LensTip.com

Lenses

There are 2161 lenses in our database and 3523 owners opinions.

You can also
compare lenses side-by-side

Search by:

Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Pictures:
Specifications:
Manufacturer Canon
Model EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
Lens style Telephoto zoom
Focal length 100 - 400 mm
Maximum aperture f/4.5 - 5.6
Angle of view 24.4 - 6.2 o
Closest focusing distance 1.8 m
Maximum magnification 1:5
Minimum aperture 40
Number of diaphragm blades 8
Auto focus type AF USM
Lens Construction 17 elements / 14 groups
Filter diameter 77 mm
Macro No
Available mounts Canon EF
Dimensions 92 x 189 mm
Weight 1360 g
Additional information Marketed November 1998
Average rating (14 owners reviews)
Build quality
Optical quality
Value for money

Overall

4.45 Good
Owners reviews (14)
  1. PeterC
    PeterC 6 May 2014, 06:18
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 121.212.x.x
    Owner since: 3 years
    Price:
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Reviews suggest optical quality is variable, perhaps especially for older examples, so I tried before I bought and would recommend this. Older, first generation IS not so effective. Little weather sealing despite being an L series lens. The push-pull design doesn't worry me at all.

    Pros: Great optical quality (if you have a good one!); relatively small for such a long lens when compacted (the benefit of the push-pull design); uses standard 77mm filters.

    Summary: If you can afford the new 200-400 lens, that sounds superb. I couldn't, and have been very satisfied with the 100-400.

  2. ronald
    ronald 2 March 2014, 18:36
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 109.128.x.x
    Owner since: 1 month
    Price: 650 eur
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Heavy

    Pros: Very good image quality throughout the whole range, very nice range on a non full frame camera (60 d) push pull mechanism is nice to use and the price I have paid was rather law. Very happy with my purchase overall.

    Summary: Very happy

  3. ell
    ell 20 September 2013, 21:43
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 24.86.x.x
    Owner since: 5 years
    Price: 1700$
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: slow lens speed 4.5-5.6...but you get more than what you pay for.

    Pros: The reach, the quality of the photos with the reach. I even got great close up photos of insects with it. It's definitely worth the money you pay for it.

    Summary: It's about how you use the lens and what you use it for. I've got a ton of amazing shots with it. Great image quality.

  4. ed
    ed 4 September 2013, 22:58
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 90.197.x.x
    Owner since: 9 years
    Price: 1200
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Soft wide open Poor Quality lens hood Not good in low light or long distance Old style is

    Pros: Good Value Compared with New lenses Sharp in good daylight Has is Well Built quick focus Good Zoom range useable iq with 1.4 extender in good light no auto focus tho other than 1 series

    Summary: Been a good lens for me but only good nothing special, Will upgrade to 300mm 2.8 when have the funds, but still one of the best in its price range

  5. RJ
    RJ 24 January 2013, 12:57
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 193.166.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price: 1200e
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: IS is old model so it's not very efficient and you will be missing a faster lens also when the evening comes closer. 1,8m focusing distance is fair but when focal length variation is so good I find myself trying to take a lot of photos which I jus't cant with this one. Does not autofocus with an extender (of course)

    Pros: Excellent image quality. Focuses silently, accurately and with almost no delay. A must for a nature photographer who is ready to accept the fact that in dimmer light you are going to pump up the ISO

    Summary: Nice lens that is almost always with me. Very well balanced with a little heavier body. I had hard time to choose between 400/5.6 prime (about the same price) but min. focus 1.8m/3.5m made the choice and I have never regretted.

  6. DrGator
    DrGator 10 November 2012, 17:58
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 74.178.x.x
    Owner since: 7 years
    Price:
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: Heavy and slow under low light, IR aged but then the lens format is too

    Pros: Few len's come close to this one for wildlife or action photography if one has to carry it more then a few feet from one's car....have had photoshoots worldwide with others standing next to me using other lens and their images don't come close to image quality unless they are using the same lens or high end Nikon lens. Tough, handles field situations whether shooting off a boat, mt top or jungle in the middle of nowhere. With a little care - this lens will last years....mine has outlasted 3 camera bodies.

    Summary: Top notch lens for the money - good investment if one is shooting wildlife or action shoots.

  7. JiMu
    JiMu 15 July 2012, 04:17
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 84.173.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price: 1250€
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: no weather sealing, big and heavy, lens hood mount dowsn't need long to get worn out

    Pros: great image quality, IS is old but still very strong, feels as solid as a rock or an iron bar, fast push / pull zoom with a locking ring, fast focus (faster if you limit it).

    Summary: That's probably my favourite lens and I had a lot of fun with it.

  8. D.Franz
    D.Franz 27 May 2011, 16:48
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 72.21.x.x
    Owner since: 8 years
    Price:
    User profile: Professional

    Cons: IS system gettng long in tooth

    Pros: Great zoom range.

    Summary: A very good all around lens

  9. andy b
    andy b 19 April 2011, 06:46
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 78.147.x.x
    Owner since: 1 month
    Price: 1190 GBP
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Cumbersome, lens creep when set loose enough to shoot with, a 'flat' lens in that the image lacks sparkle

    Pros: Even quality throughout the aperture and zoom range

    Summary: A tiring lens to use, not mainly from its size but also because of the IS. It functions perfectly well but you find yourself holding your breath when taking the shot just as you would with a non IS lens. Results are good though!

  10. Eddy
    Eddy 23 November 2010, 02:13
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 203.213.x.x
    Owner since: 6 months
    Price: $2000
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: I put build quality at 3 because mine lens is on it's second visit to Canon for repair. Error 0 in viewfinder and jumpy image. Poor low light perfomance, need to turn IS off when on Tripod Pricey for a slow lens

    Pros: Versatile and fast zoom once you get used to the slide zoom. Good colours and contrast.

    Summary: Nice to use. Selling mine when it returns from repair.

  11. popo
    popo 11 November 2010, 09:54
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 81.109.x.x
    Owner since: 2 years
    Price: £1000
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Suffers from glare if pointed close to the sun. IS is older generation but still helps. On heavy side as would be expected for the specification and build. Somewhat long minimum focus distance.

    Pros: Push-pull design allows very rapid zoom change as needed. Great image quality (on APS-C sensor) even wide open for a zoom. Insignificant lateral CA, minimal longitudinal CA.

    Summary: This makes an excellent wildlife lens when you can't get close to the subject, with the fast zoom action allowing you to keep up with rapidly changing circumstances. The image quality is usable at high quality from wide open at all focal lengths that stopping down doesn't help much further unless you need more DoF.

  12. Feby
    Feby 23 September 2010, 00:58
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 24.130.x.x
    Owner since: 2 years
    Price: 1600$
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: Heavy, Need lot of light, No constant aperture, Closest distance is quite far.

    Pros: Sharpness, 400mm!, Extender capable, IS (though not the best)

    Summary: One of the affordable lenses in the zoom range. If you need a zoom lens with this range, go ahead.

  13. Ecopix
    Ecopix 5 June 2010, 14:37
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 123.208.x.x
    Owner since: 3 months
    Price: AU$1500
    User profile: Professional

    Cons: Very fiddly zoom locking ring, softish at 100mm, and at edges at 400mm on full frame, with colour fringing. Only about 320mm at closest distance, but 400mm at infinity. Shortest is really about 105mm.

    Pros: No major optical faults when stopped down a bit, useful range in a handy package, fast AFon a 5D2.

    Summary: A good idea almost well-executed. The push-pull zoom is not a problem, but the zoom locking ring is a design disaster, interfering with the focussing ring and not even locking/tensioning properly. Set it, grab some wide duct tape and tape it to the focussing ring, and you will have no more problems with it. Otherwise, slightly disappointing optically on a 5D2, but better than most tele zooms on full frame. Good at about 120-350mm f8-16. Poor minimum focussing distance but quite good macro quality with extension tubes. AF is fast and accurate on my example.

  14. sukramotof
    sukramotof 28 January 2010, 16:00
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 198.36.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price:
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: F4 over the range would be better value for money flare resistance could be better

    Pros: very good colors good performance over the range fast zooming possible very good sharpness

    Summary: F4 over the range should be possible by considering the price

Add your opinion

Build quality 0 1 2 3 4 5
Optical quality 0 1 2 3 4 5
Value for money 0 1 2 3 4 5