Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens - White
Average customer rating
4.6
(75 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 75 reviews
5 Stars
55
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Star
0
93%of customers recommend this product.
(
67 out of
72)
Customer Reviews for Canon - EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens - White
Customer Rating
5
Love it
on February 4, 2012
Posted by: CLICK
from Phoenix AZ
This lens is amazing I was holding off on buying it becaue it was a puch pull with very little weather sealing. I was also hoping in my own mind canon would update it weather seal it and make it an F.2.8 but I realized that probably would not happen for some time so I took the plung. I have taken this lens outside in AZ now for weeks and have not noticed any dust collecting in the lens. I carry a plastic bag and some rubber bands for windy days but that is all I have done. It take sharp images it focuses fast for this size of a lens and above all it an L. To all of you on the fence I held off for 4 years on puchasing this lens and have since realized how many photo ops I have missed out on. If canon ever does update the lens I will sell it and being an "L" im sure it will hold its value for a long time to come. I am very pleased with my puchase. Good job canon.
Pros: great build, quick focus, push pull easy to learn, locking ring does not let lens creep happen, sharp, focal length amazing
Cons: heavy, wish it was a f4 or lower, no weather sealing or rubber gasket
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Long Wait Worth It
on March 1, 2012
Posted by: Architect
from Williamsport, PA
I waited a long time saving up for this lens and followed the other reviews and rented this lens prior to making the purchase. I had the FD system with the 80-200L lens and loved it. This replaced the 100-300 and this lens blows that one away. My wife and I both fight over who gets to use it for pics of birds and other critters.
Great color and sharpness with my 10D. The IS is amazing for us doing a lot of handheld shots. No it is not perfect, would like it to be weather sealed as my other L lenses are. But for the zoom range and flexibility and relative light weight just love it and recommend it to others.
Great color and sharpness with my 10D. The IS is amazing for us doing a lot of handheld shots. No it is not perfect, would like it to be weather sealed as my other L lenses are. But for the zoom range and flexibility and relative light weight just love it and recommend it to others.
Pros: sharp, good weight for size, love the push-pull zoom
Cons: weather sealing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
4 years and going strong
on June 7, 2009
Posted by: redjelly39
from North Bend, Wa
I bought this lens in early 2005 and it has been heavily used and continues to produce incredible images today. I tend to use f/7.1 a lot and this renders my subject very sharp with great detail while providing a beautiful blurred background. I am careful to get a nice colorful background to compliment my subject. The 100-400mm f/4.5L IS lens was my dream lens when I bought it and I still feel this way about it. My photographer & camping friend immediately pried open his tight wallet to buy one after using mine and I can vouch for him that he also gets heavy usage & beautiful captures from his as well. It is heavy (but not more than my 70-200 f/2.8L IS lens) and I do use a tripod or monopod (with IS turned OFF) much of the time, although IS does work great for those times when I am hand holding it.
With my 1.4 extender using f/11 & 1/125s @ full extension, I get some very impressive moon captures as well. A photo instructor once claimed that he went with Canon so he could get this lens and I thought at the time, he was pulling my leg but he was not and after 4+ years of use, I totally agree he made the right decision.
The only negative I have is that you lose auto focus when using an extender with the lens but at that reach, I like to manually focus anyway.
Great lens, you will have a lot of fun with it and capture some incredible images to sell or hang on your wall.
With my 1.4 extender using f/11 & 1/125s @ full extension, I get some very impressive moon captures as well. A photo instructor once claimed that he went with Canon so he could get this lens and I thought at the time, he was pulling my leg but he was not and after 4+ years of use, I totally agree he made the right decision.
The only negative I have is that you lose auto focus when using an extender with the lens but at that reach, I like to manually focus anyway.
Great lens, you will have a lot of fun with it and capture some incredible images to sell or hang on your wall.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, beautul backgrounds
Cons: lose auto focus with extender attached
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Completes the package
on November 26, 2008
Posted by: pastel
from Connecticut
I am an amature photographer who recently switched from an EOS 3 film camera. I find with the digital I am using (40D I use this lens more often and with greater confidence. I was never sure if the photo would be a little underexposed but with the didgital and instant feedback I have learned to adjust quickly. The quality of the prints are satisfactory to me and it compliments my 24-105. I also use the 1.2 extender with -out any real loss but some sharpness is sacrificed. I did have to buy a more secure tripod as when the lens is fully extended with the extender I had a little shake due to the length and weight. I also am using a remote but leave the stablizer off when on the tripod. With filters or low light I usually shoot manuel as the auto focus does not work at the higher stops. With this lens and the 24-105 I can have quality "L" lens set from 24 to 400 mm.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
A great lens
on August 6, 2009
Posted by: Jim
from Arcata, Ca.
I had a hard time deciding between this and the 70-200L F2.8 and this lens. After trying out both and with my budget I went with the 100-400.
I shot nature, mostly wildlife and birds. Also shoot a lot of airshows. For me this is a great choice even though it is a slower lens it is very versatile.
I am very pleased with the results of this lens with my 40D. Coupled with the 24-105L I can shoot most situations that come up.
I shot nature, mostly wildlife and birds. Also shoot a lot of airshows. For me this is a great choice even though it is a slower lens it is very versatile.
I am very pleased with the results of this lens with my 40D. Coupled with the 24-105L I can shoot most situations that come up.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, very versatile
Cons: not the fastest lens
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Love it!
on November 20, 2011
Posted by: Jdjohnson
from Utah
I use primarily for wildlife photography, I love it's speed and zoom. The push-pull is a little different to get used to but easy to get the hang of. The 1.4x III extender works amazing with this lens, however the 2x II extender does not work in auto focus. But I rarely pair them together any way.
400 mm really gets you close to the action. I have used this lens from the deserts of Arizona to the islands of Alaska and it has never disappointed me! It's an incredible lens!!
400 mm really gets you close to the action. I have used this lens from the deserts of Arizona to the islands of Alaska and it has never disappointed me! It's an incredible lens!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Superior Nature Photo Lens (for me)
on January 21, 2009
Posted by: Memse
from Seattle
I spend a lot of time in San Jose del Cabo where there is an estuary that I walk most mornings. I carry my 50D with this lens and have had the opportunity to take some fantastic up close and personal bird shots. What I find most attractive about this lens is its ability to focus down to 6'. I've recently started packing a new 500mm F4 that I bought last year and while it offers other benefits (particularly with a 1.4x) I find that I have to pass when a bird is closer than 15'. The 100-400 is an ideal trade-off on weight to sharpness to up close & personal shots that you might not get otherwise. While I have no with micro lenses, I can use this lens at 400mm and shoot tiny flowers, bees & butterflies in great detail from the minimum focus distance. I find myself almost always shooting at 400mm but need the flexibility to scale back when I find myself too close to my subject. PS I've dropped this lens twice (once on concrete) and it still works like a champ.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
My personal favorite lens
on April 6, 2010
Posted by: Sandman
from New Mexico
I have owned this lens for almost two years now and I am as happy today as the day I bought it. Photos are sharp and contrasty, and the versatility of the wide zoom range is highly functional. What this lens lacks in sharpness (very little) over the fixed focal lengths in this range is more than made up for in its flexibility and versatility. It is fantastic for birding and very useful for landscapes. It stays on my 40D at all times. If you're thinking about getting one, don't hesitate. You will not regret 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