EF 200-400mm f/4L IS with integrated 1.4x Extender!

<p>Wow:<br>

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1102/11020708canon200400mm.asp</p>

<p>I admit I did not see anything like this coming. Especially cool is the built-in 1.4X extender, which can optionally convert the focal length to 280-560mm. Thoughts?</p>

<p>That is impressive. I'm sure lots of people including myself will be looking out for more detail about the performance, weight and size of this lens - not to mention a keen interest in the price. If it turns out to be a 70-200 f4 L on steroids it will be hard to beat.</p>

<p>Interesting. It appears to be the same push-pull design as the 100-400, but more details will no doubt flood out.</p>

<p>Good thinking, Canon! They have really spotted a weakness in their own lineup with this one. It also shows that Sigma (first lens with built-in extender?) has done some useful innovation the last few years.</p>

<p>From the pictures I've seen so far I think it's obvious this is not a 100-400 replacement. This lens will be expensive and pretty high up in the top price bracket together with the new big telephoto primes. It's not a push-pull design, it looks like an internal zoom and focus lens, with a 1.4x convertor mechanically engaged somehow through some kind of mechanism in the base of the lens. This is quite new and interesting, I've no doubt it will be a very high quality lens, but most likely quite heavy and, price-wise, beyond the reach of mere mortals.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Interesting that DPreview actually has Specifications for the 500 & 600 L's but only a Press Release for the 200-400.<br>

Would have been nice to know what series of bodies it will AF on with the built in Extender engaged, and at f/5.6. Hopefully all!</p>

<p>This is definately a twist zoom and not a push-pull. It will have the features of the L super-telephotos (focus preset, stop focus button, etc.).</p>

It won't be cheap, look at the price of Nikon 200-400 f4 lens, and add the price of an extender.

<p>Well, many of us were hoping for an update of the EF 100-400mm. This looks like it all right.<br>

Waiting with worms in my mouth (aka "baited" breath).</p>

<p>If the performance is there, I will be buying this lens for sure. I really hope the results are worthy of the specifications (which check a lot of boxes for me). It wouldn't be the first time I've been totally ready to buy a lens based on the specs, but then walked away when the performance didn't cut it, but hopefully this lens is as good in real life as it is on paper.</p>

<p><em>> Well, many of us were hoping for an update of the EF 100-400mm. This looks like it all right</em><br>

Really, a 6000-7000 dollar lens a replacement for a 1600 dollar lens..? Somehow I don't think so. Neither the bulk nor the heft of the new optics qualify, not to mention that the focal range is substantially different... (I'm guessing the price of the new lens but I don't believe I am that far off...)</p>

<p>There might be a 2500 dollar Mk. II of the variable f /stop 100-400 lens in the cards but this is not it.</p>

<p>I was initially, literally, drooling when I saw this lens.</p>

<p>But an *integrated* 1.4 TC? When the 1.4 mk III was released 6 months ago? For $500! And that TC isn't compatible with the new 70-300L? What is going on here?</p>

<p>I am indeed fearful that this will be a $7500 lens. The only GOOD side of this announcement is that the 100-400 was not "upgraded". You still have at least 6 monthes to buy that lens for a "mere" $1600.</p>

<p><em>> But an *integrated* 1.4 TC</em></p>

<p>Not that I really KNOW "why" but here are two guesses:<br>

- better integration, i.e. the lens and the TC will be set/adjusted to work together well across the entire focal length range<br>

- for the target market (sports shooters) the ability to simply flick the lever and install/uninstall the TC in an instant is priceless: you basically get a 200-560 lens and that covers a lot of sports action!</p>

<p>Michael L.,<br>

gosh, are you literal-minded. I'm guessing there are often people around you chuckling, and you don't see why.</p>

<p>My first (and last) thought is that I won't be able to afford it.</p>

<p>One of the Canon reps indicated that it "might be" as low as $5000. Assuming great IQ, I'd be a buyer at that point, but I'm afraid that's a few thousand too low. At a higher price point I'd have to think real hard about it.</p>

<p>I would <em>love </em>to buy one of these (assuming the performance is up to, say, 70-200 standards), but <em>without</em> the built-in extender.<br>

I have a 1.4x II already, and it's never been a problem for me to mount it on my 70-100 when I really needed the reach. I don't think it would pose much of a problem for me on a 200-400, either.<br>

I'd glady trade the traditional "inconvenience" of a separate extender for a lower price and less complexity.</p>