A long-reaching zoom characterized by its versatility, the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x from Canon is a medium to super-telephoto distinguished by its unique optical design and fast performance. Featuring a built-in 1.4x extender, you can quickly and intuitively switch between the native 200-400mm f/4 setting and an effective 280-560mm f/5.6 for greater reach. Benefitting this unique design is a sophisticated optical layout, which includes one fluorite element and four ultra-low dispersion elements to control chromatic aberrations and color fringing for increased clarity. A Super Spectra coating has also been applied to individual elements to reduce lens flare and ghosting for greater color accuracy and contrast when working in bright or backlit conditions.

Beyond the optical attributes, this 200-400mm f/4 is also characterized by its advanced four stop-effective Image Stabilizer system, which has three separate stabilization modes to suit various shooting applications. Also complementing handling is a sophisticated ring-type USM, which provides quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus override. Additionally, this lens is weather-sealed for use in trying environmental conditions and it has a removable rotating tripod collar to benefit working atop a tripod or monopod.

EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format    Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32    Built-In 1.4x Extender    One Fluorite and Four UD Elements    Super Spectra Coating    Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System    Optical Image Stabilizer    Power Focus, Focus Limiter, Focus Preset    Weather-Sealed Design, Fluorine Coating    Detachable, Rotatable Tripod Collar

Super telephoto zoom is designed for full-frame Canon EF-mount DSLRs, however can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 320-640mm equivalent focal length.

Built-in 1.4x extender allows you to instantly extend your reach to 280-560mm (or 448-896mm equivalent with APS-C cameras) simply by flipping the left-hand switch. Since the extender is integrated within the lens housing, it is optically matched to the lens for improved imaging performance and also fully maintains the lens's weather sealing.

Constant f/4 maximum aperture, without the teleconverter in position, offers consistent illumination throughout the zoom range. When the 1.4x teleconverter is engaged, the maximum aperture is effectively f/5.6.

One fluorite element and four ultra-low dispersion elements are used to greatly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to achieve greater clarity and color accuracy.

Super Spectra coating has been applied to individual elements to minimize ghosting and flare for greater contrast and color neutrality when working in strong lighting conditions.

An Optical Image Stabilizer helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake by up to four shutter speed stops to better enable working in low-light conditions and with slower shutter speeds. Three distinct IS modes are available: standard single-shot mode, a panning-optimized mode, and a mode that only activates the Image Stabilizer during the exposure.

A ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), along with optimized focusing algorithms and a high-speed CPU, is employed to deliver fast, precise, and quiet autofocus performance as well as full-time manual focus override.

Focus Preset function is available to quickly recall a programmed focusing position.

Focus Limiter switch lets you constrain the focusing to different ranges for faster performance to suit different applications.

A Power Focus setting is available, and allows you to electronically and smoothly adjust your focus position to suit video recording. This setting utilizes a dedicated ring in front of the main focusing ring and allows you to use one of two different focusing speeds.

Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing out of focus quality that benefits the use of shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques.

As a member of the esteemed L-series, this lens is sealed against dust and moisture for working in inclement environmental conditions.

Fluorine-coating on exposed elements affords protection to the optical system, resists smudging and fingerprints, and is easier to clean.

Removable rotating tripod collar is included and benefits working with the lens atop a tripod or monopod.

Compatible with optional EF 1.4X and EF 2X teleconverters.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Is it possible to add a 2x extender to this lens? If so, what will the maximum aperture be, and will autofocus work? A previous answer mentioned adding the 1.4x but didn't say anything about the 2x. I am thinking about using this lens for wildlife photography in situations where it would be difficult or problematic to use my 600mm lens (to which I often add the 1.4x or 2x extender) due to weight and the need for a tripod.

A: I absolutely love the lens. You can add an extra 1.4x external with the lens' internal 1.4x extender in place and have a 392-784mm f/8 lens. The autofocus will work, but it limited to the center focus point. If you were to add an external 2x extender instead, you would have a 560-1120mm f/11 lens, but there would be no autofocus - it would have to be done manually. The lens with the internal 1.4x is razor sharp, as sharp as my prime lens. With an external 1.4x there is a slight loss of sharpness, like with all lenses, but still is terrific. I've never heard of how a 2x extender does on this lens, but there would definitely be additional loss of resolution.

Q: 2. Whats the minimum outside temperature this lens should be used in?

A: Hi--you can use this lens in any weather that you can function in. In extremely cold weather (below 15F), batteries on the camera will die very quickly and the lubricants in the lens may become more viscous, slowing the AF reaction somewhat. But it won't damage the lens.

Q: 3. Does it come in f2.8

A: No.

Q: 4. Previously a guy asked what the final cost of the Canon 200-400mm zoom lens would be if shipped out of state and purchased by card on line. Would that price also hold for me here in Iowa if I were to purchase the lens as stated above? I am very seriously considering ordering this lens! What would the final price for me in Iowa be if I made the purchase?

A: Shipping fees are calculated based on size, weight and desitnation of the order. You may calculate your actual shipping options/order totals by adding the items you want to a shopping cart. It will then list the shipping options, descriptions, Estimated Times of Arrival and fees to your location. (doing this much will not commit you to an order, but is simply a way to calculate your order costs.

Q: 5. Is this lens weather sealed?

A: The lens is not fully weather sealed as does not have the rubber gaskets. But since the lens is a prime lens it does not move in in out like most zooms so there is less chance of getting dust or moisture in it

Q: 6. Can this lens work with Blackmagic Design Usra mini cameras?

A: Yes. Both are EF-mount.

Q: 7. Anyone use this with the Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Lens and if so with what success? I primarily use manual focus so dont care about auto focus.

A: I use this lens extensively, mostly for birding and wildlife. It's an amazing lens when working close, it focuses down to about 5 feet for near macro photos, especially with a 1.4 X or 2 X tele-converter behind it. I've also used it for a few landscape images, and it works very well then as well. I'd say that it is an excellent lens, but there seems to be a soft spot in it from about 20 feet to 50 feet, where the images it produces aren't as sharp as I get with my other lenses, but that seems to depend on the subject and other conditions. It is my primary bird in flight lens and on my 7D Mk II most of the time. It is a bit tricky to manually focus it, small movements of the focusing ring make large differences, but once you get the hang of it, it does work well. Hope this helps.

Q: 8. Can you still achieve f/4 with the built in 1.4x extender enabled?

A: No, with the built in 1.4X extender enabled the maximum aperture f/5.6, and if you attach an external 1.4X extender and enable the internal one, the maximum aperture is f/8.

Q: 9. Is this lens compatible with a 60D ?

A: Yes, this lens is compatible with all Canon SLRs. Even APS-C sensored ones.

Q: 10. I have a 400-800mm lens that came with camera manual focus . Will this lens get me better quality pictures at the same distance. I'd like to see difference in pictures before spending this much .

A: Unfortunately, as I am not familiar with the 400-800mm lens you list above, I would not be able to compare it to the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x Lens. You would have to e-mail askbh@bhphoto.com with the brand/model name of the lens you own, as well as the camera you own, and we can see if we can assist you with your inquiry. In the meantime, I would recommend to either click the images on our website and click the "Customer's Images" tab or Google "Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x Lens Review" to find reviews of the above lens, which may have images captured with the lens for you to view the image quality.