EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM

Canon press release 5 September 2018

Setting yet another historic milestone in lens design and marking a step change in optical quality, Canon Europe today launches the EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f4L IS III USM – the world’s lightest professional super telephoto lenses in their class. Embracing the legacy of quality engendered by the EOS system, yet compatible via adapters with the new, cutting-edge, EOS R System – the considerably lighter EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f4L IS III USM radically enhances ease-of-use, giving photographers the confidence to consistently deliver superior images.

These two new telephoto lenses encompass a revolutionary combination of ultra-high performance and lightweight design. The EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM and the EF 600mm f4L IS III USM are the world’s lightest 400mm f2.8 and 600mm f4 lenses, making them ideal for action and wildlife photography. Thanks to five-stop Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, their game-changing weight and the portable design, both lenses allow photographers to achieve professional performance with the confidence to shoot handheld, as camera shake, and subsequent blurring, are significantly reduced.

A blend of cutting-edge optical formulas have dramatically reduced the EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM’s weight to 2840g (previously 3850g), and EF 600mm f4L IS III USM’s weight to 3050g (previously 3920g). Sporting the familiar white finish that Canon L-series super telephoto lenses are renowned for, this now acts as a thermal insulation coating to ensure the lenses operate in all temperatures. The protective weather sealing guards against dust and moisture, whilst fluorine coating enables easy cleaning. The fluorite lens elements virtually eliminate chromatic aberration, boosting resolution and contrast. The Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) dramatically reduces flare and ghosting – ensuring a quality shot every time. The EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f4L IS III USM both have a nine-bladed diaphragm, enabling the creation of eye-pleasing blurred backgrounds.

Superb for action and wildlife, the ring-type USM autofocus motor and high-speed CPU enables fast and quiet focusing. When shooting video, both lenses provide pull-focus effects with power focus controls and focus presets, which are excellent for creative shot making. Instant adjustments can be applied via the full-time manual focus control and focusing speed can be customised with electronically-controlled manual focus for extreme precision.

Shooting images in the style users choose is easy, as both lenses have fingertip controls on the barrel allowing focusing to be started, stopped or locked momentarily. Furthermore, two pre-programmed focusing positions can be recalled instantly with the twist of the pre-set ring. Controls for focusing mode, focusing range, focus pre-set recall and IS are all conveniently located for seamless control. Paying attention to the way photographers like to work and travel, a new soft case is provided with the EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM and the EF 600mm f4L IS III USM to ensure straightforward transportation for the lenses. Hard cases and a new short hood are also available as optional extras.

Pricing and availability

The EF 400mm f2.8L IS III USM lens will be available to purchase from December 2018 for RSP £11,999.99/ €13,999.99.

Specification
to follow