Super sharp, fast AF

So it is a little heavy, what do you expect?

Prior to purchasing this lens, I had used a number of 'L' lenses, mostly under 100 mm. My long lens was the EF 100-400 L, which was useful, but often disappointing. As soon as I started using the 400, I couldn't bring myself to go back to the 100-400. My keeper rate went from less than 30% to over 75%. And birds-in-flight, which have been my nemesis for many years, are now much easier to capture well! Without a doubt, this glass has taken my photography to a whole new level.

Build quality
sharpness
bokeh

price (but hey, what do you expect for a pro lens!)
weight, but no real way to get around it

I use this lens at my work shooting youth soccer games. All I can say about this lens is wow. It is extremely well built, is really heavy, but well worth the price.

The lens focuses really fast, and tracks the subject really well. It is tack sharp as well, and still really sharp when using it with a Canon 2x converter.

You will want a monopod or a tripod while using this lens. At least for me it is way to heavy to hand hold.

The focus ring is nice and big and easy to fine tune the focus manually. With the placement of the tripod/monopod mount the lens is pretty well balanced on the monopod, it doesn't feel like it wants to fall forward or backwards.

Customer Service

Used Canon cust. service for a camcorder issue, they were a pleasure to deal with.

Similar Products Used:

none

Super fast, IS is great if you need it. Super sharp, maybe not as sharp as the 200 1.8, but for the additional length, so what.

NONE..............So its a little heavy.....Do you want the shot or not?

Needed something longer for Soccer. My 200 1.8 with the 1.4x was nice, but not long enough all the time. Had a hard time deciding between this and the 300 2.8 but with the 200 already, why waste my money? If you are shooting soccer or football, even baseball, this is the lens. You can really reach out and touch someone. Yea its heavy, but with a monopod its not bad. If you really want to be able to get great shots from far away, get it.......period! If you are set up with two bodies, put the 400 on a tripod, and the 200 on a monopod for close up goal action and switch between both. Or use a 70-200 instead of the 200 prime. I asked alot of questions to the pro's and the majority said if you are going to be serious about sports, you need the 400. I listened, you should too....save your money to get it!

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Canon 200 f/1.8, Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS

This is the fastest autofocusing telephoto lens I have ever used. For a 400 2.8, it's fairly lightweight, and from what I could tell, virtually distortion free. I also like the streamlined design. It's not as boxy as the previous 400 2.8, and is easier to lug around.

None. You can feel the image stabilization mechanism whirring in the lens, but it's just something that takes getting used to. It doesn't interfere with the shooting at all.

Canon makes some of the best telephoto lenses on the market, and in my opinion, this is one of the best they have ever made. I prefer shooting with a 300 whenever possible, simply because of size, but the picture quality and autofocus speed make this the first 400 I can actually see myself using on a regular basis. The autofocus works exceptionally well with the EOS 3 body. I also shot half a football game with a 2x teleconverter, making it an 800 5.6. The autofocus performed flawlessly with the converter, with little loss of autofocus speed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 300 2.8, Nikon 300 2.8 AF-S.

Built quality, optical performance, AF Speed, tripod collar

weight and size

One of the perfect companions for wildlife and outdoor shootings. Delivers cristal clear chromes of outstanding quality. Nearly no losses with extenders 1,4x, a bit more with 2x. The tripod collar is mounted perfectly to avoid mirror vibration.

Customer Service

never needed

Similar Products Used:

2,8/300 L IS USM, 2,8/300 L USM
4/300 L IS USM
100-400 L IS USM