Photo: Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick answer
The third generation of Canon's 400mm f/2.8 supertelephoto, redesigned to be much lighter than the II. Image stabilization and fluorite elements.
Pros
- About a kilogram lighter than the II
- f/2.8 aperture
- Stabilized
- Fast AF
Cons
- Still heavy at about 2.8 kg
- Demands a monopod
- Large
Verdict
The latest EF 400mm f/2.8, mostly used by professionals.
About this lens
The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM is a telephoto prime lens covering 400mm at f/2.8 for Canon EF mount cameras, from the Canon L series with Image Stabilizer and ultrasonic-motor autofocus. A professional super-telephoto L-series lens, a fixture on sidelines and at wildlife hides.
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 400mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/2.8
- Lens type
- Telephoto
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2018
- Optical construction
- 17 elements in 13 groups
- Aperture blades
- 9
- Image stabilization
- Yes
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 2.5 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.17x
- Weight
- 2840 g
- Length
- 343 mm
- Diameter
- 163 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM?
- Professional sports
- Wildlife
- Motorsport
Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 400mm | 5.2° | 6.2° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 640mm | 3.2° | 3.9° |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III lighter than the II?
Yes. Canon cut the weight by roughly a kilogram by using lighter materials, which helps for monopod and handheld use.
Does the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III have image stabilization?
Yes. It has a multi-mode stabilizer, including a panning mode. That helps for handheld or monopod shooting of moving subjects.
Can I use the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III on a Canon mirrorless camera?
Yes, with the EF-to-RF adapter. Autofocus and stabilization function through the adapter on EOS R bodies.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
