Anyone used a Canon 400mm f5.6 USM?

[The Chillinator]

As above, just wondering if anyone has any experiences with this lens? What's the AF speed and built-quality like?

 

[marky.b]

not used it personally. as i have the 100-400
but ive heard people in the past say its a touch sharper than the 100-400.
but id be interested in this myself

 

[The Chillinator]

The fastest reply in living history.

I've been looking at the 100-400mm, it seems to be more widely available on the second-hand market than the 400mm f5.6. I'm thinking the zoom lens might be more versatile than a fixed prime, but are the optics and general handling the same?

 

[marky.b]

sometimes believe it or not, 400mm may be too much ,and its nice to have the zoom option

 

[wippers]

I've just bought a 400mm f5.6 but have not had time to properly test it out. Will give it a try tomorrow evening. The build quality is superb though and autofocus super fast. The hood is built in and metal so sturdy and I like the design. It's quite a long slim lens and pretty lightweight.
I tried a Canon 100-400mm and although it was only once, I found it a bit soft fully open. With a 400mm lens capability, I think most people seem to have the 100-400 fully open most of the time so unless you need the versatility of the zoom I think the prime is generally considered to have much better IQ.
Just my 10 pence worth.

 

[OneTen]

I've had the 400/5.6 for a couple of years now and it is permanently attached to one of my bodies. It's a stunning lens, very fast focussing and pin sharp, it's portable and great hand held. I really wouldn't be without this lens

Here's a few examples:

 

[petersmart]

Checking the charts:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...meraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

It looks incredibly sharp even wide open.

.

 

[grumpybadger]

Its a cracking lens and an unsung hero of the Canon range. Image quality is up there with the 500/4 in my experience and AF is quick too

 

[riverdog]

I owned the 100-400 5.6 and used it close to 400 most of the time so I sold it
and bought the 400 5.6 which I still have 5 years later and love! Only speaking
for my copies of the lenses, the 400 is much sharper than the zoom was. The
AF on the 400 is lightening fast. In my 60's, I have no trouble hand holding the
400 for long periods of time. I also have a 300 f4 IS and 1.4x which I use all the
time, but never for BIF because I miss too many shots compared to the 400 5.6.
The build quality is similar to my other L lenses.

 

[Peter_Hartland]

Excellent lens & pin sharp but I do find the AL servo focus just a little bit behind the curve o both my IDs MkII & 50D compare to the f4 but with the price difference can live with that.

 

[The Chillinator]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll have a probe around the classifieds forum and see what's selling, otherwise, it's off to Amazon.

 

[Canon Bob]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll have a probe around the classifieds forum and see what's selling, otherwise, it's off to Amazon.

PM Kerso on here....I'm sure he'll beat Amazon's price.

Bob

 

[postcardcv]

I've owned both the 400 f5.6 and the 100-400, there isn't much in it for sharpness even wide open but the prime wins out for AF speed... If you want to shoot at 400mm you'll struggle to find a better lens, it is one of the best walkabout wildlfe lenses around. I wish I still had mine and will no doubt buy another in the future.

 

[The Chillinator]

PM Kerso on here....I'm sure he'll beat Amazon's price.

Bob

Thanks Bob, will do.

 

[The Chillinator]

I've owned both the 400 f5.6 and the 100-400, there isn't much in it for sharpness even wide open but the prime wins out for AF speed... If you want to shoot at 400mm you'll struggle to find a better lens, it is one of the best walkabout wildlfe lenses around. I wish I still had mine and will no doubt buy another in the future.

Very NICE!

 

[grum]

Here's a few examples:

Superb pics Richard