Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM is a 100–400mm f/4.5 lens designed for Canon EF mount cameras. Used copies start from $781.05 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens
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Lens Overview — Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
Key Features — Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
100-400mm Zoom Range: Covers a versatile telephoto range from 100mm to 400mm, making it practical for wildlife, sports, and any subject requiring significant reach.
Canon L-Series Build: Part of Canon's professional L-series lineup, indicating a higher standard of optical construction and build quality.
Push-Pull Zoom Design: Uses a push-pull barrel mechanism to adjust focal length, a distinctive control style that many sports and wildlife photographers find fast to operate.
Optical Image Stabilization: Built-in IS helps reduce the effects of camera shake, particularly valuable when shooting handheld at 400mm.
Ring-Type USM Autofocus: Canon's ring-type Ultrasonic Motor delivers fast, quiet autofocus with full-time manual focus override without switching modes.
Variable f/4.5-5.6 Aperture: Maximum aperture of f/4.5 at 100mm and f/5.6 at 400mm is standard for this class of telephoto zoom and compatible with Canon's teleconverters.
Lens Specifications — Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Sports, Birding, Travel |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 100–400mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Filter Thread | 77mm |
Description — Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM is a full-frame telephoto zoom lens designed for Canon EF-mount DSLR cameras. Its focal length range spans 100mm to 400mm, providing significant reach for distant subjects across a range of shooting scenarios. The variable maximum aperture opens to f/4.5 at the wide end and f/5.6 at the telephoto end.
Built-in optical image stabilization helps manage camera shake, which is especially relevant at longer focal lengths when handheld shooting. The lens accommodates both autofocus and manual focus, offering flexibility to the shooter. A 77mm filter thread makes it easy to pair with widely available circular filters.
Weighing 1380g, this is a substantial lens that benefits from additional support during extended use. It connects to compatible cameras via the Canon EF bayonet mount.
Pros — Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
- ✓Wide telephoto zoom range from 100mm to 400mm (minFocalLength: 100, maxFocalLength: 400) covers a broad variety of distant subjects
- ✓Full-frame lens format ensures compatibility with Canon's full-frame EF-mount DSLR bodies
- ✓Optical image stabilization (imageStabilization: Optical) helps reduce camera shake when shooting handheld
Cons — Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
- ✗Variable maximum aperture of f/4.5–f/5.6 (maximumAperture: 4.5) means light gathering diminishes as you zoom toward 400mm
- ✗At 1380g (weight: 1380g), this lens is heavy and can cause fatigue during long handheld shooting sessions
- ✗Canon EF mount (mount.lens: Canon EF) limits native compatibility to Canon EF-mount DSLR cameras only
Videos — Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM 'L' 'ii' lens review with samples (Full-frame and APS-C) — Christopher Frost
Frequently Asked Questions — Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
Which camera mount does this lens use?+
This lens uses the Canon EF mount, making it compatible with Canon EF-mount DSLR cameras. It is not natively compatible with other camera systems without an adapter.
Does this lens cover full-frame sensors?+
Yes, the lens format is specified as Full Frame, meaning it is designed to cover full-frame Canon EF-mount sensors without vignetting.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
Yes, the lens includes optical image stabilization, which helps reduce the effect of camera shake during handheld shooting, particularly at longer focal lengths.
Can I use 77mm filters with this lens?+
Yes, the lens has a 77mm filter thread, which is a common size. Standard circular filters such as polarizers and ND filters designed for 77mm threads will fit directly.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
Yes, the lens supports autofocus and also allows manual focus, giving photographers the option to switch between modes depending on the shooting situation.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 1380g. This is a substantial weight, and photographers shooting for extended periods may want to consider using a monopod or tripod for support.