Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II Review (Photozone)

EF 100-400mm

Photozone.de posted their review of the brand new Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens. And it is a very positive one.

From the conclusion:

The king is dead, long live the king! Seems as if Canon wanted to show the new mirrorless kids who is still the boss around. The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS was already good but the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS II is even better. Canon managed to improve the image sharpness substantially (mostly in the lower range). The image center is now dead sharp and the borders and corners are easily very good at mainstream settings. The very low amount of CAs (at and beyond 200mm) is highly impressive. The vignetting remains rather typical for a lens in this class, so you will be able to spot some light falloff at fully open aperture (300/400mm). Image distortions are well controlled. The quality of the bokeh is good although the best prime lenses continue to have an edge here. Bokeh fringing is not an issue due to the relatively small max. aperture.

Photozone’s review comes with test charts and sample pictures. The EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USML IS II is shipping since last week, and can be ordered at B&H Photo and Adorama. Price is $2,199.

  • 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

See if the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USML IS II is available in your country: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II Starts Shipping December 12 (B&H)

EF 100-400mm

Thanks Doug!

B&H updated their page for the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II, it now says the lens will begin shipping on December 12th. The lens was announced in November 2014 and sells for $2,199.

  • 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

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II in Stock at Best Buy (only store pickup, no shipping – update)

20141110_thumbL_ef100400_side

Update: think I got it wrong. Does not appear Best Buy has the lens in stock at the stores. Sorry!

Canon’s new EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II lens is in stock at Best Buy for $2,199.99. But there is a caveat: it’s only store pickup, no shipping or delivering to your home. Product description:

  • 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

The EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II can be pre-ordered at Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama

First Deals of the Day (EOS 6D, EF 100-400mm, EF 70-200mm, and more)

  • Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS on sale for $299 at B&H Photo ($300 off!!)
  • $300 off on select Canon products at the Canon Direct Store
  • 30% off on 500px Plus and Awesome subscriptions
  • Canon EF 70-200mm f/ 2.8 L IS II at seller Big Value Inc on eBay (99.4 positive ratings)
  • Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L on sale for $1389 after $200 mail-in rebate at Adorama, includes 1 year camera lens service plan, Pro Optic 77mm essential filters kit, Flashpoint CapKeeper lens cap leash, Adorama cleaning kit,
  • Canon EOS 6D at seller Big Value Inc on eBay (99.4 positive ratings)

There are new listings on Amazone Europe’s Black Friday pages: Amazon UK | Amazon France | Amazon Germany | Amazon Italy | Amazon Spain.

Be sure to check the constantly updated Black Friday 2014 page.

EOS 6D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II Sample Pics

ISO 320, f/5, 1/2000, full size

First sample pics shot with the new EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens showed up on Canon China’s website. All samples were shot using an EOS-1D X. Canon’s new EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens sells for $2,199 (pre-order: Adorama and B&H Photo).

If you want to learn more about the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens, there are two CPN articles for you.

ISO 100, f/5, 1/320s, full size
EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II
ISO 400, f/11, 1/400, full size
ISO 200, f/16, 1/125, full size
ISO 800, f/11, 1/1250, full size
ISO 800, f/8, 1/5, full size