Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

dustlens9
( Intermediate)

Review Date
February 11, 2008

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 1 of 13

Price Paid: $1100.00 from online

Summary:

This has been one of the most satisfying lenses I have ever bought. The sharpness and auto focus speed has been a real treat. It was my first super tele, and I use it photographing my son's track and soccer activities. I live in Arizona, so the sun is frequently available to allow for fast shutter speeds. I use a monopod to stabilize the lens attached to my digital rebel. It took some getting used to the proper technique to keep the lens steady. Now I feel comfortable shooting a steady shot from about 1/1000 of a second on up. IS of course would be nice but I have not had any issues with blurry shots do to camera shake. I set it at 5.6 aperture priority with ASA 400 and almost always have enough light to get the job done. If you are shooting in less than sunlit situations you are probably going to need to bump up to ASA 800. Not the end of the world with modern DSLRS.

Strengths:

Light weight, sharp sharp sharp! - fast auto focus. Good price.

Weaknesses:

No IS - but you don't have to pay for it either.

Similar Products Used:

70-200 4L

Customer Service:

n/a

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Rating
Reviewed by:

Christiano
( Professional)

Review Date
October 8, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.20 of 5,
5 votes

Review 2 of 13

Price Paid: $1099.00 from adorama

Summary:

Boy ! This is a very wonderfull lens indeed; i remember one time for a period when my other cam and lens( Canon 1 D and 400 2 ,8 ) was away ,i used this lens fro sportsphotography =with my beloved Canon D30(remember to put a batterygrip on as well).The 400 mm and 5,6 was set up to 400 iso and 800 iso and a carbonmonopod from slik; this combo made my money and still does!the pics is very sharp and good,my editor think its fantastic.And i think this kit is awesome good and affordable..i also used this combo for nature and alike..and my clients is so impressed ,i actually think the D30 output is more noiseless and good than other DSLR cameras i used,its also dependable on which software( i use PS and C) ; i also use the RAW config and jpeg bot solo and as well in combination with fred mirandas plug in; the result is stunning! Do you always need F 2,8 and a broken back and leg? Nope..not if its only for local sports which is not in the premier league,or simple nature pics..(hey its not nat geographic?!!save money..use your software and be patient. Buy this lens!

Strengths:

sharp sharp shaaarp...superb colour...no distortion on my d30 and d10..it is super L gear !..and affordable

Weaknesses:

white?? nope..none at all.. use this on a mono or good tripod.

Similar Products Used:

manu from nikon and canon..and..other brands..as well as tamron..but this is no 1

Customer Service:

nope

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Rating
Reviewed by:

RickP66
( Intermediate)

Review Date
August 21, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 3 of 13

Price Paid: $850.00 from private seller

Summary:

I was set on buying the 100-400L when I chanced upon a killer deal on a barely used 400 f5.6 and couldn't pass it up. Boy am I glad I got this lens. I am constantly amazed at how sharp this lens is. It's become my most-used lens---for birds, butterflies, any wildlife shots. It's light, easily hand-holdable and autofocusses with my 1.4x Tamron TC. Without the TC, it's very fast-focussing and produces incredible pictures. A great lens that is often overlooked by those seeking a wildlife lens.

Strengths:

Sharp. GREAT colors. Light and hand-holdable.

Weaknesses:

Not fast, but for this weight and this money...

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 50-500 Canon 100-400

Customer Service:

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Rating
Reviewed by:

Sebastien B
( Intermediate)

Review Date
March 14, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 4 of 13

Price Paid: $1000.00 from B&H

Summary:

I was looking for something longer than my 70-200, after considering the 100-400 I gave a try to the 400 f5.6 because of the lighter weight and because I figured out than I would use the 100-400 mainly @ 400mm anyway. I am really happy with it, really fast focusing, really sharp wide open, I shoot with a 10D and bumping ISO to 800 allow you to handheld most of my shots so not having IS is not an issue.

Strengths:

-Focusing speed. -Lightweight (for a 400mm) -Sharpness and contrast even wide open.

Weaknesses:

-none considering what you get for the price.

Customer Service:

Not needed yet.

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Rating
Reviewed by:

Rollins
( Expert)

Review Date
January 22, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.88 of 5,
8 votes

Review 5 of 13

Price Paid: $1000.00 from B&H Photo

Summary:

This is a great lens. After having the EF 300 f/4-L (non-USM) for several years I decided to purchase the 400 f/5.6-L. This lens is extremely sharp and contrasty wide open. I like the picture quality so much that I now use the 1.4X-II teleconvertor with it a lot -- hardly any degradation at all! I use the EOS 1-V so it maintains AF all the way to f/8 -- although, in very low light it hunts some. This lens looks and feels GREAT! It's long, slender, and light.

Strengths:

Sharpness and contrast -- excellent (even at f/5.6) No degradation with Canon 1.4X converter. It light enough to hand hold in good light. I like the lens hood -- it's always there! I experience NO FLARE! Fast to focus.

Weaknesses:

NONE! I knew, when I purchased it, that it was f/5.6 max. aper., so it would be stupid to whine about that. Also I knew that it didn't have Image Stabilization when I put it on my credit card so why mention that.

Similar Products Used:

EF 300-L f/4, EF 70-200-L f/4, Sigma 135-400 APO, Rubinar 1000 f/10 mirror lens.

Customer Service:

Never needed.

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