I used this lens for many years when I got into bird photography and paired it with the 1.4x with great results. Prior to getting this lens, I used the 300 f4 paired with the 1.4x. The 400 was my longest lens for years. Then I got hooked and moved to the super teles with no regrets. I would love to see how this lens work on the new mirror less camera bodies because the R5 has actually made my EF lenses even better in my opinion.
@@factsnchill168, very simple - fast shutter speed say 1000/1 or above. That neutralizes the camera shake. Add IS to it; accept atleast 25% weight increase which I don't want. Sometimes, I get good keepers even from 500/1 shutter speed. However, it's not a low light glass.
This is the only EF lens I kept going on to my R7. Its like at a new level. I get shots I couldn’t before on 7D and 1D3. And with Darktable now finally supporting noise profiles for R7 I get great results with this lens up to ISO6400 for birds
I am also using this lens for some time and I really need to admit, that its performance for the price is impressive. From time to time I am thinking about upgrade to another prime super telephoto lens and only thing which would be a step forward seems to be 500mm f4 IS, but the price is 5 times bigger. Another good choice would be 400mm f4 IS, but because of the fact it's a DO lens, the contrast is not as good as in regular lenses. Anyway, this lens is so good, it is really hard to find a good reason to upgrade to big white lenses. Moreover with weight of 1,3kg, it can be handholded for most of the time, while bigger lenses needs to be attached to solid tripod all the time :)
Astrophotographers use this lens as well for deep space objects, and in Astrophotography, we dont need IS. F5.6 is relatively fast as well specially since Astrophotographers uses tracking mounts. Great review. But when you say the lens comes from 1993, means it was "introduced" at that year and I believe Canon still manufactures this lens after 1993. I have got a copy with a lens code "UB" meaning it was manufactured last 2013.
I've owned this lens for years and it is one of the best I ever owned. I micro adjusted mine to my 7d mkii to a +7 and its razor sharp. I/S unnecessary if shooting at a shutter speed of 1/2000 or more. I have several lenses with I/S and never use it.
I've owned the sigma 150-600c, Nikon 200-500, and this canon 400mm. The canon is my favorite of the group with the Nikon at a close 2nd. Vr on the Nikon is excellent but I found the rest of the user experience with the canon 400mm to be superior.
@@MatthewWilliams-kh4ww I did. I think the sigma is a good lens. I'm fine with 3rd party lenses. I use the Tamron 60mm f2 macro and a venus laowa 100mm macro. Despite the 400mm being a bit dated, I still think it's a great lens. I got better results with it. I took pictures at one of my favorite sites with both lenses and was happier with cropped images from the 400 than I was with the sigma at 600mm. Still, I often wanted more reach. I was going to get the canon 100-400mm mkii with a 1.4 TC but ended up switching back to Nikon because I got a deal on a used 200-500.
@@daltonramsey9585 I own the 400 5.6l and have been grass is greenering the sigma 150-600 C; I really appreciate reading your reflections having used both !!
I'm all about old school. Now I use it with a 1.4x converter on my recently procured 1DIV. Nothing like it. Lack of IS is not an issue for me rather, an advantage. Because inclusion of that feature would have significantly increased the weight. IS is for photographers dependent on equipment rather than skill.
If you are able to get your hands on one I would highly recommend. The Image quality is amazing but as the lens is a bit older it just takes some getting used to. Keep and eye out on my channel for future lens reviews that might help you out!
@@zegzbrutal Ah gotcha. Well, Canon now has a 600mm and 800mm F11 for a bargain price as well for R Cameras. While the F11 seems rough, in practice a lot of UA-camrs are getting excellent results. I'm probably going to get the 800mm instead! It's razor-sharp, light, and very fast.
Just purchased this lens, received today. Shot a couple of shots outside all the images seemed soft, shot late in day. Will be doing more testing. Thanks for your video.
Hi! I'm glad you like my video! How are you getting in with your new lens? Keep and eye out on my channel for future lens reviews that might be useful to you!
Oh em gee, I just order this lens on ebay , I got it at a very good price, of course it’s an old lens, little scratches and staff like that, but now that I see this review I’m love it already, even tho I have not gotten yet, probably in the next 3 day it’ll be arriving at my house. Can’t wait to use it.❤❤❤❤
I bought one of these 400mm f5.6 L on eBay for $950 US, mostly for astrophotography. This 400mm is a great lens for the price even used and old. I'm going to try one of the Canon EF 2X III Extenders on it for 800mm total. This 400mm f5.6 L USM used to sell for $1599 CAD. The new 400mm f4.0 is $6900 US and the 400mm f2.8 is $12,000 US. Definitely out of my budget!
I used this lens for many years when I got into bird photography and paired it with the 1.4x with great results. Prior to getting this lens, I used the 300 f4 paired with the 1.4x. The 400 was my longest lens for years. Then I got hooked and moved to the super teles with no regrets. I would love to see how this lens work on the new mirror less camera bodies because the R5 has actually made my EF lenses even better in my opinion.
I'm using it for 12 years. This glass has no parallel. The best telephoto lens in terms of image quality, price and weight.
How do you deal with no IS?
@@factsnchill168, very simple - fast shutter speed say 1000/1 or above. That neutralizes the camera shake. Add IS to it; accept atleast 25% weight increase which I don't want.
Sometimes, I get good keepers even from 500/1 shutter speed. However, it's not a low light glass.
You need fast shutter anyways for flying birds so it is what it is honestly. @@quazisanjeed6395
This is the only EF lens I kept going on to my R7. Its like at a new level. I get shots I couldn’t before on 7D and 1D3. And with Darktable now finally supporting noise profiles for R7 I get great results with this lens up to ISO6400 for birds
Its good shoot football in night using r7 + 400mm f5.6 ?
I am also using this lens for some time and I really need to admit, that its performance for the price is impressive. From time to time I am thinking about upgrade to another prime super telephoto lens and only thing which would be a step forward seems to be 500mm f4 IS, but the price is 5 times bigger. Another good choice would be 400mm f4 IS, but because of the fact it's a DO lens, the contrast is not as good as in regular lenses. Anyway, this lens is so good, it is really hard to find a good reason to upgrade to big white lenses. Moreover with weight of 1,3kg, it can be handholded for most of the time, while bigger lenses needs to be attached to solid tripod all the time :)
Astrophotographers use this lens as well for deep space objects, and in Astrophotography, we dont need IS. F5.6 is relatively fast as well specially since Astrophotographers uses tracking mounts. Great review. But when you say the lens comes from 1993, means it was "introduced" at that year and I believe Canon still manufactures this lens after 1993. I have got a copy with a lens code "UB" meaning it was manufactured last 2013.
yes, it was introduced in 1993 and produced till mid-2022 shows how in demand it is.
I've owned this lens for years and it is one of the best I ever owned. I micro adjusted mine to my 7d mkii to a +7 and its razor sharp. I/S unnecessary if shooting at a shutter speed of 1/2000 or more. I have several lenses with I/S and never use it.
I've owned the sigma 150-600c, Nikon 200-500, and this canon 400mm. The canon is my favorite of the group with the Nikon at a close 2nd. Vr on the Nikon is excellent but I found the rest of the user experience with the canon 400mm to be superior.
You liked this better than the Sigma?
@@MatthewWilliams-kh4ww I did. I think the sigma is a good lens. I'm fine with 3rd party lenses. I use the Tamron 60mm f2 macro and a venus laowa 100mm macro. Despite the 400mm being a bit dated, I still think it's a great lens. I got better results with it. I took pictures at one of my favorite sites with both lenses and was happier with cropped images from the 400 than I was with the sigma at 600mm. Still, I often wanted more reach. I was going to get the canon 100-400mm mkii with a 1.4 TC but ended up switching back to Nikon because I got a deal on a used 200-500.
@@daltonramsey9585 I own the 400 5.6l and have been grass is greenering the sigma 150-600 C; I really appreciate reading your reflections having used both !!
@@danielchui6657 I’m glad you found it helpful. I love that lens. I’m shooting Nikon z now and don’t have a telephoto lens atm.
Thanks for this great review. It still would be interesting, how this lens works on a modern IBIS camera such as R6 or R5.
Great suggestion! That would be a game changer if so 😃
Used it on the R6 and it is awesome ua-cam.com/video/lQjJMmPG1Xk/v-deo.html
I have been using it in my new R5 and is so good I’m not using anymore my 500 f4 lens.
traded for one today for my r5 and im stoked to test
I'm all about old school. Now I use it with a 1.4x converter on my recently procured 1DIV. Nothing like it. Lack of IS is not an issue for me rather, an advantage. Because inclusion of that feature would have significantly increased the weight. IS is for photographers dependent on equipment rather than skill.
I have an R6 recently.... Thinking of getting this because my ancient EF 80-200/2.8L and 20-35/2.8L worked well on R6.
If you are able to get your hands on one I would highly recommend. The Image quality is amazing but as the lens is a bit older it just takes some getting used to. Keep and eye out on my channel for future lens reviews that might help you out!
Did you get it? I have an R6 as well and this sounds very tempting since the R6 has in-body stabilization.
@@Zx30 the shop I was looking for is gone now. I regret I hesitated😔
@@zegzbrutal Ah gotcha. Well, Canon now has a 600mm and 800mm F11 for a bargain price as well for R Cameras. While the F11 seems rough, in practice a lot of UA-camrs are getting excellent results. I'm probably going to get the 800mm instead! It's razor-sharp, light, and very fast.
Hiii , can you please comment weather canon 400 F/5.6 can be paired newer body like Canon 90D and will it produce good result.
Us mine with Eos R daily
I have used the 400mm f5.6 with a Canon 1200D, 60D, and 80D, and I plan on now using it with my new 90D. It should work great. I'll know shortly...
Just purchased this lens, received today. Shot a couple of shots outside all the images seemed soft, shot late in day. Will be doing more testing. Thanks for your video.
Hi! I'm glad you like my video! How are you getting in with your new lens? Keep and eye out on my channel for future lens reviews that might be useful to you!
Thanks for cheerful and reliable review.
Thanks for watching!
Oh em gee, I just order this lens on ebay , I got it at a very good price, of course it’s an old lens, little scratches and staff like that, but now that I see this review I’m love it already, even tho I have not gotten yet, probably in the next 3 day it’ll be arriving at my house.
Can’t wait to use it.❤❤❤❤
This is a killer lens with a canon R3 .. get it !!!!
I bought one of these 400mm f5.6 L on eBay for $950 US, mostly for astrophotography.
This 400mm is a great lens for the price even used and old. I'm going to try one of the Canon EF 2X III Extenders on it for 800mm total.
This 400mm f5.6 L USM used to sell for $1599 CAD. The new 400mm f4.0 is $6900 US and the 400mm f2.8 is $12,000 US. Definitely out of my budget!
Hello. Do you know how this lens works with a Canon RP with EF Lens Adapter or with a Sony A7iii using Canon Lens Adapter? thanks
yep
Thanks review. Regards
This lens has a big disadvantage that you didn't talk about; it's minimum focusing distance is 3.5m.
Other than that, it has a focusing limiter, that should be very handy, and you didn't talk about it either.
its Ironic that you say "and I'm going to start right now" then you have an intro that takes an hour before you actually start
Everyone in the comments that see my comment what camera body do you use for your photography?
canon r5
Wow 1996 ... that isn't old.
well is older than me! and i’m not a young man anymore 😂