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Canon Redesigns 400mm, 600mm L-Series Telephoto Lenses Share This on LinkedIn   Share This on Google   Tweet This   Forward This

5 September 2018

Canon has introduced the EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f4L IS III USM with a dramatic weight reduction and high-image quality. The 400mm's weight has been reduced by 2.2 lbs. (over 25 percent) and the 600mm's weight by 1.9 lbs. (over 20 percent).

New L-Series Zooms. The 600mm (l) and 400mm are significantly lighter than their predecessors.

"When developing updates to some of Canon's most popular legacy lenses, one common question that is asked by photographers was 'can they be lighter,'" said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "The significant reduction of weight in these two lenses addresses this customer need and delivers thoughtfully designed, high-quality optics ."

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the new primes include:

Common Features

  • EF-mount lens
  • Full-frame format
  • Super UD and Fluorite elements
  • Super Spectra and Air Sphere coatings
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF system
  • Customizable electronic focusing ring
  • Optical image stabilizer
  • Weather-sealed design
  • Fluorine coating
  • Detachable, rotatable tripod collar
  • Rounded 9-blade diaphragm

400mm

  • Aperture range: f2.8 to f32

600mm

  • Aperture Range: f4 to f32
  • Aspherical element

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications for the new telephoto lenses include:

CANON 400mm f2.8L LENS SPECIFICATIONS
Mount Canon EF
Focal Length 400mm
Aperture f2.8 to f32
9 rounded diaphragm blads
Angle of View 6°10'
Minimum Focus 8.2 feet
Magnification 0.17x
Optical Design 17 elements in 13 groups
Autofocus Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
Filter Thread 52mm drop-in
Dimensions 6.42 x 13.50 inches
Weight 6.25 lbs.

CANON 600mm f4L LENS SPECIFICATIONS
Mount Canon EF
Focal Length 600mm
Aperture f4 to f32
9 rounded diaphragm blads
Angle of View 4°10'
Minimum Focus 13.78 feet
Magnification 0.15x
Optical Design 17 element in 13 groups
Autofocus Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
Filter Thread 52mm drop-in
Dimensions 6.61 x 17.64 inches
Weight 6.71 lbs.

PRICE, AVAILABILITY

Canon said both new primes will ship in December, the EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM for $11,999 and the Canon EF 600mm f4L IS III USM for $12,999. B&H is noq accepting pre-orders for the 400mm and 600mm primes.

Canon Redesigns Premium L-Series Super-Telephoto Lenses With Its New EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f4L IS III USM Lenses

New Compact and Lightweight EF Super-Telephoto Lenses Are Well Suited for a Variety of Photographers' Needs

MELVILLE, N.Y. -- Most professional photographers need to carry multiple lenses in their camera bags. Helping to lighten their load, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, introduces two new super-telephoto lenses, the EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f4L IS III USM. Both lenses possess a dramatic weight reduction and high-image quality, making it ideal for shooters to easily transport and capture images during action-driven scenarios, such as sports and wildlife. Both lenses now hold the title of world's lightest in their respective focal length. The weight of the EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f4L IS III USM lenses has been reduced by 2.2 lbs. (more than 25 percent) and 1.9 lbs. (more than 20 percent) respectively.

"When developing updates to some of Canon's most popular legacy lenses, one common question that is asked by photographers was 'can they be lighter,'" said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "The significant reduction of weight in these two lenses addresses this customer need and delivers thoughtfully designed, high-quality optics ."

The new lenses are must-haves for advanced and professional photographers shooting wildlife, aviation, sports and news with Canon's new EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera (with use of one of the three new Canon mount adapters), as well the EOS 1D and 5D series of dSLR Cameras. Both lenses feature two of Canon's most advanced propriety lens technologies -- Air Sphere Coating and Super Spectra Coating, helping to reduce flaring and ghosting and suppressing the reflection of light, leading to vivid images. These updated lenses inherit the excellent overall build-quality and ruggedness photographers have come to expect and admire from the Canon EF L series of lenses. In addition, the minimum focusing distance has been improved for both lenses, from 2.7m to 2.5m (8.8ft to 8.2ft) for the EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM and 4.5m to 4.2m (14.8ft to 13.8ft) for the EF 600mm f4L IS III USM.

Additional noteworthy features of the lenses include:

  • Upgraded Optical Image Stabilization from three-and-a-half stops to five shutter speed stops of correction over the previous f2.8 lens
  • Improved, flexible focus control with a customizable electronic-focus ring
  • Two fluorite lenses and one super UD lens, helping to provide high image quality
  • Circular nine-blade aperture
  • 17 lens elements in 13 groups
  • Heat-shielding paint helps prevent lens temperature from rising during excessive exposure to sun
  • Fluorine coating on front and rear optical elements, helps to reduce smears and fingerprints
  • Inner focusing system with Ring Ultrasonic Motor

Availability and Pricing

The Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December with an estimated retail price of $11,999. The Canon EF 600mm f4L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December for an estimated retail price of $12,999. For additional information regarding the lenses predecessors, visit http://usa.canon.com.


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