Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens - White
Average customer rating
4.9
(31 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 31 reviews
5 Stars
27
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
100%of customers recommend this product.
(
27 out of
27)
Customer Reviews for Canon - EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens - White
Customer Rating
5
Great for birds in fly.
on January 13, 2011
Posted by: Panurus biarmicus
from NY
3 years ago, i used it with 40D and I was very glad on tripod and live vieuw.
In 2009, I had discovered a better quality with my 5DII.
In 2010, I shoot birds in fly with my 1D4 and the AF works perfectly.
More the quality of the bodies goes up, more I have pleasure with this lens and less I need IS.
When used with the extender EF1.4X III, the chromatic aberration is the half of the EF 1.4X II. After correction of the C.A., the difference of sharpness, between the 2 configurations, is difficult to see.
In 2009, I had discovered a better quality with my 5DII.
In 2010, I shoot birds in fly with my 1D4 and the AF works perfectly.
More the quality of the bodies goes up, more I have pleasure with this lens and less I need IS.
When used with the extender EF1.4X III, the chromatic aberration is the half of the EF 1.4X II. After correction of the C.A., the difference of sharpness, between the 2 configurations, is difficult to see.
Cons: dpp 3.9.2 don't correct ca with extender
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Very sharp and very fun
on June 2, 2012
Posted by: Ted
from Midland, MI
I love photographing birds, and without spending several thousand dollars, this looked like the best lens for a Canon owner. I'm very pleased with the fit and finish, but especially with the sharpness. Some photos I have taken of eagles look sharp until I enlarge to the point of seeing individual pixels. That sharpness, along with the fact I already own a 70-200 mm f/4.0 lens made me choose the prime lens over the 100 - 400 mm zoom.
Obviously, the shortcoming of this lens is the relatively small aperture along with lack of Image Stabilization. This makes it need high iso settings or a tripod even in late afternoon light, in order to get sharp images. One surprise for me was that the contrast detection focus in live view mode is exceptionally accurate and it works even with a 1.4 X extender which gives me a 560 mm f/8.0 lens. While phase-detection auto-focus won't work at apertures smaller than f/5.6 for most Canon bodies, the contrast detection autofocus, which is active in live view mode, will - it's very good. It's also very slow, so it works well if your subject is not moving around.
I'm having great fun with this lens and am delighted with my purchase. The obvious upgrade is for Canon to produce something similar and affordable with the latest generation if IS which would greatly extend the conditions where this lens is useful.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: wish there was an is version
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Excellent 'small' super-tele
on May 5, 2017
Posted by: Anonymous
from Frankfort, IL, United States
Just purchased this lens and have spent time out birding. I've used it with and without an EF Extender 1.4x, and both hand-held and on a solid tripod. I'm very pleased: without the extender you can (with large hands and steady arms) shoot hand-held for quite a while. I've also used it on a monopod and that makes the lens very easy to handle. The lens balances well and the AF is fast. With an extender you're in manual focus mode only, of course, and a tripod really is your friend.
On a crop-frame lens (e.g., my 70D), this is a 640mm lens (at 35mm equivalent), and with the 1.4x extender it is almost 900mm. For birding you never have enough, but this gets me a lot closer. Edge sharpness is good wide-open (f/5.6) and excellent at f/11; center sharpness is good at every stop. The lens is rugged; a bonus is the hood which slides and locks smoothly.
Overall: highly recommended, especially if you're on a budget and can't yet afford the 600!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Can't go wrong
on February 24, 2012
Posted by: Canonfodder
from Coconut Creek FL (SE)
I would rather own a EF 400mm f2.8 IS ll USM, however then I won't get my new motorcycle. Every thing TommyP said and more. I also shoot motorcycle racing and this lens is great. It is light weight as compared to the above lens and is about as sharp as you will see in this price range at 400mm. Just look at the MTF published here. What you see is what you get. The only issue is that for use with the 1.4X convertor you loose auto focus on all but the 1D series ( wow, then I definitely would not get my bike). Shot some bike races after a 30 year hiatus and the results were nothing less than spectacular.Crisp, clear, no CA and detail was extremely fine even at ISO 400. Shot at 400mm to retain auto focus, you just have to get closer. Great landscape lens when you can't get close. Good with birds with the 1.4X (560mm) except for manual focus the results remain tack sharp. Have shot with 2X (first version Canon) and results were very sharp. At this focal length (800mm) there are many other factors to control which affect sharpness. Manual focus is an advantage when shooting nesting birds. If you use this lens within its limitations you will be ultra satisfied, however if you are expecting it to be the lens I mentioned earlier go out and get yourself a motorcycle: you will be far less disappionted. Please remember my listed cons are limitations and not detractions. Owned since 2004.
Pros: super sharp, light weight, decent autofocus, affordable
Cons: high min aperture, loss of auto focus with convertor, very long minimum distance, lack of weather sealing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Bring In The Heavy Equipment
on September 20, 2011
Posted by: Dyluck4
from Georgetown, Indiana
This was one of my first two Lenses I purchased 4 years ago with my Body only XTi, and has given me excellent Moon shots and Long range shots from cliffs over looking Rivers and Lakes. Put an Extender on this and you'll see what a man is eating on a Barge from a great distance with great clarity. I mostly use it with a Tri-Pod to get the best shot and since I've added a remote it is even better. But of course I didn't have all this at first and still got great photo's, but as you go along you learn what to do in taking better Photo's as read and continue to learn in photography. You just keep learning and want to do better. It is fast and a great long Lens, I have 8 Lenses and use each for a different occasion. I do have the 70-200 f/2.8L IS but makes since to use it for when I'm taking shots with allot of movement plus it doesn't have the range even with the extender, but the 400mm can still be hand held don't get me wrong. Since I have added the 1Ds Mark lll it would just be to much weight to try and use these two products together without a Tri-Pod, I can't believe the shots I'm producing with the 1Ds with the 400mm. This is a great product and I'll never get rid of it.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Solid Sharp Lens
on March 4, 2010
Posted by: Southbird
from San Diego
I went back and forth between the 100-400 and the 100 f5.6 and ended up getting the 400. It was a good decision. You can shoot the lens handheld in late afternoon conditions by upping the ISO to 400 or 800 which is no problem on the newer SLR's. Image quality excellent. High percentage of keepers even handheld and a very sharp lens.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Near Perfect!
on January 28, 2011
Posted by: Fotosforphun
from Green Bay, WI
Whether it is sitting in my backyard photographing song birds, in Yellowstone taking photos of the elk in rut, or on safari at Masa Mari in Kenya photographing elephants, this lens has made me extremely happy time and time again. Image quality is superb!!
When I was in the market of a L series super zoom I first leaned toward the 100-400mm. It seemed like the popular choice. Then I did some research and found that those owning the prime 400mm were boasting superb imagery.
I was a little afraid of having a prime lens and not having range for adjustment. I do own the 70-200mm f/4 and feared not having an option between 200mm and 400mm.
My solution? I purchased a second body. I know shoot with both a 30D and 40D. I also purchased an EF 1.4 Converter. When used with my 70-200mm f/4 AF is still fast and accurate.
Since the 40D has a few more megapixels than the 30D I use the 70-200mm on the 40D and use the 400mm on my 30D. I always have the 1.4 converter if I need a little more distance with the 70-200mm.
If there is one drawback with this lens, for me it is no AF with the 1.4 converter. I dont really care about IS. I am an avid tripod user. Hands down a tripod is the best way to make sure you are stable.
If you purchase this lens you will not be disappointed. I expect mine to provide top quality images for many years to come.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
Cons: no af with converter
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
birds in flight
on September 15, 2014
Posted by: james
from boston
its fast in focus lite enough to hand carry with out a monopod. very sharp works well with my 70D rounds out my lens kit for long reach great for travel.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com