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Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

BH #CA40056LEF • MFR #2526A004
370 reviews
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Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
Key Features
  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/5.6 to f/32
  • One Super UD Element and One UD Element
  • Super Spectra Coating
Mixing long reach with a relatively compact and lightweight design, the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM from Canon is a super telephoto L-series prime well-suited for sports and wildlife photography. Its advanced optical design incorporates a pair of low dispersion glass elements to significantly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to achieve a high degree of clarity, and a Super Spectra coating has also been applied to maintain contrast and color fidelity when working in difficult lighting conditions. Complementing the imaging attributes, this 400mm f/5.6 also features a ring-type USM to deliver quick and quiet autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus control. Additionally, a removable rotating tripod collar is included for stable use of the lens atop a tripod or monopod.
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Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Overview

Mixing long reach with a relatively compact and lightweight design, the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM from Canon is a super telephoto L-series prime well-suited for sports and wildlife photography. Its advanced optical design incorporates a pair of low dispersion glass elements to significantly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to achieve a high degree of clarity, and a Super Spectra coating has also been applied to maintain contrast and color fidelity when working in difficult lighting conditions. Complementing the imaging attributes, this 400mm f/5.6 also features a ring-type USM to deliver quick and quiet autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus control. Additionally, a removable rotating tripod collar is included for stable use of the lens atop a tripod or monopod.

Telephoto prime 400mm f/5.6 lens is compatible with full-frame Canon EF-mount DSLRs as well as APS-C models where it will provide a 640mm equivalent focal length.
One Super Ultra-Low Dispersion element and one ultra-low dispersion element greatly reduces chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity and color accuracy.
Super Spectra coating has been applied to individual elements to minimize ghosting and flare for greater contrast and color neutrality when working in strong lighting conditions.
A ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), along with a rear focusing system, is employed to deliver fast, precise, and quiet autofocus performance as well as full-time manual focus override.
Rounded eight-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing out of focus quality that benefits the use of shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques.
Built-in lens hood prevents stray light from causing ghosting or flare and also protects the front element from accidental impacts or scratching.
As a member of the esteemed L-series, this lens is sealed against dust and moisture for working in inclement environmental conditions.
Removable rotating tripod collar is included and benefits working with the lens atop a tripod or monopod.
Compatible with optional EF 1.4X and EF 2X teleconverters.

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Specs

Focal Length
400mm
Maximum Aperture
f/5.6
Minimum Aperture
f/32
Lens Mount
Canon EF
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
6° 10'
Minimum Focus Distance
11.48' / 3.5 m
Maximum Magnification
0.12x
Optical Design
7 Elements in 6 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
8, Rounded
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
No
Tripod Collar
Removable and Rotating
Filter Size
77 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
3.54 x 10.1" / 90 x 256.5 mm
Weight
2.75 lb / 1.25 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
4.085 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
14.1 x 6.1 x 6"

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Reviews

One of the best telephoto lens available

By Scott
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-09

Granted its old, but this thing is built like a tank and produces razor sharp images with DSLR & mirrorless Canon cameras. I only shoot prime lenses and this is affordable and easy to carry. This is my only lens, I use it daily for birding. Works great with the 1.4 Ext. I highly recommend this lens!

Unsung hero of Telephoto primes!

By Abhishek
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-07-29

A friend of mine uses the gargantuan 500mm F4 L IS...and while that produces amazing photos, I do not appreciate its weight, its cost and how difficult it is to hand-hold. The 400 F5.6, while loosing 100mm and a stop of brightness, is as sharp & contrasty, less than half the weight and less than a third the price. It balances beautifully on my 7D Mark II...and focuses faster than my eye. And gives me 640mm of reach on my APS-C camera! Sure it doesn't have IS - but I have made good shots at near-dusk times at 1/600th shutter speed. Keep the ISO around 1600 and you should be good. I can't wait to take this lens on an African safari one day. Great lens...you won't regret it.

Great lens

By Adrienne
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-07-24

I got this lens as a present and am very happy using it. The optics are tack sharp and it focuses very quickly. The balance is excellent and find I can handhold and still get sharp clear pictures

Solid Performer

By Barry
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-07-06

Old School all metal construction yet remarkably light, nimble, and balanced (for 400mm focal length) w/5D Mk2 attached. Can be hand held and get good shots even with f/5.6-required shutter speeds, but works best with (included) tripod mount. Built in hood easy to operate and is a real space saver for your camera bag. Auto focus very fast and accurate especially for a lens designed almost (30) years ago. Renders colors very nicely, but this is L glass.

Love it after 11 years

By Thomas
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-06-13

I reviewed this a few months ago, reporting that I've used it for birds all over this country and the tropics, and am completely satisfied. I'll add that, on my former camera body (50d), I did have to micro-adjust the focal distance. It shot a bit short of the subject, but was easy to correct. It needed no adjustment on my 80d. Here's a recent shot from Trinidad.

I am extremely pleased with my Canon 400mm lens.

By James
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-06-05

I want to equivalently state that I wish that I bought the Canon 400mm lens years ago. The lens is coupled to my Canon 1.4 extender and placed an a tripod. The focus is almost instantaneous and tack sharp. The lens arrived days ahead of its scheduled delivery date. I couldn't be more pleased! Thank you B+H Jim

I like the 100 - 400 IS better

By denise
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2020-09-14

I bought this with the hope of getting sharper images than my 100-400 with IS and I was disappointed. I tried it on my 5D Mark IV and also my crop 60D. Maybe the IS makes the difference but as I already own the 100-400, I returned this one.

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

By Gregory
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-08-10

I have only taken a couple of pictures so far. I hope to be using it this weekend (Aug 15, 2020). Very happy with ordering and delivery. Quite easy and tracking and delivery was awesome. Thanks Gregg

See any errors on this page? Let us know

question

Hi,I am thinking of buying this lens and a canon camera body to go with it. I have read that some canon camera bodies would allow to use this lens with the 1.4x canon converter while maintaining autofocus.Can you tell me which canon camera bodies allow this?Thanks in advance for your answer.Best regards,
Asked by: Anonymous
The EF 400mm f/5.6 can retain autofocus with the 1.4X teleconverter when used on the 1D series of cameras and the 5D III with updated firmware.
Answered by: Christina S.
Date published: 2022-06-23

Does it work with teleconverter

Does it work with teleconverter
Asked by: Tanvir
I have never used a teleconverter and never will since I couple the lens with the 7d Mk 2 body which has the crop factor. I use the lens for birds in flight a lot, shooting at 2500+ shutter speed and a teleconverter would definitely impact my ability to do that as you are going to lose a few f stops with a converter. I think a teleconverter would also impact how fast the autofocus works on BIFs, too. I mean this lens is old and has no image stabilizer but it still is the best lens for birds in fight for its autofocus capabilities. Hope this helps!
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2020-07-09

question

Will this work with my 40D Camera? Is this preferred to the 100-400 f/4.5 especially with the IS? I want to use it for sports photography
Asked by: Anonymous
Yes, this lens is compatible with the 40D. This may be preferable over the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L, as the 400mm f/5.6 has a fixed aperture at all focal lengths. However, the 100-400mm features image stabilization, whereas this lens does not. Both lenses will be excellent in the application of sports photography.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-26

question

Just make sure it fit with a 60D EOS
Asked by: Anonymous
The camera and lens are fully compatible.
Answered by: Matthew C.
Date published: 2018-08-26

question

is a canon 20D good enough for this lens?
Asked by: michael r.
If this lens will fit your Canon 20D you will be able to capture much more up close. I have so much fun with my 400mm just like you will.Robert O'Deegan
Answered by: ROBERT O.
Date published: 2018-08-26

question

Will it work with the 1.4 III extender?
Asked by: Anonymous
The EF 400 f/5.6L USM Lens is compatible with the EF Extender 1.4 III. However, autofocus is only possible with Canon DSLRs that offer f/8 support such as the 5D Mark III/IV, the 7D Mark II or the 6D Mark II.
Answered by: Kirk
Date published: 2020-07-05

Is this lens made of plastic or metal?

Is this lens made of plastic or metal?
Asked by: Ron
The outer barrel of the 400 F/5.6L is made of metal.
Answered by: Lenny
Date published: 2019-05-21

question

Is this lens weather sealed?
Asked by: Anonymous
Unfortunately, the EF 400mm f/5.6 is not weather sealed.
Answered by: Christina S.
Date published: 2018-08-26
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