Canon Announces 200-400mm f/4L IS with Built In Teleconverter

[Jay Beckman]

Offering 280-560mm with TC rolled in...

DP Review Blurb

[Chris V]

Can only imagine what thats going to cost.

[Jay Beckman]

Nikon's 200-400 runs just shy of $7K so I would think this will fall along similar lines.

Time to hold a garage sale! 

[jslugman]

If I sell my garage where will all my camping gear go?

Looks interesting, would love to hear a hands-on report. Big pile of cash.

[Dave S.]

I just read the DP review link that Jay provided, and I was checking out the features shown in the accompanying image.  The IS switch shows three modes: 1, 2 & a 3.  Anyone have an idea as to what mode three will offer?

For those not familiar with the Canon IS (Image Stabilization, similar to VR in the Nikon vernacular)* setup: mode 1 is for static situations, mode 2 is for panning (works when panning in either the horizontal or the vertical direction of motion).

* Unless you are using James' 100mm-400mm, which features a custom IS configuration, .


- Dave

[Joe Copalman]

"Sir, if you don't mind my asking, what does a lens like that cost you?"

"A marriage."

[Joe Copalman]

I just read the DP review link that Jay provided, and I was checking out the features shown in the accompanying image.  The IS switch shows three modes: 1, 2 & a 3.  Anyone have an idea as to what mode three will offer?
- Dave

Hmm.  Spitballin' here, but it'd be great if someone finally took diagonal movement into consideration with IS. 

[Dave S.]

Could be, but adding a 2nd plane of motion to the algorithm would certainly complicate things.  Another thought I just had, I wonder if it's sort of an auto-on/auto-off setup.  I know that if you combine the stability of a tripod and leave IS turned on, it can cause problems.  Maybe mode 3 sets a minimum movement threshold that would turn IS off? 

Like Joe said, just spitballin this...

[Chris Kennedy]

In their description of the updated 500mm lens Canon says this:

"The EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM includes an advanced third Image Stabilization mode (Mode 3) that activates IS only when the shutter button is fully pressed."

[Jay Beckman]

Chris is correct regarding IS Mode 3.

As for IS on tripods, there are lenses that are "aware" and disable the IS so that it won't hunt.  AFAIK, the 100-400 is not one of them.

Found this list of lenses that should be Tripod Aware:
300mm f/2.8L IS
400mm f/2.8L IS
500mm f/4L IS
600mm f/4L IS
28-300/3.5-5.6L IS
70-200/2.8L IS
70-300/4.5-5.6 DO IS
400/4 DO IS
70-200mm f/4L IS
200mm f/2L IS
800mm f/5.6L IS

Not on the list yet, but it's a pretty good bet Tripod Detection is or will be on the following recently released or announced lenses:
70-200/2.8 IS Mark II
100/2.8L Hybrid IS Macro
300/2.8 IS Mark II
400/2.8 IS Mark II

Presumably, the new 500, 600 and 800 as well as the 200-400 will be Tripod Aware.

[jslugman]

Just found a photo of this lens alongside a 300mm f2.8 and a 500mm f4...... wow.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1029&message=37869350

[Lynn Evans]

I would sure like to own the 200-400!!!

[Joe Copalman]

Bookmarked for when my spot on the disposable income/disposable diapers continuum is weighted more toward the income end.

[F-16_fixer]

I will sell both my 300mm and my 400mm lens to that I can put a deposit on layaway for this bad boy 

[Jay Beckman]

Canon 200-400mm in use (images 1, 2 and 3) and 600mm prototype with what may be a new 5DMkIII as well...
LINK

Gives a good idea of the size of the new 200-400!