Deal: Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM 1.4x $8799 (Reg $10999)

8 comments

1. A perfect opportunity to actually get to use that 27-pt f/8 capability of your 80D or 6D2 ;)

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2. That's not a deal, that's a singular refurb.
   
   I started reading the article thinking they'd knock two grand off the retail sticker price...

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3. eBay also has second hand ones. Here's hoping for a proper deal or a price drop sooner than later, it is a lovely lens and near the top of my shopping list.

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4. Well, I have the 100-400 which is a wonderful lens, I might go for the 1.4 or 2 extenders which will match this lens. I wish I won the lottory, but since I didn't, I'd go for the cheaper option.

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5. I had this lens rented for a few days, what a beast. Amazing performance and brilliant optics nevertheless. But just way to expensive for the few times I’d use it.

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6. From its introduction, I thought that the price of this lens was a very temporary branding strategy. It seemed twice as expensive as it’s relative value to the 100 to 400. But I did not estimate the market correctly. It turns out that this is a very popular lens among a few sub segments, including Safari users and sports shooters. That said, it still puzzles me that this lens commands such a high price.
   
   I was able to borrow the lens for a week, and I found it to be about as good at the long end as the F/4 400 DO II, with the added benefit of the zoom but the added problem of a unexpectedly enormous size.
   
   I had expected the retail price to go down just below and 8 or 9000, and the use price to come to something similar or just above the used price of the 400 DO.
   
   In retrospect, I suspect that canon was smart in knowing that the sports shooters have relatively unfettered budgets. This makes it all the more puzzling that they haven’t made a new body for those people in a number of years.

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7. I 've used this lens before for wildlife and can vouch for its sharpness. It is indeed comparable to most primes. The only real issue is the weight and the balance which makes it a challenge to handhold and zoom at the same time. Top class lens (especially with the attached TC)...but does require excellent technique to get the max out of it.

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8. I got the chance to borrow one of these while shooting an event and I really liked it. For me, it was the first time that I was clearly mounting the camera on the lens rather than the other way around. It is great for sports, and I would love to have one on safari. The only problem is that $8799 doesn't include the price of a monopod, a gimbal head for the tripod, the additional hand luggage allowance (you won't want to put this in checked baggage), or the porter that you are likely to need to carry it around for you. ;)

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