Canon announces the new EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom

November 11, 2014-Dennis-No Comments

Posted in The Blog

November 11, 2014-Dennis-No Comments

The new EF 100-400 f4.5 – 5.6L IS II USM lens is now available for pre-order. It appears to be a nice upgrade to the present 100-400. It will be interesting to see the tests comparing it (at 400mm) to the EF 400mm f5.6L prime for image clarity. If it performs well, this could be a great lens for the serious amateur wildlife photographer at $2200. I am also interested to know if and how it will work with the Canon 1.4x III extender. Anyway, keep this one in mind if you shoot Canon and are in the market for a nice bird lens!

Features (from Canon)

Compact, high performance L-series super-telephoto zoom makes it ideal for sports and wildlife photography.
One fluorite and one super UD lens element provides excellent correction of chromatic aberration throughout the entire zoom range, helping to deliver high-quality images with high resolution and contrast.
Rotation-type zoom ring allows for more precise composition and excellent balance when handholding.
Inner focusing, ring USM, a high-speed CPU and optimized AF algorithms for fast and accurate autofocusing.
Optical Image Stabilizer provides up to four shutter speed steps of correction*.
Three image stabilization modes (standard, panning, and during exposure only) provide outstanding results for a wide range of shooting situations.
Improved zoom torque adjustment ring allows easy setting of zoom tension.
New Air Sphere Coating (ASC) helps to significantly reduce backlit flaring and ghosting.
Highly resistant to dust and water, and amazing durability enabling shooting even in harsh conditions.
Circular aperture (9 blades) helps deliver beautiful, soft backgrounds.
Fluorine coating on front and rear lens surfaces helps reduce smears and fingerprints.
Lens hood with side window permits specialty filters to be adjusted with hood in place.
Newly designed tripod mount can be attached or detached without removing the lens from the camera.
Minimum focusing distance of 3.2 ft. / 0.98 m with 0.31x maximum magnification.
* According to CIPA standards (400mm focal length, when using the EOS-1D X).

Posted in The Blog

November 11, 2014-Dennis-No Comments

Features (from Canon)

Compact, high performance L-series super-telephoto zoom makes it ideal for sports and wildlife photography.
One fluorite and one super UD lens element provides excellent correction of chromatic aberration throughout the entire zoom range, helping to deliver high-quality images with high resolution and contrast.
Rotation-type zoom ring allows for more precise composition and excellent balance when handholding.
Inner focusing, ring USM, a high-speed CPU and optimized AF algorithms for fast and accurate autofocusing.
Optical Image Stabilizer provides up to four shutter speed steps of correction*.
Three image stabilization modes (standard, panning, and during exposure only) provide outstanding results for a wide range of shooting situations.
Improved zoom torque adjustment ring allows easy setting of zoom tension.
New Air Sphere Coating (ASC) helps to significantly reduce backlit flaring and ghosting.
Highly resistant to dust and water, and amazing durability enabling shooting even in harsh conditions.
Circular aperture (9 blades) helps deliver beautiful, soft backgrounds.
Fluorine coating on front and rear lens surfaces helps reduce smears and fingerprints.
Lens hood with side window permits specialty filters to be adjusted with hood in place.
Newly designed tripod mount can be attached or detached without removing the lens from the camera.
Minimum focusing distance of 3.2 ft. / 0.98 m with 0.31x maximum magnification.
* According to CIPA standards (400mm focal length, when using the EOS-1D X).