70-400/ f4.0-5.6 Zoom ... Canon, where are you?

[RS2021]

Basically I want a 100-400 II that matches my 70-200/2.8 L IS II in every respect. Build, sealing, IS, IQ - all the way to 400mm. At 400/5.6 it should be every bit as good as the current 400/5.6 ... and no, I do not believe this to be possible only in a 200-400/4.0 @ 12,000 Euro.

So, Canon .. get to work. It's time to deliver.

I thought Neuro explained this nicely already for you...even using crayons and stuffed toys...still not there?

 

[Omar H]

Well...good for Sony users...but I wouldn't change ship because the other brands came out with something newer, different, etc. And I don't even have a lot of equipment yet, but still the grass will always seem greener on the other side.

There's a lot of threads out there of photographers yelling for an updated 100-400mm L. From what we've seen, it's unlikely that we'll see something. The day will come, but speculating about it is not taking us anywhere (Canon doesn't seem to take the hint, and they won't as this one continues to sell).

As for the push-pull, I used to hate the idea just as anybody, until I got to really use one. I don't mind it one bit. But that has been my experience, others can attest differently.

 

[Hobby Shooter]

Yip, just what Canon need another 70 to something zoom, they are so poor in that market segment

Yep, totally agree. I've been so frustrated for so long about their lack of good lenses in this range that I have considered selling all my stuff and move to any other brand as long it's not Canon.

This could be the pickiest post I have ever seen on CR. Not you, the OP I mean of course.

 

[Hillsilly]

While one lens won't encourage anyone to change, it is interesting to see Sony covering all of the key focal lengths that are of interest to most enthusiasts. Sony already has a couple of interesting longer lenses - 300 and 500mm. By having a quality range of lenses, they're removing a major impediment to changing systems. Plus, from the Minolta days, they've also got a few more designs up their sleeve. Overall, I'm surprised they don't do better in the enthusiast sports and wildlife photography market. At least they are (hopefully) keeping Nikon and Canon on their toes.

 

[viggen61]

Don't know about faster...by 100mm they both could be at f4.5.... Case in point is Canon's own 70-300L ...starts at 70mm instead of 100mm ... But by ~103mm or so is the same f4.5 100-400 aperture. So Sony at ~100mm could be at f4.5.

I looked at a bunch of xx-300s with variable apertures that start wider than f/4.5, and all of them were at or below f/4.5 by 105mm or (usually) less, including Canon's "L" zooms (28-300 f/3.5-5.6L & 70-300 f/4-5.6L). The lens spec list at The-Digital-Picture will show you what f/stop the lens reports at what focal lengths.

So, the Sony offering is very likely to be no different in that regard.

 

[hoodlum]

Canon will need to respond soon with Nikon announcing their new 80-400 on Thursday and releasing it in Japan the following week.

 

[RS2021]

Canon will need to respond soon with Nikon announcing their new 80-400 on Thursday and releasing it in Japan the following week.

We have covered this in the forum many times....Canon, especially being the top dog, will not feel obligated to match "focal length for focal length" what Nikon offers given the market structure. People capable of buying mid to higher end lenses or zooms will not ditch their whole canon systems because nikon introduces this or that lens or an excellent zoom...

Such tit for tat happens at the entry level product lines even in the canon world where the consumer is not yet committed to a system and can be swayed to chose one over the other.

 

[Don Haines]

Personally, I don't understand the desire for such large range zooms. The more range you add, the less likely it is to be a clean lens. At some point you just need to change lenses. That is the whole point of an SLR; you can change lenses. What is next, a 10-800mm? :

At F1.4 through the whole range....... heck, I'd even settle for f2.8

how about 24-1200mm, f3.4 to f6.5, ... and a tilt-swivel screen? Look at the powershot SX50..... it's not a full frame sensor so let the bashing begin

 

[Daniel Flather]

New-generation 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II telephoto zoom – with 4x faster autofocus and improved optical performance


Marketers love the numbers.

 

[Radiating]

The MTF data on this lens indicates it has worst in class performance, along with being the most expensive. It is worse than the 15 year old 100-400mm from Canon, continuing the long tradition of mediocre Sony lenses.

If you want a really good lens get the brand new Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-f/5.6

It's MTF data indicates it is way way way better than the current Canon 100-400mm

http://nikonrumors.com/2013/03/04/nikkor-80-400mm-f4-5-5-6g-ed-vr-lens-announcement.aspx/

In fact the MTF data indicates the new Nikon lens is actually as good as the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 II wide open at f/4.5-f/5.6

 

[AlanF]

What remarkable MTFs. I'd run out and buy that immediately if Canon produced it. Come to think of it, it might be worthwhile buying the Nikon plus a crop body for holiday shoots when I can't take my big Canon gear as it is so, so much better than the 100-400.

 

[AvTvM]

Shame on you, Canon! Geriatric ward still sound asleep.
Not able to stick a new 4-stop IS into the current 100-400 and even less so to come up with a newly-designed, excellent 100-400 f/4.0-5.6 IS L II ... matching the new Nikon's MTF.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/03/05/Nikon-launches-AF-S-Nikkor-80-400mm-4p5-5p6G-ED-VR-telezoom
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7205672840/editors-opinion-nikons-new-af-s-nikkor-80-400mm-f45-56-g-ed-vr

 

[mrsfotografie]

Hmm, I couldn't care less about the 70 mm position to be honest. I rather have a somewhat limited zoom range in favor of image quality.

That said, buy the Canon 100-400 while you can, it's (relatively) cheap - a MkII will definitely set you back more. I like the push/pull design for motorsports especially, being able to chase the subject as it rapidly comes closer.

I must say though that I've used my 100-400 less since I've paired the 70-200 F2.8 IS MkII to a 1.4 TC. The latter offers F/4 and better IQ throughout the range (98-280mm).

Still, benefit of the 100-400: reach, compactness (at 100 mm) and light weight. The 70-200 + TC is a lot heavier, something that counts on a long day of shooting. I wonder what the added gearing of a rotary zoom 100-400 would add to the weight...

 

[Lawliet]

Not able to stick a new 4-stop IS into the current 100-400

In a way they did just that, plus an 0.7TC in the lens design to obscure it. Lets assume the 200-400 eventually becomes available to paying customers the actual utility of a new 100-400 would be reduced again, as in either 300mm is enough or I'd prefer closer to 5-600mm. With the high MP numbers common cropping is much easier then dealing wit a to narrow FOV.

 

[AvTvM]

Not able to stick a new 4-stop IS into the current 100-400

In a way they did just that, plus an 0.7TC in the lens design to obscure it. Lets assume the 200-400 eventually becomes available to paying customers the actual utility of a new 100-400 would be reduced again, as in either 300mm is enough or I'd prefer closer to 5-600mm. With the high MP numbers common cropping is much easier then dealing wit a to narrow FOV.

The 200-400 is not available. And it is not affordable for 99% of non-Pro photogs. It is therefore NO alternative to a newly designed, excellent 100-400 II ... at a price not higher than the new Nikon 70-400.

 

[Random Orbits]

The 200-400 is not available. And it is not affordable for 99% of non-Pro photogs. It is therefore NO alternative to a newly designed, excellent 100-400 II ... at a price not higher than the new Nikon 70-400.

If the Canon releases a better version, be ready to fork out at least as much... 2700.

 

[J.R.]

The 200-400 is not available. And it is not affordable for 99% of non-Pro photogs. It is therefore NO alternative to a newly designed, excellent 100-400 II ... at a price not higher than the new Nikon 70-400.

If the Canon releases a better version, be ready to fork out at least as much... 2700.

At least as much ... you are joking ... right?

Canon will end up charging upwards of 50% of the price of the 200-400mm lens.

The current 100-400 sells well and delivers good IQ at a very good price but I'm eagerly waiting to see the IQ delivered by the new Nikon. Unless the difference in the IQ is substantial, Canon's price advantage will be enormous.

Canon seems to be thinking - If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[psolberg]

why must everybody think that when Nikon/Sony/anybody does anything, canon needs to follow. that's not called leading.

We have covered this in the forum many times....Canon, especially being the top dog, will not feel obligated to match "focal length for focal length" what Nikon offers given the market structure

which is why canon put out a 200-400 zoom 8)

If you want a really good lens get the brand new Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-f/5.6

It's MTF data indicates it is way way way better than the current Canon 100-400mm

off course it is. the 100-400 was never a good IQ performer, it was just without much competition during the decade of canon dominance. But the world has changed, Nikon/sony combined have greater market share, and so seeing sony and Nikon put out a pair of outstanding optics should surprise nobody.

we live in times of great choice for all. mirrorless dominated by companies that had been written out, the giants struggling to hold on to market share! who would have thought!

 

[Lawliet]

It is therefore NO alternative to a newly designed, excellent 100-400 II

It doesn't need to, it just closes the proverbial box.
With more attractive alternatives up- and downward plus sides that make a lateral breakthrough difficult we're looking at a limited audience with lots of options.
About the same dilema the 24-70/4 faces, but from more angles.

 

[TrumpetPower!]

Shame on you, Canon! Geriatric ward still sound asleep.
Not able to stick a new 4-stop IS into the current 100-400 and even less so to come up with a newly-designed, excellent 100-400 f/4.0-5.6 IS L II ... matching the new Nikon's MTF.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/03/05/Nikon-launches-AF-S-Nikkor-80-400mm-4p5-5p6G-ED-VR-telezoom
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7205672840/editors-opinion-nikons-new-af-s-nikkor-80-400mm-f45-56-g-ed-vr

So go ahead and switch to Nikon already. They're a reputable company that makes good products. You obviously prefer theirs to Canon's, so what on Earth is keeping you as a Canon customer?

b&