Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens Imported

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

Photos with this lens are just stunning--it's hard to believe that the images could be that sharp. For shooting horses and equestrian events, this is the perfect lens (at least with a full-frame sensor like the 5D Mark II). And yet,it is surprisingly versatile for it's size. Yes, it is large and heavy, but when used on a Wimberley head, it's no problem at all. It is a major investment, but as they say "Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten".

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

the canon 400mm f/2.8 is without a doubt the finest telephoto lens that i have ever worked with.
the all around ability along with the incredible construction make it my most favorite lens.
versatility is the game with lenses and this product has every feature both professionals and amateurs can utilize.

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

I thought about this review for a long time, wondering what kind of review to give it. On the one hand, it takes amazing photos. No really, AMAZING. I shot polo on a cloudy day with a 7d giving me an effective reach of 640mm and the pictures were buttery delicious goodness. I really couldn't believe how good they were.

Normally I shoot with a 100-400mm and I get good results. I don't really complain until the clouds start rolling in and then the image quality just goes to poo. Without the big aperture sports photos are just horrible. Hence, the big lens. The lens really shines when the light is imperfect, it really does.

But do I LIKE the lens. I can't really say that I do. I hate being trapped to the monopod. I hate missing shots because I can't swing the equipment around fast enough. I hate not being able to adjust the composition because there is no zoom. In polo the horses can be 300 yards away or they can be 20. Being stuck with a prime lens kind of stinks. Being stuck with a prime lens that weighs as much as a Buick. I mean seriously. My shoulder hurts from lugging this thing around. Why didn't Canon include wheels and a pull-out handle with the case?

So anyway, the lens I really wanted was the 200-400 Nikkor, but Canon doesn't make anything like that and I already have thousands invested in Canon glass. The 200-400 is hand-holdable (I'm fairly strong) and it's a zoom. It's f/4, but hey, that's better than the 100-400 L.

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

When i paid for this lens i was sick,,a load of money,,[...],,opened the box,,still sick,,put on my camera,,still sick,,took my first picture(hand held) and the sickness went away,,i was blown away by the quality of the pics i took just playing,,then put on a tripod(a must) increadable,,should have bought long ago

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

I photography kids outdoor sports and have been shooting with my Canon 70 - 200 mm which in many instances it didn't have the reach. This magnificent lens not only has the reach but the quality of the shots is stunning - razor sharp, beautiful colors, and blurred backgrounds. When I deliver "Sports Illustrated" quality shots to parents and kids they are not only amazed but my orders have tripled.
It is pricey, somewhat heavy but well worth it (it also gives great lens envy).

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

Been using this beast for a while now and I love it very much. I've used it to shoot Soccer, baseball, and softball. I am very excited to use it this coming football season. I shoot mainly high school sports right now and i am excited to try bird photography this summer. This has been my dream lens.
Just not for indoor sports coz its just too tight to shoot with this beast.

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

I just returned from the Miami Zoo!![*].What an amazing piece of equipment!!All I can say is "Money Maker"EE

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

Thank you!!Just received the 400 2.8 IS....[...]s.I can't wait to get out there with this lens and start banging out some serious images....Will update very soon!!Thanks again,EE

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

...if this is going to be your first super.

Price. It doesn't end here. You'll need at least a sturdy monopod and you'll wind up buying a tripod down the road or vice versa. I went with the Gitzo GT3530LS tripod.

You'll also need a pro quality head. I went with the Wimberley WH200. With this head you'll need Wimberley's replacement foot to mount your lens.

Others use different set-ups and prefer those for their own reasons, I like this because I've found it to be an extremely well balanced ,near bomb-proof set-up for rugged wildlife photography.

(In three weeks I'm shooting my first pro sporting event so I will be getting a Gitzo monopod and will be using the same Wimberley head).

Backpack. Get one if you plan on doing wildlife. Why? You may need to break down your gear to traverse muddy/slippery/technical sections where you need two free hands . You don't want to drop this lens. Plus, it does a great job of hiding your lens when you don't want others to see it.

Weight. Yes. Like others have indicated, this is heavy. Heavy from the back of the Volvo to your kids soccer event? No. But five hours tracking whitetail through two feet of snow in full winter gear is a different story. You'll burn calories you didn't know you had. And don't forget everything else you'll be carrying:food,water, etc. It adds up.

And as others have said it's super sharp, great bokeh etc,etc.

There is one that has been mentioned before but I'll restate it:

With a full frame camera, like my 5d mkII, the DOF is shallow. I mean it's *really* shallow. I've shot deer with their sides facing me f/5.6 at ~40 feet and had bodies in focus with their heads out of focus. That's something to consider and needs practice to compensate for. Like focusing on heads almost instinctively instead of bodies.

The other thing is the talk about slight or noticable image degradation with the 2x converter.

Here's what I've found using the 2x: If you're close enough to your subject to where it fills up a good amount of your frame - you're not going to be able to tell the difference in sharpness between the 2x and standard 400mm. And I'm referring to the mk II converter - not the III.

If anything, I prefer the compression effect and bokeh of the 2x over the standard 400mm - as long as the subject is in acceptable range.

And lastly, the weight of this beast hand-held. I'm small. 5'7" 160 lbs. And it is possible to shoot well just by grabbing the foot and tucking your elbow into your waistline. You can get off a lot of shots using this technique when you need to get away from your choice support (thick brush for me). It's not that big a deal for short periods and it's a great way to shoot this lens when kneeling.

So, that's my summary after owning it for a few months and hope it helps with your tele selection.

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

Please don't buy one! That way, my pic's will consistently look better than yours. This lens turns a below-average shooter (me) into a published shooter with a portfolio of WOW shots. I recently took a shot of an otter breaking through the ice with a fish in his mouth. From about 180 meters, I shot at 2.8, 1/500. The bokah is like cream, and you can count the scales on the fish, and the whiskers on the otter. At 8x10, this shot looks like I was in the water with the critter. EXTREMELY heavy. I'm 6'1" @ 190; I can't hold the thing for more than a few quick shots, I.S. notwithstanding. But on my BWG-PRO Gimbal, it's weightless. You'll need a LARGE tripod mounting plate, inconveniently constantly taking it on & off b/c the Canon case leaves no room whatsoever for leaving it attached to the lens handle. Comes w/a strap, but hauling it around w/a strap is an unimaginably painful form of torture. And the case is huge; w/airline restrictions, be prepared to check the bags you traditionally carry on.

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

This lens is exactly what it is....perfect. razor sharp...ect ect ect.. blah blah blah. If you are serious then you need this lens. Yes it is expensive but who cares? things that set themselvs apart usually are deal with it.

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

I shoot mainly high school sports. My previous lens was the 300 f/2.8 IS and this lens is even better. Truly a pleasure to shoot!!

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

Fast focus. Great Color!
Find a way to support this lens and get ready for being surprised about how many photos are keepers. I've had this lens only out twice now; Once for new seal pups in Monterrey CA, and shooting wild life near Bangkok Thailand. Both outings amazed me about how many of my photographs where keepers out of the lot. Pictures from this lens and a full frame camera are so very sharp to corners and spot on color. The recall focus feature is much more useful that I would have imagined.
The Auto focus is silent, instant and accurate. With two cameras this copy required no adjustment. The stabilization is not silent. You can easily hear it moving the lends elements around if you are in quite area. No a big deal really as it works so well. This is my first long prime and my 10th L lens. I should have down without earlier so as to purchased this lens

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

Sport season was just starting and to take my photography business to the next level I decided to purchase this lens. Without a doubt this is the absolute best decision I've made as far as purchasing glass goes. You cannot put a price on such image quality. Anything and everything behind your subject at 2.8 is blurred completely out. The images I'm able to produce with this is really what "sells" my work. At most all of the sporting events I go to now I have many parents asking me to take photos of their children or teens. The lens sells itself on the field.I'm a big man too. 6'3 and about 220Lbs. A monopod or tripod is a must for events. No matter how much I wanted to be able to carry this lens without a monopod I just can't do it. Too heavy for anything over 30 minutes of handholding. With a monopod though no worries. All day shooting is a breeze with the support.Lens is very durable. It really does feel like a tank. The body is solid as can be with no squeeks or noises. The focus ring and buttons are solid. Price wise.....worth every penny.[...]

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

I purchased this lens to shot sports, birds, and airplanes. I am be satisfied with Quick Focus, Sharp Focus, Strong Construction. Especily the accuracy of auto focus in darkness. This lens is very heavy, but it gives us a feeling of satisfaction.

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

Awesome lens for shooting sports. The images are tack on. Unfortunately the weight makesit difficult formy wife to handle.

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

Of all the lenses I've used, this lens out performs everything 10 to 1.

You could show me 100 photos and I could pick out the images taken with this lens, it's that good.

We bought this lens because it offers the ability to attach a 1.4x or a 2x extender and still retain the autofocus capabilities

Plus, with a 2x extender, I'm at 800mm for a fraction of the cost of Canon's 800mm lens

This lens performs flawlessly in any environment we shoot in and is amazing while covering sports in low light conditions

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

Have used for backyard bird photos with a 5D Mark II and 2x extender II. Although there is some noise the result was far beyond what I expected. The 1st edition was non auto focus and with failing eyesight I rely on the lens and camera.
With out the extender the results were more impressive.

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

Remember that feeling when you bought your FIRST car? You got in and turned the key. That's the feeling I get everytime I latch this lens onto my 5DII. I'm just giddy. I simply cannont tell you the superior quality and capture of this lens. I'd like to name my first born after the engineering team....APPLAUSE!!!

Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 400mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens:

I borrowed this lens from a friend so I could shoot a football game and I wish I had never touched it because now I must own one and wow, it's expensive. My dream lens and I shot better than I ever have without it. It's worth every penny and I look forward to buying one in the future!