Canon Canon EF Telephoto

EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM

400mm
f/4.0
Telephoto
Stabilized
1940 g
Min focus 3.5 m

Quick answer

The 2001 diffractive optics 400mm f/4, which uses a DO element to make a shorter, lighter super-telephoto. DO lenses are marked with a green ring.

Pros

Light at about 1.9kg
Image stabilization
f/4 aperture
Compact for 400mm

Cons

Diffractive optics can lower contrast against bright light sources
Out-of-focus highlights can show ring patterns
Replaced by the Mark II

Verdict

A portable 400mm f/4. The Mark II improves flare and contrast.

About this lens

A 400mm f/4 telephoto prime lens, the Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM is designed for Canon EF mount bodies, with Image Stabilizer and ultrasonic-motor autofocus. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.

Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM specifications

Brand: Canon
Mount: Canon EF
Focal length: 400mm
Maximum aperture: f/4.0
Lens type: Telephoto
Format coverage: full-frame
Released: 2001
Optical construction: 17 elements in 13 groups
Aperture blades: 8
Image stabilization: Yes
Autofocus motor: USM
Minimum focus distance: 3.5 m
Maximum magnification: 0.12x
Weight: 1940 g
Length: 232.7 mm
Diameter: 128 mm

Specification source: global.canon

What can you shoot with the Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM?

Wildlife and birds handheld or on a monopod
Travel telephoto
Sports

Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.

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°

Try the field-of-view calculator

Frequently asked questions

What is a DO lens in Canon's lineup?

DO means diffractive optics, a layered lens element that corrects aberrations while keeping the barrel short. It lets Canon build a more compact telephoto.