Canon EF 100-400mm
f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

• Specifications
• Reviews
• Sample Images
• Initial launch information.

Classic 'L' zoom lens. The push-pull zoom action may not be to everyone's taste, but the performance at longer focal lengths is excellent. The relatively ligh weight an IS make this a great hand held lens, particularly on a crop sensor body, where the 640mm (equiv.) field of view can be very handy.

Available from: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | B&H | Adorama

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture	100-400mm 1:4.5-5.6
Lens Construction	17 elements in 14 groups
Diagonal Angle of View	24° - 6° 10'
Focus Adjustment	Rear focusing system with USM
Closest Focusing Distance	1.8m / 5.9 ft.
Zoom System	Linear extension Type
Filter Size	77mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight	3.6" x 7.4", 3.1 lbs. / 92mm x 189mm, 1,380g

A quick guide to MTF charts (which only measure contrast and resolution. Canon's guide to their MTF charts) Black lines reflect lens performance at widest aperture. Blue lines show the performance at f/8 Thick lines indicate lens contrast Thin lines indicate lens resolution Dashed lines: Lens performance with meridional lines. Solid lines: Lens performance with sagittal lines Closer sagittal and meridional chart lines indicate more 'natural' out of focus areas. Remember that MTF charts are good for comparing similar lenses, so comparing ones from the 14mm f2.8L and 300mm 2.8L won't tell you much at all, whilst comparing the EF14 2.8L with the EF14 2.8L II will show meaningful differences. Note that other manufacturers may have different ways of displaying such information that may or may not match up with the Canon figures.

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM reviews and articles

• Canon UK / US Information Page
• Amazon
• Northlight Images
• Canon CPN article
• Fred Miranda
• Lens Tip
• Digital Picture
• PhotoZone
• SLR Gear
• Lens Review
• ePhotozine
• Blog - Grant Atkinson

Written a review? Contact us and we'll add it to the list.

Sample images

None available at present.

Product launch

No information available on the 1998 launch of this lens.