Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS Mark II review (DPReview Gold Award)

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS Mark II (B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA) at a glance:

• EF Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
• One Fluorite and One Super UD Element
• Air Sphere and Fluorine Lens Coatings
• Ring-Type USM AF Motor, Internal Focus
• Optical Image Stabilizer with 3 Modes
• Rotating Zoom Ring & Torque Adjustment
• Weather-Sealed Design
• Detachable, Rotatable Tripod Collar
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

DPReview posted their review of the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens, and it is a very enthusiastic review. DPReview’s pros list:

• New optical design delivers high performance

• Sharp at all focal lengths, at all apertures, and across the frame

• Sharper than MkI version, and sharpest in class

• Excellent image stabilization

• Very close focusing, 0.31x magnification at 400mm, beats all rivals

• Fast, positive and accurate AF

• Top-grade weather-resistant build

• Easy handling for focal length range, now with twist-ring zoom

The most significant statement, possibly, is the following: “[…] it’s hard to see how [the EF 100-400mm] might be further improved in any meaningful way […]“. Well done Canon!

[via DPReview]