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Technical Details
- Brand Name: Canon
- Model: EF 400MM f/4 DO IS USM
- Lens Type: telephoto
- Focus Type: auto-focus
Product Details
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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
An entirely new optical technology for SLR camera lenses, Multi-Layer Diffractive Optics, makes possible a 400mm super-telephoto lens thatís about 1/3rd shorter and significantly lighter. Diffractive Optics don't end there--combined with a small Fluorite element, they permit almost total elimination of chromatic aberrations, and at the same time are able to combat spherical aberrations. Combining portability and easy handling, Image Stabilization, weather-resistant construction, superb optics and incredible AF performance, the 400mm DO IS lens is ideal for photographers who want super-telephoto power along with good lens speed in a hand holdable package.
See a Different Dimension
A super telephoto lens can make an ordinary scene into an extraordinary one. Its ability to see surpasses that of the human eye. It can compress images and make them look as if they come from another dimension. It opens up new realms of photographic expression. All EF super telephoto lenses are L-series lenses to provide the highest quality. The USM provides quiet and high-speed autofocusing. These lenses promise outstanding delineation and put your imagination to the test.
Product Description
Incorporates Diffractive Optics, Image Stabilizater & Ultrasonic Motor technologies
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 54 people found the following review helpful
This is my lens for handheld images of birds in flight, and when I don't want to carry a much bigger 500mm f/4L IS. It's sharp and exhibits no color fringing or other chromatic aberration. By comparison, my Leitz 400mm f/6.8 Telyt shows a fair amount of color fringing outside the center region. To be fair, the Telyt is a much simpler design.
The Telyt does have higher contrast than the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS, but a levels layer in Photoshop can fix that.
The 400mm f/4 DO IS is much lighter than any 400mm f/4 lens with conventional optics. DO lenses have a diffraction element that compensates for the color dispersion of spherical lens elements. It also reduces optical complexity and size.
The f/4 speed makes autofocus faster, and allows even better isolation of subjects using narrow depth of field. While bigger and heavier than Canon's 400mm f/5.6L, the f/4 lens is light enough at 4.3 pounds that it's still easy to carry. I've used mine on hikes above 10,000 feet to photograph bighorn sheep.
IS definitely makes a difference handheld, and on a tripod below 1/125 second. Canon's 400mm f/5.6L is a non-stabilized lens.
I've taken some of my sharpest wildlife images with this lens - you can see every feather in some bird shots. Highly recommended if you can afford one.
The Telyt does have higher contrast than the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS, but a levels layer in Photoshop can fix that.
The 400mm f/4 DO IS is much lighter than any 400mm f/4 lens with conventional optics. DO lenses have a diffraction element that compensates for the color dispersion of spherical lens elements. It also reduces optical complexity and size.
The f/4 speed makes autofocus faster, and allows even better isolation of subjects using narrow depth of field. While bigger and heavier than Canon's 400mm f/5.6L, the f/4 lens is light enough at 4.3 pounds that it's still easy to carry. I've used mine on hikes above 10,000 feet to photograph bighorn sheep.
IS definitely makes a difference handheld, and on a tripod below 1/125 second. Canon's 400mm f/5.6L is a non-stabilized lens.
I've taken some of my sharpest wildlife images with this lens - you can see every feather in some bird shots. Highly recommended if you can afford one.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I hesitated for weeks before buying this lens. It's expensive (only $1,000 or so cheaper than the wonderful 400mm 2.8 Canon lens), it's 4.0 instead of 2.8, it's not an L lens (since it uses the less common diffractive optics), and the user reviews of the early production lenses were mixed (the latter reviews are much better). However, I finally decided to buy because I needed a 400mm lens for a mix of sports and outdoors photos, and I knew that I would rarely use the much heavier and longer 400mm 2.8 lens. It is true that the 400mm 2.8 has photographic advantages over the 400mm 4.0 DO, but those don't mean anything if you don't have the lens with you when you need it!
In the month or so I've had the 400mm DO, I've taken it with me on trips--in planes, inside the cabin, with enough space for two camera bodies, and 24-70mm and 70-200mm zoom lenses--and I've shot sports handheld _exclusively_. The autofocus is very fast, the image quality is _astounding_, and I can only say good things about this lens. Perfect 10 for me!
In the month or so I've had the 400mm DO, I've taken it with me on trips--in planes, inside the cabin, with enough space for two camera bodies, and 24-70mm and 70-200mm zoom lenses--and I've shot sports handheld _exclusively_. The autofocus is very fast, the image quality is _astounding_, and I can only say good things about this lens. Perfect 10 for me!
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By crusader
This is an often maligned lens, due to its high cost and the lower contrast compared to regular lenses. Both are true and the latter is easily fixable in the digital workflow. The upside that no other lens can compete with is, that one can carry it for miles without undue strain, handhold for substantial periods of time, like waiting a few minutes for some wildlife to move into position, or for some sports action to happen. Obviously, there are even lighter 400mm lenses, but those have typically no image stabilization and a very small maximum aperture.
At this point for me, this is my one size fits all super telephoto lens. There are sharper lenses, longer lenses, faster lenses, etc. but this one can do almost everything, and do it good enough.
At this point for me, this is my one size fits all super telephoto lens. There are sharper lenses, longer lenses, faster lenses, etc. but this one can do almost everything, and do it good enough.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Canon 400 DO is Wildlife Solution!
Lens is great!! There is a slight issue with contrast, but this is easily adjustable by adjusting internal camera settings or by computer software. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jerry Lotterhos
4.0 out of 5 stars
All around lens
I own a 500mm f 4 IS lens as well, but I do a lot of bird photography in the middle of the jungle and carrying a tripod + 500mm it's just a bit too much. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Davalette
5.0 out of 5 stars
an excellent lens
The Canon 400mm f/4 DO lens is widely considered to be a very good lens. And it is.
Difficult for me to imagine someone not liking this lens.
Difficult for me to imagine someone not liking this lens.
Published on January 5, 2011 by Brent
