New 100-400 to Launch with EOS 7D Mark II [CR2]

[Bob Howland]

A new 100-400 L is probably the single lens I am most excited about. I use the current version extensively but would love to see 2 more stops of IS, faster AF, and slightly better optics.

Agree completely but want it to NOT be push-pull. Push-pull zoom lenses were a great idea in the days of manual focus, when push-pull was to zoom and rotate was to focus.

 

[kennephoto]

100-400 F4 without 1.4 extender, Would be a good alternative to the 200-400 maybe half the cost?

Same constant aperture, and a 4x zoom range instead of 2x for half the cost? A built in TC doesn't account for that much of the cost!

A replacement 100-400 will not be f4 at the long end, unless its bigger and more expensive than the still missing 200-400. There's a need for a lens the size/weight/price/focal length range of the existing 100-400. That means any replacement will be f5.6 at the long end.

(The price will be about double the existing model :-\)

Lol you're right half the price of a lens that's not available for sale for another that's just rumored is just silly thinking. Of course a built in teleconverter doesn't make much of a difference in price of a lens and there's probably not much extra engineering involved! maybe they will release a 100-400 NON L lens like when they had the 100-300s

 

[kennephoto]

A new 100-400 L is probably the single lens I am most excited about. I use the current version extensively but would love to see 2 more stops of IS, faster AF, and slightly better optics.

Agree completely but want it to NOT be push-pull. Push-pull zoom lenses were a great idea in the days of manual focus, when push-pull was to zoom and rotate was to focus.

How about a 100-400 with internal zoom like a 70-200. That would be sweet!

 

[Dylan777]

I might go with Sigma 120-300 f2.8 this time. I''m willing to loose 100mm in reach, but gain more x2plus amount of light for indoor shots. I can always crop in PP since I'm only shoot raw.

 

[kennephoto]

I might go with Sigma 120-300 f2.8 this time. I''m willing to loose the 100mm in reach, but gain more in light for indoor shots. I can always crop in PP since I'm only shoot raw.

Is that lens supposed to be pretty good? I really haven't used sigma lenses. I wonder how well it would take a tele converter?

 

[pj1974]

Love my 100-400, would appreciate better IS, full sealing, and optical improvements. If it's as sharp as the 70-300L, awesome. Hope they keep push-pull, but could learn to live with rotating extension.

Expensive, yes it will be. But probably worth it.

100-400 F4 without 1.4 extender, Would be a good alternative to the 200-400 maybe half the cost?

Ha ha ha. 100-400mm f/4 means the same front element size as the 200/2, 400/4, 200-400/4, etc. Would be a $7K lens easy. Get off this, folks, it'll be f/5.6 at the long end, and likely close to $3K at that.

Yes, I'm with neuro on this.....

I have used Canon's existing 100-400mm L, and it can be a great lens. The newer 70-300mm L is definitely a design & size I prefer (and it's IQ is consistently better). Personally I prefer rotating ring zoom rather than push-pull, but I could get used to push-pull too.

I really love my Canon 70-300mm L on my 7D. And I'm sure that a new (improved) 100-400mm L with a 7DmkII would be a welcome 'tele kit' for many. However the new / rumoured 100-400mm couldn't be a constant f/4 without being huge, expensive, etc... and I expect - Canon have the 200-400mm f/4 1.4x as a separate target lens.

Looking forward to this CR2 becoming a CR3... especially to see what the 7DmkII will bring! (Improved IS and if possible better AF, within still 'non-pro budget' for the 100-400mm will see some good sales, I expect).

Paul

 

[Rat]

Ha ha ha. 100-400mm f/4 means the same front element size as the 200/2, 400/4, 200-400/4, etc. Would be a $7K lens easy. Get off this, folks, it'll be f/5.6 at the long end, and likely close to $3K at that.

(...) isn't that why canon makes those primes? (...)

No, it is actually by definition: max. focal length divided by min. aperture is min. lens diameter. 400mm/4.0=100mm. An anything-400/f4.0 will most always have a 100mm (or thereabouts) front element. No ifs and buts and marketing about it.

 

[distant.star]

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Sounds like the right time to sell my 100-400!

 

[hoodlum]

If true, then it's time to buy the current 100-400mm, if you value your wallet!

Judging by the price of the new Nikon, the replacement will be cost twice as much for a modest boost in wide open performance, an extra stop or two of IS and probably a conventional zoom ring design.

Some will value these enough to part with an extra grand...

Much faster AF would allow shooting BIFs which currently requires the 400mm f5.6 prime. A zoom that can have the benefits of the old prime, better IQ, 4 stop OIS and the flexibility of a zoom would make it worthwhile for many.

Nikon now has a lower cost body (D7100) that can also act as a reasonably good birding body. I just hope Canon improves the AF on the 70D as the 7DII will be much higher priced.

 

[RGF]

About time. And I am looking forward to a new 100-400. Seriously hope it is not push pull to focus. If the can make it small like the 70-300L that would great. Definitely would not be a constant F4. Front element would need to be close to 100 mm (100mm filters). But will they switch the zoom and focusing knobs like the 70-300 L?

 

[Eimajm]

I'm sure an upgrade on this lens will be a big seller, but for someone who has a 400 5.6 prime, I'm not excited.
Canon are missing a proper upgrade path from the already existing 400 f5.6s. A £4500 400mm F4 prime with 4 stop IS, lighter than 300 2.8 as a replacement for the DO would fill that gap nicely, and be a excellent match to the new 7D if it turns out to be a mini IDX. I could get excited about that.

 

[Rat]

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Sounds like the right time to sell my 100-400!

Maybe a little offtopic, but I saw your signature ("leave the fish alone!") and had to think of the one time a played with a 100-400, last fall. Great lens, if a little heavy. I'd like the next one to not be push-pull too, by the way.

 

[rumorzmonger]

If it's as sharp as the 70-300L, awesome.

I hope they don't downgrade the performance that much - it would be a deal-breaker for me.

 

[preppyak]

No, not the 100-400 as a kit, but a new lens otherwise.

Well, they just updated the 18-55 and 18-135 lenses within the last year; maybe they'll do the 18-200 too, who knows. And they already have a good 17-55 and 15-85, not to mention a 24-105 that works well on crop. Not sure what kit lens they could put out that they don't already offer.

.
Sounds like the right time to sell my 100-400!

Well, if it's at all like the release of the 24-70, then prices will actually go up for a few months. Heck, used prices on the mk.1 version went up $3-400 for a while, and they are still higher than they were before the mk.2 release

 

[kennephoto]

I'm sure an upgrade on this lens will be a big seller, but for someone who has a 400 5.6 prime, I'm not excited.
Canon are missing a proper upgrade path from the already existing 400 f5.6s. A £4500 400mm F4 prime with 4 stop IS, lighter than 300 2.8 as a replacement for the DO would fill that gap nicely, and be a excellent match to the new 7D if it turns out to be a mini IDX. I could get excited about that.

So agree! Wish the 400f4 DO wasn't so pricy.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

If it's as sharp as the 70-300L, awesome.

I hope they don't downgrade the performance that much - it would be a deal-breaker for me.

I hope that comment was facetious. The 70-300L is optically superior to the current 100-400L in every way

 

[Loswr]

Sounds like the right time to sell my 100-400!

Well, if it's at all like the release of the 24-70, then prices will actually go up for a few months. Heck, used prices on the mk.1 version went up $3-400 for a while, and they are still higher than they were before the mk.2 release

Agreed. They're going for $1000 or so locally for me, and a $2.5-3K MkII will very likely drive that price up a bit. Certainly happened with the 24-70 and 70-200/2.8 IS when the MkII versions came out.

 

[dadgummit]

If it's as sharp as the 70-300L, awesome.

I hope they don't downgrade the performance that much - it would be a deal-breaker for me.

I hope that comment was facetious. The 70-300L is optically superior to the current 100-400L in every way

Agreed, I sold my 100-400 for the 70-300L and have no regrets at all. Much better lens.

 

[Plainsman]

With no date when the much delayed 200-400/4 will reach the shops I just don't believe this latest 100-400L rumour.

It would be bad marketing tactics if both zooms were launched in the same year!

On the other hand it could mean 100-400L/7D2 might not be out there till late 2014 or even 2015 to let sales of the 200-400 get some traction assuming its coming out soon.

I am saying this is because the current 100-400L is a fine zoom optic and a new version - presumably even better - would seriously cut into the sales of the 200-400 - yep one stop faster but twice the weight and three/four times the price!

But then maybe Canon expect some customers with deep pockets to buy both zooms!

 

[noncho]

No, not the 100-400 as a kit, but a new lens otherwise.

Well, they just updated the 18-55 and 18-135 lenses within the last year; maybe they'll do the 18-200 too, who knows. And they already have a good 17-55 and 15-85, not to mention a 24-105 that works well on crop. Not sure what kit lens they could put out that they don't already offer.

15-60 F4