Photo: Radoslaw Ziomber (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick answer
A professional 400mm f/2.8 telephoto with image stabilization and fluorite elements, aimed at sports and wildlife on full-frame EF bodies.
Pros
- f/2.8 aperture at 400mm
- Stabilized
- Fast AF
- Extender compatible
Cons
- Heavy (about 3.9 kg)
- Needs a monopod or gimbal head
- Large
Verdict
A pro sports telephoto. The III is lighter.
About this lens
The Canon EF 400mm F2.8L IS II 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 F2.8L IS II USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 400mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/2.8
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2011
- Optical construction
- 16 elements in 12 groups
- Aperture blades
- 9
- Image stabilization
- Yes
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 2.7 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.17x
- Weight
- 3850 g
- Length
- 343 mm
- Diameter
- 163 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 400mm F2.8L IS II USM?
- Field and stadium 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
Does the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II work with extenders?
Yes, with the EF 1.4x III and 2x III extenders. You lose one or two stops of light and some autofocus capability, depending on the camera.
Is the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II stabilized?
Yes. It has a multi-mode stabilizer, including a mode for panning, which matters for sport and motorsport.
Is it worth buying the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II instead of the III?
The III is lighter (about 2.8 kg against 3.9 kg) and has a refined IS. For monopod and handheld use, the weight saving is the main benefit.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
