Why no 400mm f/4L IS exists?

Jan 13, 2013
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The most obvious reason would be that Canon doesn't make it :P

but could this just be a marketing thing? Or maybe such a lens would sit close to the 300 f/2.8 II in price which if combined with a 1.4x TC makes an excellent 420mm f/4?

Thoughts ...
 
Dear JR.
That is a great question---
May be too many EF 400 mm by Canon in the Market already ???
EF 400 mm. F/ 2.8 L IS MK II = $ 11,490
EF 400 F/ 4.0 DO. IS = $ 6469
EF 400 mm. F/ 5.6 L = $ 1339.
May be one day, Canon may have 400 mm. F/ 4.0 L IS in $ 6000 US Dollars Range----That is my my dream too.
Happy Sunday.
Surapon
 
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Canon developed a prototype 400/4 (bottom lens) in 2000, alongside the 400/4 DO, although only the latter was brought to market.

doe06.jpg
 
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I found a little used Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR on my local craigslist. A local doctor had bought it and used it twice. I even bought a used D300s to use playing with it, and a gimbal head, and was still below $3300. Considering how over priced Nikon lenses usually are, I'll have no problem selling for a lot more if I ever do it.
 
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From what I can see it's just a matter of the 500f4 being an overall better choice for anyone who thinks they want a 400f4. If 400mm is actually the focal length you need then the 400f2.8 is probably the correct choice, and if you're on a budget then nothing will ever beat the 400f5.6. If you're using the lens in an application where a 600mm or 800mm lens would be ideal, but just don't want the additional size and weight, then the 500f4 is probably a much better compromise than a 400f4 would have been given that you're only losing 100mm in focal length while I doubt a 400f4 would give any better IQ. The 500f4 is also lighter than either of the 200-400f4 zoom lenses out there.
I really think the 500f4 is the ultimate "middle class" big white.
 
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9VIII said:
From what I can see it's just a matter of the 500f4 being an overall better choice for anyone who thinks they want a 400f4. If 400mm is actually the focal length you need then the 400f2.8 is probably the correct choice, and if you're on a budget then nothing will ever beat the 400f5.6. If you're using the lens in an application where a 600mm or 800mm lens would be ideal, but just don't want the additional size and weight, then the 500f4 is probably a much better compromise than a 400f4 would have been given that you're only losing 100mm in focal length while I doubt a 400f4 would give any better IQ. The 500f4 is also lighter than either of the 200-400f4 zoom lenses out there.
I really think the 500f4 is the ultimate "middle class" big white.

Except that the 500/4 II is $10K, and a 400/4 would likely be $2-2.5K cheaper.
 
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takesome1 said:
Kind of makes the thread pointless. Canon does offer a 400mm f/4 IS.
No red ring, but I see this at the local NBA games all the time so it must be ok.

It was a common discussion point before the MkII supertele lenses came out, when people felt the 'DO premium' means a non-DO 400/4 would be substantially cheaper. At this point, a 400/4 non-DO would have the built/optical qualities of the MkII lenses, and cost more than the current DO.

Worth noting that Canon has patented DO teleconverters, and IIRC several new DO supertele designs.
 
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neuroanatomist said:
9VIII said:
From what I can see it's just a matter of the 500f4 being an overall better choice for anyone who thinks they want a 400f4. If 400mm is actually the focal length you need then the 400f2.8 is probably the correct choice, and if you're on a budget then nothing will ever beat the 400f5.6. If you're using the lens in an application where a 600mm or 800mm lens would be ideal, but just don't want the additional size and weight, then the 500f4 is probably a much better compromise than a 400f4 would have been given that you're only losing 100mm in focal length while I doubt a 400f4 would give any better IQ. The 500f4 is also lighter than either of the 200-400f4 zoom lenses out there.
I really think the 500f4 is the ultimate "middle class" big white.

Except that the 500/4 II is $10K, and a 400/4 would likely be $2-2.5K cheaper.

Shop around a bit, you can do at least $1K better.
 
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Wish you were correct about being able to get a 500 f4L IS II for less than $10K. Lowest price listed on current canon price watch is $10,187. There are probably some grey market deals for less from non-authorized dealers out there, but I won't go that route.

I agree that I would probably prefer a 500 f4L IS over a 400 f4L IS if the prices were close. The factor that would sway me towards the 400 f4L IS would be a marked weight reduction.
 
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Old Swede said:
Wish you were correct about being able to get a 500 f4L IS II for less than $10K. Lowest price listed on current canon price watch is $10,187.

Try visiting our friendly neighbors to the north…. Camera Canada has it for $9730, and with the current exchange rate that works out to US $8740.
 
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neuroanatomist said:
Old Swede said:
Wish you were correct about being able to get a 500 f4L IS II for less than $10K. Lowest price listed on current canon price watch is $10,187.

Try visiting our friendly neighbors to the north…. Camera Canada has it for $9730, and with the current exchange rate that works out to US $8740.
And I still don,t get why here the Superteles are way cheaper than in US, but you get all the good discounts on camera bodies, refurbished etc..
 
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Mt Spokane Photography said:
I found a little used Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR on my local craigslist. A local doctor had bought it and used it twice. I even bought a used D300s to use playing with it, and a gimbal head, and was still below $3300. Considering how over priced Nikon lenses usually are, I'll have no problem selling for a lot more if I ever do it.
WOW! That is one hell of a sweet deal!
 
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