EF400mm f/5.6L USM – a lightweight, compact super telephoto for travelling photographers
The entry focal length to be considered a ‘super telephoto’ lens, this lightweight EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens makes carrying a super telephoto lens easy for travelling photographers.
Who is it for?

There is no one group of photographers that this lens is specifically targeted at. Instead, it will be of use to any photographer requiring the 400mm focal length in an easy-to-carry, lightweight unit.
Key features
- Lens construction: 7 elements in 6 groups
- Diagonal angle of view: 6°-10°
- Focus adjustment: Inner focusing with USM
- Closest focusing distance: 3.5m/11.5ft
- Filter size: 77mm
The focal length is long enough to help you fill the frame with your subject, be it wildlife, sports or travel photography and the relatively light weight ensures that it doesn’t have to be left behind.
The combination of one super ultra-low dispersion (super UD) element and one ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass element effectively control chromatic aberration by bringing the light rays into focus at a single point. This helps the lens to produce sharp, detailed images from the closest focus distance of just 3.5m all the way to infinity.
It is well suited to sports and wildlife photographers looking for a portable lens with enough reach for their needs. At only 1.25kg it is easy to hand hold and will not take up too much luggage allowance for the travelling photographer.
A built-in lens hood eliminates glare for higher contrast images, while the selectable focus range and ring-type USM autofocus motor speeds up the focusing by stopping the lens hunting through the entire focus distance. A removable tripod collar contributes to the handling and usability of this lens and allows you to switch from horizontal to vertical shooting while keeping the lens centred on the subject.
The lens can also be used with either the Canon EF1.4x II or EF2x II extenders to provide a 560mm f/8 or an 800mm f/11 lens.
- 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.
- UD elements
The use of one UD lens element and one super UD lens element helps to completely eliminate any signs of secondary spectrum and thereby improves the image quality by providing high contrast and high resolution.
Technical product specifications are currently unavailable.
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