More EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II Talk [CR2]

[Canon Rumors]

<p>A few more people have confirmed that select Canon pros around the globe are testing the new EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II. Also being confirmed is that the lens resembles the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS in its design; with the zoom ring being at the front element side of the lens, and the focus ring near the camera mount. We were also told that the new lens is “quite a bit smaller than the current iteration”, although this could be subjective depending on the photographer. If it is actually smaller, then I expect the front of the lens will be telescopic like the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS.</p>
<p>Availability will be at the end of the November according to one source. There has been no mention of pricing or filter size for the new lens.</p>
<p>More to come…</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[Harv]

If it produces images as good as the 70-300 L it will be a winner.

 

[unfocused]

As many others have said, pricing will be the key to me. Especially, now that other options are available from Sigma and Tamron.

I expect it to be better than the current 100-400, which I own. But will it be triple-the-price better? I'm doubting it. At any rate, I'm in no hurry as I'm not getting much chance these days to use the current 100-400, so I'll wait and see how all the options compare and what the prices settle down to.

 

[keithfullermusic]

i'm not sure how "quite a bit smaller" is dependent on the photographer? either way, i bet a lot of people are waiting for this lens. i have the old one, and while it's not perfect, it's still sweet.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Late fall is not the best time to start selling the lens, fair weather photographers like me won't use one until late next spring. On the other hand, if camera and lens sales continue to be poor, we might see better prices by Spring.

 

[Helios68]

Really excited about this lens. Hoping IQ and price match ! Could be a good alternative to the old 400 f5.6L

 

[candyman]

I am trying to understand what the impact of this design will be for the sales of the 70-300L.
Because if it is light and the IQ plus AF same (or better) as the 70-300L, I will sell my 70-300L and purchase the 100-400MKII

 

[mrsfotografie]

I am trying to understand what the impact of this design will be for the sales of the 70-300L.
Because if it is light and the IQ plus AF same (or better) as the 70-300L, I will sell my 70-300L and purchase the 100-400MKII

If the 100-400L II manages to be the same length and diameter as the 70-300L (which I doubt is even physically possible without resorting to DO, and then there's the required diameter of the front element) then I would consider the same, however as it stands the 70-300L will remain my travel tele (I don't use it for anything else, really)...

 

[slclick]

As long as it's better than my 70-200 2.8 IS2 + 1.4 TC........ (That's my longest combo for the 5D3)

So I have my eye on this plus also secretly hoping for a 400 5.6 IS

 

[Maximilian]

unicorns... unicorns... unicorns...
i can see unicorns...

 

[Lee Jay]

This actually makes a whole lot of sense. A 100-400 is really just a scaled up 70-300 - about the same zoom range, just a third bigger. Why not scale up the design of the existing lens?

I'm not saying I like it, but I'll have to see in person if I could get used to having the zoom ring on the "wrong" side, compared to my other three zooms - the 17-40L, 24-105L, and 70-200/2.8L.

And, yes, of course it'll extend, same as the current one does. It makes little sense to contain such a long lens in a non-extending frame the way the 70-200s are.

 

[Steve Balcombe]

I'm not saying I like it, but I'll have to see in person if I could get used to having the zoom ring on the "wrong" side, compared to my other three zooms - the 17-40L, 24-105L, and 70-200/2.8L.

It will also probably have the same extreme focus breathing.

As a trade-off I'm happy to accept those things in exchange for a very sharp, reasonably compact 100-400L. The only real problem is what it will do to the value of my 70-300L on the used market...

 

[BL]

zoom ring in the front, focus ring behind like the 70-300L?

No thanks. That's the one thing that kept me from getting the 70-300. My wrist kept resting on the focus ring, shifting it ever so slightly as I racked the zoom in and out.

 

[JPAZ]

Hmmmmm. Sell the 100-400 now or wait until the new one comes out? That is the question. Because if this does get released and if the price is reasonable and the IQ better than the present iteration, the value of the old lens will drop.

 

[Dylan777]

Hmmmmm. Sell the 100-400 now or wait until the new one comes out? That is the question. Because if this does get released and if the price is reasonable and the IQ better than the present iteration, the value of the old lens will drop.

What is the "GOLDEN" rule again?

 

[Lawliet]

Late fall is not the best time to start selling the lens, fair weather photographers like me won't use one until late next spring.

In winter we have a nice temperate climate, 50-60°F in the lower regions is quite good for longer hiking tours. Also - esp. important with tele lenses - you get less heat shimmer. Saves you from reviews that blame the lens for the lack of understanding behind the camera. Perhaps less a problem for something in the 300-400 weight class, but for a standard amateur lens it would make sense.

 

[lescrane]

would I consider it, being a content owner of Tamron 150-600 ??

1. If it's sig.lighter than Tammy....(should be)
2. Sig. sharper than Tammy wide opened(probably)
3. Well under $2000.00.....(doubtful)

Basically, if I know I'm going to be doing either big, close birds, eg herons, ducks, etc and/or telephoto landscapes, boating shots, etc, having the new 100-400 to "carry around" would be worth an investment. I have considered the 70-300L, but I'd rather sacrifice 30mm on the short end to gain 100mm on the long end

My prediction would be about 2,000 price, which is double Tammy and the new Sigma C line, and about 500.00 more than the 70-300L. If the lens really is lighter weight than the original, it's another positive sign for me that Canon and others are seeing the market for lighter weight equipment, esp. w/millions of aging prosumer photographers out there.
Yes, I would love to get the 400 DO Mk II, but if I bought it, I couldnt afford to go anywhere with it for a few years. LOL

 

[Marsu42]

Availability will be at the end of the November according to one source.

Yeah, right, a few people are beta-testing some lens design now, and in one month it'll be available to the general consumer. This is flimsy, even for CR ... on the other hand, no mention of *which* November :->

 

[Random Orbits]

I'm not saying I like it, but I'll have to see in person if I could get used to having the zoom ring on the "wrong" side, compared to my other three zooms - the 17-40L, 24-105L, and 70-200/2.8L.

It will also probably have the same extreme focus breathing.

As a trade-off I'm happy to accept those things in exchange for a very sharp, reasonably compact 100-400L. The only real problem is what it will do to the value of my 70-300L on the used market...

Not much. The 70-300L will still be smaller and lighter. The question I have is how well it will perform at 400mm. If its sharpness improvement can compete with the Tarmron near 600, then Canon's smaller and lighter lens with native AF algorithms will do well. And if the IQ is improved that much, how much better can a prime 400 f/5.6 do, even if it is a 400 f/5.6 IS?

 

[Canon1]

$3,000 min. That's my prediction.