Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

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NineLIves

sent on 31 Dicembre 2023

Pros: More compact than 500 and 600 and certainly more usable without needing to move from position or crop post image.

Cons: Really can't pick a single one given the weight and utter usable range without need for even a monopod.

Opinion: Having tried 400 2.8, 500 f4,600 f4,800 f5,6 I decided that a prime is confined due to mostly used in a hide/blind. Even if used walk-about you need to move closer or move back when a prime used. Once I used the 200-400 (+1.4X) and outside of the blind/hide scenario I was convinced the zoom had all what was needed (if maybe a little short, wrt 600mm + ext at times but new mirriorless can set x1.6 in firmware menu to negate this) for the vast majority of nature photography! Incredible so many ppl I meet regularly are unaware that the fullframe mirriorless systems can become become apsc withe a few clicks of a menu! I have taken may thousands of pics with this lens using R6,R5,R,R7,350D and 7D and it has been flawless! I can only recommend this lens even given the cost wrt to the 500mm F4, it truely is a marvel of modern enginering/optics! Regards, Terry :)

The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Zeval

sent on 11 Maggio 2024

Pros: Top sharpness - fast AF and locks well with R6 - cost used

Cons: AF a hair less responsive at 560mm ( x photograph the swallows) the weight but you know this before you take it

Opinion: I replaced my 100-500 RF with this MONSTER and after using it x 7 months I came to the conclusion that I did well. Before getting this Expensive lens I evaluated the PROS/CONs (weight - material - focal length type - size - price and curiosity to try this rare lens .... very expensive €13,000 on the new one). There was a short period that EF nettles depreciated a lot, this is because many users made the switch from EF to RF... and I found a 200-400mm without breaking the bank too much... now this is no longer the case, even EF optics are back at high prices. Compared to the 100-500 RF it is much sharper, there are more details in the picture. This also applies to the 300 f2.8 is and the old 500mm f4.5L. It's a lust to go from 400 to 560 by moving a stick (a lot of stuff). With R6 when you put it at 560 AF it remains fast but locks a little less than when it is at 400 (as written in the cons this applies to the bee-eater swallows). Maybe with R5/R3 this kind of problem doesn't exist. Lens to have in your photographic equipment.

Andre-3-89

sent on 05 Gennaio 2024

Pros: Versatility, Construction, Sharpness, Value, Stabilization, Tropicalization

Cons: The cost, unfortunately, is exorbitant.

Opinion: I recently got this lens but you immediately realize the importance that Canon has given to this project. We're talking about the ultimate expression in terms of high-profile zoom. If I could attempt a comparison, I would venture to say that Canon has invested the same care it does into the 70-200, which is saying something. As for its versatility, the advantage of having a zoom with an attached multiplier is undeniable. The possibilities of composition and "reaching" the "target" is much greater than with a fixed one. It's a bit odd to put on and take off the 1.4X multiplier with the ease of a snap of your fingers, one moment you're at 200 and BAAM the next you're at almost 600mm. Everything is normal if you think about the various 200-600 zooms made by the various manufacturers, BUT it doesn't take a degree to understand that the difference is there, and it shows. The sharpness is a reference, you can notice small smudges only if you compare it to a fixed super telephoto such as the 300 f2.8 or the 400 f2.8 which, as we know, are simpler projects and devoted to "optical purity"; This is a zoom, with an insertable multiplier, and despite everything it beats it well. In my opinion, Canon has done a GREAT job... And in fact we are talking about almost 13 thousand euros of lens, not really within everyone's reach. The AF module is lightning fast and precise in full mode, it becomes instantaneous with the limiter engaged (as long as you use a real camera with a real battery to push all the motors without hesitation), the stabilizer works well and is silent to the point of not being perceived by the microphone in the video phase. Tried with the 2Xiii and it works well. Tried it with the 2Xii plus its LiveView extender and it becomes a 1,120mm f11... What can I say, it's better to photograph closer, but it's okay to know that you have that possibility too. One of the greatest satisfactions is the handle! yes the handle, I came from the 300 f2.8 IS first version I used with the 2X and it had a RIDICULOUS handle, practically impossible to carry around. I would recommend the purchase to people who know what they are holding. It is an important lens and consequently requires the awareness of "insiders". I reserve the possibility to modify the post with further considerations once it has been better tested, perhaps even with a mirrorless body such as R5.

Airone

sent on 18 Maggio 2021

Pros: Excellent as all Canon superteles, very sharp even with 1.4x inserted and sharp at 400mm with 2x III. With the addition of a 2x to be mounted to the need it covers all the focals from 200 to 800mm while maintaining a decent brightness even duplicated thanks to the good starting brightness. It can be transported in non-impassive areas without excessive effort even for hours.

Cons: Definitely expensive but replaces at least 3 optics while maintaining excellent clarity. Heavy (3.6 kg), but manageable freehand although not for too long.

Opinion: Accustomed with the 800mm manageable only by fixed stakeout, this lens gives me more opportunities to hunt wandering for a few hours, keeping it on the shoulder always ready to use (excellent padded shoulder strap). I often leave my backpack at home and go around the Peat bogs of the Sebino without the need for anything else, but I also use it as a stakeout keeping the perches at 6 meters instead of 8. Or if I can't get close, after the initial doubts, after the initial doubts, I found that it holds the 2x III well, clearly replacing even the 800mm while losing a stop of light. Of course it is expensive but the quality is not free, in this case both optically and constructively we are at the highest level. In my case it replaces 200-300-400-500 and also 800mm, also thanks to the reduced minimum distance of fire it also allows you to take photos of insects such as butterflies and dragonflies even with freehand. Here it is rated 8.8 out of 10, less than many zummoni that go for the most, but it is a poorly used optics and therefore many evaluations perhaps spann in the air, as often happens with optics that are not known. Given all aspects it deserves an assessment close to 10!! One of the most beautiful and versatile Canon optics.

Glp

sent on 03 Agosto 2014

Pros: Great versatility and absolute clarity even with the 1.4x attached.

Cons: Weight, difficult to use it freehand for a long time, zoom ring in place not just convenient.

Opinion: I replaced 300, 400 f/2.8 and 500 f / 4 mk I for all this lente.rnMi was immediately very well for the versatility and quality of lente.rnll f/2.8 aperture of 300 and 400 I'm missing a little but I comunque.rnRitengo used this lens one of the best baked by Canon, its quality in general is very buona.rnIl multiplier built-in is very handy when you are looking for those in più.rnIl mm focal length multiplier, in my opinion, it only makes sense when you use it after 400 mm, I do not feel under the necessità.rnA who can afford it, I recommend it!

Lorenzo Marchetti

sent on 23 Luglio 2013

Pros: The focal really cover all the needs of a safarista, especially for those who switched to FF.

Cons: Substantial weight, ring zummaggio uncomfortable, not well balanced by the handle, price from fainting.

Opinion: It was the light that was missing for safaristi. From 200 to 560mm in one point of view, without having to mount and unmount the duplicator. In this way we recover at least 30% of shots missed when the animals move away or come close to the point of recovery, often obliged. A huge advantage. The quality seems to be at the level of the best series L. Very bright, the only flaw is that being consistent with the diaphragm 1 .4 also added to the minimum is 5.6 to 280mm. rnL'ho finally tried on safari, but the weight is felt the most uncomfortable thing of all is the ring of zoomaggio: it is positioned at the bottom of the lens, then away from the hand that holds it in place. It might be handy if you were using a tripod but freehand (ie the off-road) is really complicated move between focali.rnLa image quality is really good, but the blurred background is unusual, very prone to aberrations cromatiche.rnIn several occasions allowed me to continue shooting with the subject approaching, reallya luxury safari. rn

Ermannocazzola

sent on 30 Maggio 2013

Pros: Optics really convenient for those individuals moving back and forth .... football, basketball, volleyball, cars, motorcycles, rally and more. rnRapido and precise ... sharpness with multiplier really stupefacenternPossibilità to add additional external multipliers

Cons: is an f / 4 when used from 200 to 400 and a smooth f / 5.6 x 1.4 incorporatornil inserting the cost I consider it proportionate to the wide possibilities offered by the use though still very high and the reach of most

Opinion: What can I say? RNE as always with a view of canon L series and then you expect the best ... and does not disappoint in this respect .... rnVeramente razor-sharp optics and also fast although it is a f/4rnIl internal multiplier has a yield whose presence is not absolutely known .... bringing this or not bringing this is the same thing qualitatively speaking, it gives those who are often most in mm oro.rnAnche f / 5,6 maintains sharpness and velocità.rnPer those who love the ability to zoom in, it is certainly better than a 400mm f / 2, 8 fixed ..... but perhaps of greater sharpness fruibilità.rnOvvio we lose one stop of light .... how important it is up to the buyer only dirlo.rnrnrnqui are some sample shots nitidezzarnhttp :/ / www.juzaphoto.com/me.php?pg=46905&l=it