Used Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM with Built-in Extender 1.4x Lens

2018-12-08T19:00:00

This lens is insane. So so SO SHARP. I'm in love. Obviously it is HUGE but worth its weight in gold!

malloryIP

Originally posted at

2018-05-17T08:43:32

I bought this lens because I wanted one lens for super telephoto needs. It certainly meets those needs. I am eager to fully take advantage of all its features, but I am very satisfied with the photos I have taken so far. I am experimenting with various techniques to improve focus and manipulate depth of field. I need to obtain ND and polarizing filters to further utilize this great lens. I am still getting used to the size and weight of this lens, but it beats hauling around and interchanging several lenses of various focal lengths. The lens comes with a great hard case to protect it during transportation.

DANIEL G.

2018-02-19T19:00:00

I've been using this as my long glass almost exclusively for nearly two years as a photographer for The University of Iowa athletic department. I'd heard great things about it and couldn't wait to try it out, and I've not been disappointed. The extra reach is great for sports like football and soccer, but I can also use it on the baseline of a basketball game to shoot as tight as I can when the action is at the other end of the floor. The only drawback I've encountered is at night, where I would still prefer either a 400 f/2.8 or a 600 f/4. Overall, I'd give it a 4.75/5.

tm3308

Originally posted at

2018-01-08T01:52:54

Best lens ever would recommend to everyone

Janice C.

2016-11-29T16:07:38

This lens has a hefty price tag and a weight. But it is a joy to use. Incredibly flexible with the sharpness that is pretty close to prime. I just wish they built it with an f/2.8. But then it would be $15000 and I wouldn't have bought it.

JOHN B.

2013-11-18T19:00:00

This lens is extremely sharp thoughout the zoom range, and is still very sharp when the 1.4x extender is engaged. I replaced my 300mm, 400mm and 500mm primes with this lens and have been very happy with the results. Always being ready to compose an action scene with the correct focal length is great versatility.

jayb

2013-10-31T21:00:00

I am a serious amateur who splurged on this lens because i love its flexibility. I traded in my 500mm F4 because i figured I would use this lens a lot more and I do. I use it 3 ways, Tripod with Sidekick when I can be stationary like when I had the 500mm; Monopod if I am shooting sports or rodeos; and handheld when walking around looking for birds and wildlife. I have to say you don't have to be a weight lifter to handhold this lens. Sure, when I am shooting a sports event I will use a mono-pod, but I have carried it around with a shoulder strap when walking looking for birds and can easliy draw it up to shoot. Left hand on the plate which enables me to use my thumb to tweak the zoom. Amazingly sharp too. Not sure anything is "not so great" other than price. This is a GREAT lens.

KENT W.

2013-10-29T21:00:00

I sold a Canon 500 f4 and 300 f2.8 to afford this 200-400 lens. I am not disappointed whatsoever. The images are crystal sharp, focusing is extremely fast and the lens is lighter than the 500 but not much heavier than the 300. The color and bokeh are beautiful. The built-in 1.4 converter makes this lens a little better than the stock 500 with using a converter on it. I can easily handhold this lens on a large Canon professional DSLR body. I highly recommend it.

CHARLES P.

2013-10-20T20:00:00

Best lens I've ever used for aviation photography. All of the versatility needed to capture images in any setting, and the built-in converter loses almost nothing I can detect in terms of image quality or focusing speed. Extremely sharp, extremely versatile, and built ruggedly for travel to rugged places.

Spino

Originally posted at

2013-10-14T21:00:00

This lens provides me with a replacement of 4 primes (200mm,300mm, 400mm, and & 500mm)in a single lens. It is easy to handle and about as sharp as any of the primes listed. Well worth the money when you consider the cost of the 4 primes!

JOHN L.

2013-09-13T20:00:00

This is the finest lens I have ever owned! It is lightning fast and crisp and the 1.4 extemder transition works brilliantly. It is heavy so I recommend a GITZO 2541 travellers tripod with the lightweight Acratech Ballhead. It is such a gem that I carry it in a Think Tank Glass Limo backpack! The uses are nature and sport photography but I have used handheld for neighborhood shooting! I cannot wait for winter shooting with my 1DX - Churchill, Canada and California Birdlife.

Dr A.

Originally posted at

2013-08-26T21:00:00

No doubt about it, in the desert, in the wind, animals moving, some close and some far, no lens changes and the results are above my expectations. For me, this lens may well replace the 500 mm. I can put on an extender if i need to, yet no need when used with my 5D Mark III. Would be nice if it were lighter, but i am able to hand hold if needed and capture the moments rather than wish i had.

GREGORY M.

2013-08-19T21:00:00

I shoot a mixture of sports and wildlife. Previous to purchasing this lens, I used a combination of 300 2.8 IS and a 70-200 2.8 IS II on two bodies for most activities. I generally felt the 300 was too short a lot of the time and I also spent a lot of time switching between bodies to get close up and far-away action. I decided to take a chance that the zoom function of this lens would allow me to get more images in frame and so far I have been very pleased. Have used it for two football games so far and have found the keepers from this lens alone exceed what I was getting from the two body combo I described above. A secondary concern was the loss of a stop (from 2.8 to 4.0). I use this with a 1DX and it simply hasn't been much of an issue. The flexibility of the zoom far outweighs that particular disadvantage. I shoot most things with this lens using a monopod. It is certainly heavier than the 300 I was using but not much of an issue with a monopod. I probably will not hand-hold this lens much. Not necessarily because of the weight, but rather because of the fact that I have found it difficult to hold the lens with my left hand and twist the zoom at the same time (right hand is on the body actuating the shutter). Maybe it is just a technique that I haven't learned yet . . . Optically, the sharpness exceeds my old 300 2.8 IS IMO. Focussing is just as fast or faster and the IS is certainly better and quieter. Flipping the switch for the built-in teleconverter is fantastic. I am not sure I can tell the difference between frames where it is in use and not, especially with good light. I had to sell my 300 and two other lenses to afford this, but at this point I think it is well worth it.

Andrew C.

2013-07-01T21:00:00

There is no more versitile lens in production that also incorporates an extender with no perceptable loss of quality. In my case, this lens is primarily used for outdoor sports. It is light, and easy to transport. This is a very expensive investment.

Captainkid

2013-06-20T20:00:00

I took delivery of the new EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X three days ago. First impressions out of the box were exactly as I expected. From the workmanship of the lens to the case and accessories, the quality is Canon’s finest. Having worked with the 600mm, the size and weight were as expected. Though I have taken a couple dozen handheld shots resulting in tack sharp images, you will need to use this lens with a tripod or monopod. I am using the 5D Mark III body. From 200-400 the image quality is extraordinary. Even flipping the 1.4x into position and noticeable degradation is extremely minimal. I am impressed with the quickness of the autofocus and have been using the stabilizer in the on position while tripod mounted with excellent results. I find the various control switches to be easy to reach and operate, even without looking. The 1.4 lever is positioned in a natural location for my finger and has a wonderful feel. I can easily flip the lever while tracking an eagle in flight without missing a beat. The lens produces a beautiful bokeh, as does the 600mm. Far more pleasing to my eye than the 100-400mm does. My reason for purchasing this lens was the versatility is gives me while shooting birds and wildlife. My one and only disappointment would be that the lens does not autofocus with an additional 1.4x extender attached if the internal 1.4x lever is engaged. The only saving grace is it does autofocus with the internal lever in the off position and once focused, you can flip the lever and it remains in focus. As I don’t intend to add an extender often, this is not of huge concern, but people should be aware of that. My view on the cost of the lens is without complaint. It is a major investment, but when you look for a tool to do a job, cost is secondary. When you pay less you typically end up with a tool that does not meet your expectations and with that, you’ve wasted your money. The cost to manufacture this lens has to be amazingly high. Thus the cost is passed on in the selling price. If you are fortunate enough to be able to afford one, my opinion is you will find it to be an extraordinary tool to add to your gear.

EDRX7

Originally posted at