Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS Development Announced

This looks really cool. I loved my Sigma 100-300 f/4 which was superbly sharp and very flexible. With better high ISO capability on the 1D Mark IV, it should be able to handle the f/4 pretty well in most situations.

The inbuilt 1.4x extender is really innovative. From pitchside, I'd certainly use that for shooting the far goal, and definitely for shooting the managers jumping about, both of which tend to be long shots on a 400 prime.

It should be smaller & lighter than the 400 2.8 I think, with a smaller frontal diameter.

IQ is going to be key - it needs to be lovely & sharp at all focal lengths with minimal degradation from the 1.4x teleconverter. If it is, it would be tempting to ditch the 400 2.8.
 
You will pay for the is not used and to be honest i am still using 2.8 a lot even with mkIV

Its a great lens idea but maybe a while before i would think about one TBH
 
I take the last post back.. perfect for cricket ....:)

price guess? 6k
 
I was up at ISO3200 to get 1/800th at the Madejski (Reading FS) on Friday night on the 1DIV. It might be a bit of a push to go to 6400 but I think the results would still be fine. Doing far goal or manager shots doesn't require such a high shutter speed so sliding the 1.4x converter in shouldn't be an issue.

Hmmmm....will wait until the first tests come in...hmmmm
 
KIPAX said:
I take the last post back.. perfect for cricket ....:)

price guess? 6k
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And the rest. The 400 /4 DO is already £5298.00 and this one has a built in x1.4, which is presumably there to allow Canon to charge more than the £5k that Nikon ask for their equivalent.

I'd guess at £8-9k as openers.

Interesting lens though.
 
I posted this on the other thread about this

I grabbed this from POTN.

Extender 1.4x not engaged
- FF crop camera would be 200-400 @ f/4
- 1.3x crop camera would be 260-520 @ f/4
- 1.6x crop camera would be 320-640 @ f/4

Extender 1.4x engaged
- FF crop camera would be 280-560 @ f/5.6
- 1.3x crop camera would be 364-728 @ f/5.6
- 1.6x crop camera would be 448-896 @ f/5.6

I wonder if in real use it will be quick to zoom out to 400mm, flip the 1.4 extender in, focus and shoot. That should sort the men from the boys.

Just re-read the announcement - due for release in 2011 and will be showcased at the CP+ event to be held in Yokohama, Japan, from 9 to 12 February.

I'm guess on the street price being round about £9499.99 when it's released.
 
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I do just wonder if companies announce there lenses to fine tune how much to price the lenses based on forum comments as to what people are willing to swallow? Cynical I know but perhaps we should have all said £1000 is the most it should be.....
LOL
 
Tobers said:
IQ is going to be key - it needs to be lovely & sharp at all focal lengths with minimal degradation from the 1.4x teleconverter. If it is, it would be tempting to ditch the 400 2.8.
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I have just spoken to my source (a certain Mr Miaggi) and he say

"it velly sharp at orl fokarl lents"

so I'll offer £3K plus delivery and a beer for the 400:lol:

Shall we go to PM?
 
amtaylor said:
I do just wonder if companies announce there lenses to fine tune how much to price the lenses based on forum comments as to what people are willing to swallow? Cynical I know but perhaps we should have all said £1000 is the most it should be.....
LOL
Click to expand...

Nope I don't reckon so.

I reckon it's a bit more scientific than than.

1) Cost to manufacture
2) Where does it fit in with their other lenses & their prices

and many other things I imagine.

Remember that they can have any MSRP.
 
this is a very handy lens being able to cover the whole pitch with one lens, pity its a canon not a nikon :(
would be ideal for football if the EQ is up to it!
 
Chris - yes this beast of a lens with Nikon's low light ability - could have been a marriage made in heaven.
 
exactly rob, i hate using 2 bodies, and i reckon this would solve all my problems !!!
 
Have to say im looking forward to giving the Nikon 200-400 a run at the footy, will be interesting to see how it copes under floodlights and how the IQ compares to the 400 prime
 
Have you bought one Andy?
 
Going back on topic, i can not get my head round how a built in Teleconvertor can work? Surely if it is in built it will always be "active", would love to know how the hell it can work
 
Rovers_Andy said:
Have to say im looking forward to giving the Nikon 200-400 a run at the footy, will be interesting to see how it copes under floodlights and how the IQ compares to the 400 prime
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yes, im ditching the 300 and going for a 200-400 this summer
 
Rovers_Andy said:
Going back on topic, i can not get my head round how a built in Teleconvertor can work? Surely if it is in built it will always be "active", would love to know how the hell it can work
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Considering the lever on the lens (at the rear on the larger DPR photo) it looks as though the extender will pivot down at 90° when in use and when retracted will house against the roof of the lens mount.

You thinking of swapping to Canon then? :lol:
 
DemiLion said:
Considering the lever on the lens (at the rear on the larger DPR photo) it looks as though the extender will pivot down at 90° when in use and when retracted will house against the roof of the lens mount.

You thinking of swapping to Canon then? :lol:
Click to expand...

Nope, i only changed to Nikon last April
 
It is going to be VERY interesting to see one of these on a Mk IV.

Yes for some jobs you will need an F2.8 but for many jobs surely this could be spot on.

Obviously if it is "up to par" that is.
 
its bound to be up to par.. just not 100% sure its for me.. or anyone at dodgy floodlit grounds..
 
Rovers_Andy said:
If you want to give it a go before you sell the 300 you could borrow mine for a game :)
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yes andy, that would be great..theres a few knocking around second hand, so might see what the bank says in a month or so
 
If you do a quick Google-search on this lens.. you actually find a shop selling it (Not in Stock) for... wait for it.... £9899
So - that makes it go WAY out of my price range.. I ain't paying a bit shy of £10000 for this one.. sounds great but lets face it - a bit too long for basketball :-)
 
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