Canon EF400mm f/2.8L II USM

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

Despite superb optical quality, the lack of image stabilisation make this 1996 lens somewhat undervalued. The 1996 Mk2 version is optically similar to the 1991 original, but is some half pound lighter.

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

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture	400mm 1:2.8
Lens Construction	9 elements in 11 groups
Closest Focusing Distance	4m
Minimum Aperture	32
Maximum Magnification (x)	0.11
Filter Size	48mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight	167 x 348mm, 5,910g

Which 400mm? - a list of all versions

Canon EF 400mm
Attribute	f/2.8 USM	f/2.8 II USM	f/2.8 IS USM	f/2.8 IS II USM	f/2.8 IS III USM	f/4 DO IS USM	f/5.6 USM	f/4 DO IS II USM
Key features
Full-frame compatible	Yes
Image stabilizer	No		Yes				No	Yes
Ultrasonic Motor	Yes
L-series	Yes
Diffractive Optics	No					Yes	No	Yes
Technical data
Aperture (max-min)	f/2.8-f/32					f/4-f/32	f/5.6-f/32	f/4-f/32
Construction	9 groups / 11 elements		13 groups / 17 elements				6 groups / 7 elements	12 groups /18 elements
Aperture blades	8			9		8		9
Closest focusing distance	4m		3m	2.7m	2.5m	3.5m		3.3m
Max. magnification	0.11x		0.15x	0.17x		0.12x	0.11x	0.13x
Diagonal viewing angle	6 °
Physical data
Weight	13.44 lb / 6.1 kg	13.03 lb / 5.91 kg	11.83 lb / 5.37 kg	8.48 lb / 3.85 kg	6.26 lb / 2.84 kg	4.27 lb / 1.94 kg	2.8 lb / 1.25 kg	2.1 kg
Maximum diameter	6.57" / 167mm		6.41" / 163mm			5.03" / 128mm	3.54" / 90mm/	5.04" /128mm
Length	13.70" / 348mm		13.74" / 349mm	13.50" / 343mm		9.16" / 232.7mm	10.09" / 256.5mm	9.16" / 232.7mm
Filter diameter	48mm		52mm drop-in filter				77mm	52mm drop-in
Accessories
Lens hood	ET-161B II		ET-155	ET-155 (WII)	ET-155 (WIII)	ET-120	Built-in	ET120 (WII)
Case			400	400C	400E	400B		400D
Retail information
Release date	April 1991	March 1996	Sept. 1999	Aug. 2011	Sept. 2018	Dec. 2001	May 1993	Sept. 2014

EF400mm f/2.8L II 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

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Sample images

None available.

Product launch

No information available on the 1996 launch of this lens.