Ari Hazeghi at Arihazeghiphotography.com posted his review on the new Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM Lens.
Here is an excerpt:
"Just a few years ago, I could not imagine a way to get 800mm’s of stabilized reach, with tack sharp optics and AF that is worthy for flight, out of a small backpack. The EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II is a game changer lens, at least for me. There are many locations where it’s just not possible to use a 600mm IS II prime lens. I used to take my EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II for such trips and sometimes I wished I had more reach. Well, the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II now solves that problem."
mogul wrote:
Looks to be a stellar performer, but the review read as a Canon PR piece.
For the record, I have no financial relations with Canon, nor do they pay or provide any equipment for my reviews. I purchase and review my gear independently.
Interesting review with convincing images, good to see and read how the lens performs in practice compared to other options. But it seems a bit of a niche lens to me (and not just because of price).
I agree with the comment below the review about MFD - less magnification than the 2.8/300 II and much less than the cheap 4/300 IS. If it offered the same magnification as the 4/300 IS it would be more attractive for me (e.g. for dragonflies in flight and some other closeup use) and I would consider it despite the high price.
Tony Brown wrote:
Thinking about this lens for sports.. Football. Would you say the acquisition of subject fast? or on par with 300mm 2.8 II or 500mm for that matter?
Do it snap to the new subject?
thanks.
The AF feels just as fast as any other series II lens (with the 1DX). I am not a sports photographer so I can't speak of that subject but if you shoot at night you may need the f/2.8 as opposed to f/4.
While 7K is out of my common-sense price range the new 400 DO is definitely attractive. I agree with Ari statements about the 300/2.8's limitations. I have the ver. 1 300/2.8 so it is heavier than the 300/2.8 II making it more un-weildy and difficult to stay on a BIF target.
Thanks to Fred for linking Ari's review and thanks Ari for your insightful review although it may cause considerable stress on my budget!
That's the first I've read about the 1Dx + Series II Super Telephoto lenses + Series III Teleconverters not dropping the AF speed. If that's true, that's a big deal for sports photography
speedmaster20d wrote:
The AF feels just as fast as any other series II lens (with the 1DX). I am not a sports photographer so I can't speak of that subject but if you shoot at night you may need the f/2.8 as opposed to f/4.
Great review, with amazing images..... makes me take a hard look at the 400 DO II, instead of waiting for the 600 DO.
Arash, have you tried its AF with TC IIIs on the 7DII? If so, is the AF behavior/speed similar to that with the 1Dx?
Liquidstone wrote:
Great review, with amazing images..... makes me take a hard look at the 400 DO II, instead of waiting for the 600 DO.
Arash, have you tried its AF with TC IIIs on the 7DII? If so, is the AF behavior/speed similar to that with the 1Dx?
TIA,
Romy
Hi Romy, thanks. The 7D2 slows down quite a bit when you use an extender and it's not as accurate in my experience.There is a wide gap between it and the 1Dx when it comes to flight performance.
rolette wrote:
That's the first I've read about the 1Dx + Series II Super Telephoto lenses + Series III Teleconverters not dropping the AF speed. If that's true, that's a big deal for sports photography
Of course seven thousand dollars is a lot of money, but the version I was $6000 plus at the time of the replacement's announcement. On the other hand, the version II 500mm, 600mm, and 400mm (2.8) had much larger increases, almost doubling in price. In that light, the 400 DO II is a relative bargain...
Full disclosure: I have one on order at B&H, having sold my excellent copy of the 300 f/2.8 IS Mark I (along with other items) to help fund it. My beloved 500 f/4 (I) has been relegated to tripod use only, with the onset of age-related...mmm, "uncertainty" sounds better than "infirmity"... I'm planning for the new lens to be a catch-all 400 to occasional 800mm walk-around/hiking/front-passenger-seat-of-the-truck lens...
I used one for a week (from LensRental), and it indeed lives up to all the claims...
Jerry
You sold me Arash!! If I didn't already own the 300II, I would very likely go the 400DOII option instead. However, for now I think the 300II will stay in my bag along side the 200-400 and 600. However, if I was doing that purchase again I would 99% for sure go 400DOII over 300II
Thanks for the effort you put into that review. I agree that I never really notice any difference in AF speeds when adding TCs to my MarkII lenses at least on the 1DX. 7D2 does show some slow down with the 2xTC but not really with the 1.4XTC.
