Canon EF 400mm F/2.8L USM
Super telephoto prime lens • Film era • Discontinued
- Announced:
- · April 1991
- Production status:
- ● Discontinued
- Country of design:
- · Japan
- Original name:
- · CANON LENS EF 400mm 1:2.8 L ULTRASONIC
- Class:
- · Fast full-frame super telephoto prime lens
- · Professional model
- System:
- · Canon EOS (1987)
Abbreviations
| EF | The lens is designed for Canon EOS 35mm SLR cameras but can be also used on Canon EOS APS-C digital SLR cameras. |
| L | Professional lens with high quality optics and robust build. Meets the highest standards and provides excellent performance and flawless image quality unachievable with traditional optical technologies. |
| USM | The lens is equipped with Ultrasonic Motor. |
Model history (5)
| ■Canon EF 400mm F/2.8L USM | A | 11 - 9 | 4.00m | -- | 1991 ● | |
| ■Canon EF 400mm F/2.8L II USM | A | 11 - 9 | 4.00m | -- | 1996 ● | |
| ■Canon EF 400mm F/2.8L IS USM | A | 17 - 13 | 3.00m | -- | 1999 ● | |
| ■Canon EF 400mm F/2.8L IS II USM | A | 16 - 12 | 2.70m | -- | 2011 ● | |
| ■Canon EF 400mm F/2.8L IS III USM | A | 17 - 13 | 2.50m | -- | 2018 ● | |
Specification
| Optical design: | |
| 35mm full frame | |
| 400mm | |
| F/2.8 | |
| 11 elements in 9 groups | |
| 2 UD | |
| Internal focusing (IF) | |
| Canon EF [44mm] | |
| 6.2° (35mm full frame) | |
| On Canon EOS APS-C [1.59x] cameras: | |
35mm equivalent focal length: | 636mm (in terms of field of view) |
35mm equivalent speed: | F/4.5 (in terms of depth of field) |
Diagonal angle of view: | 3.9° |
| Diaphragm mechanism: | |
Diaphragm type: | Automatic |
Aperture control: | None; the aperture is controlled from the camera |
| 8 (eight) | |
| Focusing: | |
| 4m | |
| 1:9.1 | |
Focusing modes: | Autofocus (AF), Manual focus (M) |
Autofocus motor: | Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor |
Manual focus control: | Focusing ring |
Focus mode selector: | AF - M |
Full-Time Manual Focus (FTM): | Yes |
Focusing distance range limiter: | 4m - INF / 4m - 9.5m / 9.5m - INF |
| Image Stabilizer (IS): | |
| - | |
| Physical characteristics: | |
| 6100g | |
| ⌀167×348mm | |
| - | |
| - | |
| Accessories: | |
| Removable front filters are not accepted | |
Additional features: | Drop-in filter holder (48mm) |
| ET-161B - Clamp-on round | |
| Canon Extender EF 1.4X → 560mm F/3.9 | |
| Canon Extender EF 1.4X II → 560mm F/3.9 | |
| Canon Extender EF 1.4X III → 560mm F/3.9 | |
| Canon Extender EF 2X → 800mm F/5.6 | |
| Canon Extender EF 2X II → 800mm F/5.6 | |
| Canon Extender EF 2X III → 800mm F/5.6 |
Source of data
- Manufacturer's technical data.
Manufacturer description
When Canon introduced the world's first 400mm f/2.8 lens (the FD 400mm f/2.8L) in 1980, professional sports photographers fought each other over the chance to be among the first to shoot with it. Such history graphically shows how important this focal length/aperture combination can be for many demanding telephoto applications. Over the years, this lens has helped to establish Canon's solid reputation as an optical innovator. Now available with full autofocus capability, the EF 400mm f/2.8L USM continues to lead the industry as one of the premier super telephoto lenses of all time. Optically identical to the original FD lens, with two large-aperture UD glass elements to control residual chromatic aberration, the EF version adds quick, silent and precise autofocus with Canon's exclusive Ultrasonic Motor. Fully compatible with Canon's EF Extenders 1.4x and 2x for autofocus and autoexposure, the EF 400mm f/2.8L is singularly usable for sports, nature and fashion photography.
Compared to other super telephoto prime lenses in the Canon EOS system
- Fastest speed (F/2.8), along with 7 other models
- Does not have Image Stabilizer (IS), along with 7 other models
- One of the heaviest (6100g)
- Not weather sealed, along with 8 other models
