Canon 400 L 5.6

[wyenot]

Just wondering if anyone has used this lens and compared it to a 300L f4 + 1.4 x.
I have the latter and am wondering if the extender is slowing the autofocus a bit. Otherwise, happy with the results.

Thanks

[Malcolm_Stewart]

Just wondering if anyone has used this lens and compared it to a 300L f4 + 1.4 x.
I have the latter and am wondering if the extender is slowing the autofocus a bit. Otherwise, happy with the results.

Thanks

Hmmm.
The weather here is dull, cloudy and it's been raining.

I've just tried my EF 400 f5.6L, which hasn't been used for some months (and is fitted with a neoprene lens coat), on my 1D Mk III in One Shot AF mode, centre AF spot, and it was excellent against contrasty targets, but pathetic against low contrast silhouettes of tree branches where it didn't AF, or made a complete guess as to what it should be focusing on. Tried the 1 week old EF 70-200 F4L IS set to 200 and it locked every time. Went back to the 400 (and rotated it once or twice when mounting, just in case there was a film of oxide on the lens contacts), and it was much better but not as snappy as the new zoom lens. Packed away I have an EF 300 f4L and a Canon 1.4x, and I'll now probably run some checks and report. At least the angle of view with that combo will be much closer to the 400, than the zoom was.

This has reminded me that when I bought my first L, a used EF 200 f2.8L in 1997, it too had focus difficulties until I'd cleaned the contacts a few times. It's been fine ever since.

[OneTen]

In real world situations the 400/5.6L has lightening fast AF, especially on a 7D body. Easily my most used lens for wildlife but I do think you need good technique to get the best out of it, sharp as a tack as well.

[wyenot]

Thanks guys,
I use it with a 7D now. Considering the 400 5.6 as the leap to a 500mm is way out of reach, even second hand, for me.

[Muffin]

I have been this route and I find the 400mm f5.6 to be a superb lens - and with very fast AF. It can be a problem handheld but I have a Manfrotto tripod plus gimbal and a monopod and they help. The 70-200mm IS f4 is a hand holdable substitute and will take the 1.4TC but the 400m does not accept the 1.4TC. I find the IQ of the 70-200mm 1.4TC combo very acceptable and on my 7D they perform as a 448mm lens at the long end.

I thought about the leap to the 500mm lens but decided it just wasn't necessary - and very expensive. When spending that kind of money there must be some noticeable gain and I don't think there is.

[Malcolm_Stewart]

...and will take the 1.4TC but the 400m does not accept the 1.4TC. ...

Can I assume that in the above, you're excluding the 1D series of bodies? Their AF should be usable to an effective aperture of F8.