EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x Available Mid 2014?

[Canon Rumors]

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<p><strong>The lens that will never be…. it seems

</strong>Juza from <a href="http://www.juzaphoto.com" target="_blank">JuzaPhoto.com</a> 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.</p>
<p>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!</p>
<p><em>“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!”</em></p>
<p><strong>Source: [<a href="http://www.juzaphoto.com/article.php?l=en&t=canon_200-400_hands_on_preview" target="_blank">JP</a>] | </strong>Image from juzaphoto.com</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[hamada]

will never buy that lens so not such a shock for me.

canon has plenty of more affordable lenses in need of an upgrade.

50mm f1.4 anyone?

 

[Rienzphotoz]

:-\

 

[Click]

Bad news for those who are waiting for this lens.

 

[Harry Muff]

They do realise that things need to be on sale for people to buy them, no?

 

[charlesa]

Was getting second thoughts after I invested in a 400 mm f/2.8 recently, but seeing the delays and delays and even more delays on this piece of vaporware... no regrets.

 

[rpiotr01]

I'm firmly in the camp of people who could never afford it so it doesn't affect me, but I think this is starting to pass into 'black eye' territory for Canon. Shame.

 

[Etienne]

great idea for a lens. too expensive for me.

But Sigma will probably have one out and available for $3500 before this hits the street.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

great idea for a lens. too expensive for me.

But Sigma will probably have one out and available for $3500 before this hits the street.

+1 - EXACTLY what I was thinking.

 

[dolina]

I do not expect it to be cheaper than a 500/4 IS II.

What I want to know is the weight of the thing. Is it heavier than a 600mm IS II (3920g)? It was reported to be heavier than the 400/2.8 IS II (3850g).

What I want to know is what will be Canon's response to Sigma's 135/1.8 OS.

 

[DJL329]

Perhaps it will be the kit lens for the mythical EOS 3D... :

 

[jasonsim]

Perhaps Sigma will be out with their new 120-300mm f/2.8 OS Sport lens before long and throw in a 2x converter with it.

I personally got tired of waiting and got the 300mm f/2.8L IS II: cheaper and works a charm with both v3 teleconverters.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I fail to see the benefit of this marketing ploy, it destroys confidence rather than builds it, IMHO.

 

[jrbdmb]

The original announcement from Canon (via CanonRumors of course):

London, UK, 7th February 2011 – Canon today announces the development of a telephoto zoom lens featuring an integrated focal length extender – the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXTENDER 1.4x. The lens will be displayed for the first time during CP+, held in Yokohama, Japan.

Designed for Canon’s leading range of EOS Digital SLR cameras, the new lens will be an ideal addition for sports and wildlife photographers, offering exceptional flexibility with a built-in 1.4x extender that creates an increased focal range of 280 – 560mm.

Perfect for photographers who require high performance, fast aperture and a flexible telephoto range, the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXTENDER 1.4× will enable photographers to shoot a greater breadth of subjects using a single lens, delivering the best possible image quality at all focal lengths.

Developed as a new addition to Canon’s acclaimed L-series of professional lenses, the new lens will offer an unsurpassed combination of versatility, first-class optical performance and an enhanced weather-proof construction. The model will be released as part of Canon’s continued development of its EF lens line-up, offering enhanced performance and improved functions that cater for the needs of photographers from beginners through to professionals.

The EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXTENDER 1.4x is scheduled for launch during 2011.

Black eye indeed. This has gone beyond ridiculous and has moved into surreal ...

 

[Bob Howland]

great idea for a lens. too expensive for me.

But Sigma will probably have one out and available for $3500 before this hits the street.

+1 - EXACTLY what I was thinking.

I've been sending Sigma annual e-mails for several years, asking them to make a 200-500 f/4, basically a big brother to their 120-300 f/2.8. It might weigh a bit more than the 200-400 but would almost certainly be cheaper.

 

[Bob Howland]

Perhaps Sigma will be out with their new 120-300mm f/2.8 OS Sport lens before long and throw in a 2x converter with it.

I personally got tired of waiting and got the 300mm f/2.8L IS II: cheaper and works a charm with both v3 teleconverters.

I have a 300 f/2.8 IS and both V2 converters and the image quality is outstanding. But that's with a 300 prime, one of the sharpest lens that Canon makes. The issue I have is that I often shoot in dusty environments and dislike taking the lens off to change/add/remove TC's.

I'd rather have a 200-500 f/4 and a 1.4X TC than a 120-300 f/2.8 and a 2X TC. I think the image quality and focusing speed would both be much better.

 

[Marsu42]

But Sigma will probably have one out and available for $3500 before this hits the street.

... but the Sigma won't be white, so Canon is in the clear :->

 

[psolberg]

I hope this fiasco doesn't become standard for other camera companies. Announce a product they will not have for ages.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

holy crp that is a long wait! They seem to be having mad QC issues at their new lens plants (even the 24-70 II has copies varying quite a bit in where the DOF falls in each corner and even a bit in center frame wide open performance and that was after months of delays even).

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Perhaps it will be the kit lens for the mythical EOS 3D... :

I hear that it will come with it's own load bearing unicorn with tripod saddle. (like how the 1200mm came with it's own giant custom tripod or that giant Leica (?) super tele that came with it's own CAR to help transport it, only this is more magical!)