Every Canon EF Lens: Read the Reviews, See the Specification & Check the Price
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Overview

The original long white 400mm. Still a good performer, but without the refinements (coatings, IS) of later models. Still likely to be expensive if found used, so careful checking needed (few spare parts are available any more).

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

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture 400mm 1:2.8
Lens Construction 11 elements in 9 groups
Minimum Aperture 32
Maximum Magnification x0.11
Closest Focusing Distance 4m
Filter Size 48mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight 167 x 348mm, 6,450g

All the 400mm lenses

Canon EF 400mm
Attribute f/2.8 USM f/2.8 II USM f/2.8 IS USM f/2.8 IS II USM f/2.8 IS III USM f/4 DO IS USM f/5.6 USM f/4 DO IS II USM
Key features
Full-frame compatible Yes
Image stabilizer No Yes No Yes
Ultrasonic Motor Yes
L-series Yes
Diffractive Optics No Yes No Yes
Technical data
Aperture (max-min) f/2.8-f/32 f/4-f/32 f/5.6-f/32 f/4-f/32
Construction 9 groups / 11 elements 13 groups / 17 elements 6 groups / 7 elements 12 groups /18 elements
Aperture blades 8 9 8 9
Closest focusing distance 4m 3m 2.7m 2.5m 3.5m 3.3m
Max. magnification 0.11x 0.15x 0.17x 0.12x 0.11x 0.13x
Diagonal viewing angle 6 °
Physical data
Weight 13.44 lb / 6.1 kg 13.03 lb / 5.91 kg 11.83 lb / 5.37 kg 8.48 lb / 3.85 kg 6.26 lb / 2.84 kg 4.27 lb / 1.94 kg 2.8 lb / 1.25 kg 2.1 kg
Maximum diameter 6.57" / 167mm 6.41" / 163mm 5.03" / 128mm 3.54" / 90mm/ 5.04" /128mm
Length 13.70" / 348mm 13.74" / 349mm 13.50" / 343mm 9.16" / 232.7mm 10.09" / 256.5mm 9.16" / 232.7mm
Filter diameter 48mm 52mm drop-in filter 77mm 52mm drop-in
Accessories
Lens hood ET-161B II   ET-155 ET-155 (WII) ET-155 (WIII) ET-120 Built-in ET120 (WII)
Case     400 400C 400E 400B   400D
Retail information
Release date April 1991 March 1996 Sept. 1999 Aug. 2011 Sept. 2018 Dec. 2001 May 1993 Sept. 2014

EF400mm f/2.8L USM reviews and articles

  • Canon UK / US Information Page
  • Wikipedia article
  • Amazon
  • Northlight Images
  • Canon CPN article
  • Fred Miranda
  • Lens Tip
  • Digital Picture
  • PhotoZone
  • SLR Gear
  • Lens Review
  • ePhotozine
Written a review? Contact us and we'll add it to the list.

Sample images

None available.

Product launch

No information available on the 1991 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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