Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L IS II USM

297 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (45)
price (39)
reliability (33)
design (17)
size (14)

Negative

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 297 reviews of Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L IS II USM. The average rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average rating of 4.4/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. People are impressed by the size and design. The reliability and price are also mentioned favorably.

usability, price, reliability, design, size

On average, users rate this product 83/100 and experts rate this product 100/100.

Review analysis

(Based on 297 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(49% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (16% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (33% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (1% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (no reviews)

Features

usability
Show positive (87%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)

price
Show positive (76%)Show negative (24%)(Show all)

reliability
Show positive (92%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)

design
Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)

size
Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)

Showing 138 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.

Showing 1 - 14 of 138 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (159)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L IS II USM

alaTest has collected and analyzed 2 user reviews of Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L IS II USM from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 5.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.5/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the usability. The price is also mentioned favorably.

design, price, usability

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L IS II USM

alaTest has collected and analyzed 2 user reviews of Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L IS II USM from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 5.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com.

100% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Bryan Carnathan (the-digital-picture.com)

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM Lens

Canon classifies the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM Lens as a "Super Telephoto" lens.It is super in image and build quality, but is not super in size.

Feb, 2006

Read the full review

Expert review by (the-digital-picture.com)

Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM Lens

The Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM Lens is Canon's first DO (Diffractive Optics) lens - yielding 400mm f/4 IS performance in a relatively small and light handholdable package

I found my first Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM Lens' included lens hood very aggravating. Not the hood itself, but the fit of the hood. It was extremely tight - too tight to get on/off - unless you gently wiggle and tilt the hood just right (objective...

Read the full review

Expert review by (imaging-resource.com)

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Review

There's not much more to add that our tests haven't already shown. The lens performs well, perhaps not up to the level that more recent Canon lenses have, but considering the age of its design it still works extremely well.

Jan, 2008

Read the full review

Expert review by : photozone.de (opticallimits.com)

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 USM L - Review / Lab Test Report

The EF 400mm f/5.6 USM L is a very good to excellent lens in aspects and optically a somewhat superior to the current (locally tested) 400mm alternatives - at least compared to those that are affordable for mortals. So if you can live without IS and...

Mar, 2008

Read the full review

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Nice L lens

A good entry level bird/wildlife lens. Takes a bit of practice to get sharp shots handheld.

Well made. Sharp. Not too heavy for a 400, but not exactly light either. Good value. Works pretty well with the 1.4x extender. Fast autofocus

It could really use IS

Apr, 2010

Read the full review

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Bang-for-the buck super tele

Per dollar' this has to be the best super tele out there!

Fantastic IQ right from F5.6. Sharp, contrasty and really nice background blur. The AF drive on this lens is VERY quick and accurate. Excellent for fast action (in good light). Build quality is great. Lightweight and easy to handhold for a 400mm lens

With no IS and being F5.6 you need plenty of light and/or high ISO to handhold a lens this long (especially on a crop camera). If you're shooting wildlife at dawn/dusk a monopod/tripod helps

Jan, 2010

Read the full review

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Great Lens

Wonderful lens super fast focus accurate and super sharp.

None

Jul, 2007

Read the full review

Consumer review (warehouseexpress.com)

Useful lens

I use this lens when the longer telephoto is too big or heavy for the location. Works well on 5DSR.

Durable ; Sharp Focus

Heavy

Aug, 2016

Read the full review

Consumer review (warehouseexpress.com)

A Spectacular Lens!

I have used this lens week in, week out, to shoot motorsport for over 3 years and it has been a revelation!Pin sharp wide open, faultless image quality and extremely quick to focus. While there is no IS, I have never missed it and although the f5.6...

Consistent Output ; Lightweight ; Quick Focus ; Rugged ; Sharp Focus

Slow Aperture

May, 2016

Read the full review

Consumer review (warehouseexpress.com)