Photo: GodeNehler (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick answer
A light 1993 non-stabilized 400mm prime, long popular with bird and aviation photographers. It focuses fast and uses 77mm filters.
Pros
- Light at about 1.25kg
- Fast USM focus
- Sharp
- 77mm filters
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Close focus of 3.5m
- Slow f/5.6 aperture in dim light
Verdict
A strong value for bright-light action. Use a high shutter speed.
About this lens
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM: a telephoto prime lens with a 400mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/5.6, made for Canon EF mount cameras, from the Canon L series with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. A light, non-stabilized L-series super-telephoto popular for birds and aviation.
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 400mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/400.0
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1993
- Optical construction
- 7 elements in 6 groups
- Aperture blades
- 8
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 3.5 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.11x
- Filter thread
- 77 mm
- Weight
- 1250 g
- Length
- 256.5 mm
- Diameter
- 90 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM?
- Birds in flight
- Aviation
- Wildlife in bright light
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
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/5.6L USM good for birds in flight?
Yes, it is light, quick to focus and sharp. The lack of stabilization matters less with fast action.
Does the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM have stabilization?
No. A tripod, monopod or higher shutter speeds are needed.
Does the EF 400mm f/5.6L work with a 1.4x extender?
It can, resulting in a 560mm f/8. Autofocus then depends on the camera body.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
