Canon 200-400 with 1.4 extender announced

George

Chasseur Haggis extraordinaire
Messages
3,461
Edit My Images
Yes
Well, it's out at last.. At $11700 in the us...


Announcement: Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x

London, UK, 14 May 2013 – Canon today adds a new category to its range of high-performance super-telephoto lenses, with the introduction of the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x to Canon’s acclaimed L-series. The EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x features a flexible 200-400mm focal range with a fixed f/4 aperture, 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer and for the first time in a commercially available lens, a built-in 1.4x extender. These features combine to provide an outstandingly versatile lens for professional sports or wildlife photographers. A robust magnesium alloy design, environmental protection and specialised lens coatings also make it ideal for mobile use, combining with the finest quality optics to deliver exceptional results, even in the harshest conditions.

Get closer to the action with superior image quality
The reach of the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x is boosted by its internal 1.4x extender, which is engaged or disengaged at the flick of a lever to provide an extended focal length of 280mm to 560mm – allowing photographers to get even closer to distant action. Ensuring the highest image performance, the optical design includes both fluorite and Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens elements, which help minimise chromatic aberration and eliminate colour blurring. Advanced anti-reflection SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC) and Super Spectra Coating also reduce ghosting and flare. Thanks to the use of the latest optical technologies, image performance is unaffected when the integrated extender is used.

With a constant f/4 aperture the use of high shutter speeds to capture fast-paced action or a low-light scene is possible. A newly designed optical Image Stabilizer, which provides users with a four stop advantage, while IS ‘Mode 3’ applies image stabilisation only at the time of exposure – ensuring that photographers can pan with fast-paced action without IS overcompensating for movement. This feature is ideal for sports photographers, who typically have only a split-second to capture a subject in front of them.

Powerful, flexible focusing
The EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x features Canon’s pioneering ring-type Ultrasonic Motor providing fast, silent autofocusing. For those who prefer to fine-tune focus themselves, full-time manual override allows photographers to manually focus at any moment when using AF. The Power Focus (PF) mode also increases versatility during movie shooting with the EOS-1D C or EOS-1D X, enabling photographers to achieve an accurate pull-focus effect at one of two speeds, simply by twisting the focus recall ring and stopping at a pre-set distance.

High-performance design for professional demands
Designed to answer professional demands for superior image quality and versatile zoom range, the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x a boasts a premium-quality design befitting Canon’s industry-renowned L-series lenses.

The tough magnesium alloy chassis ensures that, despite the inclusion of the 1.4x extender, the lens is a similar weight to lenses of comparable focal length. Fluorine coatings on the front and rear lens elements also reduce the ability of dirt to cling to the lens surface, while a dust and water-resistant construction allows photographers to shoot in challenging weather conditions. The combination of outstanding optical performance, versatility, weight and tough construction will make it an essential part of any professional sports or wildlife photographer’s kitbag.

EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x key features

Built-in 1.4x extender, for extra magnification when you need it
Shoot in low light with four-stop Image Stabilizer
High image quality using Fluorite lens elements
Fast AF with USM technology
Robust design for use in the toughest environments
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture Built-in extender at 1x: 200-400mm, 1:4.0
Built-in extender at 1.4x: 280-560mm, 1:5.6
Lens Construction Built-in extender at 1x:
25 elements in 20 groups (incl. 1 rear filter)
Built-in extender at 1.4x:
33 elements in 24 groups (incl. 1 rear filter)
Diagonal Angle of View Built-in extender at 1x: 12°-6°10′
Built-in extender at 1.4x: 8°50′-4°25′
Focus Adjustment Inner focusing system
Closest Focusing Distance 6.6 ft. / 2m
Filter Size 52mm drop-In
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight 5.0 x 14.4 inches, 127.7 oz. / 128 x 366mm, 3620g

Get you orders in quickly!!

:wave:
 
Oh sorry, forgot the case is an extra $650!!!!

:nono::nono:

oops sorry, it's included
 
Last edited:
Would love to see this bolted to an EOS M.
 
With it being the $12K in the US I doubt you'll get much change out of £9K over here if past prices have anything to go by. Remember the 5D3 was $3500 on release or the equivalent of around £2300, but it was nearer £3000 over here when it came out.

If there a lot of these lenses selling I can see there being a few bank raids to pay for them. The only good point, for many, is he price of the 100-400 is likely to drop even more than it has already.
 
The only good point, for many, is he price of the 100-400 is likely to drop even more than it has already.

I can't see this new lens make any difference at all to the price of a 100-400 they are in totally different price brackets, and aimed at a diffrent section of the market. The 200-400 is ten times the price of the 100-400.
 
Well, it makes you wonder what the price of a mark 2 dust pump will be.....:)
 
With it being the $12K in the US I doubt you'll get much change out of £9K over here if past prices have anything to go by. Remember the 5D3 was $3500 on release or the equivalent of around £2300, but it was nearer £3000 over here when it came out.

If there a lot of these lenses selling I can see there being a few bank raids to pay for them. The only good point, for many, is he price of the 100-400 is likely to drop even more than it has already.


The only UK site I've found with it at the moment has it listed for an incredible £12,000 which is a crazy amount more than the US price. It's inevitably going to drop in price a bit after a few months, but it's still going to be a hell of an expensive lens, and unfortunately well out of my budget :LOL:


As others have said, I can't see it doing much to the price of the 100-400; I think you'll have to wait for the new 100-400 (and rumoured new 400mm IS) before you see much of a change in prices on them.
 
Which 400mm are you referring to, Will?

I think there are very vague suggestions that Canon are finally working on a 400mm 5.6 prime that has IS - I swear I saw something about it on CanonRumors a little while back, I'll try and find it...



On the subject of the 200-400 - worth noting that, at £12k, it's a few of grand more than the combined price of a Nikon D4, 200-400 and 1.4TC. Not wanting to start a Canon vs Nikon debate, but it's going to have to be pretty bloody special to justify that sort of cost :LOL:
 
Last edited:
I think there are very vague suggestions that Canon are finally working on a 400mm 5.6 prime that has IS - I swear I saw something about it on CanonRumors a little while back, I'll try and find it...



On the subject of the 200-400 - worth noting that, at £12k, it's a few of grand more than the combined price of a Nikon D4, 200-400 and 1.4TC. Not wanting to start a Canon vs Nikon debate, but it's going to have to be pretty bloody special to justify that sort of cost :LOL:

Ah, ok Will, yes that's been on the cards for some time...wondered if you'd seen anything about a replacement for the 400DO, which at just over half the weight of this 2-400 is hand holdable.IMHO.
Thanks
 
On the subject of the 200-400 - worth noting that, at £12k, it's a few of grand more than the combined price of a Nikon D4, 200-400 and 1.4TC. Not wanting to start a Canon vs Nikon debate, but it's going to have to be pretty bloody special to justify that sort of cost :LOL:
Apples and oranges.

The Nikon 200-400 is a mature product and the price reflects that. The Canon is a brand shiny new toy and the launch price will inevitably include a stiff "early adopters" premium. Over time the Canon price will drift downwards, I'd guess to about 70% of the launch price, give or take.

Having said that, if the Canon 200-400 has been treated to the same weight-loss programme as the other recent Canon super-telephotos, then it will be a fair bit lighter than the Nikon. That's worth paying (a bit) extra for.
 
Nikon verion II came out in May 2010.

Costs £4,800 3 years later. Cost £7,000 new?

32% reduction. We need to check this post in 3 years to see if the the Canon costs £8,160 or less in May 2016.
 
Apples and oranges.

The Nikon 200-400 is a mature product and the price reflects that. The Canon is a brand shiny new toy and the launch price will inevitably include a stiff "early adopters" premium. Over time the Canon price will drift downwards, I'd guess to about 70% of the launch price, give or take.

Having said that, if the Canon 200-400 has been treated to the same weight-loss programme as the other recent Canon super-telephotos, then it will be a fair bit lighter than the Nikon. That's worth paying (a bit) extra for.

Canon 200-400....3620g
Nikon 200-400....3364g.

Canon, ahem, isn't much lighter, Stewart!!!:bonk::bonk:
 
OK, I thought I'd do a bit of a comparison on various lenses and here it is, UK prices taken from Camera price buster and VAT removed, ie you need to add 20% to these.
US prices are today's from B and H, no US sales tax added and converted for the sake of argument at USD 1.5=GBP 1....optimistic but makes the arithmetic easier!!
...Lens ....................Weight...........GBP...........USD converted @1.5
300 2.8 mk2............ 2350g............4249...................4532
400 f4 DO...............1940g...........4169 ..................4000
2-400 f4+1.4.............3620g........... ? .....................7866
500 f4 mk2................3190g..........6329....................6932
600 f4 mk2................3920g..........8714....................8533

Apologies for any typo, but makes interesting reading, I think!!

That's one heavy zoom, lads!!...and the Nikon 200-400 is 3364g...for info.
 
Last edited:
The Nikon 200-400 is a mature product and the price reflects that. The Canon is a brand shiny new toy and the launch price will inevitably include a stiff "early adopters" premium. Over time the Canon price will drift downwards, I'd guess to about 70% of the launch price, give or take.

Absolutely. Once the retailers have milked maximum profits from the gotta-get-new-toy-NOW morons, the people who are getting it with somebody else's money, and those who reckon the quality is good enough to ensure it'll pay for itself in a short time, then the price will drop to around £9000.
 
I think there are very vague suggestions that Canon are finally working on a 400mm 5.6 prime that has IS - I swear I saw something about it on CanonRumors a little while back, I'll try and find it...



On the subject of the 200-400 - worth noting that, at £12k, it's a few of grand more than the combined price of a Nikon D4, 200-400 and 1.4TC. Not wanting to start a Canon vs Nikon debate, but it's going to have to be pretty bloody special to justify that sort of cost :LOL:


So could buy a 400mm f2.8 is II and 200mm f2 IS and have some mkIII teleconvertor change. Who is working in the Canon marketing dept who thinks that a UK price more than the US $ price makes sense?

Welcome to Treasure Island!!
 
Apples and oranges.

The Nikon 200-400 is a mature product and the price reflects that. The Canon is a brand shiny new toy and the launch price will inevitably include a stiff "early adopters" premium. Over time the Canon price will drift downwards, I'd guess to about 70% of the launch price, give or take.

Having said that, if the Canon 200-400 has been treated to the same weight-loss programme as the other recent Canon super-telephotos, then it will be a fair bit lighter than the Nikon. That's worth paying (a bit) extra for.

Is the Canon product really worth £3-4k more when the price settles down. I understand they need to recoup investment but IMO Canon are trying to push prices up by unjustifiable amounts. Look at the 24-70mm II and 1DX for example.
 
Who is working in the Canon marketing dept who thinks that a UK price more than the US $ price makes sense?

Well, they must have been working there for quite a while as it's been standard practice for many, many years to have the RRP in £ equal to the price in $.

Luckily, nobody pays the RRP in the UK - well, nobody with a brain spends their own money to buy at the RRP. They'll wait 4 months for the price to drop. By Xmas it'll be down to 4 figures.
 
Well, they must have been working there for quite a while as it's been standard practice for many, many years to have the RRP in £ equal to the price in $.

Luckily, nobody pays the RRP in the UK - well, nobody with a brain spends their own money to buy at the RRP. They'll wait 4 months for the price to drop. By Xmas it'll be down to 4 figures.

I agree with Euro but the dollar has always been more but no where near correct exchange rate. On this one they have outdone themsleves.
 
Canon 200-400....3620g
Nikon 200-400....3364g.

Canon, ahem, isn't much lighter, Stewart!!!:bonk::bonk:

I did say *if* the Canon had been on the weight loss program.... Maybe it hasn't. The difference in weight here is almost exactly accounted for by the built-in extender.
 
I did say *if* the Canon had been on the weight loss program.... Maybe it hasn't. The difference in weight here is almost exactly accounted for by the built-in extender.

Yes Stewart, but I still think it's one heavy lens, too heavy for an old f*rt like me!!

D'ya think you'll be renting these?....I'm going to one of the Calumet days next month to have a look, but i WON'T BE BUYING.
For me at present, if I was buying another super tele, I'd go for the 500 f4, but not sure I'd use it much as the 400 DO plus 1.4 suits my weight criteria amuch better.
 
Yes Stewart, but I still think it's one heavy lens, too heavy for an old f*rt like me!!

True, but think of the weight loss program your wallet would have undertaken while purchasing. That would more than make up for it I'm sure :eek::LOL:

I would rather like to rent one of these though... depending when they become available.
 
True, but think of the weight loss program your wallet would have undertaken while purchasing. That would more than make up for it I'm sure :eek::LOL:

.

D'you know Richard, I hadn't thought of that...however that's nothing to the weight loss I'd suffer if Mrs G heard about it!!:eek:
 
however that's nothing to the weight loss I'd suffer if Mrs G heard about it!!:eek:

same here, I'd lose at least a couple of stones :p
 
Price is staggering!!

So this makes the canon 200-400 f4 the flagship Canon lens!!!!

Ridiculous!

But would love to give one a go!
 
Price is staggering!!

So this makes the canon 200-400 f4 the flagship Canon lens!!!!

Ridiculous!

But would love to give one a go!

Give it a few months and it won't be....
 
I had a play with a prototype at the canon pro event. Not my cup of tea to be honest and at nearly £12K defo a no go. That's just silly money for a zoom lens!
 
Will be an awesome wildlife lens and would love one but the only way i could get it is a lottery win
 
If you're on flickr join our flickr group and share your images from your 200-400mm http://www.flickr.com/groups/200-400l/

Product shot was taken on January 13 2011, development was announced 3 weeks later on February 7 and now available in Canada today.

Two years and two months.

Any info as to the lengthy delay?
 
For a lot of pros the convenience is worth 12k.

======

For the purpose of comparison.

From heaviest to lightest.

4.50kg - EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
3.92kg - EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM
3.85kg - EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM
3.62kg - EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X
3.19kg - EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM
2.52kg - EF 200mm f/2L IS USM
2.35kg - EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM
 
Back
Top