Archive 2017 · 400 2.8 I v 400 2.8 II

Del Mecum
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 400 2.8 I v 400 2.8 II

I'm looking to buy a used 400 2.8. Limited budget for this venture ($4k). Sports and bird photography use. 80% mono or tripod use with 1DX and 7DII bodies.

Basic question: I see used version 1 with IS going for around the same price as version II without IS. Is vII that much better with the newer camera bodies and TC?

In a nutshell-If both lenses were at the same price which is the better deal? And does Canon still support and repair version I?

Jan 15, 2017 at 01:18 PM

mitesh
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 400 2.8 I v 400 2.8 II

Be careful about the nomenclature on the lens. There is a 400mm f/2.8L II that was introduced in 1996 that does not have IS and is no longer serviced by Canon.

http://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef332.html

Not to be confused with the 400mm f/2.8L IS II that was introduced in 2011. There is no version of this available without IS.

http://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef416.html

If your budget is around $4k, then I think your best bet is the 400mm f/2.8L IS.

http://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef354.html

If I recall correctly, Canon services lenses for 7 years after production stops, so if it stopped in 2011, you've got a little service life left. However, you'd be wise to contact Canon for an official response on that.

Jan 15, 2017 at 01:36 PM

arbitrage
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 400 2.8 I v 400 2.8 II

You asked :Is vII that much better with the newer bodies and TC?"

Which version II? The Version II without IS (1996) is an older lens than the Version I with IS (1999). I'd think that going for the Version I with IS is the best option at equal prices...

As for TCs with a version 1 IS lens I'd go for 1.4TCII and 2.0TCIII if you even want 2xTC. You won't get the benefits out of the 1.4TCIII without the newest IS II 2011 model.

I would guess the 1996 non IS is not serviced anymore and the 1999 one won't be for much longer but as Mitesh notes need to call CPS or Canon and check.

http://global.canon/en/c-museum/series_search.html?t=lens&s=ef&s2=supertelephoto

Jan 15, 2017 at 01:40 PM

Al Goldis
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 400 2.8 I v 400 2.8 II

As already pointed out, the non-IS 400/2.8L II is an old lens that has been off Canon's service list for years.

So to answer your question literally, no it (non-IS II) is not better than the IS version 1.

The IS v1 is a very slight improvement over the old non-IS II in terms of weight, AF speed and image quality (and obviously, the addition of IS). But the old lens is still awesome. If you can find a good deal on a non-IS II (i.e. about half the price of an IS v1) it would probably serve you quite well--as long as you're ok with Canon not servicing it; if the AF motor fails, for example, it will probably be a nothing more than a door stop.

But there's no way a non-IS II should be selling for the same price as an IS v1.

Jan 16, 2017 at 03:13 PM


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