Archive for: EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS
A question I am asked daily
We were told ages ago that any replacement of the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS would happen after the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x had begun shipping. That time is nearly upon us.
The new 100-400 does indeed exist and is being actively tested, however Canon is in no rush to announce the lens. 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.
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?
With Nikon announcing their new 80-400, 2013 will probably be the year we finally see the new 100-400 from Canon. Here’s a patent for the new 100-400 optical formula, notice that the new design starts at f/4 instead of f/4.5.
Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS
cr
Speculation has started again
We’ve received a few reports that an announcement for a replacement to the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS is “very possible for the end of August”. A few prototypes of the lens are currently in use in Asia.
This has been a lens that has been set for replacement as far back as I can remember. I think it’s more probable for release now that Nikon has put their new 80-400 out, which was an area of weakness for them.
We’ve heard from a few people that Canon is having manufacturing issues and that there’s a backlog of new lenses slated for production.
EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 IS at B&H Photo
cr
Finally?
An update to the 100-400 has been rumored for years. It sort of reminds of the 24-70 replacement rumors. Apparently patent applications for optical formulas don’t guarantee a speedy release. You can see another patent here.
A very solid source says as it stands, a new 100-400 will be announced alongside the EOS 7D Mark II in the late summer/early fall. Even if the availability of the 100-400 is not immediate, Canon feels the two products will fit extremely well together from a marketing standpoint.
Just a hunch about pricing, it won’t be cheap. See Nikon’s new 80-400…… :)
cr
400mm Everywhere!
I have received various bits of info over the last few months about Canon’s plans in the 400mm range. There is lots of desire for a new 400 f/5.6L and 100-400, and both may finally be getting an update. It feels like the 100-400 has been in the update cycle forever, but judging by how many of these things Canon sells, I can see why they’ve been in no rush to have it replaced.
Below are lenses that are apparently in prototype form and are on tap to be announced in 2013.
- EF 400 f/5.6L IS (Highly desired)
- EF 400 f/4L IS (Not DO)
- EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS (Not push-pull & patents exists)
- EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x (Long known about)
There seems to be a theme developing with Canon offering more options in the same focal length range. Best guess pricing will also have a pretty wide range, from a $2000 400 f/5.6L IS up to the $11,000 EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x.
cr
More announcements coming
I’ve been told to expect two more announcements before Photokina begins in September. It’ll be a nice mix of DSLRs and lenses, as well as the usual PowerShot upgrades.
Bodies
We expect 3 more DSLR announcements before the end of 2012, however only two of the three may come before Photokina. One of the cameras will be the full frame camera we’ve talked about before.
Lenses
We still think a bunch of new lenses are coming down the pipeline from Canon. How many? By our count we hear at least 6 new lenses for the EF & EF-M mount before the end of 2012. Right now, we’re not sure how many before Photokina.
We were recently told that a new EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS was coming sooner than we originally thought.
All of this would leave us with a record year at Canon, with 6 new DSLRs and 13 new lenses.
EOS M
We do not expect any other EOS M bodies before the end of 2012. I do expect a lens announcement or two to rekindle the hype around the system when it hits the streets in October.
cr
Finally on its way?
I was told today that a new EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS will be making its debut “soonish”. It will be after the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x is officially announced.
It could be tested at Euro 2012 before being announced.
Features
- Ring zoom (not push/pull)
- Latest IS System
- 82mm Filter Size
- Weather Sealed
- Slightly heavier than the current model
- Slightly faster f/4 at 100mm (Current is f/4.5)
- Retail around $2800 USD
CR’s Take
A few folks want an EF 400 f/5.6L IS, I’d think this sort of product would fill the void. I’d expect it to be optically awesome.
This comes from a pretty solid source, though lenses are always hard to nail down.
cr
![Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS “Soonish” [CR2]](http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/themes/magnet/scripts/timthumb.php?src=http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/canon_ef_100_400mm_1.png&a=t&h=100&w=200)
