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Rent NowThe Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens was the fourth EF lens, and the first L-series zoom lens, to incorporate Canon’s Image Stabilizer technology, marking a landmark release for super-telephoto zoom photography. It has long been a favorite among enthusiast photographers working in sports, wildlife, and aviation fields, delivering an 100-400mm equivalent focal range in a single, versatile lens.
Optically, the lens covers a 100-400mm focal range with a variable maximum aperture starting at f/4.5 (100-129mm), stepping to f/5 (130-259mm), and reaching f/5.6 (260-400mm), down to a minimum aperture of f/32-40. The 17-element, 14-group optical design includes one Fluorite element and one Super UD (ultra-low dispersion) element, delivering exceptional imaging capability and controlling chromatic aberration across the zoom range. An 8-blade diaphragm contributes to the lens’s background rendering, with a diagonal angle of view spanning 24° to 6°10′.
Canon’s Image Stabilizer provides the equivalent of a shutter speed two stops faster, with two selectable IS modes: Mode 1 for standard stabilization on both axes, and Mode 2, optimized for panning by stabilizing only the axis perpendicular to the pan direction. Autofocus is handled by a ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) with a rear-focusing design, delivering fast, quiet performance along with full-time manual focus override in One-Shot AF mode (manual focus is available immediately once the subject is in focus).
A distinctive feature of this lens is its push-pull zoom mechanism, one of only two such designs still in Canon’s lineup, with an adjustable zoom ring tension/touch control that can be locked at any focal length to prevent unwanted creep. A focus limiter switch lets photographers restrict the focusing range to 1.8m-6.5m, 6.5m-infinity, or the full range for faster autofocus acquisition.
Build quality includes partially weather-sealed construction. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 1.8m (5.9 ft.), yielding a maximum magnification of 0.2x at 400mm, and accepts a 77mm filter thread. It measures approximately 92 x 189mm and weighs approximately 1,360-1,380g. The lens is compatible with Canon’s Extender EF 1.4x II and Extender EF 2x II teleconverters, extending reach to 140-560mm or 200-800mm respectively, though autofocus is not supported with the 2x extender on most camera bodies.
As a full-frame-compatible lens, the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM produces its full telephoto field of view on full-frame Canon bodies and an effective 160-640mm equivalent field of view on APS-C bodies.
Key Features
– 100-400mm L-series telephoto zoom for Canon EF mount
– First L-series Canon zoom lens with Image Stabilizer
– 17 elements in 14 groups, including 1 Fluorite element and 1 Super UD element
– Image Stabilizer with 2 modes (standard and panning), approximately 2 stops of correction
– Ring-type USM autofocus with full-time manual focus override (One-Shot AF)
– Push-pull zoom design with adjustable, lockable zoom ring tension
– Focus limiter switch (1.8m-6.5m / 6.5m-infinity / full range)
– 8-blade diaphragm
– Partially weather-sealed construction
– Minimum focusing distance of 1.8m (5.9 ft.); 0.2x maximum magnification
– Compatible with Extender EF 1.4x II and 2x II (AF not supported with 2x on most bodies)
– 77mm filter thread
– Approximate weight: 1,360-1,380g
– Compatible with full-frame and APS-C Canon EF-mount cameras
