Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Brand: Canon
Category: Photography

List Price: ~~$2,400.00~~
Buy New: $1,419.95
You Save: $980.05 (41%)

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

85 reviews

Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Optical Zoom: 4
Maximum Focal Length: 400
Minimum Focal Length: 100
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 10.7 x 8.1 x 6.1

MPN: 100-400IS
Model: 100-400IS
UPC: 082966214042
EAN: 0082966214042
ASIN: B00007GQLS

Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Features:

•	100-400mm telephoto zoom lens with f/4.5 maximum aperture for Canon SLR cameras
•	2 Image Stabilizer modes make it easy to capture far-off action or close-in portraits
•	Flourite and Super UD-glass elements largely eliminate secondary spectrum
•	Compatibility with extenders 1.4x II and 2x II; 5.9-foot close focusing distance
•	Measures 3.6 inches in diameter and 7.4 inches long; 1-year warranty

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com Product Description
Equipped with an Image Stabilizer, the Canon EF 100-400mm telephoto zoom lens makes it easy to capture the far-off action of fast-paced sports or zoom in for an intimate portrait with a blurred background. The lens offer such features as fluorite and Super UD-glass elements that largely eliminate secondary spectrum; a floating system that ensures high picture quality at all focal lengths; two Image Stabilizer modes; and compatibility with extenders 1.4x II and 2x II. The lens carries a one-year warranty.

Focal length: 100-400mm
Maximum aperture: 1:4.5-5.6
Lens construction: 17 elements in 14 groups
Diagonal angle of view: 24 to 6 degrees
Focus adjustment: Rear focusing system with USM
Closest focusing distance: 5.9 feet
Zoom system: Linear extension type
Filter size: 77mm
Dimensions: 3.6 inches in diameter, 7.4 inches long
Weight: 3.1 pounds

Product Description
The CANON EF 100-400mm f/4.5- 5.6L IS USM lens is designed for use with any 35mm Canon SLR Camera that accepts EF-Mount lenses. Manual Focusing - Enabled with focus mode switch and focusing ring (full-time mechanical manual focusing provided) Focusing Range - 1.8m/5.9 ft. to infinity (at all focal lengths) - Does not have macro-focus (close-up) mode Filter Size - 77mm (Filters available at extra cost)

Customer Reviews: Read 80 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

A quality lens you won't regret buying October 6, 2008
Jesse Clifton (Fairbanks, Alaska)
I made several upgrades to my camera equipment this summer and this was one of my best purchases. I waffled between this and the 400 prime but in the end decided I wanted the zoom capabilities. The photos I've taken with this are simply stunning. I shoot mainly wildlife and landscape photography and this lens delivers every single time.

Make no mistake, this is a BIG lens and it's fairly heavy. But, don't let that deter you in the last. I have lugged this around on all day hikes and for the picture quality I wouldn't think of not taking it. The auto focus is near silent. The Image Stabilization is incredible. At max zoom the photo's come out very sharp with no blur. It took me a few hours to get used to the push/pull zoom but I've found it's so much easier to hit just the target you want this way.

The only real downside I can think of is that it's a f4.5-5.6 lens, which isn't necessarily great for low light. But, I've taken a number of low light shots and frankly have been quite impressed.

This is not an inexpensive lens, but as many have said, you get exactly what you pay for. I wholeheartedly recommend this lens to anyone looking to upgrade to a top quality zoom lens. You will not be disappointed. Below are a few shots I made right after receiving the lens.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2867499590_f3c590f9a9.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2825840175_fda696cfa5.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2827703146_0bbd820336.jpg

4 out of 5 stars

Great upper body workout! September 17, 2008
R. Bellamy
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

When I bought my Canon 5D, I could afford only one lens, so I started with the 24-105 L series IS unit. Last December, I treated myself to the 100-400 L IS unit. Naturally, the shorter focal length is handier for most things I shoot (people, scenics, architecture and so forth), but I really wanted to try a longer lens.

For a long while, I waffled between the 70-200 F2.8 IS and the 100-400. Speed, obviously, is a major drawback of the 100-400 at 4.5-5.6, but the 5D is so noiseless at EI 400, that shooting outdoors with the longer lens is never a problem. I am satisfied that I would not be as happy with the shorter lens married to a 2X extender.

Telephoto photography, it turns out, is much different than working with shorter lenses, I've found. Since December, I've shot animals and birds, GP motorcycles at Indianapolis and recently, an air show. In general, I've found it much more difficult than other kinds of photography because the subjects (often moving) are much harder to find and keep framed up than closer, non-moving subjects. Also, the atmospheric effects, like fog or haze are amplified making some images look like they were shot in an opium den.

The IS feature definitely helps handheld shots, but when subjects move as fast as stunt planes and 150 MPH motorcycles, it is very easy to end up with blurred images (unless you want to stop the props on the planes and the spokes on the bikes). I tried mounting the rig on a monopod, but it caused more problems than it solved.

Anyway, back to the lens. It is a brick, and weighs nearly as much. I can't complain about image quality, especially with the full frame sensor of the 5D. I have discovered that, if I'm going to do sports photography, I'd prefer an even longer lens, though. I plan to try the 2X extender, but on this lens, the extra glass may make it unacceptably slow. Of course, with smaller(Canon)sensors, this lens would enjoy 1.6 magnification.

Another finge benefit is that, even at Indy, the "white" lens commands respect from the majority of the rest of the pack (unless they're endowed with even larger white lenses), even if it's not deserved. Evidently, this lens can make you look like you know what you're doing whether you do or not.

At the airshow, I found it challenging to adjust the focal length with this lens (push-pull) as the airplanes would be alternately very close (50 yards) and then a 1/2 mile or more away in a matter of moments. Trying to keep the aircraft in sight and zoom at the same time actually requires more grasping apendages than I was born with. I was alternating shooting with a Sony EX1 XDCAM with a power zoom. Even with that feature, it was still hard to find, frame and follow the stunt planes.

Similarly, if you are trying to fill the frame with a 150 MPH bike as it blows by, some advance planning is required, especially if you want it to be in focus at the time you pull the trigger.

Other than size and weight, I have no real beefs with the lens, although I could react to moving objects better with a conventional zoom ring. Also, I would really like it to reach a little further, say - 600mm. Then, I would have a better reach for wildlife that is often just too small to render a really good image for enlargement. It would still have to be a zoom, however, as I truly appreciate the flexibility of a variable focal length lens. Well, and of course, it could cost less!

Overall, I feel like this is a seriously professional piece of gear that will serve certain aspects of my photographic needs for a long time.

3 out of 5 stars

Get your hands on this before buying September 13, 2008
Shabadoo (Liverpool, NY United States)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

It's that heavy. I was able to borrow this lens from work, I thought it would be great to test drive an L lens to see how the other half lives.
MY ADVICE: Go to your local camera shop, get your hands on some lenses and talk with the people there. They are in the business because they love photography, not just to sell you something expensive ;) Bring your camera and take some pictures so you can look at them when you get back home and compare this and one that's 1/2 the price and weight.
I'm not bashing this lens, I just felt compelled to write an honest review and give an honest grade.
Pro:
There's no doubt it takes great outdoor pictures.
400mm gets you up close across the field for sports pics.
Con:
Cost - it didn't take significantly better pictures (at 200mm) than the 200mm zoom I have.
Weight - too heavy to hold all game long.
Aperture - must have decent light for shooting sports (unless you specifically want the blur to show motion) and you can't get that f2.0, shallow depth of field.

So if this is on your "short list", I would also include the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras

5 out of 5 stars

an incredible lens! September 8, 2008
Macuser (Nashville, TN)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

the reviews before have been quite detailed, and really say it all. I have been shooting, professionally and otherwise, for over 40 years, and I have to say that the Canon L Lenses are the first 35 mm lenses that remind me of the days of shooting with Hasselblads. Incredible sharpness, and wonderful craftmanship of construction.

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent lens out of the box. August 25, 2008
Patrick F. Cowan (oregon)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I read many reviews about the limitations of this lens and the drawback of the f4.5 speed. I recieved this lens on Friday and I have shot 700 frames over the weekend. Granted it was a very nice weekend and I had lots of sun, but the pictures were AMAZING. Spent lots of time with the kids on the diving board and at the playground shooting various ISO settings and different shutter speeds, trying to get this lens to fail. Auto-focus very reliable and very accurate. I had some issues focusing close at 400mm, but there are two minimun focus distance settings, and I may have to school myself on that a little more. I shot images all weekend free-hand and I discarded about 20 pics, because of blur (my fault, not the lens).

Very heavy, IS seems to require lots of battery, it is a big lens, and you really know that you are packing a quality piece of glass. It does draw attention.

I am shooting on an XTI w/ grip and seems to be well balanced. I put it on my SLIK tripod and it was very questionable. If you are going to mount this on a tripod frequently, make sure you have a good one. I realized that I had $2500 worth of camera, being supported by a $30 tripod and disassembled the set up after taking some quick shots of the moon (which were excellent).

I bought this lens to shoot my kids in soccer and baseball. Soccer season starts in a couple of weeks and I will update this review after shooting some games.

I am very happy with the lens and the quality, it doesn't take any time to get used to the PUSH-PULL zoom. Manual focus ring is right where my fingers felt comforable on the zoom, so I may have some problems with accidently moving the manual focus ring, when zooming the lens. I need a better camera strap.