest. Also on this lens, if you are using it on a 300, 350, 10d, or 20d with a teleconverter you may loose Autofocus depending on the TC. I chose the Tamron 1.4x Pro and due to extra pins, it will not allow AF. I can tape over the extra three contacts and it works fine. From what I understand the regular Tamron 1.4x TC does not have this problem and still gives acceptable results.



The rest are here

http://www.focusingonflorida.com/NewPhotos.htm

or look in th bird forum.

[spartan123]

I had it for quite awhile, but in the end went with the 300L f/4 IS and a TC. The 400mm is a fantastic lens, really wish Canon would make this lens with IS.

[ohenry]

I have one. A very good lens. Light enough to be handheld with good light. Not bad results with a 2.0 TC either.

[John Mueller]

I had one,traded it and bought another.
Super lens.
1D MK2
ISO 800
f9
handheld
With 1.4 tele.

[JDArt]

Wow, fantastic photo, John. I too found this lens to be wonderful for flight shots.

I do wish they'd outfit it with IS, though.

[Luckyjon]

I got mine a couple of weeks ago. I'm so please with my early results. Here is a couple of shots taken with the 400 + EF1.4x II extender. OK a little soft but not bad I belive

C&C welcom

http://i.pbase.com/g3/45/100045/2/55211155.OT1X1005.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/g3/45/100045/2/55113341.1.jpg

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I was able to see the first one, but the second wouldn't come up. Where was the first taken?

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Walter Moss

Does anyone have this lens? I would appreciate any opinions and samples from it. Thanks.

Completely agree w/the other posters, fantastic lens, pity it lacks IS, I also evaluated 100-400L IS, 300F4 L IS and 400F5.6 L for my long range needs, eventually bought the 100-400, for versatility and IS, but had a nice time evaluating the other two )

And can be used for other 'birds' too:



(EOS 20D, ISO1600, F5.6, 1/100sec, handheld, converted from RAW w/POCO LE)

Kindest regards!

Max@Home