Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS mk II USM
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The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is a high-performance telephoto zoom lens, designed for Canon's full-frame and APS-C DSLRs. This lens is renowned for its versatility, optical excellence, and robust build, making it a favorite among wildlife, sports, and nature photographers.
Optical Design and Quality
The lens features a sophisticated optical design with 21 elements in 16 groups. It includes one fluorite element and one Super Ultra-low Dispersion (Super UD) element, which work together to minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure high resolution and contrast throughout the zoom range. Canon's Air Sphere Coating (ASC) is applied to reduce ghosting and flare, providing clear and vibrant images even in challenging lighting conditions.
Build and Handling
Constructed with a durable metal body, the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is built to withstand the demands of professional use. The lens is fully weather-sealed, offering protection against dust and moisture, making it suitable for use in various environmental conditions. Despite its solid construction, the lens is relatively lightweight at approximately 3.62 pounds (1,640 grams), and measures about 7.6 inches (193 mm) in length when retracted, making it portable and easy to handle.
Autofocus System
The lens is equipped with a ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for fast, precise, and near-silent autofocus performance. The USM, combined with a high-speed CPU and optimized AF algorithms, ensures quick and accurate focusing, which is crucial for capturing fast-moving subjects. The lens also features full-time manual focus override, allowing photographers to make fine adjustments without switching out of autofocus mode. The minimum focusing distance is significantly improved to 3.2 feet (0.98 meters), providing a maximum magnification of 0.31x, which is excellent for close-up shots of small subjects.
Image Stabilization
One of the standout features of this lens is its advanced Image Stabilization (IS) system, which provides up to four stops of correction. The IS system has three modes:
- Mode 1: Standard mode for general photography.
- Mode 2: Panning mode, which corrects for vertical shake when following moving subjects.
- Mode 3: Exposure-only mode, which activates stabilization only during exposure, making it easier to track erratically moving subjects.
Aperture and Depth of Field
The EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM has a variable maximum aperture of f/4.5 at the wide end and f/5.6 at the telephoto end. The aperture can be stopped down to f/32, allowing for greater depth of field control. The lens features a 9-blade circular diaphragm, which helps to produce pleasing bokeh, or out-of-focus background blur, making it ideal for isolating subjects against a soft, defocused background.
Zoom Mechanism
The lens employs a rotation-type zoom ring, which allows for more precise composition and excellent balance when handholding. The zoom ring also features a customizable torque adjustment, enabling photographers to set the zoom tension to their preference, ensuring smooth and controlled zooming.
Additional Features
- Tripod Collar: A detachable, rotatable tripod collar is included, providing stability when mounted on a tripod or monopod. This feature is particularly useful for long-duration shoots and when using slower shutter speeds.
- Lens Hood: The lens comes with a dedicated lens hood (ET-83D) that helps to reduce lens flare and protect the front element from impacts and the elements. The hood also features a side window, allowing for easy adjustment of rotating filters such as polarizers.
- Compatibility: The lens is compatible with Canon's 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, extending its reach to 560mm and 800mm, respectively, with some reduction in maximum aperture.
Applications
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is particularly well-suited for wildlife, sports, and nature photography, where its versatile focal length range allows photographers to capture subjects at varying distances with clarity and precision. Its advanced image stabilization and fast autofocus make it a practical choice for handheld shooting, especially in dynamic environments.
Conclusion
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is a professional-grade telephoto zoom lens that combines excellent optical performance with a durable and portable design. Its sharpness, contrast, reliable autofocus, and advanced image stabilization make it a valuable tool for photographers who need to capture distant subjects with precision and detail. Whether shooting wildlife on a safari, athletes in action, or distant landscapes, this lens delivers outstanding results.