Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
The Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM is a 400mm f/5.6 lens designed for Canon EF mount cameras. Used copies start from $515.1 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
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Lens Overview — Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
Key Features — Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
400mm Prime Focal Length: A fixed 400mm perspective optimized for wildlife, sports, and birds in flight without the optical compromises of a zoom design.
Canon L-Series Optics: Part of Canon's professional L-series lineup, built to a higher standard of optical and mechanical quality.
Ring USM Autofocus: Canon's ring-type Ultrasonic Motor delivers fast, near-silent autofocus well-suited to tracking moving subjects.
f/5.6 Maximum Aperture: Consistent f/5.6 aperture across the full focal length ensures predictable exposure settings in the field.
Full-Frame Coverage: Designed to cover full-frame sensors, making it compatible with the complete Canon EF-mount camera lineup.
77mm Filter Thread: A widely used 77mm filter diameter makes it straightforward to share filters with other Canon L-series lenses.
Lens Specifications — Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Sports, Birding |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 400mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/5.6 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 77mm |
Description — Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
The Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L is a prime telephoto lens built for the Canon EF mount with full-frame coverage. Its fixed 400mm focal length places it squarely in telephoto range, suited to subjects at a considerable distance. The maximum aperture of f/5.6 remains constant, and the lens supports both autofocus and manual focus, offering flexibility in how you acquire and track subjects.
A 77mm filter thread provides compatibility with a wide range of readily available filters. Weighing 1,250g, it is a substantial lens that reflects the build expectations of the L-series designation. One important consideration for buyers is that image stabilization is not present in this lens, so technique and shutter speed selection become more critical when shooting without a support system.
The Canon EF mount ensures compatibility with Canon's extensive range of EF-mount DSLR bodies, both full-frame and APS-C formats.
Pros — Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
- ✓Fixed 400mm focal length provides a dedicated telephoto perspective with no zoom trade-offs
- ✓Maximum aperture of f/5.6 is consistent across the full focal length
- ✓Supports both autofocus and manual focus modes for flexible subject acquisition
Cons — Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
- ✗No image stabilization, which places greater demand on shutter speed when shooting handheld
- ✗Maximum aperture of f/5.6 limits light gathering compared to wider-aperture telephotos
- ✗Fixed focal length offers no framing flexibility without physically repositioning
Reviews — Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
Videos — Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
Canon 400mm f/5.6 USM 'L' lens review with samples (APS-C and full-frame) — Christopher Frost
Frequently Asked Questions — Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
What camera mount does this lens use?+
This lens uses the Canon EF mount. It is designed for Canon EF-mount DSLR camera bodies.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
No. The specifications confirm that image stabilization is listed as 'None.' Photographers shooting handheld should account for this when selecting shutter speeds at 400mm.
Will this lens cover a full-frame sensor?+
Yes. The lens format is specified as full frame, so it will provide complete coverage on full-frame Canon EF-mount bodies. It can also be used on APS-C EF-mount bodies.
What filter size does this lens accept?+
The filter thread size is 77mm. This is a common filter diameter, so existing 77mm filters from other lenses may be compatible.
Is autofocus supported?+
Yes. The lens supports both autofocus and manual focus. The autofocus field is confirmed as enabled in the specifications.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 1,250g according to the specifications. This is worth considering when planning handheld shooting sessions or selecting a tripod head.