EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS Replacement Coming in November [CR2]

[sagittariansrock]

To be clear to all, when I asked if it was DO, I wasn't hoping that it's DO. To be honest, I don't care one way or another AS LONG AS THE IQ IS THERE.

I was merely remembering the announcement from September 17 of this year that more DO lenses are coming - and in the same announcement talking about the 100-400 replacement.... and then in the same announcement also mentioning that Canon has a patent on a 100-400 DO zoom.

Canon Rumors link here: Canon Confirms Replacement of 100-400 Coming, More DO & EF-M Lenses

CNET Source link here: Canon Reveals Details For Future Telephoto Lens Line
A new 400mm supertele is just the beginning. Canon also says it plans a replacement for its 100-400mm zoom and new compact models using diffractive optics.

Well, you will note that the 100-400 and the DO lenses are mentioned as separate matters.

The 100-400mm zoom is a good example. Canon introduced it in 1998 with its first-generation image stablization technology, which counteracts some camera shake, and still sells it for $1,700. But a new model is in the works, said Canon technical advisor Chuck Westfall in an interview here at the Photokina show Monday. "It's definitely on the boards for replacement," he said, though declining to say when.

In addition, Canon is working to spread a technology called diffractive optics, or DO, into more lenses, he added -- maybe even cheaper lenses.

CR mentioned these as separate matters, but then added the information about the patent anecdotally- which confused some and started a couple of threads. I would have said I don't think the 100-400 II will be a DO, but then I am not sure there is a 100-400 II to begin with!

[In any case, just because Chuck Westfall mentioned a 100-400 replacement, do not start planning a bank robbery. He specifically mentioned (without being asked) how they were working on AF illumination in the 5DIII, which never materialized. So Canon USA has little idea about what Canon Inc. does.]

 

[Gooniesneversaydie11]

I would bet that this rumor has some legs. Think about it. Doesn't anyone think that its strange that they didn't announce a long telephoto L lens to go with the new 7D launch? They announced a moderately improved kit lens (most people buying a 7D Mark II at $1799 is most likely not interested in a kit lens, but its there to help reel in that "Gizmodo-reading" demographic ) and they also announced a pancake. Do either of these two lenses build on the strengths of the 7D Mark II? Not at all. If the 7D MKII is truly aimed at sports and wildlife shooters, then Canon would be stupid to not release an update (or all around new ) long telephoto that is in the more reasonably priced category. Everyone knows the importance of a lens. Why would canon release a 7D MKII only to have people use the same 100-400 that they have been whining about for years and let the weakest link diminish the performance of their new powerhouse action camera?

My guess is that Canon had some issues with this lens that set back the development and rather than hold up the 7D MKII they figured they could release the camera and then have the lens out in time for the Holidays.

 

[Lee Jay]

The 400 5.6 prime beats them all, canon 100-400, sigma zooms, whatever.

A midrange zoom isn't supposed to "beat" a prime because unless you're focal length limited. With the zoom you can get the optimal sensor coverage meaning less noise and more sharpness because of less nr. With a prime, what do you do if your subject decides to get near you? Quickly switch to the 300L, 200L and 100L?

Walk backwards?

I don't own any primes yet, so that's just my working theory as of the moment. As soon as I own some primes I can properly answer your question and back it up with the scientific method.

How fast can you walk backwards? Most of my subjects approach at 100-200mph.

 

[Loswr]

Time has passed this lens by - it is two years to late.

The 150-600 zoom is the new kid on the block...

Indeed, and like much of America's youth, the 'new kids' are big and overweight. The retracted 100-400L is the size of a 70-200/2.8, a very convenient size for a 400mm lens. Considering the optical improvements going from original to MkII of the 70-200/2.8 IS, a new 100-400 should be excellent. Mount a 1.4x TC behind it, you'll have a 140-560mm f/8 lens that will AF on recent higher-end bodies, deliver great IQ, and be a heck of a lot more portable than those "I'm not fat, I'm big-boned" new kids.

 

[sagittariansrock]

Time has passed this lens by - it is two years to late.

The 150-600 zoom is the new kid on the block...

Indeed, and like much of America's youth, the 'new kids' are big and overweight. The retracted 100-400L is the size of a 70-200/2.8, a very convenient size for a 400mm lens. Considering the optical improvements going from original to MkII of the 70-200/2.8 IS, a new 100-400 should be excellent. Mount a 1.4x TC behind it, you'll have a 140-560mm f/8 lens that will AF on recent higher-end bodies, deliver great IQ, and be a heck of a lot more portable than those "I'm not fat, I'm big-boned" new kids.

The only problem will be the price. Canon will ask for an arm and a leg for it, and that makes it really difficult to balance a telephoto lens, IS or no IS.

 

[Mitch.Conner]

The 400 5.6 prime beats them all, canon 100-400, sigma zooms, whatever.

A midrange zoom isn't supposed to "beat" a prime because unless you're focal length limited. With the zoom you can get the optimal sensor coverage meaning less noise and more sharpness because of less nr. With a prime, what do you do if your subject decides to get near you? Quickly switch to the 300L, 200L and 100L?

Walk backwards?

I don't own any primes yet, so that's just my working theory as of the moment. As soon as I own some primes I can properly answer your question and back it up with the scientific method.

How fast can you walk backwards? Most of my subjects approach at 100-200mph.

Take up sprinting?

I'm joking.

 

[Lee Jay]

Time has passed this lens by - it is two years to late.

The 150-600 zoom is the new kid on the block...

Indeed, and like much of America's youth, the 'new kids' are big and overweight. The retracted 100-400L is the size of a 70-200/2.8, a very convenient size for a 400mm lens. Considering the optical improvements going from original to MkII of the 70-200/2.8 IS, a new 100-400 should be excellent. Mount a 1.4x TC behind it, you'll have a 140-560mm f/8 lens that will AF on recent higher-end bodies, deliver great IQ, and be a heck of a lot more portable than those "I'm not fat, I'm big-boned" new kids.

The only problem will be the price. Canon will ask for an arm and a leg for it, and that makes it really difficult to balance a telephoto lens, IS or no IS.

Wait for a good deal. I bought my 70-200/2.8L IS II for $1,974 from B&H when they were normally $2,499.

 

[dufflover]

Woooo CR2. But yes possibly too little too late and I expect a price of low $2k akin to the 70-200 II. I do expect it to be bloody sharp though like the 70-200 II too though.

The only way I'd buy it is if it keeps the original 100-400 properties (namely collapsible to 70-200 size) and I happen to stumble upon some extra cash to upgrade my current 100-400. But it'd be an impulse though as I already have a bigger gun (so to speak) with the Sigma 120-300 (+TCs) and possibly the 150-600 depending how that turns out.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Assuming it focuses quickly and accurately, I'm in. My 100-400 usually focuses well, but sometimes it hunts (both with my 70D and 5D3). My newer lenses don't do that. I'm guessing the new 100-400 will have modestly better IQ, and better IS. I will miss the push-pull, though.

I've never had my 100-400 hunt with any Canon DSLR. Yours may have a problem if it does.

 

[PureClassA]

Assuming it focuses quickly and accurately, I'm in. My 100-400 usually focuses well, but sometimes it hunts (both with my 70D and 5D3). My newer lenses don't do that. I'm guessing the new 100-400 will have modestly better IQ, and better IS. I will miss the push-pull, though.

I've never had my 100-400 hunt with any Canon DSLR. Yours may have a problem if it does.

100-400 is one of Canon's best sellers. Though we have no real test data (i dont think) on the new Sigs, but I can't image that S model for $2k will even remotely be a dud. Sure it's bigger and heavier, but to tripod folks, it may prove largely irrelevant if it performs superbly. No one seems to care much that the ART primes are notably heavier than their nikon and canon peers. Anyway, maybe all this has upped Canon's game. "We really need to get a new 100-400 out now before we lose more opportunity" Yeah, Tammy has one out already, but they haven't seemed to have gotten the accolades that Sigma's new stuff has. Again, hoping for lots of surprises at Photoplus and CES in January

 

[Gooniesneversaydie11]

The Sigma may be great, but if it suffers in the AF speed/accuracy department (which is Sigma's only weak spot lately) then its pretty much worthless at that price. I am not paying 2K only to have to MA the thing to death with a stupid little dock. If the 100-400 comes out at the same price point and is razor sharp, I would gladly pay 2k for that over the Sigma and sacrifice the extra FL. ;D

 

[Maximilian]

Is it DO?

Hopefully not! 8)

The new DO system supposedly has vast improvement over the old 70-300 attempt - and if it works, it means less weight and length for the same image quality. With a lens the size of a 100-400L, what's not to like about it?

What's not to like is "supposedly". Also, there's not too much weight reduction, although the length decrease is nice.

+1 That's also my opinion.
I am fine with the dimensions of the "old" 100-400L. Give it more IQ, faster AF, better IS and I'm in (as soon as I have the money).
A new generation of DO first must show, how good it is. Maybe then I'll change my mind.
And by the way: AFAIK and from the pictures I've seen, there was some difference in IQ and bokeh between the 400 DO and the 70-300 DO. So releasing a 400 DO II (and following your speculation on its IQ) doesn't mean Canon builds in the same quality in a 100-400 DO.
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

 

[privatebydesign]

Is it DO?

Hopefully not! 8)

The new DO system supposedly has vast improvement over the old 70-300 attempt - and if it works, it means less weight and length for the same image quality. With a lens the size of a 100-400L, what's not to like about it?

Price.

 

[dgatwood]

Is it DO?

Hopefully not! 8)

The new DO system supposedly has vast improvement over the old 70-300 attempt - and if it works, it means less weight and length for the same image quality. With a lens the size of a 100-400L, what's not to like about it?

Price.

*shrugs*

The 70–300 DO costs about the same as the 70–300 L these days. Give it enough time, and the 100–400 DO will probably cost the same as the 100–400 L.

 

[Marsu42]

The 70–300 DO costs about the same as the 70–300 L these days. Give it enough time, and the 100–400 DO will probably cost the same as the 100–400 L.

The DO version of the 70-300L has just dropped in price because of the mediocre reputation (though it seems to be a great travel lens), imho not because of a "natural" movement of L lens' prices downwards.

If Canon introduces new, but mature and actually working tech they'll add a big premium - that is on top of the difference vanilla vs. DO production costs. Until the competition catches up, they'll try to keep it that way - who knows when this will be.

So for budget-limited photogs the (only) nice perspective is grabbing used legacy lenses while the new kids on the block smirk about the stone-age size and weight of these old school bricks:

 

[AvTvM]

If the new 100-400 II gets the same boost in IQ over the original version as 70-200 II did over its first version, how close will it be to the IQ of 200-400/4? ;-)

How much room is there to differentiate IQ somehow related to prices (though not directly proportional) between
100-400 (I)
400/5.6 (I)
400/4 DO (I)
200-400/4 1.4x
and mark II versions of the first 3 lenses?


Knowing Canon, i would guess carefully managing those differentials might account for up to 90% of their respective mark II develepment efforts.

Personally i am not interested in long tele primes, and even less in DO designs. But i would strongly consider a non-push pull, hand-holdable and compact, 4+ stop IS, absolutely excellent IQ 100-400 II at a price not far beyond 70-200 II. By Absolutely excellent IQ would mean every bit as good as 200-400 MTF, just 1/2 to 1 stop slower.

If canon will finally bring such a lens to market, it will sell as well as the original 100-400 did. No matter the tammys and sigzillas. But any lesser 100-400 II will fail.

 

[Marsu42]

Personally i am not interested in long tele primes, and even less in DO designs. But i would strongly consider a non-push pull, hand-holdable and compact, 4+ stop IS, absolutely excellent IQ 100-400 II at a price not far beyond 70-200 II. By Absolutely excellent IQ would mean every bit as good as 200-400 MTF, just 1/2 to 1 stop slower.

... while I am at posting pictures, this comes to mind concerning your wish for a top-notch, reasonably priced "mini 200-400"

 

[wyldeguy]

I would bet that this rumor has some legs. Think about it. Doesn't anyone think that its strange that they didn't announce a long telephoto L lens to go with the new 7D launch? They announced a moderately improved kit lens (most people buying a 7D Mark II at $1799 is most likely not interested in a kit lens, but its there to help reel in that "Gizmodo-reading" demographic ) and they also announced a pancake. Do either of these two lenses build on the strengths of the 7D Mark II? Not at all. If the 7D MKII is truly aimed at sports and wildlife shooters, then Canon would be stupid to not release an update (or all around new ) long telephoto that is in the more reasonably priced category. Everyone knows the importance of a lens. Why would canon release a 7D MKII only to have people use the same 100-400 that they have been whining about for years and let the weakest link diminish the performance of their new powerhouse action camera?

My guess is that Canon had some issues with this lens that set back the development and rather than hold up the 7D MKII they figured they could release the camera and then have the lens out in time for the Holidays.

Only problem with that statement is that they did release a long telephoto with the 7D2. They released the 400mm DO mark 2 at photokina. A pretty good match I would imagine.

 

[Canon1]

Oooo ooooh a CR2 rumor for the 100-400L MkII. Where have I seen one of those before? Oh, yes...it was way back in October, 2010.

In the meantime, I've missed so many shots like this:

Yeah well... How about this CR3 from 2008??




Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS [CR3]
JUNE 27, 2008 CANON LENSES
It's coming
The source that spoke of the 5 new lenses from Canon claims the 100-400 is indeed getting an upgrade. It'll be slightly faster and possess a 5 stop IS. He wasn't sure whether or not it would be a push/pull design or not.

Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS = $1899 USD

Comments

 

[Lawliet]

Yeah well... How about this CR3 from 2008??

Remember that CR had changend the rating system from 5+1 down to 3+1 grades.
Those CR4/5-stories would turn into a logic bomb if you miss that