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
Great Lens
on June 22, 2013
Posted by: Dan E
from SE Wisconsin, the home of "low Light"
I have owned this lens for about 2 years. It is primarily used for Wildlife and Sports photography. I had read all of the negative reviews before I purchased the lens, and have concluded that there are a lot of people out there that really don't have a clue about lens choice and lighting conditions. No, a 4.5 F lens is not considered a "low light" lens, so don't try to use it as one and then complain about the picture quality. Use this lens for the awesome piece of equipment that it is, and it will not let you down. It has a very fast focus and is built like a tank. If you are considering the purchase of this lens, just go and do it. You will be very happy with it if you know anything at all about photography.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, extremely versatile
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Second Lens For Distance Shots.
on December 12, 2009
Posted by: Firefighter
from Wausau, WI
This is my go to lens when distant shots are hard to get. Lens allows good crisp pics at any focal length. One thing that was hard to get used to was the forward moving zoom. I had another lens like this, but it didn't zoom out as far. It is a small price to pay for the quality of the pics. The 100-400 has a zoom lock/tension ring to keep your focal length right on. I like to use a mono pod to help on slower speeds/longer exposures. Image stabilizing helps with this. This would be a good second lens for the person who wants to reach out.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: slide type zoom
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
good investment
on November 29, 2016
Posted by: ootooteenaakoo01
from NY, United States
this lens is a must for amateur and pro, sharp and fast lens. well engineered and easy to use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
3
Not my favorite
on December 2, 2011
Posted by: Utopia
from FL
As much as other reviewers seem to love this lens, I have never been happy with the sharpness. Most people will likely not take issue, but I am very critical in this area. I love, love love my 70-200 2.8 ISL II. It is one of the best non prime lenses that I have ever used. Compared to that lens, the images from the 100-400 do not even rate. I would rather use a 1.4 or 2x converter with the 70-200 than use this lens. Even the 70-200 f4L IS is preferable. The push/pull zoom is awkward and I have never been able to adjust to it. I would deal with it if the image quality were better. I am a huge fan of Canon L lenses, with the one exception of this lens. If you need the longer zoom, go with a prime. I have used the 800L and the 500L and both have wonderful image quality.
Pros: solid construction
Cons: not as sharp as it should be, heavy, push/ pull zoom is annoying
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Really COOL Lens
on January 10, 2013
Posted by: Jrock
from Milwaukie, OR
I have had my EF 100-400 for about three days not got a lot of use out of yet (because the weather has been poor) BUT I will. I got this lens because it was a zoom so it was more versatile than a prime lens and because it had the extra reach that my standard telephoto did not have. I cannot wait to get out into the field and give it a complete run down and a good day’s work and send it through the passes. I got it mainly because I like to take nature shot of wildlife and landscapes. I thought the price was a lot, but reasonable, considering that there are some lens that cost A LOT more than this one!!
The Build is nice it feels sturdy and well made. So far the shot in the poor weather have been great, real sharp and crisp images and I have found that it is really easy to take hand held shoot with this thing. I have a Anna’s Hummingbird that has a territory outside my house and I have spent a good few hours taking pictures of him and they are great. I really cannot wait to see what this lens is capable of in better light conditions!! When you first pick it up it feel like it weighs a TON but once it is on the camera and have it on your shoulder it really is not so bad! I really like that the auto focus does not change when tracking subjects, many time with other lenses i have been following an subject and the auto focus will focus on something else and i would loose my target!!
Overall good build quality and great lens to add to a kit, especially for wildlife nuts like me.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, works great hand held
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
valu
on June 4, 2011
Posted by: Dan
from Colorado
I have owned it for 2 years and love it. I sold all my other lenses and purcahsed a L lens for wide and normal shooting. The color and sharpness is great with the L. Get some time in before the shot counts. I purchased my lense than went on vacation with my brothor who ownes one and helped me get great shots with it. The zoom and settings ar critical to get down before you go for the one in a lifetime shots. Get a set of tubes for great close up shots. Great lens at a great price.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, price and quality
Cons: makes you want all l lenses!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
3
Really wanted to like this lens but too many flaws
on March 31, 2011
Posted by: Gadget Photo
from Anchorage, AK
I studied many reviews on this lens and waited over a year before finally purchasing it online. This was the first L series lens I've owned, although I had tried others before. I knew the 100-400 has some limitations, but I really thought it would work for me. I usually shoot with a crop format 40D, and wanted this mostly for general wildlife use. Sometimes on a tripod, often not.
In my opinion, there are three major problems with the lens when compared with other Canon L series telephoto zooms. Firstly the early-generation image stabilization is not particularly effective unless you're in bright sunlight, even when braced. Secondly the focus just isn't quite as fast or as accurate as I would like, with a moderate success rate at best. And thirdly, once I started pixel-peeping I found the image quality of the glass simply isn't sharp enough for me throughout a significant portion of the zoom range at wider f-stops.
I'm not sure how many of these issues are generic to the 100-400, or just my copy. Ergonomically I didn't mind the size, weight and bombproof build of the lens, and liked the nice padded bag and sturdy tripod collar. Although the push-pull "dust pump" zoom seemed to function OK, I think overall I really prefer a regular zoom ring.
After a few weeks of shooting with this lens, I tried the new Canon 70-300 L at my local camera store and liked it a lot better. It's an excellent lens for about the same price, even though it means losing 100mm at the long end. Virtually any lens involves some compromise, but for the money I feel there are better options than the old 100-400 L. I returned this one.
Pros: Superior build quality
Cons: Slow auto-focus, Semi-sharp images, poor image stabilization
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Excellent
on December 4, 2017
Posted by: Jack crazy
from Lancaster, CA, United States
My wife Had bought me this lens for our wedding anniversary and it’s the best thing ever love it we all go camping , hiking Love my Lense it is one of the best lenses out there and yes it’s not the steadiest Will you do close up but it’s very nice go to airshows as well
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com