Lens Reviews / Canon Lenses i Not yet tested

400mm	$11,999 average price

Updates:
09/12/2018: (Beta) Gallery Images added

 

Check out a few real-world sample images from a pre-production lens! Click the image below or the "Gallery Images" link above.

 

Product Overview

(From Canon lens literature) The EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM offers you the superb image quality of a Canon L series super telephoto in a new, lightweight form that makes it the world's lightest 400mm f/2.8 lens*. A meticulous optical redesign means reduced flare and ghosting thanks to Super Spectra Coating (SSC) and Air Sphere (ASC), a shorter minimum focusing distance and additional comfort and portability. Advanced heat-rejecting paint helps you shoot for longer periods of time even under the hot sun. Operation is made easy with full-time manual AF, while two focus presets to help you quickly dial in the spot you want. Combining sharp image quality with high operability, professionals and advanced photographers can take the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM anywhere in order to capture masterful shots of nature, sports and beyond.

FEATURES

Revised Optics for a Lighter Super Telephoto EF L Lens
Featuring carefully refined optics, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM offers a familiar feel to its predecessor while being even more comfortable to handle thanks to its significantly lighter build. Super UD lens elements offer improved image quality while being more compact in size, while the Image Stabilizer unit has also had its weight reduced. This results in a lens that's more than twenty-five percent, or approx. 2.20 lbs., lighter than its predecessor. Optical placement has also been improved, with the center of gravity now closer to the rear. This allows users to position the lens more easily for fast framing of moving subjects. 

Continues Strong Tradition of Image Quality Associated with L Series Lenses
An excellent addition to Canon's L series collection of lenses, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM offers outstanding optics, reliable performance and a refined design, featuring the quality professionals and advanced photographers demand. Engineered to complement Canon's high-resolution camera sensors, it's poised to deliver phenomenal image quality in any number of applications.

Super Spectra Coating (SSC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) Minimize Ghosting and Flare
To create memorable images with vibrant colors and deep lifelike contrast, minimizing unwanted flare and ghosting is crucial. Canon's Super Spectra Coating (SSC) helps reject extraneous light wavelengths, maintaining overall image quality and color fidelity. Additionally, Canon's Air Sphere Coating (ASC) helps minimize unwanted glare and reflections. 

Increased Heat Shielding Measures for Reliable, Longer Shooting Outdoors
Even when used outdoors in the heat for extended periods of time, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM delivers consistent and reliable performance you can trust. A new paint formulation reflects even more heat than before, while a two-layer barrel structure helps reduce the thermal effects on the lens elements. Together, these technologies help maintain image quality and lens reliability even during long shoots under the hot sun. 

Dust- and Water-resistant with Fluorine Coatings for Use Even in Harsh Conditions
Built to L series lens specifications, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM features a highly durable design for excellent performance even in inclement weather conditions. It delivers a dust- and water-resistant construction with seals around the mount, switches, rings and more. To help maintain a clean lens, even after multiple lens changes in sub-optimal conditions, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM has a specially designed fluorine coating on its front and rear surfaces. This fluorine coating helps to prevent water, oil and other surface residue like fingerprints from sticking to the lens, which facilitates quick and easy wiping, without the use of solvents. 

Customizable Electronic Focusing Ring
A customizable electronic manual focusing ring helps ensure you'll get the shot that you want at the right moment. Three sensitivity levels are available to select how quick and precise you want to adjust the focus. This can help whether you need a slow speed to switch between someone's eyes in a distant profile, or a fast speed to dial in on different birds in a large, swiftly moving flock. Additionally, manual focus is still possible while autofocus is engaged, letting you finetune focus adjustments to suit your shooting preferences. 

Up to Two Focus Presets Available
Quickly select between two points with focus presets. Especially useful for fixed-position sports photography, you can choose two exact focus distances, and with a simple twist of the recall ring, swap between them. If you're on the sidelines of a soccer game, one focus point could be the home team's goal, and the other point the visiting team's goal. A twist of the recall ring will help ensure your most important photos are sharply in focus. 

Optical Image Stabilization at up to 5 Stops* of Shake Correction
For consistent, sharp results, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM features an Optical Image Stabilizer system that provides shake reduction for up to 5 shutter speed stops*. This helps provide reliable handheld performance and clear image detail in low-light situations or at lower ISOs. 

Minimum Focusing Distance of Approx. 8.2 ft./2.5m
The EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM can help you get close to your subjects with a minimum focusing distance of approx. 8.2 ft./2.5m. This makes it easy to fill the frame with details, letting you capture action-packed scenes for dynamic and impressive results. 

Circular Aperture (9 blades) for Beautiful, Soft Backgrounds
The EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM features a 9-blade, circular aperture to help create gorgeous, evocative out-of-focus areas and soft backgrounds. With an incredible level of control over background blur, the 9-blade circular aperture helps create intimacy and intensity in both photos and videos for impactful results. 

Availability and Pricing
The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December 2018 with an estimated retail price of US$11,999.

* Among focal length 400mm f/2.8 lenses for cameras (SLR and mirrorless cameras). As of September 5th, 2018, based on Canon's research.
Prices and specifications subject to change without notice. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.