Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM 1.4x Review (PetaPixel)

 EF 200-400mm f/4L

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS Extender 1.4x
Amazon | Adorama | B&H

Product description (from B&H’s product page)

  • High-Performance Telephoto Zoom Lens
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Aperture Range f/4-32
  • Built-in 1.4x Extender
  • Three-Mode Optical Image Stabilization
  • Ring USM Autofocus & Internal Focusing System
  • Power Focus Mode for Smooth Focus Shift
  • One Fluorite and Four UD Lens Elements
  • Fluorine Front & Rear Lens Coating
  • Highly Resistant to Dust and Water

PetaPixel reviewed Canon’s new super-telezoom monster that costs like a small car, the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS Extender 1.4x. Lots of sample images, also to test the built-in 1.4x extender. Some excerpts from the review:

  • The image quality of the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L is, in a word, excellent. Even when shot wide-open at f/4 or f/5.6, the contrast and sharpness of the lens is very good.
  • Autofocus is very fast and decisive, even on the EOS 5D Mk IIIbody
  • “Sharpness” is the middle name of the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L.
  • […] the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lens is very sharp, very fast with autofocus and very versatile in terms of focal length.
  • Crisp, tack sharp and contrasty, the photos are what [you] would never have expected from a super telephoto zoom with an extender.
  • […] Canon priced the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lens at exactly what it is worth.
Ef 200-400mm f/4L
Three stabilizer modes (image courtesy: PetaPIxel)
EF 200-400mm f/4L
The EF 200-400mm f/4L IS 1.4x has “Power Focus”, good for videography (image courtesy: PetaPixel)
[via PetaPixel]

New Canon Research Laboratory In Massachutes

Canon USA press release:

Canon Establishes its New Research Laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cambridge, MA., June 3, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce a new location for the Healthcare Optics Research Laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The research laboratory is approximately 13,600 square feet and will be the home of skilled employees dedicated to developing biomedical optical imaging and medical robotics technologies with the ultimate goal of bringing to market medical devices for a variety of applications. The areas the technology will address include detection of cardiovascular disease, brain-functional imaging, robotics-assisted surgery and miniature endoscopy. Canon U.S.A. is working in conjunction with its parent company, Canon Inc., on this endeavor.

“We are so proud to be opening a state-of-the-art location in Cambridge, Massachusetts,” said Joe Adachi, president and CEO, Canon U.S.A. “This new research laboratory will be a symbol of Canon’s dedication to the research and development of innovative technologies that help solve clinical challenges facing healthcare communities.”

The mailing address will be: 210 Broadway, Third Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139.

Rokinon 35mm T1.5 Wide Angle Cine Lens Review And Deal – $480

Top rated eBay seller vstarsales (13721 ratings, 99.7% positive) has the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower 35mm T1.5 Wide Angle Cine Lens with de-clicked aperture for . Compare at $549. A lens cleaning pen and kit are included.

The Phoblographer reviewed the Rokinon 35mm T1.5:

If you are looking for an affordable option for a cine-like lens, this is a one to  consider. You have a sturdy build for the barrel, nice color, although in my use, this depends on what profile you use.Aesthetically this lens is handsome. I do really wish that if you are going to give me a wide open T stop of 1.5 that it would be just a little bit sharper.

A Canon Watch’s Special: Get 20% Discount On Kuuvik Capture Tethering Software

I am proud to offer a special deal to all Canon Watch readers. A 20% discount on the retail price of Kuuvik Capture, a newly released tethering software for the Mac. All you have to do is enter the coupon code canonwatch.com when checking out in the webshop. The discount program starts today, June 3th and runs through June 12th. For ten days. Instruction are at the end of the post

kuuvik capture
Advanced live view

What is Kuuvik Capture? It’s a feature-rich tethering application for Mac OS X. It has all the remote shooting functionality you find in other similar software, but it offers much more than simple live view. Kuuvik Capture offers some functionality that can make a difference in your workflow:

  • easy and intuitive interface
  • advanced live view
  • split view of the live view image with simultaneous evaluation of focus and depth of field
  • parametric sharpening along with focus peaking overlay – in real time and applied to the camera’s live view stream
  • unique raw-image-based histogram completed with over and underexposure warning
  • ability to program your camera’s custom white balance
  • exposure sequence automation (HDR, time-lapse)
  • and much more…

Currently, Kuuvik Capture is available at an introductory price, so you get an even better bargain when applying the coupon code (see below how to).

  • Licenses for Canon EOS 60D, 650D, 600D, 550D, 1100D: $79.99 – with coupon code: $63.99
  • Licenses for Canon EOS-1D X, 1D Mark IV, 1Ds Mark III, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark II, 6D, 7D: $99.99 – with coupon code $79.99

How to get the 20% discount. First, download the 30 day trial version of Kuuvik Capture here (scroll down to the bottom of the page). Then, you can buy the license from within the application following the Kuuvik Capture->License path. After that you click on the “Buy” button. The coupon code (canonwatch.com) needs to be entered right before checkout in the webshop. The discount will be applied against the purchase price. Happy tethering! :-)

kuuvik capture
Split view

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

  • Apple Mac or MacBook computer with a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or better processor.
  • 2 GB RAM (4 GB is highly recommended).
  • 100 MB free disk space for the application, and gigabytes for your photos.
  • Calibrated monitor with minimum 1280 x 800 pixels resolution.
  • OS X 10.6.8, 10.7.5, 10.8.3 or later.

CAMERA SUPPORT

  • Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III 2,3,4,5, EOS-1D Mark IV 6, EOS-1D X 1,6
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark II 6, EOS 5D Mark III 1, EOS 6D 1, EOS 7D 6
  • Canon EOS 60D 6
  • Canon EOS 550D 6, EOS 600D 6, EOS 650D
  • Canon EOS 1100D 4,6

(1) Split view is available and fully supported.
(2) Live mode AF is not supported.
(3) Picking white balance from the live image is not supported.
(4) Remote mirror lock-up is not available or not supported.
(5) Displaying exposure metering result is not supported.
(6) Displaying exposure metering result is not supported in manual mode.

kuuvik capture