Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

[dolina]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I am glad I was wrong at $2,700. I was thinking Canon would match Nikon in pricing. ;D

 

[PureClassA]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

The release of this killing me. I want to get one but I feel a 5D4 coming soon and I'm also staring down a Sony A7S for video/cinema shooting with a metabones adapter for all my EF glass I'm having photography ADD

 

[slclick]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Sounds good to me, next rumor come to fruition please.

 

[PureClassA]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I am glad I was wrong at $2,700. I was thinking Canon would match Nikon in pricing. ;D

Obviously standing by my initial analysis of Canon absolutely NOT abandoning their proven HUGE base for this lens. They would much rather sell waaaay more copies of this at $2199 and strengthen their brand than half as many as $3000. No reason to compete with Nikon price range when they dont have to and can easily eat their lunch and steal their toys

 

[RichM]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Crap! They had to announce this today? I haven't even paid for the 7d2 yet
It is next on my purchase list, perhaps in the spring!

 

[dolina]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Under the assumption CR's rumor is true

Difference of v2 as compared to v1
- More lens elements and groups
- Differing Focus adjustment
- Shorter focusing distance by 0.82m/2.7ft
- Zoom system possible twist-type rather than push-pull
- Larger Diameter x Length, Weight 2mm x 4mm; 190g
- 2 more stops of IS
- 16 year gap between the introduction of the v1 & v2
- $500 more
- Inclusion of IS Mode 3 http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/standard_display/Lens_Advantage_IS

Version 1 vs 2

v1
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture 100-400mm 1:4.5-5.6
Lens Construction 17 elements in 14 groups
Diagonal Angle of View 24° - 6° 10'
Focus Adjustment Rear focusing system with USM
Closest Focusing Distance 1.8m/ 5.9 ft.
Zoom System Linear extension Type
Filter Size 77mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight 3.6" x 7.4", 3.1 lbs. / 92mm x 189mm, 1,380g
2-stops of IS
Introduced 1998
Price $1,699

v2
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 100-400mm 1:4.5-5.6
Lens Construction: 21 elements in 16 groups
Diagonal Angle of View: 24º-6’10’
Focus Adjustment: Inner focus system / USM
Closest Focusing Distance: 3.2 ft. / 0.98m
Filter Size: 77mm
Max Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.7 in. x 7.6 in. / 94mm x 193mm; 3.46 lbs. / 1,570g
4-stops of IS
Introduced 2014
Price $2,199

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

And the lens gap between Canon and Nikon grows yet again.

What are you saying?? Doesn't this pretty match the New Nikon 80-400mm lens announced a little over a year ago for $2700?

difference in quality, we will need to see.

 

[East Wind Photography]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Crap! They had to announce this today? I haven't even paid for the 7d2 yet
It is next on my purchase list, perhaps in the spring!

Likely not worth the pre-order. Wait for the test results first. Most people will just use it a 400 anyway so might as well get the 400 5.6L prime lens.

However I'm not very enchanted with F5.6 lenses as to realize their sharpness, you have to stop them down even more. Shooting at F7 to F8 really limits what you can shoot and when you can shoot it.

 

[stochasticmotions]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

can't wait to see a comparison between this and the other new telephoto zooms. I sold my 100-400 about a year ago after 8 years of birding and nature work. I replaced it with the sigma 120-300 f2.8 for the low light with owls but this lens is definitely not a good travel lens.

Looks like we are going to have interesting choices for the $1000-2200 range for long lenses all with attributes that will be good for some, and other attributes that different people will want. If this new lens doesn't lose too much with teleconverters it is going to be hard to beat with its size....assuming it is on par with the 70-300L which was much sharper than my 100-400.

 

[andrewflo]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Very cool love the ergonomic updates to this lens. I have high hopes for the optics!

Canon still has one of the best lens lineups out there, despite all the debate over their camera bodies these days.

 

[Davebo]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Crap! They had to announce this today? I haven't even paid for the 7d2 yet
It is next on my purchase list, perhaps in the spring!

Double crap!! Just pick up my 7D II this afternoon....now Canon is looking for more of my money! . If it ends up being sharper than my 400 f5.6.....I may need to consider,once the excitement dies down. Rarely minded my 400's MFD,since most of my subjects don't want to get any closer than 11.5 feet.

 

[squarebox]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I wonder if the only reason we are getting this lens at $2200 is because the yen tanked against the dollar 15% in the last week alone. Still waiting to hear what price they release it in Japan though, if it is 250,000 JPY than it isn't cheaper than what I was expecting.

 

[KeithBreazeal]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I think the optical performance specs will be a significant improvement. What would be the point of a new version if it weren't? Just saying.

My copy of v1 is quite sharp. I doubt the new one will be significantly sharper (perhaps I have a particularly good copy). What it will have is greatly improved IS, lens coatings and (hopefully) weather resistance. The slotted hood for filters is also intriguing. Though I'm not particularly interested in upgrading, I will keep an open mind.

My lens is quite good and others have noticed the fact. I think it's more about techniques and lighting. This is at f6.3 ISO 200 on a 5D III (click on the photo for a larger size)

F-22 Raptor afterburner turn © Keith Breazeal by Keith Breazeal Photography, on Flickr

Wow! Fantastic shot Keith 8)

Thanks serendipidy

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Heh... I believe I called this at $1999 - $2200 and got a little good natured ribbing for it. Salt with your crow? ;D

Yup, pass the salt

I'm very surprised at the price, particularly since Nikon gets $2700 for their version and it was introduced over a year ago. I hope that it does not indicate that Canon chose to cut corners in order to match Sigma prices.

I will pre-order, and will return it if it is not up to snuff compared to my existing 100-400L. If it won't take a TC, that would be a issue, but I'll know before the order goes thru.

Eating Crow is much better than Lutefisk! We went to the annual sons of Norway $17 Lutefisk Dinner on paper plates no less.

 

[Canon1]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Heh... I believe I called this at $1999 - $2200 and got a little good natured ribbing for it. Salt with your crow? ;D

I was right there with you ($2100 - $2400), although in my case, it was more wishful thinking that educated insight ...

I believe I predicted $2500 to $2600..... this keeps my prediction record perfect... wrong every time

LOL... I was predicting $3k. Guess I was the most wrong. Good for those who have this on their wish list. I don't think I will be one of them... I'm selling my 100-400v1 as I don't use it much, and it's not because of the performance of it. I just don't find that I like that focal range paired with that aperture range.

 

[Gooniesneversaydie11]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I don't see myself using much under 400mm most of the time, so a prime for me would still trump a zoom.
A new 400 F5.6 with shorter mfd would sway me for sure over the 100-400, but I don;t know how much longer I can hold me breath for .... I would be very happy to inhale this new version right now ...

I agree. The MFD is nice on this lens. I used to have the 300mm f/4L and with a small extension tube it was quite nice for moderate closeup/macro work. This lens has an even shorter MFD than that lens so that interests me. While I am not real huge on IS, it definitely would be handy when shooting perched birds.

 

[dgatwood]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I'm very surprised at the price, particularly since Nikon gets $2700 for their version and it was introduced over a year ago. I hope that it does not indicate that Canon chose to cut corners in order to match Sigma prices.

Given that a $2199 price represents a whopping 47% premium over the street price on the current-generation 100–400L, I think it is probably safe to say that they didn't have to cut corners to hit that price point.

 

[dolina]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I expect the price to normalize within 6 months after first shipment. For all we know it may drop by $500 by this time next year. ;D

 

[KeithBreazeal]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I predict we'll smell a lot of burning plastic by Christmas. Mine is already a few degrees below ignition point.

 

[9VIII]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Just curious -- so many folks are ga-ga about the 0.31x, which I'm interpreting to mean that people want to fill the frame with their subjects and have to crop less. How often are folks pushing their MFD with lenses this long?

With the 400f5.6 it's impossible to fill the frame with a small bird, even on a crop body. This is officially the best "general wilderness" lens ever made.