Canon 200-400 F4 l

[BenBotha]

I was at the Canon Expo today and had the opportunity to play with the Canon 200-400 F4 lens. I also spoke to the product manager and he said:

1. This was the first display to the public of this ? final model of the lens-they made improvements after the Olympics after suggestions by the pro's
2. No stickers or tape on the lens-they said it was a production model
3. No official weight for the lens.

My impressions:
I compared the weight to the other lenses on display-it falls between the 500 f4 II and the 600 f4 II, probably 3-3.2 kg
4. It handles very much like the old 500 f4 I- Ie. front heavy. The new 500 II is much better balanced and lighter
5. The flip switch for the converter is very smooth and the instant magnification is amazing
6. Focus is immediate and very accurate with the 1DX
7. Flipping the switch with hand hold, I had to move my hand from the front of the lens to switch, it is much easier when the lens is on a tripod or monopod
8. ? Euros 11000
9. Release date ??? in the next 2-3 months

Ben

[Doug Brown]

Thanks for the info Ben!

[Morkel Erasmus]

I can't wait to see the first results from this lens. I am a Nikon shooter but this is a great concept and if the built-in TC works well then I can see it becoming part-and-parcel of most new telephotos and high-end zooms in the future.

That price tag is hefty!

[John Guastella]

I can see it becoming part-and-parcel of most new telephotos and high-end zooms in the future.

According to a posting today on the Canon Rumors site, this is exactly what Canon is planning, although it sounds like it may not happen soon.

A 500 or 600 with built-in 1.4X would be awesome!

John

[arash_hazeghi]

No it's not awesome at all because

1) it will screw up the weight balance with that bulbous TC compartment added to one side of the lens (off-axis). It will make the lens longer and heavier even when TC is not needed. This is bad for hand holding.

2) you can no longer use a 2X TC.

I can see why it works for a short zoom lens but not for a long prime.

[Corey Hayes]

I can see this being great for some people mostly sports guys but for wildlife shooting its less then ideal.

[PhilCook]

I tend to agree with Arash mostly, never could quite understand the value in this kind of set up ?

[Don Nelson]

Arash said:
"2) you can no longer use the 2X TC."

While I'm in agreement with Arash, I haven't seen the cross section nor the exposed camera end of the lens -- but if the rear element is recessed enough to take a Canon 2x TC, why couldn't someone just keep the native 1.4x rolled out of the optical path, and use an add-on 2X?
Arash have you seen something that shows a user could not do this?

[arash_hazeghi]

Hey Don, I think it's mechanically not compatible perhaps the 1.4X elements can hit the 2X inner tube(?)