EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXTENDER 1.4x

I'm afraid you're right. I'd say this lens is going to be just as good or better than the 400mm F4L IS DO(when looking at the quality of the newest Canon lenses). Add that it's more versatile being a zoom. It has the build-in extender. All those things will make it a very versatile, yet fast lens for a lot of different photographers. Think about journalists, bird-photographers, wild-life, sports. It fits in almost every photographers wishlist if you ask me [;)] It doesn't fit in every bag or budget I'm afraid [:#]

They are calling it a Super Telephoto. Its not going to be a compact easy to carry around lens. If you look at the tripod foot, the smallest lens with that type of foot is the 500mm and it weighs 8.5 lbs.


It is going to have that big bulky lens cap that is a pain in the rear and cost a fortune itself.


I think Neuro has it priced very close, $8500 maybe.


What about the IQ? If it is comparable to the big primes it might have some possibilities. How about the AF system on a huge telephoto zoom like that. Will it get close to the primes. I will want to see some reviews before I would consider this one. I would hate to drop that much money on it and then the IQ or AF system not live up to the hype.


So it looks interesting, but to me the 500mm or the 600mm if they loose 3 or 4 pounds (or even 1 or 2) is more interesting in that price range. With the big prime I would be more comfortable thinking I was getting the best IQ possible.

Ok...my initial excitement is easing a little, especially with the price tags being discussed. But, assuming great IQ, I am glad that Canon will have a lens like this in their lineup. Even if I will never afford one. It has the potential to be a flagship lens, along with the other new big whites. Flagships whose technology will eventually filter down into something I can afford.


So for me....still holding onto my 100-400L. A tank of "old

With that price, I would have to save for decades to get one. Too bad, for this is something I have longed for since my 70-300 got some beating turning it into a super-soft lens at >200.


On the plus side, this will perhaps lower the price of 100-400L when people start to sell of to get the latest Canon telelens.


Lars

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Originally Posted by Lars

On the plus side, this will perhaps lower the price of 100-400L when people start to sell of to get the latest Canon telelens.

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How low can it go? I've seen 100-400's for sale on my local Craigslist for $1100.

Neuro, didn

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Originally Posted by dsiegel5151

I've considered dropping over a grand on the 100-400 before, but no way in hell would I ever drop $8000 on a lens (unless I win the lottery)!

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Good luck! [:D]


But nah, I think you're right. Prices of the 100-400 will not drop because of this lens I think. This lens is in a whole different category.


One thing I'm wondering about is what this lens' minimum focus distance would be. With the build in extender, it might give a very nice magnification...


How would this extender work by the way? Any idea? A movable rear-element/group? Since this "extender" will not add anymore glass than it already has, chances are high that it will remain a very high quality 560mm lens, right? Perhaps even similar than at 400mm?

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Originally Posted by Jan Paalman

How would this extender work by the way? Any idea? A movable rear-element/group? Since this "extender" will not add anymore glass than it already has, chances are high that it will remain a very high quality 560mm lens, right? Perhaps even similar than at 400mm?

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It does 'add glass' just not to the back end. If you look at a larger image of the lens, you can see a 'bump' behind the lug for the lens carrying strap, right under the switch for the internal extender. That switch appears to be a small lever, which I presume swings the lens elements for the internal 1.4x extender out of the optical path and into that 'bump' when the extender is 'off'.

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Originally Posted by Jan Paalman

One thing I'm wondering about is what this lens' minimum focus distance would be. With the build in extender, it might give a very nice magnification

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This lens certainly raises a lot of questions. I've been wondering a couple of things myself (besides what I already posted):

• AF speed. Will having the extender internal to the lens somehow allow for the lens to focus faster than with an external extender?
• Dis-engagable extenders. Why don't they make external extenders that, with a push of a button, can be engaged or dis-engaged similar to the internal extender on this lens? That way this feature could be used for all compatable lenses. Right now I am thinking size, looking at the back of the 200-400 picture, the unit housing the 1.4x extender appears a littlelonger than the actual 1.4x extender. This makes me think that, in addition to an extender swinging into and out of place, there may be some other moving elements to make this work.. But, of course, that is just uneducated speculation on my behalf.

Hmm John, you might be right. I hadn't seen such a large photo of it yet, but it does seem ike some sort of lever to me as well. It also seems to be out of balance in that way [:-*]


And indeed good questions Kayaker. However your second question and remark about why they can't make extenders like this for every lens. I just have to say, that I'm not always willing to pay extra for an extender, which I might not even use. In the tele-range it makes sense though. Still the 1.4x II extender remains on my wishlist [;)]


I guess we'll be getting more details soon. Or wait, maybe not. I'm still hoping that it's available in the same budget of the 100-400 [A] (perhaps the coffee-mug[;)])