Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS III USM telephoto lens

Canon EF 400mm F2.8 L IS III USM professional telephoto lens

The completely redesigned Canon EF 400mm F2.8 III is the world's lightest 400/2.8 super telephoto. Canon's latest (same as the RF version and significantly cheaper) technology for professional wildlife and sports photography.

1 piece at a special price!

• Over 25% lighter (2840g vs 3850g)
• Better usability and focus further back
• More powerful 5-stop IS image stabilization (previously 3.5)
• New coatings, new Super UD lens element
• Shorter focusing distance 2.5m (previously 2.7m)

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM II vs Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM III construction

A cross-section of the previous version and the new 400mm F2.8L IS USM III lens, showing how the lens elements of the new version are positioned inside the body. The rearranged lens elements mean that the lens's center of gravity is closer to the camera. Due to its light weight and center of gravity, the lens is uniquely easy to handle for a super telephoto. The center of gravity is especially helpful when using a monopod, as most of the weight is right at the tripod mount.

Kameraliike.fi has had the chance to try out the new lens a few times and you can really notice the difference compared to the old one. The lightness and the change in the center of gravity make shooting faster and it is easier to react quickly to the movement of the subjects as the lens does not generate torque in the same way as before.

The lens' focusing elements are also located further back, and Canon has switched to electronic manual focus. Since the focus is not mechanical, the lens has three focus ring speeds to choose from. Unlike previous Canon super telephoto lenses, the function ring can be turned in both directions, and now two different focus distances can be stored in memory. The electronic focus ring works very similarly to its predecessors, meaning it has a good feel and the ring is suitably damped.

The optical construction consists of 17 elements in 13 groups, with two fluorite lenses and one super UD lens element for distortion correction. The lens elements have been upgraded with ASC (Air Sphere Coating). This multi-layer coating technology, introduced for the first time in the 100-400mm IS II lens, reduces flare and ghosting more effectively than traditional techniques. The difference between the coatings is especially noticeable in demanding conditions, such as when shooting against backlight and if there are bright point-like light sources in the image area.

The Canon EF 400mm III is weather and dust-resistant to the same standard as professional L-series lenses. It also features a new fluorine coating on the front lens elements that repels dirt and makes cleaning easier. The lens also has a new heat-reflecting surface treatment, the difference to the old one is immediately noticeable in the whiter color tone upon first use.

Canon recommends the new III series teleconverters. With the Canon 1.4x teleconverter, the focal length is 560mm and the aperture is F4, with the Canon 2x teleconverter, the focal length becomes 800mm and the aperture is F5.6. The supplied tripod collar can also be removed from the lens for longer handheld shooting.

Specifications:

• Compatibility: Canon EF and EF-S
• Focal length: 400mm
• Aperture: f/2.8 (min. f/32)
• Closest focusing distance: 2.5m (0.17x magnification)
• Construction: 17 elements in 13 groups, 9 rounded diaphragm blades
• Image stabilizer 5 f-stop power
• Size: 16.3 x 34.3cm
• Weight: 2.84kg

Sales package includes: Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens, E-180E lens cap, Dust Cap E rear cap, ET-155 (WIII) lens hood, 52mm Drop-in Gelatin Filter, Lens Case 400E carrying case