Canon demonstrated this new lens
earlier this year, and has now announced the availability of the
EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with a built in 1.4x Extender.
This lens has a very unique design, as
you can increase the effective focal length so that it becomes a
280mm to 560mm lens with a flick of a switch that enables built in
optics that act as a 1.4x Teleconverter. When using on a camera with
an APS-C size sensor versus a 35mm size sensor, the effective focal
length will become even longer (equivalent to a 320-640mm lens
without the extender turned on, or equivalent to a 448-896mm lens
with the extender enabled). That’s an amazing focal range for a zoom
lens with its light gathering ability.
This is a premium quality lens
including the latest optical advances like use of both Fluorite and
Ultra-Low Dispersion lens elements to reduce Chromatic Aberrations,
with the latest Lens coatings to help minimize any flare and ghosting
in harsher lighting.
As with many other Canon “L” series
lenses, only the best state-of-the-art technology is being used, and
this new Canon Lens model uses a newly designed optical stabilization
system designed to allow hand holding of the lens with as much as a 4
stop advantage, allowing the use of dramatically slower shutter
speeds than would normally be possible without a tripod to prevent
blur from camera shake. Given its focal length (up to 400mm
without using the built in extender, or up to 560mm using it’s
extender on a camera with a full frame sensor), this type of
stabilization system is a “must have” for hand held photography
in anything except the brightest of conditions to allow the sharpest
images possible.
As the model description implies, this
a constant aperture lens, allowing the use of a constant f/4 aperture
throughout its full focal range, unlike lesser lenses that lose
light gathering ability as you zoom in more to capture distant
subjects. Of course, as with the use of a dedicated TC
(TeleConverter), the built in 1.4x Extender is going to reduce the
light gathering ability of the lens by approximately 1 stop (making
it function more like a 280-560mm f/5.6 lens with the built in
extender switched on). That’s still an amazing feat for a lens with
its focal range, and we look forward to seeing some photos taken by
it from Sports and Wildlife enthusiasts that participate in the
forums here at Steve’s.
Because this new Canon lens model
features a sophisticated Ring Type Ultrasonic Motor system for
focusing, autofocus performance for tracking rapidly moving subjects
should also be outstanding when coupled with one of Canon’s pro level
dSLR models.
Of course, as with most other L series
lenses, build quality will be outstanding, as this lens uses a
magnesium alloy housing to help it stand up to tougher conditions
with a lower size to weight ratio than you’d find in a lesser lens;
and this new lens is also dust and moisture resistant for use in less
than optimum weather conditions.
This lens should be available
immediately in the U.S. at an estimated retail price of $ 11,799.00. See the press release about this new
Canon 200-400mm f/4L ISM USM Lens with a built in F/1.4x Extender
below:
Award-Winning Photographer Shares First-Hand Experiences with
the EF 200-400mm F/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lens
MELVILLE, N.Y., May 14, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a
leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a dynamic new
super-telephoto zoom lens, the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender
1.4x. Designed for use with all Canon EOS Digital SLR cameras, the
new L-series lens has an integrated 1.4x focal length extender and
high-performance Image Stabilization technology, offering exceptional
shooting flexibility and range, ideal for sports or wildlife
photography.
The new EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x zoom lens features
an optically matched built-in 1.4x extender that increases the
maximum focal length to 560mm, simultaneously preserving image
quality and enabling the seamless capture of distant, moving
subjects. With a simple switch, photographers can easily increase
zoom range, which is extremely useful when it’s difficult to change
lenses quickly, and helps protect delicate equipment like a DSLR
camera’s image sensor in environments with dust, high humidity or
other extreme environmental factors.
Peter Read Miller, an award-winning sports photographer and Canon
Explorer of Light, recently used the new lens while shooting various
worldwide sporting competitions.
“I had the opportunity recently to use Canon’s new 200-400
lens at a number of sporting events,” said Miller. “I found
it to be incredibly versatile, replacing several different prime
lenses that I would usually carry. The zoom allows me to control my
framing; the autofocus has speed equal to or faster than most fixed
focal length telephoto lenses and the ability to engage the 1.4
extender without taking my eye away from the camera is a unique
feature not found in any other telephoto lens available today.”
To help deliver beautiful, soft, image backgrounds, the lens
features a 9-blade circular aperture. The lens also utilizes inner
focusing, ring USM, a high-speed CPU and optimized AF algorithms for
fast and accurate autofocusing. Quiet and smooth focus shifts –
essential for filmmaking – are made possible with Canon’s Power Focus
mode.
Using advanced optical materials such as fluorite crystal and UD
glass, the new lens provides excellent correction of chromatic
aberration throughout the entire zoom range, and delivers
high-quality images with high levels of resolution, color fidelity
and contrast. With three image stabilization modes, (standard,
panning, and during exposure only) and stabilization effective up to
four shutter speed steps, the new EF 200-400mm lens provides
excellent results for a wide range of subjects and shooting
scenarios. The new lens also includes dust- and water-resistant
construction designed for extended usage under harsh conditions.
“The EF 200-400 along with the Canon EOS-1D X camera body is
my new ‘go-to’ combination for shooting sports,” concluded
Miller.
The EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x zoom lens is expected
to be available at the end of May for an estimated retail price of
$ 11,799.00.
For more information about Canon’s new EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM
Extender 1.4x lens, and a full list of product specifications, visit
www.usa.canon.com.