Archive for: EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x
When are they coming?
I have confirmed that the new EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x will indeed hit some retailers before the end of May, and for the others the first week of June. Canon Canada expects and is telling retailers that they will have limited stock on May 27, 2013 in their warehouse. Retailers will have theirs a few days later.
There will not be a lot of lenses available on the initial run, most reps are saying only “preordered” quantities will be available until at least the middle of July.
If you have your preorder in, it looks like you should expect your new lens quite soon.
Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x $11,799
If you don’t mind being gouged, you can also get one from a 100% ebayer that will ship it to you on May 31, 2013 from Japan.
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A great review
Andy Rouse has spent 6 months with the new EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x and has posted a pretty extensive real world review.
Says Andy….
“It is no secret that I am in the Shakira fan club, you know that by now. Its even less of a secret that I am in the 200-400 fan club, in fact I am a fully paid up lifetime member. I just love this lens. As you have seen above, I have really used it hard in a variety of situations during the 6 months I have had it, and it has simply done everything that I have asked. No failures. Nothing to complain about. I have inspected all of the images that I have taken for any distortion, chromatic aberration or lick marks and I can say, hand on one of my two Vulcan hearts, that I did not find any. And remember I have been using a prototype, your production ones will be mint.”
Read the full review
Preorder the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon
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Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x $11,799
USA: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Norman Camera Canada: Camera Canada Europe: PhotoCineShop
We’re told limited quantities will be available within 2-3 weeks.
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London, UK, 14 May 2013 – Canon today adds a new category to its range of high-performance super-telephoto lenses, with the introduction of the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x to Canon’s acclaimed L-series. The EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x features a flexible 200-400mm focal range with a fixed f/4 aperture, 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer and for the first time in a commercially available lens, a built-in 1.4x extender. These features combine to provide an outstandingly versatile lens for professional sports or wildlife photographers. A robust magnesium alloy design, environmental protection and specialised lens coatings also make it ideal for mobile use, combining with the finest quality optics to deliver exceptional results, even in the harshest conditions.
Get closer to the action with superior image quality
The reach of the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x is boosted by its internal 1.4x extender, which is engaged or disengaged at the flick of a lever to provide an extended focal length of 280mm to 560mm – allowing photographers to get even closer to distant action. Ensuring the highest image performance, the optical design includes both fluorite and Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens elements, which help minimise chromatic aberration and eliminate colour blurring. Advanced anti-reflection SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC) and Super Spectra Coating also reduce ghosting and flare. Thanks to the use of the latest optical technologies, image performance is unaffected when the integrated extender is used.
With a constant f/4 aperture the use of high shutter speeds to capture fast-paced action or a low-light scene is possible. A newly designed optical Image Stabilizer, which provides users with a four stop advantage, while IS ‘Mode 3’ applies image stabilisation only at the time of exposure – ensuring that photographers can pan with fast-paced action without IS overcompensating for movement. This feature is ideal for sports photographers, who typically have only a split-second to capture a subject in front of them.
Powerful, flexible focusing
The EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x features Canon’s pioneering ring-type Ultrasonic Motor providing fast, silent autofocusing. For those who prefer to fine-tune focus themselves, full-time manual override allows photographers to manually focus at any moment when using AF. The Power Focus (PF) mode also increases versatility during movie shooting with the EOS-1D C or EOS-1D X, enabling photographers to achieve an accurate pull-focus effect at one of two speeds, simply by twisting the focus recall ring and stopping at a pre-set distance.
High-performance design for professional demands
Designed to answer professional demands for superior image quality and versatile zoom range, the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x a boasts a premium-quality design befitting Canon’s industry-renowned L-series lenses.
The tough magnesium alloy chassis ensures that, despite the inclusion of the 1.4x extender, the lens is a similar weight to lenses of comparable focal length. Fluorine coatings on the front and rear lens elements also reduce the ability of dirt to cling to the lens surface, while a dust and water-resistant construction allows photographers to shoot in challenging weather conditions. The combination of outstanding optical performance, versatility, weight and tough construction will make it an essential part of any professional sports or wildlife photographer’s kitbag.
EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x key features
- Built-in 1.4x extender, for extra magnification when you need it
- Shoot in low light with four-stop Image Stabilizer
- High image quality using Fluorite lens elements
- Fast AF with USM technology
- Robust design for use in the toughest environments
| Focal Length & Maximum Aperture |
Built-in extender at 1x: 200-400mm, 1:4.0
Built-in extender at 1.4x: 280-560mm, 1:5.6 |
| Lens Construction |
Built-in extender at 1x:
25 elements in 20 groups (incl. 1 rear filter)
Built-in extender at 1.4x:
33 elements in 24 groups (incl. 1 rear filter) |
| Diagonal Angle of View |
Built-in extender at 1x: 12°-6°10′
Built-in extender at 1.4x: 8°50′-4°25′ |
| Focus Adjustment |
Inner focusing system |
| Closest Focusing Distance |
6.6 ft. / 2m |
| Filter Size |
52mm drop-In |
| Max. Diameter x Length, Weight |
5.0 x 14.4 inches, 127.7 oz. / 128 x 366mm, 3620g |
Preorder the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x Lens from: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon
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Stay tuned……..
As previously mentioned, the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x will be announced tonight, stay tuned for full coverage. Get your $12 grand ready!
I’ve had a chance to use the lens and will give you my thoughts!
Below is an overview of the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x
Designed to satisfy the discriminating needs of sports and wildlife photographers, the EF 200–400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X is a high-performance super telephoto zoom lens with an optically matched built-in 1.4x extender for maximum versatility. With a simple flick of a switch, the zoom range can be quickly increased to 280–560mm (f/5.6). This capability is extremely useful in applications where it is not possible to change lenses quickly, while also protecting delicate equipment such as a digital SLR camera’s image sensor in environments with dust and high humidity. The EF 200–400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X incorporates one fluorite and four UD lens elements, which provide excellent correction of chromatic aberration throughout the entire zoom range for professional quality images with high resolution, contrast and color fidelity, while a 9-blade circular aperture helps deliver beautiful, soft backgrounds. It utilizes inner focusing, ring USM, a high-speed CPU and optimized AF algorithms for fast and accurate autofocusing. And, with Power Focus mode, focus shifts are quiet and smooth, which is essential for filmmaking. Image stabilization is effective up to four shutter speed steps, with three image stabilization modes (standard, panning, and during exposure only) providing excellent results for a wide range of subjects. Optimized lens placement and coatings deliver outstanding color balance, while helping to minimize ghosting and flare. The lens is highly resistant to dust and water, enabling shooting even in harsh conditions. A fluorine coating on front and rear lens surfaces repels dust particles and makes the lens easier to clean.
MTF Charts
EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x MTF Charts
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Announcement in May?
Two people have contacted me saying that a Canon Rep has told them that the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x will be officially announced in May, 2013. It could be as early as Tuesday, May 14, 2013. The other date could be the previously mentioned May 31, 2013. We’re also told limited quantity would be available within 3 weeks of the announcement.
This comes from brand new sources, so keep in mind it’s CR1.
More to come…
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Another launch date!
The ever moving launch date of the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x lens. After the latest post about the lens, I have received a barrage of emails saying the mid 2014 comment was untrue.
As of now, a couple of people have said that May 14, 2013 is the day the lens will be officially announced with availability coming in September/October 2013.
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The lens that will never be…. it seems
Juza from JuzaPhoto.com had a chance to play with the upcoming, but yet-to-be-officially-announced EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x. As with most previews, he was not allowed to post any images taken with the lens.
The interesting part of the article is at the end where he claims the lens will be available in mid 2014. That’s still a pretty long wait!
“One last thought is about price and availability. Canon has not said anything about price, but it won’t be cheap – my bet is between $9000 and $10000; availability is expected in mid 2014. As soon as the final version will be in production I’m going to try it to see its real image quality!”
Source: [JP] | Image from juzaphoto.com
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A light at the end of the tunnel?
I spoke to someone at NAB last week about the yet-to-be-officiall-announced EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x. I was told that the lens is now “expected to arrive in the fall of 2013. The design and functionality of the lens are set, Canon is now waiting for the manufacturing process to be finalized so production can begin”.
I got to hold and play with the 200-400 a bit last week, and I must say the weight of it shocked me. It’s going to be pretty close to the EF 600 f/4L IS II. I’m sure everything else about the lens is top notch, as we’re still being told to expect a price north of $10,000 USD.
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Where is the 70D?
We’re told today that the 70D has been pushed into April, we had hoped that an announcement would be coming next week.
DIGIC 6
DIGIC 6 will be introduced tonight in the SX280 HS as reported a few days ago. We’re told we can expect DIGIC 6 to make its first appearance in an EOS camera inside the EOS 70D.
18mp Sensors
Keep an eye on the SL1, as it has a brand new 18mp sensor on the inside. As present, we can’t confirm that it’s also in the T5i, though it would make sense. We’re told that the 70D will have the same sensor. This is from a new source.
Lenses
Nothing on the lens front, though we expect to see one announced with the EOS 70D.
The EF 00-400 f/4L IS 1.4x is becoming a running joke with folks at Canon, I don’t think any one really knows why it hasn’t been officially announced yet.
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