EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM – a sports and wildlife photographers favourite
Long favoured by wildlife and sports photographers, the Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens has a large following. If you need a lens to give extra reach to your photos – to allow you to tightly composed a head portrait of a lion asleep for example – but don’t want the weight associated with a prime lens, then the EF100-400mm lens should be considered. It is also one of the first L-series lenses users buy when getting into photography seriously as it offers a wide focal range and excellent versatility.
Who is it for?
Although the versatility of this lens makes it useful for many photographers, it is most commonly found in the bags of wildlife and sports shooters who value the focal range and versatility.
Key features
- Lens construction: 17 elements in 14 groups
- Diagonal angle of view: 24°-6°-10°
- Focus adjustment: Rear-focusing system with USM
- Closest focusing distance: 1.8m/6ft
- Zoom system: Linear extension type
- Filter size: 77mm
Key benefits
A zoom range from 100mm to 400mm is the main advantage of this lens. Combined with the Image Stabilizer the lens can be easily hand held while still retaining sharp images at all focal lengths.
Side view of the EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens.
In fast-moving environments the versatility of this lens really comes into its own. You can zoom from a standard telephoto shot to a tight detail shot without any restrictions. At the 400mm focal end, the perspective compression can be used to 'layer' mountain ranges on top of each other. For sports and wildlife, the shallow depth-of-field that's available when using a long lens can really make your subject stand out from the background.
Using both fluorite and super ultra-low dispersion (super UD) lens elements, the imaging performance is high, delivering sharp, high contrast images as well as high resolution.
The two mode Image Stabilizer allows you to switch from static subjects to panning with fast moving subjects and still achieve sharp results even when hand holding the camera. The ring-type USM autofocus motor makes focusing quick and quiet, and will allow you to track your subjects with ease.
The lens can also be used with both the EF1.4x II and EF2x II extenders but AF will only function with the EF1.4x II extender when used on an EOS-1 series camera. AF will not function when the EF2x II extender is used.
The push-pull, or linear zoom, also makes this lens more usable. By simply sliding the lens in and out the focal length can be changed quickly and easily.
Key technologies
- USM autofocus
A ring-type USM autofocus motor means you can focus quickly, near-silently and with precision. It also provides full-time manual focus so that you can adjust the focus with the focus ring, without first having to switch the lens to manual focus. This allows you to adjust the focus accurately to ensure it is exactly where you want it to be for the most creative control possible.
Lens Specifications
| Angle of view (horzntl, vertl, diagnl) | 20° - 5°10', 14° - 3°30', 24° - 6°10' |
| Lens construction (elements/groups) | 17/14 |
| No. of diaphragm blades | 5 |
| Minimum aperture | 32 - 38¹ |
| Closest focusing distance (m) | 1.8 |
| Maximum magnification (x) | 0.20 (at 400m) |
| AF actuator | USM¹ |
| Filter diameter (mm) | 77 |
| Max. diameter x length (mm) | 92 x 189 |
| Weight (g) | 1,380 |
| Magnification - Extension Tube EF12 II | 0.25 - 0.03 |
| Magnification - Extension Tube EF25 II | 0.35 - 0.07 |
| Lens hood | ET-83C |
| Hard case | - |
| Soft case | LZ1324 |
| G.F.Holder III (hood III*) | (4) |
| G.F.Holder IV (hood IV*) | (5) |
| Minimum aperture | ¹ Data based on EOS models with exposures displayed in ½ stop increments. It varies slightly with the EOS-1V, EOS-1N, EOS-1, and EOS 3. |
| AF actuator | ¹ Mechanical full-time manual focusing built-in. |
| *Maximum number of Hood III/IV attachable. In case of zoom lenses, the maximum number applies to the |
| short focal lenght |
