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EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lensCanon EF 100-400mm
f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Overview

Classic 'L' zoom lens. The push-pull zoom action may not be to everyone's taste, but the performance at longer focal lengths is excellent. The relatively ligh weight an IS make this a great hand held lens, particularly on a crop sensor body, where the 640mm (equiv.) field of view can be very handy.

Available from: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | B&H | Adorama

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture 100-400mm 1:4.5-5.6
Lens Construction 17 elements in 14 groups
Diagonal Angle of View 24° - 6° 10'
Focus Adjustment Rear focusing system with USM
Closest Focusing Distance 1.8m / 5.9 ft.
Zoom System Linear extension Type
Filter Size 77mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight 3.6" x 7.4", 3.1 lbs. / 92mm x 189mm, 1,380g

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto lens 100mm mtf chart EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto lens 400mm mtf chart

A quick guide to MTF charts (which only measure contrast and resolution. Canon's guide to their MTF charts)

Black lines reflect lens performance at widest aperture.
Blue lines show the performance at f/8

Thick lines indicate lens contrast
Thin lines indicate lens resolution

Dashed lines: Lens performance with meridional lines.
Solid lines: Lens performance with sagittal lines

Closer sagittal and meridional chart lines indicate more 'natural' out of focus areas.

Remember that MTF charts are good for comparing similar lenses, so comparing ones from the 14mm f2.8L and 300mm 2.8L won't tell you much at all, whilst comparing the EF14 2.8L with the EF14 2.8L II will show meaningful differences. Note that other manufacturers may have different ways of displaying such information that may or may not match up with the Canon figures.

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto lens block diagram

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM reviews and articles

Written a review? Contact us and we'll add it to the list.

Sample images

None available at present.

Product launch

No information available on the 1998 launch of this lens.

Used Canon Lenses
• UK: MPB | Park
• USA: B&H | Adorama
Every Canon EF Lens: Read the Reviews, See the Specification & Check the Price
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