This high-performance lens was designed with portability and handling ease in mind. One super UD-glass element, whose characteristics are similar to fluorite, and one UD-glass element result in sharp pictures from corner-to corner.
� Focal length and maximum aperture: 400 mm f5.6 � Lens construction: 7 elements in 6 groups � Diagonal angle of view: 6�-10� � Focus adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM � Closest focusing distance: 3.5m / 11.5ft � Filter size: 77mm Content and images originally posted by Andy Bright
Reviews
formula4speed's review
This lens is an absolute pleasure to use, its very light and easily hand holdable in good light and the optics are stunning. The USM focusing motor on this lens is the fastest I have ever used, including a few other L lenses. The maximun aperature of 5.6 doesn't make this much of a low light lens, but when the sun is out this lens performs every time. Sometimes I wish they would equip this lens with IS, but obvious that would raise the price quite a bit. This is considered by many to be the best "in flight" lens for birding that there is and I would agree. I highly recommend this lens to anyone, if you buy a second hand copy you can more than likely sell it for the same amount you paid as these lenses hold their value very well.
Pros
- Lightweight
- fast focus
- excellent optics
- price
Cons
- no IS available
Photowell's review
I found a copy used and was pleasantly surprised with the photos I was able to get. The focus is extremly fast. The lens is great even at f5.6. I would recoment this lens for any one that is on a limited budget as I am. The 100-400 f5.6 is not as sharp and is harder to use. (IMO) I own both lens so I can compare them.
Pros
- Sharp and fast focus
rwhillman's review
I have this lens as well as the 500. The 500 is optically a little better, but the 400 can't be beat for ease of use with birds in flight. A terrific lens. Would be a perfect lens if it had IS.
Pros
- Ease of use
Cons
- No IS
GYRob's review
This is one of canons great lower price L tele's. its sharp wide open and the af is very fast indeed very light and a great birding lens . here in the UK we dont get that many bright sunny days so f5.6 is a little slow given you need a fast shutter speed to avoied camera shake but it can make super shot's. being able to up the iso on digital cameras helps here.
its sharper than the 300f4isL not lots but just enough to show.
Rob
Pros
- sharp-fast af
Cons
- f5.6 no IS
jasonp's review
If you want the minimum focal length for birding, top quality optics, are on a budget and Image Quality is priority # 1, the Canon 400mm 5.6L may be the lens you're looking for. I didn't like the push/pull of the Canon 100-400 and at 400mm the IQ wasn't as good as I'd seen from the prime so I opted for the 400mm. I made my decisions from borrowed equipment. Once I purchased the 400, I tried handholding it which produced lots more OOF shots than sharp ones. The Tripod solved that. I also found that with ext. tubes it served pretty dang good as a "monster macro". The USM focusing is smoking fast! The retracting hood is wonderful, I just wish it would lock backwards as it does forwards. Keep in mind that 400mm is the minimum focal length (IMO) for decent birding. More often than not, it still comes up short for me. Unfortunately going up to the 500mm makes a BIG dent in the wallet. If you buy this lens, you won't be dissappointed.
Pros
- Light weight (for a 400)
- FAST focus
- Sharp
Cons
- must have STEADY hands (or a tripod).
gene's review
This is an excellent lens. It is very sharp - as sharp wide open as any other aperature, This lets you concentrate on composition DOF without worry about sharpness. The lens is easy to hand hold - slim and light, and is both an excellent flight lens as well as for stills. Excellent tripod lens (solid unlike zoom) as well for the small percentage of the time you'll need it.
It has a slight tendency for CA in specular highlights, but they aren't so bad - they can be corrected easily in photoshop when the infrequently occur.
Great lens for travelling because of it small size. Great bang for the buck.
100% crops from this lens, mostly wide open, at http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/40056_sampler_gallery Make sure you view them at "original" size
Pros
- Lightweight
- very fast AF
- very sharp at all aperatures
Cons
- some CA in specular highlights
