A Classic EF Lens Reaches the End of Production

[Canon Rumors]

One of my favourite lenses for the EF mount is the EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 L IS USM II, if there was ever a version II of a lens that was better in every single way, this was it. It had wonderful optics, build quality, a new trick lens hood, great balance and a tripod collar […]

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[P-visie]

It is/ was a great lens, except for the removable foot of the tripod collar. Mine had to be repaired within a year. The same intern who designed this removable foot went on to design lens and body caps that can only be attached in one way and the R5 Mk II hot shoe cover……

 

[candyman]

It is/ was a great lens……

I am still using it with great pleasure. A real joy. Since it performs so well, I am not motivated to replace it with the RF100-500.

 

[AlanF]

The EF 400mm f/5.6 L had quite a following, who thought it very sharp. Then along came the EF 100-400mm ii that was sharper than the prime, had excellent IS, not much heavier and was a zoom. A splendid lens, fully worth its price. Fortunately, it morphed into the RF 100-500 so I don't miss my two 100-400s.

 

[HeavyPiper]

It is/ was a great lens, except for the removable foot of the tripod collar. Mine had to be repaired within a year

I replaced my foot with a RRS after market foot.

 

[erader]

I am still using it with great pleasure. A real joy. Since it performs so well, I am not motivated to replace it with the RF100-500.

famous last words haha? i made the swap in december after buying an R5 and selling all my ef lenses. wow I love the extra reach with no weight/size/IQ penalty but do dump the bucket hood for the 50L f1.2 hood for much improved packability. and while you're at it dump the bucket hood on the miniscule 70-200L F4 for the RF 24-105 hood

 

[erader]

I replaced my foot with a RRS after market foot.

yeah because the OEM foot was terrible, and does anyone really use a polarizer with a lens hood? i hated that hood and glued the window shut

 

[Gino_FOTO]

I am still using it with great pleasure. A real joy. Since it performs so well, I am not motivated to replace it with the RF100-500.

It might be a bit cliché to call a lens special, but this one, honestly, it’s the one with that mojo.

 

[candyman]

famous last words haha?

Famous last words? I will join Craig: "Hats off"

 

[mangobutter]

I love my beast of a lens, the 100-400L II. The all metal feel, aesthetic, and construction is top notch and the IQ is stellar. I double purpose this lens and use it with my Fujifilm bodies and works essentially like native on it. I replaced the collar with one from RRS.

 

[DocInfoSci]

I think if I bought into tele primes at this point I'd switch to RF, but since I have enough nice EF gear as it is I am actually tempted to grab one of these at the end of the year. Just to have one for walk-abouts in the wet autumn weather along the beaches. It does seem well loved by all who speak of it.

Oddly, I don't know anyone in arms reach who owns one for which I could borrow to play with; they have other tele options that I get to play with (and that's also nice). Just a weird wrinkle of circumstance I guess.

I have to laugh at people's aversion to removable tripod collars, though. Yeah, I've heard the horror stories. That's never happened to me or anyone I know, and I really appreciate that I can yank the collars off my 70-200, 300, and 100 macro. When I put the collars on, I tighten the knob...

(Yes. I know. Those who have dumped thousands of dollars onto the ground thanks to a loose collar will flame me. I feel for them. That would truly be terrible. But I still like my removable collars for hand-held parties.)

 

[Exploreshootshare]

Absolutely loved this lens!!! I bought it with the EOS R (besides the 24-105mm basically my first chosen L lens) and it was a top notch combo for several years. I´m glad Canon has a worthy successor with the RF 100-500mm for which I traded my 100-400mm for. While the RF has the edge on weight, reach a better AF with higher f-numbers, the EF version just felt better (metal construction) and the usage of extenders throughout the entire zoom range.

I was very glad that I was able to sell my copy to a young man who - in his words - saved up for several years to purchase this lens. He paired it with the 90d for birding. I can still remember how excited he was. So much, I even gave him a rebate although we had already agreed on the price. I told him to get some kind of accessory for this lens one of the very few sales that stuck with me, probably only happens with special lenses