200-400L prospects

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200-400L prospects

CW100
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p.6 #1 · 200-400L prospects

ggreene wrote:
Quite a few sports shooters really liked it though from reading about their Olympics experience. I have a feeling it will be an outstanding lens. I love zooms but it's a bit beyond me at $12K.

also way beyond my budget if that's the price

Jan 18, 2013 at 06:31 PM

dehowie
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p.6 #2 · 200-400L prospects

The more i think about it the more i would like to get it.
A 560mm F5.6zoom that converts to a 200-400F4 in an instant.
Really interested to see the mtf for it with the TC dropped in..really interested.
I do a lot with the 400/2.8 II and 1.4 or 2x and its fantastic.
My fingers are crossed..

Jan 19, 2013 at 01:15 AM

PetKal
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p.6 #3 · 200-400L prospects

dehowie wrote:
The more i think about it the more i would like to get it.
A 560mm F5.6zoom that converts to a 200-400F4 in an instant.
Really interested to see the mtf for it with the TC dropped in..really interested.
I do a lot with the 400/2.8 II and 1.4 or 2x and its fantastic.My fingers are crossed..

So it is. However, if you expect something similar from 200-400L, then you must have overdosed yourself on vegemite.

Jan 19, 2013 at 01:19 AM

Bones74
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p.6 #4 · 200-400L prospects

A friend of mine said he read (this is completely unqualified, just gossiping

) that a "senior canon rep" has revealed that the 200-400L will retail at $13k on release and full production will start in Q2 of this year. Yeah, a full production run of 5 lenses for those collectors who will pay $13k for it... This has to be most expensive 1.4 x extender in the history of photography. If this is accurate, I mean seriously, who would pay this amount of money for a 200-400? Reveal yourselves

Jan 22, 2013 at 01:51 PM

PetKal
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p.6 #5 · 200-400L prospects

Bones74 wrote:
A friend of mine said he read (this is completely unqualified, just gossiping

Well, perhaps that was meant as the UK/European price ?
If the lens were to be introduced in North America at $13k, then I do not see too many users in its future.

People are generally willing to pay steep premiums for a lens which is very "long" (e.g., 800L) or very fast (e.g. 400 f/2.8 IS II). Now, I am not sure how much demand there would be for a top $ lens which is neither very fast, nor very long, just because it's a zoom ?

Jan 22, 2013 at 02:23 PM

Bones74
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p.6 #6 · 200-400L prospects

PetKal wrote:

Well, perhaps that was meant as the UK/European price ?
If the lens were to be introduced in North America at $13k, then I do not see too many users in its future.

People are generally willing to pay steep premiums for a lens which is very "long" (e.g., 800L) or very fast (e.g. 400 f/2.8 IS II). Now, I am not sure how much demand there would be for a top $ lens which is neither very fast, nor very long, just because it's a zoom ?

I completely agree with you; steep prices should be reserved for "special" lenses. Lets not forget the built in extender, while exceeding convenient, turns it into a relatively slow 560mm f/5.6. Even the equivalent of $US13.5k (approx £9.5k) is a massive premium over the 500 ii and even steeper than the 400 ii. In fact, online a 600 ii can be bought for a shade under £10k.

There is nothing that a 200-400 f/4 could offer that makes it worth even much over £6.5k, unless that extender is made of unobtanium. I suspect that's not going to deter Canon though

The Focusing on Imaging show (where I had a hands on with the lens last year) is on in about 6 weeks time, maybe there will be some news then. The new Sigma 120-300 OS may be available from March. Maybe I should just settle for that

edit: http://www.cameraegg.org/ef-200-400mm-f4l-is-1-4x-starts-production-in-q2-2013/#more-2787

Who knows how accurate this is so take with salt, slice of lemon and a shot of tequila

Jan 22, 2013 at 09:25 PM

PetKal
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p.6 #7 · 200-400L prospects

Stu, my recommendation to you stands. If you want top notch performance and ease of use, 500 II is a great choice. Also, the 500 MkI is still a great lens, just a bit on the heavy side.

If you want the ultimate supertelephoto lens at the expense of some additional weight and bulk, then 400 f/2.8 IS MkII is it. The lens also makes fine 560mm f/4 and very good 800mm f/5.6 with the MkIII TCs.

Jan 22, 2013 at 10:49 PM

StillFingerz
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p.6 #8 · 200-400L prospects

PetKal wrote:
Stu, my recommendation to you stands. If you want top notch performance and ease of use, 500 II is a great choice. Also, the 500 MkI is still a great lens, just a bit on the heavy side.

If you want the ultimate supertelephoto lens at the expense of some additional weight and bulk, then 400 f/2.8 IS MkII is it. The lens also makes fine 560mm f/4 and very good 800mm f/5.6 with the MkIII TCs.

Peter, give the 7D's successor near 5D3/1DX AF, add that 400 and goodies and you'd have one fine, quite flexible action kit

Jan 22, 2013 at 10:56 PM

PetKal
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p.6 #9 · 200-400L prospects

StillFingerz wrote:
PetKal wrote:
Stu, my recommendation to you stands. If you want top notch performance and ease of use, 500 II is a great choice. Also, the 500 MkI is still a great lens, just a bit on the heavy side.

If you want the ultimate supertelephoto lens at the expense of some additional weight and bulk, then 400 f/2.8 IS MkII is it. The lens also makes fine 560mm f/4 and very good 800mm f/5.6 with the MkIII TCs.

Peter, give the 7D's successor near 5D3/1DX AF, add that 400 and goodies and you'd have one fine, quite flexible action kit

Jerry, that is true, although many people are still bothered by the 400 II weight......and call it "heavy". Well, it sure ain't light, but it doesn't herniate my body like its predecessor did.

Jan 22, 2013 at 11:04 PM

Pixel Perfect
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p.6 #10 · 200-400L prospects

PetKal wrote:
StillFingerz wrote:
PetKal wrote:
Stu, my recommendation to you stands. If you want top notch performance and ease of use, 500 II is a great choice. Also, the 500 MkI is still a great lens, just a bit on the heavy side.

If you want the ultimate supertelephoto lens at the expense of some additional weight and bulk, then 400 f/2.8 IS MkII is it. The lens also makes fine 560mm f/4 and very good 800mm f/5.6 with the MkIII TCs.

Peter, give the 7D's successor near 5D3/1DX AF, add that 400 and goodies and you'd have one fine, quite flexible action kit

Jerry, that is true, although many people are still bothered by the 400 II weight......and call it "heavy". Well, it sure ain't light, but it doesn't herniate my body like its predecessor did.

We need a 400 DO mk II, with improved IQ, and mfd and a further weight reduction of a few hundred grams, then we are talking ultimate lightweight combo with a 7D II.

Jan 22, 2013 at 11:40 PM

ggreene
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p.6 #11 · 200-400L prospects

PetKal wrote:
People are generally willing to pay steep premiums for a lens which is very "long" (e.g., 800L) or very fast (e.g. 400 f/2.8 IS II). Now, I am not sure how much demand there would be for a top $ lens which is neither very fast, nor very long, just because it's a zoom ?

How well does the 400/4 DO do in sales? That's right in the middle as well. Not very long and not very fast.

Jan 23, 2013 at 12:39 AM

PetKal
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p.6 #12 · 200-400L prospects

ggreene wrote:
PetKal wrote:
People are generally willing to pay steep premiums for a lens which is very "long" (e.g., 800L) or very fast (e.g. 400 f/2.8 IS II). Now, I am not sure how much demand there would be for a top $ lens which is neither very fast, nor very long, just because it's a zoom ?

How well does the 400/4 DO do in sales? That's right in the middle as well. Not very long and not very fast.

My gut feel has always been that Canon have kept it in production mostly to showcase their technology knowhow. I believe 400 DO sales have been very low year after year. Today, relative to all other big white lenses, 400 DO is even more unremarkable than ever, an anachronism of sorts.

However, when it comes to weight and size for its FL/aperture, 400 DO remains without peer to this day. The (300 f/2.8 IS MkII + 1.4xTC MkIII) combo has come closer weightwise, but probably not close enough for those who really value portability.

Jan 23, 2013 at 01:45 AM

MDJAK
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p.6 #13 · 200-400L prospects

Consider Canon's boondoggle with the new 300 f 2.8 II. They made it so you can't remove the tripod ring. Plain dumb. Negates the slight weight advantage it holds over the MKI version.

I've been holding off purchasing the new 500 while waiting on the 200-400.
I'm getting tired of waiting.

Jan 23, 2013 at 01:55 AM

MDJAK
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p.6 #14 · 200-400L prospects

Bones74 wrote:
A friend of mine said he read (this is completely unqualified, just gossiping

So more than any other lens in their lineup? Highly doubtful. 10 grand. Mark my words.

Jan 23, 2013 at 01:57 AM

ggreene
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p.6 #15 · 200-400L prospects

Given the built in 1.4xTC that no other Canon lens has I would not be surprised to see an initial release in the $12K-$13K range with maybe a 10-15% drop in price after all the early adopters have bought in.

Jan 23, 2013 at 03:11 AM

PetKal
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p.6 #16 · 200-400L prospects

I don't think there would be many early adopters at $12k-$13k a pop, I can tell you that much.

Jan 23, 2013 at 03:32 AM

Pixel Perfect
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p.6 #17 · 200-400L prospects

PetKal wrote:
I don't think there would be many early adopters at $12k-$13k a pop, I can tell you that much.

I think it may only be you and Lars that buys one of these in the first 12 months

Jan 23, 2013 at 03:55 AM

PetKal
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p.6 #18 · 200-400L prospects

Pixel Perfect wrote:
PetKal wrote:
I don't think there would be many early adopters at $12k-$13k a pop, I can tell you that much.

I think it may only be you and Lars that buys one of these in the first 12 months

No sir, I am not into that sort of money. However, I think Lars will get his in Thailand dirt cheap

, Netexpress will get it before anyone else because he enjoys that, and Joshua will follow suit because he likes the latest toys too.

Jan 23, 2013 at 04:08 AM

Lars Johnsson
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p.6 #19 · 200-400L prospects

Not me, can't afford it. I have already spent $ 9k on photo equipment in the last month

I'm glad if I have money enough for two noodle soups per day here........

Jan 23, 2013 at 04:32 AM

Doctorbird
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p.6 #20 · 200-400L prospects

PetKal wrote:
Doctorbird wrote:
I doubt that the 200-400mm being a zoom will equal the IQ of the 500mm II even with the 1.4x III mounted on the 500. As for the versatility of the 200-400mm; unless Canon is retooling it with lighter materials to make it significantly more agile especially for bare handing, the present beastly weight tarnishes this aspect of it. So unless one's shooting style emphasizes the shorter focal lengths, one would be hard pressed to justify it. If I were to acquire it, I'm afraid that it may just adorn a trophy shelf.
Db

Since you already own two most excellent long lenses, i.e., 400 II and 500 II, naturally, you are less likely to be blown away by 200-400L.

You know me too well, Peter. And even if the price was $5-6K I probably still wouldn't bite, especially since it's pretty certain that I won't be getting any younger or stronger.

Db

Jan 23, 2013 at 05:56 AM

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