When is the New 100-400 Coming?

[mycanonphotos]

<p>Canon may also be waiting to see how the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x sells, would people really hold off buying it if a new 100-400 was available?</p>

HUH?? at a price of $12,000....compared to say...$3000 at the high end for a updated new 100-400...I dont think the 200-400 is even on anyones radar except for the high rollers who actually "use" the lens everyday for its intended use... I'll never buy a 200-400 at my level maybe rent a few times and thats it..

[bvukich]

I originally did not like the idea of a push-pull design, but have changed my mind after using my 400L for a few years.
Some of the advantages that this design made available when it was designed are:
 
     Short Storage length, shorter than the 70-200mmL
     Close focusing, for filling a frame with small birds which often let you get close.
     Is has worked for me down to 1/20 sec, far better than the IS on my 400mm f/5.6.
 
 
Newer lens technology now allows for shorter lens designs, better IS,  all with close focusing.  I'd certainly welcome a new model that  had those attributes, push pull or not.  I'd prefer the smallest one, whichever it is.
 
My 400mm f/5.6 is too long to easily store, and won't focus closely, plus a lack of IS can be a issue for stills where light in not its best.  Having to use a high shutter speed requires high ISO's unless I have bright light.

+1

+2

[brad-man]

I originally did not like the idea of a push-pull design, but have changed my mind after using my 400L for a few years.
Some of the advantages that this design made available when it was designed are:
 
     Short Storage length, shorter than the 70-200mmL
     Close focusing, for filling a frame with small birds which often let you get close.
     Is has worked for me down to 1/20 sec, far better than the IS on my 400mm f/5.6.
 
 
Newer lens technology now allows for shorter lens designs, better IS,  all with close focusing.  I'd certainly welcome a new model that  had those attributes, push pull or not.  I'd prefer the smallest one, whichever it is.
 
My 400mm f/5.6 is too long to easily store, and won't focus closely, plus a lack of IS can be a issue for stills where light in not its best.  Having to use a high shutter speed requires high ISO's unless I have bright light.

+1

+2

+3
I really don't understand all the hate over push/pull. The lens is quite short for a 400. My copy is also quite sharp. I am intrigued by the larger aperture and latest generation of IS. So while I would love to upgrade, price will be the determining factor for me. I don't give a rat's ass whether it's twist or push/pull, only reasonably priced.

[Marsu42]

if you have sources to tell you that there are prototypes.
why don´t they tell you at least if it is a push-pull design or not?

Personally I doubt CR has any good inside information about Canon :-> though there's a beta tester around here that often comments on current prototypes and seems to be very reliable...

... but concerning your question, the answer most likely would be that there are several prototypes with different characteristics and designs, and only God and Canon knows which one they'll select for production.

We’re told that the current 100-400 still sells at an amazing clip and outpaces the 70-300L by a 4 to 1 margin.

Now *that* is a surprising and interesting piece of information, if it's true and since Canon is not in the habit of replacing best-selling lenses without a good reason it means one of these two things:

1. (less likely) The release of a new 100-400 will take some time after all because there's no immediate market pressure

2. (more likely) The new 100-400 will be much more expensive, i.e. generating more profit for Canon, and will be an "upgrade" to the existing lens rather than a replacement on the same level - more like 24-70 mk1 to mk2.

[jthomson]

1. (less likely) The release of a new 100-400 will take some time after all because there's no immediate market pressure

2. (more likely) The new 100-400 will be much more expensive, i.e. generating more profit for Canon, and will be an "upgrade" to the existing lens rather than a replacement on the same level - more like 24-70 mk1 to mk2.

1. There is no market pressure, nobody makes a better lens in the size/price range.  That's why Canon hasn't changed the 100-400mm and the 400mm f5.6.

2.  New price will be similar to Nikon 80-400mm, probably something like $500 more.

[greger]

I agree with brad-man and Marsu42, but I don't want to upgrade because I've only had mine for a month and am pleased
so far. I think stock of vs 1 will go quickly. The price of vs 2 will be the reason. As to when will we see this lens? Soon.
It will have no effect on sales of the new 200-400 lens as it is aimed at a different photographer than most of us.   

[RGF]

If they wait for sales on the 200-400 it could be 6 months before the initial rush is over. 

May use the demand to determine price - if there is resistant to the 200-400 they may price the 100-400 higher since they will think everyone is waiting for a lower priced alternative.  If 200-400 sales are strong, then they go with a lower price since they have already milked the market.

Wait and wait and wait and eventually see - maybe

[mrsfotografie]

<p>Canon may also be waiting to see how the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x sells, would people really hold off buying it if a new 100-400 was available?</p>

HUH?? at a price of $12,000....compared to say...$3000 at the high end for a updated new 100-400...I dont think the 200-400 is even on anyones radar except for the high rollers who actually "use" the lens everyday for its intended use... I'll never buy a 200-400 at my level maybe rent a few times and thats it..

Agreed, there's really very little shared ground (market share) for these lenses. Now if Canon would release a 200-400 f/4 without the built-in TC, that would be something of a different story (I think Nikon has a great offering in this respect).

[JPAZ]

If they produce a 100-400 that's a "twist" and is as light and small as my 70-200 F/4 IS with 4 stop IS and IQ as good as what we've got now, and if the price is less than $2000, I would jump.  But, that is impossible form an engineering and design and financial perspective.

[ddashti]

Canon would make a lot of money if the 100-400 were to be released alongside the 7D Mark II.
So either both will be released in July, or in 2014...

[tron]

If they produce a 100-400 that's a "twist" and is as light and small as my 70-200 F/4 IS with 4 stop IS and IQ as good as what we've got now, and if the price is less than $2000, I would jump.  But, that is impossible form an engineering and design and financial perspective.

If I were to just guess (I obviously have NO inside information) I would say that it would look like the bigger (and  heavier) brother of 70-300L ... Now the price would be higher too...

[viggen61]

Canon would make a lot of money if the 100-400 were to be released alongside the 7D Mark II.
So either both will be released in July, or in 2014...

+1

Though my wallet is hoping Canon staggers the introductions... 

[viggen61]

If they produce a 100-400 that's a "twist" and is as light and small as my 70-200 F/4 IS with 4 stop IS and IQ as good as what we've got now, and if the price is less than $2000, I would jump.  But, that is impossible form an engineering and design and financial perspective.

If I were to just guess (I obviously have NO inside information) I would say that it would look like the bigger (and  heavier) brother of 70-300L ... Now the price would be higher too...

I'd hope so! I love the compactness of the current 100-400 at 100. Fits nicely in a sling backpack.

[iowapipe]

if you have sources to tell you that there are prototypes.
why don´t they tell you at least if it is a push-pull design or not?

Personally I doubt CR has any good inside information about Canon :-> though there's a beta tester around here that often comments on current prototypes and seems to be very reliable...

... but concerning your question, the answer most likely would be that there are several prototypes with different characteristics and designs, and only God and Canon knows which one they'll select for production.

We’re told that the current 100-400 still sells at an amazing clip and outpaces the 70-300L by a 4 to 1 margin.

Now *that* is a surprising and interesting piece of information, if it's true and since Canon is not in the habit of replacing best-selling lenses without a good reason it means one of these two things:

1. (less likely) The release of a new 100-400 will take some time after all because there's no immediate market pressure

2. (more likely) The new 100-400 will be much more expensive, i.e. generating more profit for Canon, and will be an "upgrade" to the existing lens rather than a replacement on the same level - more like 24-70 mk1 to mk2.

But, but but:  the price of the mk2 when introduced was nearly the same as the mk1 when that lens was new on the market.  So, while it seems to current buyers that the new version is so much more expensive, it is actually the fact that the old lens had come down in price quite a bit over the years. 

I haven't looked up the price of the 100-400 when it was first introduced, but since lenses follow a similar trend across the board;  I would assume the new lens would of course be more expensive than the old lens when it hits the market.

[veng]

I'm really surprised by the 4 to 1 out selling of the 70-300.  The 70-300 is vastly superior to the 100-400 from 70-300mm.  While no, it's not a great birding lens, it's extra 2 stops of IS and extra IQ are above and beyond the 100-400.  As far as the method by which it zooms, is a complete non-issue.